Garden of the Gods Park is a registered National Natural Landmark with dramatic views of 300' towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak and blue skies.
We took some time in the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center while visiting the park one summer. The historical aspects of the displays were particularly interesting, as well as some local preserved wild animals (that we wouldn't otherwise get to see). A good educational stop.
I took my family here upon moving to the city and honestly would recommend skipping it. It is essentially just a gift shop. We paid to watch the video and it was interesting enough; however would likely bore children. If you are curious about the park's history then you might want to stop by. Otherwise, it is not that important to see.
We stopped in at the Visitor Center at the Garden of the Gods before exploring the park. They have several educational exhibits and literature about the park and different rock formations. They also have a film that you can watch, as well as food to purchase.
The visitor's center is large and has a dining area that overlooks the Garden of the God's. They play a movie that shows the history of the park and about the rock's formations that the kids will enjoy too. They also have displays of animals that live in the park and exhibits that show them in their habitats. :)
The Visitor Center at the Garden of the Gods is a nice place to stop before going into the park. The visitor center is free and is armed with exhibits about the park and surrounding area, a information desk with maps, and a balcony with beautiful views. There is also a movie to view about the park for a nominal fee.
We enjoy this visitor center quite a bit. They have a Jr Ranger program for the kids, a gift shop, a movie about the garden, food, fudge, and many educational opportunities. You can also purchase a tour on the bus that takes you around the park and tells you about the rock formations.