From arcade games to climbing on rocks, this is somewhere your inner child will really shine in addition to being a family friendly place you can hang out with your child(ren). Here you will be reminded of what decade you were born in the best (and maybe some of the worst) of ways. Check out one of the many museums that vary in subject from ghost towns, to military, to the history of indigenous people who once lived here.
Located at the eastern base of Pikes Peak (one of Colorado’s highest), this city is surrounded by great views (even without hiking, although there’s plenty of that around here, too) and other engaging activities. This destination packs a punch with a wide variety of ways to spend your time. This is a pretty major city, with everything you could ever need present.
When to go and how long
Colorado has beautiful wildflowers whose bloom ranges from the spring to summer, and the state is famous for its golden aspens in the autumn. Any time between late March and early November usually makes for a great time to visit, as in the winter, temperatures are often below freezing and it snows everywhere. If you’re into the cold, it’ll mostly just be you and the locals!
As for the activities in this area, mostly everything is open year-round with the exception of Pikes Peak (and some other activities in high elevations) in the winter.
Manitou Springs alone makes an absolutely fantastic day trip from Denver (a little over an hour’s drive), or a great place to spend a night or two if you’re looking for a road trip stop, but can also be a place to spend an entire weekend if you want to try to do it all. Spring, summer and fall temperatures on average are pretty enjoyable, but it can often be below freezing in the winter. For the most part, summertime and weekends in general (especially holiday ones) will be especially crowded because school isn’t in session…
One day or a weekend would be a great amount of time to spend here.
Where to stay
There are tons of options. In the main city of Colorado City you will find all your big hotel chains as well as a wide range of motels. I would recommend staying on the west side of the city as this is where most of the attractions are. The COS airport is on the east end of town.
Some cute (but pricy) little inns and lodges are scattered all over Manitou Springs, and there are other options that are cheaper (but keep in mind, you get what you pay for). You will be able to park where you stay, but there is otherwise generally no public overnight parking in the Manitou Springs area.
How to get around
The city of Colorado Springs is pretty big, and you can’t really walk around the entire thing. You will either need to rent a car or you will be reliant on public transportation. There is a bus system that runs everywhere in the city, and most lines come at a different price which usually ranges from *free* to a few dollars $$$. Check here for information about the shuttle system and routes in Colorado Springs.
Taxis and rideshares are all around the city, although you may have to wait a while for a ride…
The Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is a regional airport with flights connecting to and from Denver International Airport (DEN). Denver is less than a 1.5-hour drive to the north.
Food and money
Everything about the food is pretty standard to a major city. Prices are average and you have many options.
While I have not been to this place yet, Ivywild School is a former elementary school turned marketplace with a variety of food and drink options I hope to check out someday. It looks cool.
Decent hotels and parking can get pretty expensive. Some activities are totally free but many have admission fees. The cost of your adventure really can be quite flexible depending what you want to do, as there are plenty of opportunities to spend money in different ways or not at all.
What to do in Manitou Springs
*Parking:* There are a few massive parking lots (with ticket meters) and lots of metered street parking in front of the shops and restaurants (street meters usually have a max time limit). It is not a large city. The main “downtown” area is really only a few blocks along Manitou Ave. The parking meter system there allows you to add time via a text message link which I’ve found to be a very useful perk. It is “resident only” type parking in most of the city off the main streets. You will be fined if you park somewhere you’re not supposed to or if you fail to pay the meter, and I have seen them be very vigilant about this.
The city’s FREE SHUTTLE can be used to access some places in the city (like the Cog Railway and the Manitou Incline, more on those in a moment), but check the schedule in advance to see the schedule and specific routes.
Since this part of the town is so small, you can basically walk everywhere. Many buildings are original and historic but now serve a different purpose. There are lots of really cute shops and a variety of restaurants in the main area. If shopping is your thing, you might love some of these vintage storefronts and souvenir shops. There really is a lot of cool stuff around here.
The Penny Arcade! Probably the coolest place to remind yourself of what it is like to be a kid again. Immerse yourself in nostalgic mid- to late-1900s culture by playing all kinds of arcade games that range from one penny to a dollar per play (depending on the decade from which the specific machine was created). Some games are complete with winnable tickets that can later be redeemed for prizes. It is a time capsule preserving the early recreational uses of technology and is super dope. Time can easily be lost track of around here. Check the operating hours before you go as they can vary by season.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings, a museum of local Native American history. Admission is between $8 and $12.75 depending on a person’s age. This original pueblo was donated by the former residents for educational purposes in 1984. Walk around inside of this authentic cliff dwelling and imagine what it felt like to be alive before glass windows, modern plumbing, and air conditioning were invented. There is a (seasonal) snack bar, giant gift shop and museum to walk through as well.
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, a place for adrenaline junkies with cave tours, zip lining through trees, obstacle courses with views of the city, and more. Check out their website if this appeals to you, it is a private company and will be one of the more expensive things you can do in the area. Reservations for some activities are required depending on time of the year. I have not visited this location.
Soak in the views. There are lots of great roadside outlooks with sweeping viewpoints of the city. My personal favorite is the High Point Overlook which is also a really nice place to enjoy a sunrise, as the the top of Pikes Peak becomes illuminated with light which then floods downward. Some other spots include the Ridgecrest Scenic Overlook and the Lone Tree Lookout. If sunrises aren’t your thing, sunsets are spectacular from any outlook with a view looking west.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway. For people who want to go to the top of a 14’er without hiking there, this is a 9-mile journey by train to the top of the mountain from the base located at Ruxton Ave. You can pay to park at the station or get there by riding the city’s free shuttle from the downtown area. This round-trip activity is estimated to last about 3 hours. If you don’t want to take the train back down, you can sign up for a separate private jeep tour and see some different scenery for an additional charge. Don’t miss the opportunity to try their famous donuts while you’re up there!
