About Manitou Springs
About Manitou Springs
Learn all there is to know about Manitou Springs before you make your next visit to the Pikes Peak region. We have the information you need to help you maximize your fun in one of the coolest towns in Colorado. From how to get here and where to park to cool activities and places to visit, this handy guide makes it easy to enjoy your stay. Your adventure starts right now.
A Brief Look at Manitou Springs History
Manitou Springs was established in the late 1800s by General William J. Palmer and Dr. William Bell. The town’s original purpose was to serve as a resort town for visitors and a wellness retreat for sickly patients. Patients with tuberculosis benefited especially from living in Manitou Springs. The clean, cool, high-altitude air was (and still is) good for patients and very bad for both the bacteria that cause tuberculosis and the symptoms of the disease. You can still spot the occasional tuberculosis “hut” around town.
Manitou’s plentiful mineral springs also drew visitors to the Pikes Peak region for leisure. Many people believed the springs had healing properties. Judging by the mineral contents of the various springs in town, they may have been at least a little bit correct. People still drink from the springs today. You’ll find Manitou lemonade at many parties and events around town — lemonade made with sparkling spring water.
Today, Manitou Springs thrives as a tourist destination. It is one of the most popular spots in the Pikes Peak region due to its eclectic charm, proximity to the mountains and large number of area attractions.
Quick Facts About Manitou Springs
- Manitou Springs is small in comparison to the neighboring city of Colorado Springs. The town still has not broken 5,000 people in total population. (As of the last census.)
- The town invented the Great Fruit Cake Toss. No matter where you may attend a fruitcake flinging, the roots of the tradition started right here.
- Tourism is the driving force of Manitou’s economy. Healthcare and education come in second and third and many residents work in Colorado Springs in other industries.
- More than 750,000 people visit Manitou Springs each year. That’s a lot of people for a town that’s about three square miles!
- There are eight different mineral springs located throughout Manitou, each with its own taste and mineral profile.
- The infamous Incline sees about 70,000 hikers each year. The stairs ascend 2,000 feet in elevation over a one-mile straight-up trek up the mountain.
What We Love About Manitou Springs
Shopping and Dining
Manitou Springs has a variety of great restaurants and locally owned businesses open year-round. All of them are an easy walk from the main parking areas! You’ll find a sample of our favorites below:
Dining
- Adam’s Mountain Cafe — Ve, Vg, A+
- Queen’s Parlour Tearoom — Ve, Vg, A+
- Mo’s Diner — Vg, A+
- Mona Lisa Fondue — Ve, Vg, A+
- The Loop — Vg, A+
Shopping
- Garden of the Gods Trading Post
- Angler’s Covey
- Theo’s Toys
- Mushroom Monday
- La Henna Boheme
Please call ahead for more details on dietary accommodations. Find additional dining options here.
Outdoor Adventure
There are lots of ways to get out and play in Manitou Springs. A new adventure can be found in every direction for every skill level. These are some favorites for both locals and visitors:
- The Manitou Incline
- Red Rock Canyon Open Space
- Adventures Out West
- Rainbow Falls
- Barr Trail
- Inteman Trail
- Garden of the Gods
- Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain
Early Colorado History
Manitou Springs is a town rich in history. Take a deep dive into the region’s past at any one of these fun and educational attractions and museums.
- Manitou Springs Heritage Center
- Cave of the Winds
- Miramont Castle
- Manitou Cliff Dwelings
- Garden of the Gods
Entertainment for All
Whether you’re traveling solo or hauling the whole family around, these attractions offer a little something for everyone.
- The North Pole – Santa’s Workshop
- Iron Springs Chateau
- Pikes Peak Cog Railway
- Manitou Springs Penny Arcade
- Mineral Springs Tours
- Soda Springs Park
Manitou Springs Signature Events
Manitou Springs definitely knows how to throw a party. Check out some of the most popular events in town.
- Commonwheel Arts Festival: A three-day weekend filled with art, entertainment and family-friendly fun.
- The Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon: This challenging race pits runners agains each other — and a 14,115-foot mountain.
- Emma Crawford Coffin Races: Embrace the weird with this spooky race dedicated to the day the departed Emma Crawford made her way back into town via her own coffin.
- The Great Fruitcake Toss: The fruitcakes will fly during this winter festival born of boredom and good, old-fashioned Manitou quirkiness. The town is the birthplace of the tradition, so it’s extra special.
- Carnivale: Mardi Gras makes its way to Manitou during this weekend event featuring a ball, a gumbo cook-off and a parade.
- Colorado Wine Festival: Sip the day away when you attend this popular festival featuring wines from more than 30 Colorado wineries.
- Ice Cream Social and Pie Baking Contest: This annual gathering is nostalgic, community-centered and features incredible treats. What more could you want?
- Heritage Brew Festival: Coloradans love their craft beer. This festival highlights some of the best.
- Pikes Peak International Hill Climb: The Race to the Clouds is an extreme auto race straight to the top of America’s Mountain. High speeds and no guardrails make this race extra exciting for all.
