This Charming Small Town In Colorado Is Ideal For A Scenic Weekend Getaway
There are some places that just feel right the moment you arrive, and for me, Manitou Springs is one of them. From the winding roads leading into town to the historic buildings brimming with character, I instantly felt a sense of calm mixed with a thrill of discovery.
I’ve explored many corners of Colorado, but this charming small town, cradled by mountains and bubbling with natural springs, has always held a special spot in my heart as the quintessential scenic weekend escape.
Natural Mineral Springs Throughout Town
Scattered throughout downtown, eight public mineral springs offer free-flowing water with unique flavors and supposed health benefits. Each fountain features distinct mineral compositions, creating tastes ranging from slightly sweet to surprisingly sulfuric. Locals and tourists alike bring bottles to sample different springs, making it a fun scavenger hunt.
The springs have attracted visitors since the 1800s when people believed the waters could cure various ailments. Today, the tradition continues as folks test their taste buds at each location.
Maps guide you to every spring, turning a simple walk into an interactive experience. I remember grimacing at my first sip of the iron-rich spring, but somehow I kept going back for more.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum
Step back 800 years at this fascinating outdoor museum featuring reassembled Ancestral Puebloan structures. The dwellings were carefully relocated from other sites and reconstructed here in the early 1900s to preserve them.
The red sandstone cliffs create a dramatic backdrop for the pueblo-style architecture. Informative plaques explain how these indigenous people lived, cooked, and survived in such challenging conditions.
A museum building houses authentic artifacts including pottery, tools, and woven baskets. Walking through narrow doorways and climbing wooden ladders makes history feel incredibly real and accessible.
Manitou Incline Challenge
Brace yourself for one of Colorado’s most brutal yet rewarding hikes up 2,744 steps gaining 2,000 feet in less than a mile. Originally a cable car track, the Incline now challenges fitness enthusiasts and masochists who crave vertical punishment.
Your lungs will burn, legs will shake, but the summit views make every agonizing step worthwhile. Hikers of all abilities attempt this beast, though many take frequent breaks to catch their breath and question their life choices.
The surrounding scenery distracts from the pain as Pikes Peak towers nearby. Descending via the gentler Barr Trail gives your knees a much-needed break. Completing the Incline feels like earning a badge of honor.
Charming Manitou Avenue Shopping District
Strolling down Manitou Avenue feels like wandering through an artist’s playground filled with galleries, boutiques, and oddball shops. Vibrant murals cover building walls while quirky sculptures dot sidewalks, creating an Instagram-worthy backdrop. .
The street buzzes with creative energy as musicians busk on corners and street performers entertain passersby. Unique shops offer everything from crystals and incense to vintage clothing and handmade soaps.
Window shopping here beats any generic mall experience by a country mile. Coffee shops and ice cream parlors provide perfect pit stops between browsing sessions.
Cave Of The Winds Mountain Park
Descend into a magical underground world where limestone formations have grown for millions of years creating otherworldly sculptures. Guided tours wind through narrow passages revealing sparkling crystals, towering stalagmites, and delicate formations with names like the Bridal Chamber. +
Above ground, adventure seekers can tackle a ropes course, wind walker challenge, or terror-inducing rides over canyons. The park combines geology education with adrenaline-pumping activities for all ages.
Tour guides share fascinating stories about the cave’s discovery and geological history. Standing inside ancient caverns makes you feel incredibly small yet wonderfully connected to Earth’s timeline.
Pikes Peak Views And Access
America’s Mountain dominates the skyline, offering breathtaking views from virtually every corner of town. At 14,115 feet, Pikes Peak inspired the song America the Beautiful and continues to captivate visitors with its grandeur.
Multiple routes lead to the summit including the challenging Barr Trail, scenic highway, or historic cog railway. Each season transforms the peak’s appearance from snow-covered giant to rocky purple mountain majesty.
Watching sunrise paint the mountain pink and gold never gets old. I’ve gazed at Pikes Peak countless times, yet it still takes my breath away every single visit.
Red Mountain Open Space Trails
Escape the crowds on these lesser-known trails winding through stunning red rock formations and ponderosa pine forests. The network offers options for every skill level, from easy strolls to challenging climbs with rewarding panoramas.
Dramatic rock outcroppings create natural sculptures that glow brilliantly during golden hour photography sessions. The trails connect to larger regional systems, allowing adventurous hikers to extend their journeys.
Spring wildflowers carpet meadows while fall brings golden aspen groves. These paths provide peaceful solitude without driving far from town’s conveniences and dining options.
Historic Miramont Castle Museum
This architectural oddity combines nine different building styles into one fantastical structure built in 1895 by a French priest. The castle features 46 rooms spread across four stories, each showcasing period furnishings and fascinating historical artifacts.
The building served various purposes throughout history including sanitarium, apartments, and now museum preserving Manitou’s colorful past. A Victorian tea room serves afternoon refreshments in elegant surroundings.
Guided tours reveal hidden staircases, servant quarters, and stories of the eccentric families who lived here. Exploring this quirky castle feels like stepping into a storybook.