Drive to the top of Pikes Peak. This is a very rare opportunity to drive your own vehicle up to the top of a 14’er, as there are not many mountains this high you can simply drive to the top of. Keep in mind, road closures are common in the wintertime and between the end of May and September you will need a reservation in advance. The road is only one lane in each direction and it is recommended that you shift down gears instead of using your brakes on the way down. Regardless of the time of the year, it is much cooler up there than at the base of the mountain.
Hike to the top of Pikes Peak on the Barr Trail. This is certainly a challenge and only recommended for the fittest adventurers. The full round-trip hike is about a marathon in distance, with the route to the top climbing about 13.5 miles with over 7k feet of elevation gain. The trail begins at the base of the infamous Manitou Incline.
Manitou Incline. Reservations are required in advance, but they are also completely free. They do this to ensure it doesn’t get overcrowded, because you’ll be out there climbing them for a while. It is about 2,750 steps for a total of almost 2,000 feet of intense elevation gain in less than a mile, but the views from the top are pretty special. This strenuous climb isn’t for everyone but making it to the top is a big accomplishment for anyone who does make it up. Your glutes will likely be sore the next day. Specific instructions for parking and getting to the trailhead can be found on the official Colorado Springs website where you’ll make your reservation. No dogs allowed here.
What to do around the general Colorado Springs area
There are tons of museums to check out in Colorado Springs including (but not limited to):
- Ghost Town Museum
- National Museum of WWII Aviation
- US Olympic and Paralympic Museum
- Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum
- May Natural History Museum
- Western Museum of Mining & Industry
Seven Falls is a really beautiful series of waterfalls you can visit for a fee. The establishment constructed a staircase by which you can climb up to the top of, and there is a restaurant midway at which you can enjoy a lunch or dinner. Hours vary by season, check their website in advance.
Pulpit Rock Park and Austin Bluffs Open Space offer some unique hiking opportunities within the city of Colorado Springs at its northern end. The rocks are monumental and can be seen from miles away, and the hiking trails are not as difficult as some of the others in the region. It has been noted that this is a good place for viewing desert wildflowers in the spring and summertime.
North Cheyenne Canon Park is packed with great hiking trails that are open to hikers, bikers, and dogs on leashes. Research in advance to find a trail that matches your skill and fitness level. There are two visitor centers (Starsmore and Helen Hunt Falls) you can check out for more information once you get there.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space, for hiking around red cliffs and rocks. There are a bunch of great trails in the area, grab a map or take a look at what your favorite outdoor trail app has for options. It is free to explore this area, and you might be able to get away from the crowds here. Leashed dogs are allowed on trails.
Garden of the Gods, an amateur rock climber’s dream. Apparently some guy named Charles Perkins once owned this land many years ago, but after his passing, his family donated the property to the city of Colorado Springs so it could be enjoyed by everyone. This park has some easy walks and hikes that have very little elevation change, but although the jagged red rocks are nice to photograph and wander around, the appeal here is that you are literally able to climb all over these cool boulders, and it is also possible to obtain permits for more technical climbing suspended by rope if you know what you’re doing. Check their website for availability and reservations ahead of time. This place is otherwise free, but you can pay for all kinds of tours if you want (walking, horseback, bike, jeep, trolley…). It is also dog friendly… unless your dog doesn’t like horses.
Some other stuff around the area you can add to a road trip
Bishop Castle. Apparently some guy single-handedly built a castle in the middle of the forest about 1.5-hour drive south of Colorado Springs in the community of Rye, Colorado. He opens it up to visitors during regular business hours.
Visit Denver. As Colorado’s largest metropolitan area, Denver is packed with opportunities and it’s only about a 1.5-hour drive to the north. (I will write a post about Denver when I get to know the city a little better.)
Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. It is about a 2.5 to 3 hour drive southwest of Colorado Springs. (Eventually I will get around to writing a post about this place, but I would like to spend more time there first.)
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is less than an hour drive to the west. Here you can explore and learn about Colorado’s unique prehistoric history and see some cool petrified forest remains.
My thoughts
This is a really cool destination to spend a full day if you’re on a road trip, as visiting the Garden of the Gods and the Penny Arcade are two amazing activities to break up some time out on the asphalt. It is absolutely worth spending more than one day here in my opinion. I am absolutely obsessed with Manitou Springs, it is perhaps one of my favorite towns to pass through if I am in the area. I love the look of its historic buildings and the fact that it almost feels like an amusement park.
There are a bunch of things I would like to do in this area I haven’t got around to yet. I hope to make it up to Pikes Peak by foot someday to try those donuts but it’s an activity on the back burner for now. Driving up there or taking the railway would also both be pretty awesome, so I guess I’ll have to go up there three times…
Lastly I’d like to send a huge THANK YOU to the person who gave me my first tour of the Manitou area several years ago. You’re awesome! ❤️
What do you think about this place? Have you been to the Colorado Springs area before? Do you have any good food recs or activity ideas not listed here? Let me know in the comments below.
Happy traveling! 😊
(And always remember to follow #leavenotrace principles!)
🤍
(this post was last edited and updated on May 27, 2024)
Laura the explora: the blog 
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