Manitou Springs

Manitou Springs is a small resort town just west of Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was founded as a tourist destination and also became known for its mineral springs. But its greatest claim to fame is being the gateway to Pikes Peak.

Since the 1970s Manitou Springs has become known as an artist's colony, although tourism is still a very important part of Manitou's atmosphere. It is directly at the base of Pikes Peak and surrounded by mountains (including Pike National Forest) on three sides.

Get in

Manitou Springs is about 4 miles west of Colorado Springs by way of U.S. Highway 24.

By plane

The Colorado Springs Airport (COS IATA) is served by eight airlines.

By car

From downtown Colorado Springs or I-25, take U.S. Highway 24 west, and take the Manitou Springs exit. Or go west on Colorado Avenue (24 business) and you'll drive right through the center of Manitou Springs.

By bus

There is daily bus service from downtown Colorado Springs.

Get around

Manitou Springs is a great town for a walking or bicycle tour. Nearly all of the shops, galleries, bars and restaurants are on or just off the main street, which is Manitou Avenue. Stop by the Chamber of Commerce at the east end of town (Manitou Avenue and Mayfair) to pick up walking tour maps.

See
  • Cliff Dwellings Museum. In the early 1900s these ruins were moved from southwestern Colorado to their current location. 
  • Iron Springs Melodrama Dinner Theatre. Cheer the hero! Boo the villain! Audience participation is always encouraged as families enjoy musical comedy melodrama, sing-along and comedy revue. 
  • Mineral Springs. Manitou Springs, unlike Colorado Springs, actually has springs! There are seven mineral springs throughout town where the drinking water runs freely throughout most of the year and is free to the public. Each spring has an interesting history and unique mineral composition and flavor. Pick up sampling cups at the Chamber of Commerce (Manitou Ave. & Mayfair) as well as a map for a refreshing self-guided tour. 
  • 🌍 Miramont Castle, 9 Capitol Hill Ave, toll-free: +1-888-685-1011. Circa 1895, this restored private home showcases nine styles of architecture and includes an extensive Miniature Museum. (updated Nov 2020)

Do

Walking is an excellent way to see Manitou. The town is also close to many great hiking/running/biking trails. Garden of the Gods abuts Manitou on the northwest side and has many hiking trails. Barr Trail is the longest trail, although it is virtually straight up (and down). The Intemann Trail skirts Manitou's south side, running from the Iron Springs (near the Cog Railway)ending at the old cemetery. Red Rock Canyon (on the east side of Manitou) is similar to Garden of the Gods (it is a geological extension with similar sandstone slabs) and has a well-designed trail system that has become quite popular since opening in 2006. Waldo Canyon is a nice loop about 2 miles west of Manitou along Highway 24.

  • Manitou Springs Heritage Center, 517 Manitou Ave (on main street just two blocks west of Chamber of Commerce), ☏ +1 719 685-1454. vary by season. Upstart history museum and research center located at the start of Manitou Springs' Historic Downtown. Changing exhibits and unique "Manitou-centric" Museum Shop. Free. 

Activities
  • Taste the Springs. There are 9 unique natural springs drinking fountains to try around town 
  • Art Walk. There are more than 8 art galleries, not counting restaurant art displays 
  • Hike the Incline. 1 mile of stairs (one way) climbing nearly 2,000 feet in less than one mile up the face of Mount Manitou. The land through which the Incline passes on its ascent is owned by three entities: the bottom portion is owned by the City of Colorado Springs, the middle section is owned by the Pikes Peak Cog Railway and the top portion is owned by the US Forest Service (updated Nov 2019)
  • 🌍 North Pole Home of Santa's Workshop. A Christmas-themed amusement park located in the town of Cascade, just northwest of Manitou Springs. (updated May 2017)

Tours
  • Cave of the Winds. Guided tours through an extensive network of caves 
  • Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Tour ancient Anasazi dwellings at this museum 
  • Ghost Tours. Tour haunted Briarhurst Manor & other ghost sites 
  • Historic Walking Tours. Guided tours of downtown Manitou Springs highlight history, mineral springs. Support Manitou Springs Heritage Center. 

Events
  • Mardis Gras Parade. 3rd weekend of February. Thousands of people flood the town in crazy costumes 
  • Pikes Peak Marathon. Mid July. 2 days. World-class runners race up and down Pike's Peak. 
  • Craft Lager Festival. August. 2 days. Sample micro-brews from around the country. 
  • Emma Crawford Coffin Races. Weekend before Halloween. Thousands of people watch 4-man teams custom coffins on wheels. 

Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak is a nearby mountain. Dubbed America's Mountain, it's not for the faint-of-heart - the mountain's summit is just over 14,000 feet (4302 m).

There are three ways to reach the summit: drive , ride the cog railway , or hike via the 12.6-mile-long Barr Trail.

