At the foot of Pikes Peak, this small Colorado town has eight natural mineral springs, Victorian-era buildings, and a historic arcade filled with vintage games from the 1930s.
At the foot of Pikes Peak in Colorado, Manitou Springs lets you taste mineral water from eight natural springs, climb the Manitou Incline’s 2,744 wooden steps, and watch teams race coffins down Manitou Avenue during the Emma Crawford festival. The town began in 1872 as a health retreat and still has historic brick buildings housing art studios, a retro arcade with 1920s pinball machines, and shops selling handmade jewelry along its central streets. You can drive up Pikes Peak on a 19-mile road, explore red rock formations at Garden of the Gods, or tour underground caves at Cave of the Winds. Local spots like the Iron Springs Chateau theater serve prime rib dinners during comedy shows, and the Broadmoor Cog Railway takes you to mountain views above the clouds. Drink fizzy spring water from street-side taps, walk trails past 800-year-old Puebloan dwellings, and see why this small town draws visitors year-round.
Climbing the Manitou Incline and Nearby Trails
The Manitou Incline rises 2,000 feet in elevation over 0.9 miles using old railway ties as steps. You’ll need a timed reservation to start this steep climb, which takes most people 1-2 hours to complete. At the top, connect to the Barr Trail for a 3-mile downhill hike through pine forests back to town. For easier options, Red Mountain Open Space has 5 miles of trails winding past jagged red rock towers. Families often choose the Intemann Trail, a 4-mile loop passing old water pipelines and leading to fields filled with wildflowers in June. Pack extra water and start early in summer to avoid afternoon heat.
Visiting Pikes Peak by Train, Car, or Foot
Pikes Peak’s summit sits 14,115 feet above sea level, reachable by the Broadmoor Cog Railway’s 3.5-hour round trip. The train climbs past evergreen forests and rocky slopes, stopping at the top long enough to try the famous doughnuts made daily since 1923. If driving, the Pikes Peak Highway charges $15 per person and requires reservations between May and October. Hikers taking the 13-mile Barr Trail should begin before sunrise to reach the summit by noon, avoiding frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Every June, race cars speed up the highway during the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, drawing crowds to watch drivers navigate 156 turns.
Drinking Mineral Water and Exploring Downtown
Eight mineral springs with names like Twin Spring and Seven Minute Spring have free taps downtown. Pick up a map at the visitor center to locate all springs, some tucked behind shops or near parking lots. The water contains calcium, magnesium, and iron, giving each spring a slightly different taste—try the salty-sweet Navajo Spring near City Hall. SunWater Spa uses untreated mineral water in its outdoor cedar tubs, which you can rent for $45 per hour. Avoid drinking more than a few ounces at once, as the high mineral content can upset sensitive stomachs.
Festivals and Community Events
On March 1, 2025, chefs compete in the Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cookoff downtown, selling small portions for 75 cents each. The CarniBall fundraiser on February 22 supports the March 1 Carnivale Parade, where participants throw beads from floats decorated with neon lights. During the last weekend of October, teams dress in costumes to push wheeled coffins 200 yards down Manitou Avenue for the Emma Crawford Coffin Races. Summer weekends bring free concerts at Soda Springs Park, and the Colorado Wine Festival in July offers tastings from 30 local vineyards. In December, the town lights a 20-foot tree and hosts a holiday market selling handmade ornaments.
Museums and Historical Landmarks
Miramont Castle, a Victorian mansion built in 1895, has 30 rooms open for tours, including a Japanese tea room and a museum displaying 19th-century medical tools. The Manitou Cliff Dwellings let you crawl through replica sandstone rooms built by Ancestral Puebloans, with original pottery and tools displayed in a nearby museum. At the Heritage Center, exhibits explain how Ute tribes used the springs for ceremonies long before settlers arrived. Briarhurst Manor, constructed in 1876 from black walnut wood, now operates as a restaurant serving dishes like elk tenderloin. Stop by the fire department’s small museum to see a 1917 hand-pumped fire engine still used in parades.
Restaurants, Shops, and Entertainment
Manitou Avenue has over 50 independent businesses, including the Commonwheel Artists Co-op selling stained glass and woven scarves. The Penny Arcade operates 400 vintage games, from 1940s claw machines to 1980s Pac-Man cabinets—tokens cost 25 cents each. For dinner, Mona Lisa Fondue serves three-course cheese and chocolate fondues in a building modeled after a Swiss chalet. Good Karma Cafe bakes gluten-free cinnamon rolls and offers vegan breakfast burritos. Book the Manitou Springs Food Tour to sample green chili stew, craft beer, and honey-infused desserts while guides share stories about local landmarks.
Getting Around and Planning Your Visit
Manitou Springs lies six miles west of Colorado Springs along US Highway 24. Starting February 2025, parking meters downtown will run until 8 PM, but free shuttles loop between the Hillside Hub parking lot and major attractions every 20 minutes. Road construction near El Paso Boulevard may cause delays in early 2025—check the town’s official Facebook page for detour maps. Most hotels and restaurants cluster within six blocks of Manitou Avenue, making walking easy. Bring a refillable water bottle and lip balm, as the dry mountain air and 6,412-foot elevation can cause dehydration quickly. Campgrounds along Fountain Creek charge $35-$50 per night for tent sites from April to October.