Three Things You Must Do While You’re Here:
- Enjoy high tea at Miramont Castle. Experience some of the best tea in the Pikes Peak region when you visit the Queen’s Parlour Tea Room. High tea includes a filling, multi-course meal of traditional tea sandwiches, rich scones and miniature desserts. You will also receive discounted admission if you decide to tour the castle.
- Play at the Manitou Penny Arcade. Yes, there truly are games that are a penny at the Manitou Penny Arcade. THis indoor/outdoor arcade makes you feel like you’re on a boardwalk near the ocean, complete with skee-ball, snacks and prizes. The arcade is right in the heart of the town, so it’s easy to pay it a visit for a few games or a whole day of play.
- Visit Cave of the Winds: Cave of the Winds has built an amazing adventure park in addition to showcasing one of the best caves in Southern Colorado. The park is home to a huge obstacle course and two different thrill rides that will send you screaming over the canyon beside the cave. Speaking of the cave, you can choose from the regular tour or a special lantern tour that visits less-traveled portions and includes spooky tales from your guide.
- Bonus Activity: Hike the Incline. We didn’t make this a primary “must do” because, frankly, the Incline is challenging. It will put you to the test and it’s not for everyone. It’s over 2,700 steps straight up the mountain! However, if you’re prepared and able to make the ascent, you’ll never forget the endorphin rush as you look over the panorama below. The Incline requires all visitors to make a free reservation.
The Best Time of Year to Visit Manitou Springs
Everyone loves to fill the streets of Manitou Springs during the hot summer months. However, you can have just as much fun in the “off season” as you can in the summer if you know when to visit. Take a look!
September-February: September offers the heat of summer with fewer people and more room to breathe. The nights are chilly, but still comfortable. October brings colder temps, but you’ll still find hot days. It’s also a great time to visit because the closer you get to Halloween, the cooler Manitou gets, with ghost tours and the famous Emma Crawford Coffin Races. November is a bit more calm, albeit cold. However, many attractions stay open during this time of year and you won’t find yourself standing in many lines. December and January bring the holidays home for a small town Christmas. The North Pole stays open through Christmas for visits to meet Santa and there’s a Christmas parade. In January, the world-famous fruitcake toss blows away post-holiday blues just in time for Carnivale in February.
Late April – Early June: Manitou Springs is pretty close to the mountains, so visiting in the spring does increase the risk of snow. However, you will also see the world starting to thaw out come April. You will definitely find cooler temps for hiking, biking or climbing the Incline. If you pack right, you can enjoy a lot of empty trails that are usually packed in the summer. The Cog Railway still runs this time of year, and you can get some extremely cool close-ups of a high-elevation winter/spring without leaving the comfort of your train car. May is a particularly lovely time to make your way to Manitou Springs. The warmer temperatures bring out the wildflowers, the creeks and waterfalls begin to run and the daytime temps get downright warm. You’ll still find the nights to be pretty cold, so if you’re camping locally, pack appropriately.
How to Get to Manitou Springs
Unless you live in Colorado, or really love road trips, a visit to Manitou Springs usually begins with an airport. We are fortunate enough to have two options to help travelers have more power to save on ticket prices. Don’t underestimate the Colorado Springs Airport. The last decade has seen a steep drop in prices for flying in and out of the local airport.
Colorado Springs Airport
Colorado Springs is a small airport in eastern Colorado Springs. It is easy to navigate, with quick security lines and frequent inbound and outbound domestic flights. Leaving the airport is fast and simple and it is reasonably close to the most popular parts of the city. Transportation is recommended.
Directions: Take Milton E Proby Parkway out of the airport and follow for about 3.5 miles. Follow signage to connect to I-25 via South Academy Boulevard. Take I-25 north to the exit for Manitou Springs, US-24 W/Cimarron (exit 141). Follow for about 4 miles and use directional signage to navigate into Manitou Springs.
Transportation Options:
- Onsite rental car agencies
- Hotel shuttles
- Off site rental car agency shuttles
- Ride shares
- Mountain Metro Transit bus Route 37. You will need to make more than one transfer to get to your final destination.
Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport is about 85 miles from Colorado Springs on the east side of Denver. The airport is large, with frequent domestic and international flights. Security can be slow and the airport has frequent construction projects that can make navigation confusing.
Directions: You can exit the airport by taking Peña Boulevard out of the airport to I-70W/I-225S. I-225 will connect drivers to I-25 and south to Colorado Springs. Alternatively, drivers can also take Peña Boulevard to toll road E-470 south and connect to I-25 near the edge of Denver. It can be very pricey, so be aware of that before you take the exit. Once in Colorado Springs, take exit 141 (US-24 W) and make your way to Manitou following directional signage.
Transportation Options:
- Onsite rental car agencies
- Off site rental car agency shuttles
- Ride shares
- Groome Transportation DIA shuttle
For more information about getting around Colorado Springs, check out this article.
Additional Resources
Check out these articles for more help with your visit:
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