Driving costs $15/adult with quantity discounts, though the high altitude can be quite punishing on a car. However, it gets much quieter between trips of cog rail tourists. Driving also gives plenty of opportunities to stop to admire breathtaking views, taking pictures of marmots and pikas (the local fauna), or using the facilities at any of several stops on the way up. Plus, the Pikes Peak Highway is just fun for people who like to drive! Trips can be spoiled by overheated engines or hot brakes on the verge of failing if the car is driven poorly. Avoid these pitfalls by using the proper gear for ascent/descent.

The Pikes Peak Cog Railroad (the cog train to the top of America's Mountain) costs $30/adult, and saves wear and tear on your car. It also allows you to sit back and enjoy the train conductor/tour guide's witty banter and lame puns as he/she explains the sights and points out native plant and animal life. Cog rail allows 30-40 minutes at the peak before descent.

Finally, if you are acclimated to the altitude, the hike to the summit is pleasant (but very strenuous) and can be done in a day. The Barr Trail ascends from the east side and is 12.6 miles (20 km) long. You can also arrange to stay at Barr Camp for a night and break up the hike.

Take a jacket - it can be quite cool at the 14,110 foot summit of Pikes Peak even in the middle of the summer. Do not consume caffeine or alcohol prior to the trip. The change in altitude is very sudden and stimulants may exacerbate the effects. Drink lots of water... and then drink more. A visit requires several hours to make sure you can sit, relax, eat, drink water, and breathe deeply to avoid altitude sickness.

At the top spend plenty of time taking pictures, shopping for souvenirs, and just sitting on the rocks on the northern edge and enjoy the view.

In early July every year, there's a "race for the clouds" during which the Pikes Peak Highway is shut down and high-performance cars, trucks, and motorcycles race to the summit, watched by a large and enthusiastic audience.

Buy

A wide range of stores including clothing boutiques, candy shops, antique stores, Indian jewelry and unique shops such as the Hemp Store & organic grocery store.

Eat

Manitou has many restaurants from ranging in style from funky to fancy. A few are:

  • Adams Mountain Cafe. Natural-style foods. 
  • Amanda's Fonda. A Mexican restaurant. Famous margaritas. 
  • Castaways. Pirate-themed steakhouse. 
  • Cliff House Restaurant. Upscale dining in the Historic Cliff House. 
  • Mate' Factor Cafe' (A Common Ground Cafe'). Organic yerba maté drinks, sandwiches, salads, smoothies, and coffee. Open 24 hr on weekdays, from Sunday at noon until Friday at 3PM. 
  • Coquette Creperie. Specializes in gluten-free crepes. 
  • Craftwood Inn. Upscale American featuring Colorado game. 
  • The Dutch Kitchen. Homestyle cooking. 
  • European Cafe. Breakfast & lunch European cafe. 
  • Manitou Pancake & Steakhouse. Homestyle cooking. Huge pancakes. 
  • The Mate' Factor. Tea, sandwiches, wraps & salads, open 24 hr except Saturday. 
  • Marilyn's Pizza House. Marilyn Monroe-themed pizza place. 
  • Mona Lisa's. An upscale fondue restaurant; downstairs is a wine bar and scaled-down fondue plates. 
  • PJ's Bistro. Eastern European restaurant. 
  • Red Mountain Bar & Grill. Lounge & grill attached to the Historic Cliff House. 
  • Savelli's Pizza. Best pizza in the metro. 
  • Spice of Life. Coffee, breakfast & sandwiches. 
  • Uncle Sams Pancake House. Breakfast only. 

Drink

There are many taverns and local hang-outs. A few are:

  • Ancient Mariner. Restaurant/lounge with large stage & frequent music. 
  • The Keg. Another local fave restaurant/lounge; good chicken sandwich. 
  • Kinfolks, 950 Manitou Ave, ☏ +1 719 685-4433. 8 taps of micro-brew beer. No hard alcohol & no food. 
  • The Loop, 965 Manitou Ave, ☏ +1 719 685-9344. Mexican restaurant with a small bar & famous margaritas. 
  • Royal Tavern, 924 Manitou Ave, ☏ +1 719 685-9916. Biker bar with the cheapest beer. No food & no micro-brews. Small smoking patio. 
  • Stagecoach Inn, ☏ +1 719-685-9114. Nice restaurant with a small bar. Good beer & wine selection. 
  • The Townhouse, 907 Manitou Ave, ☏ +1 719 685-1085. Restaurant/lounge with large patio, music, pool tables & good food. 

Sleep

Accommodations range from small mom-and-pop motels to national chains to the Cliff House, an historic grand hotel that has been restored to her former beauty.

Go next
Routes through Manitou Springs
Florissant Fossil Beds ← Woodland Park ←  W  E  → Colorado Springs → Stockton


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