Visit

Visit Manitou Springs, Colorado

The bohemian village at the base of Pikes Peak.

Ride the cog railway to 14,115 feet, taste eight natural mineral springs, conquer the Incline, play pinball for a dime at a 1930s penny arcade and discover a quirky, walkable town that's been drawing people to its healing waters since the 1870s.

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A Perfect Day

One Day in Manitou Springs

Morning

Farm-to-table breakfast at Adam's Mountain Cafe, then grab a free cup from the Chamber and taste the mineral springs on a self-guided walking tour — each one has a different flavor.

Afternoon

Ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the 14,115-foot summit, or conquer the Manitou Incline — 2,768 steps and 2,000 vertical feet of pure leg burn.

Evening

Pinball for a dime at the Penny Arcade, then dinner at The Cliff House — elegant mountain dining with Pikes Peak views in a Victorian grand hotel.

Things To Do

Mineral springs, penny arcades and a peak

Eight free mineral springs, the cog railway to Pikes Peak, a 1930s penny arcade, cliff dwellings, a cave park with rides and 30+ locally owned shops in a walkable Victorian downtown — Manitou Springs is Colorado at its most eccentric and lovable.

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

The world's highest cog railway departs from Ruxton Avenue — ride to 14,115 feet and the new summit visitor center.

The Manitou Incline

2,768 railroad-tie steps straight up a mountainside — 2,000 feet of gain in under a mile. Start early to beat the crowds.

Mineral Springs Walking Tour

Eight free naturally carbonated mineral springs scattered through town — each with a different mineral composition and flavor. Free cup from the Chamber.

Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

Underground cave tours, a canyon-edge Via Ferrata, zip lines and a wind walker challenge — adventure park meets geology lesson.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Walk through recreated Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings — a hands-on museum of ancient Southwest architecture.

Penny Arcade

Pinball, skee-ball and antique gaming machines since the 1930s — still a dime a play. One of the largest collections of vintage arcade games in the state.

Where To Stay

Sleep in the village

A Victorian grand hotel, charming B&Bs, historic inns and vacation rentals — Manitou Springs is small enough to walk everywhere and close enough to Colorado Springs for anything you need.

Rates shown include Booking.com Genius and partner discounts where available.

Plan

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Cabins & Camps

Sleep at the base of Pikes Peak

Vacation rentals in the village, a campground at the edge of town, and Colorado Springs' full lodging ten minutes east.

Rentals

Vacation rentals on Vrbo

Cottages, cabins & village homes in Manitou Springs

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Plan

Camping near Manitou

Pike NF & campgrounds near the Incline — ask Abbi.

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Cabins & Camps

Sleep at the base of Pikes Peak

Vacation rentals in the village, a campground at the edge of town, and Colorado Springs' full lodging ten minutes east.

Rentals

Vacation rentals on Vrbo

Cottages, cabins & village homes in Manitou Springs

Browse rentals →
Plan

Camping near Manitou

Pike NF & campgrounds near the Incline — ask Abbi.

Ask Abbi →

Where To Eat

30 restaurants in three walkable miles

Victorian fine dining, farm-to-table brunch, Mediterranean flavors, a craft brewery named after the Incline and margaritas with rooftop Pikes Peak views — Manitou's food scene is as eclectic as the town itself.

Eat

The Cliff House Dining Room

Elegant fine dining in a Victorian grand hotel · Pikes Peak views · Sunday brunch

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Eat

Adam's Mountain Cafe

Farm-to-table breakfast & lunch in a cozy cottage · huge portions · expect a wait

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Eat

Briarhurst Manor

Five-course fine dining in a historic estate · romantic & special occasion

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Eat

Manitou Brewing Company

Craft beer brewed on-site & pub food · dog-friendly patio · try the Incline IPA

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Eat

The Loop

Mexican comfort food & margaritas · rooftop seating with Pikes Peak views

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Plan

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Explore Colorado

More Colorado Adventures

Explore scenic drives, historic places, protected landscapes and iconic peaks throughout Colorado.

Events

Coming up in Manitou Springs

What's on in Manitou Springs over the weeks ahead.

YearRound

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Daily departures to 14,115 feet from Ruxton Avenue · book ahead

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SummerNow

Manitou Art Walks & Festivals

Gallery walks, street festivals & live music throughout summer

Details →
YearRound

Penny Arcade & Mineral Springs

Free self-guided springs tour & vintage gaming · open daily

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Shop Local

Take Manitou Springs home

Crystal shops, Western trading posts, a year-round Christmas store and handcrafted furniture made from old skis — Manitou's shopping is as quirky as the town.

Shop

Ruxton's Trading Post

One of Colorado's oldest trading posts · Western memorabilia & local gifts

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Shop

Manitou Avenue Shops

30+ locally owned boutiques, crystal shops & galleries · all walkable

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Plan

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Move Here

Could Manitou Springs become home?

Learn about housing, winter, work and daily life, then connect with a local broker through the Manitou Springs relocation page.

Make the move

Housing, seasons, jobs and what daily life really costs — then a broker introduction when you're ready.

Broker introductions are subject to Explore Colorado's referral disclosure.

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Nearby Towns

The Pikes Peak region

Manitou Springs sits at the base of Pikes Peak — Colorado Springs ten minutes east, Monument twenty minutes north.