Theme & Amusement Parks in Colorado Springs

Laser Quest's mazelike, multi-level arena lets up to 39 players weave through the clouded fog with the grace of a skydiving basket-maker—taking cover behind barriers, swooping around corners, and raining beam-bolts down from the upper decks. Players can compete either as friendly teams or as lone wolves. Once they are surrounded by intense crossfire rarely seen outside of stormtrooper raves, players must use strategy, stamina, and well-timed hand-mirror shields to defeat the opposition.

The screams reach out for the brave souls who venture into The Asylum Haunted House before they can see anything. Descending two levels into the darkness of Gordon Cottingham's Hospital for the Mentally Insane, they hear the tortured cries of patients who have been abused and drugged and held captive within decrepit walls and the dungeons of their own minds. Demented doctors with questionable motives and ultra-low OSHA ratings lurk throughout 15,000 square feet of damp, musty space infested with spiders, rats, and snakes. The graphic makeup and Hollywood-style effects couple with the realistic-looking environs to make the site one of the scariest haunted houses in America, according to the Discovery Channel and HauntWorld magazine. Even the seemingly fearless Bam Margera recommends it.

Those who survive The Asylum's insanity emerge into the postapocalyptic landscape of the adjacent Zombieland Haunted House. There, the living dead wander through the quarantined streets of a crumbling city, in and out of dilapidated buildings, searching for human flesh or half-eaten candy bars.

Gleeful shouts reverberate across Jumpin' Jordy's indoor playground, drifting from a stock of springy play palaces that safely bounce children up to 9 years old. With each jump, glide, and tumble, colorful slides and bouncy obstacle courses help tykes explore their imaginations and hone their motor skills. A pintsize playground invites children aged 3 and younger to burn off energy, and a snack bar refuels go stores with kid-friendly fare such as healthy snacks and juice. Grown-ups can jump-start their own senses with gourmet coffee, complimentary WiFi, and a high-def TV. On Wednesday nights, the facility morphs into an all-out party with reduced-price admission, $1 pizza slices, and an artist who crafts animals from balloons or spare unicycle tires. Jumpin' Jordy's also hosts birthday parties and other events; visit its FAQ page for details.

The 2,000-square-foot laser-tag arena at Shotz Lazer Tag & Billiards swallows up to 24 players in its black-lit barricades, spitting them out for tests of manual dexterity in the arcade and at pool tables. During games of tag, laser beams slice though a shroud of fog and hearts race in time to pumping music. The staff not only explains the rules of laser tag and equips players with gear, but periodically reconfigures the terrain to prevent frequent visitors from gaining a home-field advantage. Marksmen receive scorecards documenting the number of shots fired, their accuracy, and the location of any stains on their shirt after emerging from the black light. Nearby, the arcade rings with electronic yelps emitted by the gaming machines, and the crack of cue balls echoes over the felt of 9-foot Gold Crown pool tables.

Established in 1908, Lakeside Amusement Park maintains its turn-of-the-century charm while embracing modern amenities and attractions. An adrenaline-pumping drop tower and a slew of neon-hued, spinning rides contrast the classic joy of a wooden roller coaster, which rises from its perch near the lake. Likewise, a retro silver train transports passengers and vaudevillian apparitions throughout the picturesque grounds.

The all-ages park also comprises Kiddies' Playland, a place where tots can get their fun fix on boats, animal-themed rides, and pint-sized motorcycles. The facility also accommodates large groups with on-site picnic grounds perfect for birthday parties or applesauce fights.