This Is Colorado's Quirkiest Little Town
Manitou Springs, Colorado has been a cherished resort destination since its founding in 1872. General William Jackson Palmer and Doctor William Abraham Bell established it as a health retreat, quickly attracting both affluent tourists and those suffering from tuberculosis. As it turns out, they were onto something: The tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium does not thrive at higher altitudes. Today, the town remains a hub for health and wellness, known for its eight natural spring taps offering fresh mineral water. In addition to savoring the water from all eight springs, visitors can partake in a variety of activities like cave exploration, fruitcake tosses, ghost tours, and sipping a drink while enjoying a live performance at a local bar. If you are ready to break out of your routine, you’ll love the quirky town of Manitou Springs.
Unique Festivals
A large part of Manitou Springs’ character is represented in its quirky festivals that take place throughout the year. One of the strangest is the Emma Crawford Coffin Races that occur annually on the Saturday after Halloween. The Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce has been hosting this event since 1995 in honor of a beloved local resident, making it the country's oldest coffin race tradition. During the race, four team members push a self-designed "coffin" vehicle while one member drives, all racing to cross the finish line first!
The Great Fruitcake Toss is equally as strange as the coffin races. This tradition began in 1996 when a group of locals got together to throw fruitcakes in the park. Three decades later, the toss is still going strong! Each January, residents and visitors can take on a variety of fruitcake-throwing challenges, including distance, accuracy, balance, and basket-aiming competitions. In addition to fruit cake tossing, there is also a fruitcake bakeoff in which local bakers compete for the coveted title of Fruitcake Queen or King.
Thrilling Outdoor Adventures
From exploring underground caverns to extreme hikes, Manitou Springs offers plenty of ways to get your adrenaline fix. The Cave of the Winds has been a beloved attraction in Manitou Springs for over a century, which visitors can explore via two different tours. The Discovery Tour is the best option for families and beginner cavers, passing through 15 rooms, 196 stairs, and half a mile of walkways.
After checking out the caverns, make sure to take a ride on the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. As the highest cog railway in the world, visitors can enjoy nine miles of panoramic views and 14,115 feet of altitude as they climb the countryside. Up for a challenge? Consider hiking the Manitou Incline, widely considered the most difficult hike in town. Although the hike is only about a mile, it features a 2,020-foot elevation gain and 2,744 stairs to climb, making it a steep trek. However, those who reach the top will be rewarded with incredible views of Manitou Springs from above.
Historic Attractions
Even if history is not your thing, Manitou Springs offers all kinds of fascinating ways to experience its past. Miramont Castle should be on every traveler’s itinerary as a 14,000-square-foot historic landmark that features nine distinct architectural styles. Built in 1895 and listed as a National Historic Landmark, it includes influences ranging from Byzantine to English Tudor. Inside, visitors can admire numerous historic exhibits and authentic Victorian-era artifacts.
Going back even further in history, travelers can explore the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, a collection of ancestral Puebloan ruins that traces back between 800 and 1,000 years. Visitors can go inside the dwellings and appreciate two museums that contain cultural artifacts from the indigenous groups who once resided there. Interested in the paranormal history of the town? Consider exploring Manitou Springs on a tour with Haunted Manitou Ghost Tours, which leads attendees through the downtown area to uncover the town's unexplained mysteries and supernatural phenomena.
Local Culinary Scene
With so much to explore in and around Manitou Springs, chances are you will have worked up an appetite by the end of the day. Luckily, the restaurants offer just as much of a cultural experience as the festivals and historic landmarks do. In the downtown district, travelers will find Swirl Restaurant & Wine Bar, an eclectic, locally owned restaurant that features colorful umbrellas hanging from the ceiling and several cozy outdoor seating areas. Some of the entrees to try include chicken pot pie, veggie goat pizza, and house-made grilled cheese.
For a meal made from scratch, Adam’s Mountain Cafe is another local favorite. This restaurant makes nearly all of its dishes in-house, including its chai tea, soups, desserts, sauces, and syrups. Travelers who want to enjoy some live music, meanwhile, can grab a drink at Armadillo Ranch. This bar and restaurant hosts frequent live music events. On Thursdays in March and April, the bar will be hosting its Battle of the Bands event each week!
Final Thoughts
While this article covers some of Manitou Springs’ most interesting highlights, there is much more to discover beyond what is mentioned here. Throughout the year, it hosts art festivals, wine festivals, Mardi Gras carnivals, and free summer concerts, giving travelers a reason to visit year-round. In addition to the challenging Manitou Incline, there are plenty of places to hike, such as Mueller State Park, which is just a half hour away from Manitou Springs as well. Regardless of your interests, you’ll find that Manitou Springs has an unforgettable character that will leave you wanting to return time and time again.
