Manitou Springs, Colorado - in the backyard of Pikes Peak, 4 miles from Colorado Springs

  • by johnk
  • -
  • September 26, 2009
Rate Guide Rating_5_0 (2)
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Manitou Springs, Colorado, 4 miles from Colorado Springs but a world away, named one of the 10 coolest small towns in America, home to the Cog Railway, numerous galleries and artists, coffee shops, and one-of-a-kind restaurants. And since Manitou Springs is at the base of Pikes Peak, it's also the starting line for the Pikes Peak Marathon and Pikes Peak Ascent, as well as the Garden of the Gods 10 Mile Run races.

Pikes Peak Marathon Highlights

Great video capturing the essence of the Pikes Peak Marathon, courtesy of pozolefilms2007. Click on the HQ icon to watch in high quality resolution.

Adjacent to Manitou is Balanced Rock just inside the Garden of the Gods, a popular place for running, rock climbing, cycling, or trail hiking, and featured in Runners World magazine.

Adjacent to Manitou is Balanced Rock just inside the Garden of the Gods, a popular place for running, rock climbing, cycling, or trail hiking, and featured in Runners World magazine.

Garden of the Gods Balanced Rock photo courtesy of John Garner

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Garden of the Gods 10 Miler race leaders pass Balanced Rock at mile 1.5.

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by susie  09/16/2009

Wow! How have I never heard of this place?!

You can hike up Barr Trail, you can drive up the Pikes Peak toll road, but you haven’t fully experienced Pikes Peak until you have ridden the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.

You can hike up Barr Trail, you can drive up the Pikes Peak toll road, but you haven’t fully experienced Pikes Peak until you have ridden the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.

Manitou Springs

What’s where in Manitou – click on a push pin to identify the attraction. If you don’t see the push pin letter you’re looking for, it’s because it’s tucked under the other push pins that are clustered together on Manitou Ave.

The Manitou Springs Fruitcake Toss

This annual event has been covered by both the Travel Channel and the Food Network.

Green Horse Gallery

729 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Owned by local Manitou artists – one of many fine artist galleries in Manitou – helps make this small town one of the coolest in America.

Owned by local Manitou artists – one of many fine artist galleries in Manitou – helps make this small town one of the coolest in America.

Miramont Castle Museum

9 Capitol Hill Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Built in 1896, this museum uses nine distinct architectural styles. Events hosted here include High Tea, guest lecturers from the Colorado Historical Society, and a Victorian Christmas.

Built in 1896, this museum uses nine distinct architectural styles. Events hosted here include High Tea, guest lecturers from the Colorado Historical Society, and a Victorian Christmas.

Miramont Castle

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Few of the 46 rooms have four square corners; one has eight sides and another has sixteen.

Keg Lounge

730 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Great burgers and steaks, but you gotta try the Keg Berry salad.

Great burgers and steaks, but you gotta try the Keg Berry salad.

Elementary, Middle, and High Schools, including the only high school radio station in the state of Colorado: 103.3FM

Elementary, Middle, and High Schools, including the only high school radio station in the state of Colorado: 103.3FM

 

Manitou Springs Incline

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Courtesy of http://www.coloradospringsweb.com/photo/Manitou-Springs-CO

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by susie  09/16/2009

This is beautiful! But I’d probably walk up it instead of running :)

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by alexandraf  09/16/2009

@susie come visit us in Colorado and we can go… We will wear matching spandex and go up and down… and look all athletic and Colorado-ish!

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by susie  09/17/2009

Oooh yes!! I’m already getting my spandex ready! I have cousins in Denver, so I need to get out there again one of these days soon!

Hooping in downtown Manitou

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Photo by Phil Barnett: www.philbarnett.com

Adult hoops outside Retro Moto Toy Store in downtown Manitou

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Photo by Phil Barnett: www.philbarnett.com

Retro Moto Toys

738 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO

One of a kind toy store, and Manitou source of oversized hoops for adults.

Emma Crawford Coffin Race Parade

Around Halloween every year there is the Emma Crawford Coffin Race, an event you gotta see to believe. It’s not as creepy as it may sound – the Coffin Race has been covered by the Travel Channel!

Victoria's Keep B&B

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Summer at Victoria’s Keep

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by alexandraf  09/16/2009

That looks romantic and cute! Wish I had a man to bring there… BOO!

Black Cat Books

720 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Great selection of reads while hanging around town, sipping your favorite beverage. http://www.manitoubooks.com/

Great selection of reads while hanging around town, sipping your favorite beverage. http://www.manitoubooks.com/

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Discussions

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Wow, you added a bunch of stuff, and the guide looks FANTASTIC!

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I live in Denver and have yet to go to Manitou Springs! I want to go so badddd! Nice start to your guide john! You should add some photos or videos and drag the objects around! Great start and great idea!

About The Author

johnk Rss 

Manitou Springs, CO
I love Manitou for the quirkiness, small town feel, and the plethora of hiking/riding/running trails. There's no place quite like it.