Exploring Manitou Springs: 7 Things You’ll Love to Do

Nestled at the foot of Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs is the most charming little mountain town that you do not want to miss out on! With the perfect blend of outdoor escapades and laid-back vibes, we have compiled the top seven things you’ll love to do in Manitou Springs on your next family trip! Read on to discover all you need to know about this picturesque location.

1. The Manitou Incline

The Hike

The Manitou Incline is a popular hiking trail taking you 2,744 steps above Manitou Springs, offering the best views of the town. This challenging 4.5 mile round-trip trail is rated “hard” by All Trails and takes most people 3-4 hours to complete.

Plan to take your time and take breaks as needed, especially with the high altitude at this elevation. You will want to take plenty of water, sturdy shoes, a snack and sun protection.

Reservations

You will need to make a (free) reservation prior to your hike. During peak season, some time slots do fill up.

Parking

You can park at the Hiawatha Gardens parking lot, where a free shuttle takes guests to the Incline every 20 minutes between 6:00am and 6:00pm. You will need a ticket to park that you can purchase from the corresponding meter.

An additional parking option is the Iron Springs Chateau parking at 444 Ruxton Ave. Parking is $15 for one car which covers four hours of parking. This parking lot only accepts cash.

2. Taste the Mineral Springs

Manitou Springs is famous for its eight mineral drinking springs that were once sought after for healing. Located throughout the town, you are free to taste the mineral water, each with its own unique taste.

The springs are always open, so you can explore at your leisure. You can bring your own cup, or purchase one for $2 at the Manitou Springs Visitor Center. Use this map to find all eight springs.

3. Pikes Peak Cog Railway

The Pikes Peak Cog Railway boards in Manitou Springs and summits the mountain 1 hour and 10 minutes later. You will have 40 minutes to enjoy the stunning views at the top of Pikes Peak before returning back down to the Depot.

Tickets

You will need to purchase tickets in advance on their website. The departure schedule varies throughout the year.

Parking

There is a $20 parking fee for the Cog Railway parking lot. 

Know Before You Go

With the quick increase in altitude (beginning at 6,320 feet and ending at 14,115 feet), some people do experience altitude sickness. Make sure you hydrate well in the days leading up to your Cog Railway ride and be mindful of how young children are feeling.

4. Enjoy Shopping and Dining in Downtown Manitou Springs

You could easily spend a whole day strolling in and out of the local shops and eateries lining downtown Manitou Springs. In fact, we recommend it!

Grab coffee and a hand-rolled bagel at The Loft, enjoy a delicious lunch at Toasted, and don’t forget the homemade beignets at Rocky Mountain Beignets! These beignets (a deep-fried French pastry) might have just been our favorite food of the trip.

Manitou Springs has no shortage of souvenir shops (with nearly every shop featuring sasquatch-themed goods!). You’ll find everything from Colorado apparel to local art to jewelry and stationary.

Parking

There is a fee to park in downtown Manitou Springs. It is not very well marked and there are no physical parking meters. Look for signs saying how to pay through the parking app (or you will be left with a fat ticket like us!).

5. Manitou Cliff Dwellings

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are historic ruins of the Pueblo Indians’ cave homes. This is a great interactive experience for kids and adults alike to explore how these Indians lived and constructed their dwellings (with almost no tools!).

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are open all year (weather permitting) and tickets can be purchased at the entrance.

Between exploring the dwellings and the museum, we spent about one hour here. While you do explore on foot, it is all fairly compact and therefore doesn’t take too much walking.

6. Mineral Spring Spa

Though we weren’t able to stop here on our most recent trip to Manitou Springs, spending the afternoon soaking in mineral-rich water at SunWater Spa is at the top of my list for our next trip to Colorado!

SunWater Spa features outdoor cedar tubs filled with mineral spring water. The cherry on top is the stunning view you have of the mountain landscape while you relax and soak.

In addition, this spa offers massages and facials, exactly what you will be craving after adventurous activities such as hiking the Manitou Incline!

7. Penny Arcade

The Penny Arcade in downtown Manitou Springs is the perfect place to let your inner-child shine! With both modern and vintage arcade games, there is something for everyone. My personal favorites are the retro Skee-Ball games and our kids loved the pinball machines!

Games range in price from one penny to $1.50, with most games being around 25 cents. They have change machines located around arcade, so it’s okay if you don’t have quarters with you. 

The Penny Arcade is open from 10am-10pm seven days a week.

How Far is Manitou Springs From Colorado Springs?

Manitou Springs is just a 15 minute drive from Colorado Springs, making it the perfect addition to your Colorado Springs itinerary. If you would like to explore this area for a day, check out our guide to the perfect Colorado Springs day trip.

Your Manitou Springs Visit

We hope this round-up of the best things to do in Manitou Springs helps you plan for your own Manitou Springs trip!

We also post helpful tips, tricks and family travel guides (sprinkled with a little humor and a lot of iced coffee) on Instagram! We would love to have you follow us so we can connect with you there as well.

Happy Travels!

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