Historic Manitou Springs Colorado

If you are in the area anyway to visit one of the most famous mountains in the world, Pikes Peak, and one of the most scenic attractions anywhere, the Garden of Gods, you might want to stop in Manitou Springs, Colorado itself. Besides being next to the two world famous attractions, and many other area attractions, the town of Manitou Springs, four miles from Colorado Springs, itself offers plenty to do and see.

Manitou Springs has 11 mineral springs throughout town that are fed by snow from Pikes Peak. The area that is now Manitou Springs was considered sacred by Native Americans, including the Ute and the Cheyenne. The word "Manitou" means "spirit." The town is home to a variety of world class, nationally famous restaurants, many favorite neighborhood eating establishments, and a wide selection of quality accommodations: Victorian bed and breakfasts; unique motels that are classic; motor inns; cabins by Fountain Creek or in remote areas; chain motels; and campgrounds that are away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Manitou Springs, Colorado, is next to or near well known and lesser known tourist attractions and things to see such as Pikes Peak (which inspired the song, America the Beautiful), the beautiful red rock formations of the Garden of Gods, the Cave of the Winds, Miramont Castle, the Cliff Dwellings Museum, the Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama, the Flying "W" Ranch, Ghost Town Museum, Seven Falls, and the United States Air Force Academy.

While some of the attractions are well known, others are not. The Academy Riding Stables, which is not affiliated with the Air Force Academy, provides an alternative way for the family to see the Garden of Gods, rather than by car or hiking-- by horseback. Real cowboys will point out points of interest to those taking a tour. The Adventure Company operates in five locations and provides whitewater rafting on the Colorado River, the Arkansas River, Blue River, and Clear Creek. All Talk Tour Guiding gives tours of Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs, and the Garden of Gods and gives information on history, current events, and nature talks. A little farther away in Mosca, Colorado is Colorado Gators, a reptile park with the biggest alligators in the west, and a place where visitors can hold an alligator.

Other attractions in Manitou Springs itself include the Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama, which includes the choice of a show and dinner or just a show, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings & Museum, which includes prehistoric Indian ruins, and the Manitou Springs Heritage Center. Other attractions include the John May Museum Center, which has one of the most outstanding collection of insects in the world and the Museum of Space Exploration; the Miramont Castle, where one can see 42 rooms with Victorian furnishings, Santa's Workshop/North Pole, a Christmas-theme family amusement park with rides and shows, and the Seven Falls, which has been called "the grandest mile of scenery in Colorado." If you want to visit area attractions in a unique way, you can rent a limousine from Uptown Limousine.

If you visit Manitou Springs, Colorado, you will not likely run out of things to do and see very quickly.

Citations: Historic Manitou Springs, no author listed, Manitousprings.org
Colorado Horseback Riding, no author listed, Academyridingstables.com
Welcome to the Adventure Company, no author listed, Theadventurecompany.com

Colorado Gators, no author listed, Gatorfarm.com

The John May Museum Center has two great museums to visit, no author listed, Maymuseum-camp-rvpark.com