Tucked away near Pikes Peak is the town of Manitou Springs, CO, a quintessential town for tourists since back in the 1870’s. A number of the mineral springs in town are still functional today and visitors and locals alike can relax in one of the many pools located throughout town. There are also plenty of other outdoor attractions, museums, restaurants, and breweries to be enjoyed.
We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.
12 Best Things to Do in Manitou Springs, Colorado
- Manitou Springs Incline, Manitou Springs, Colorado, Photo: arinahabich/stock.adobe.com
- Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, Manitou Springs, Colorado, Photo: Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
- Miramont Castle Museum, Manitou Springs, Colorado, Photo: Miramont Castle Museum
- Manitou Springs Heritage Center, Manitou Springs, Colorado, Photo: Manitou Springs Heritage Center
- Things to Do in Manitou Springs, Colorado: Green Horse Gallery, Photo: Green Horse Gallery
- Things to Do in Manitou Springs, Colorado: Rainbow Falls, Photo: Montipaiton/stock.adobe.com
- Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama Dinner Theater, Manitou Springs, Colorado, Photo: Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama Dinner Theater
- Things to Do in Manitou Springs, Colorado: Sahara Cafe, Photo: Sahara Café
- Cliff House Hotel Dining Room, Manitou Springs, Colorado, Photo: Cliff House Hotel Dining Room
- Things to Do in Manitou Springs, Colorado: Adam's Mountain Cafe, Photo: Adam's Mountain Café
- Things to Do in Manitou Springs, Colorado: Manitou Brewing Company, Photo: Manitou Brewing Company
- Cover Photo: swkrullimaging/stock.adobe.com
Attraction Spotlight: Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Located in Manitou Springs, Colorado, the Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway is known as the highest cog railway in the world. The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway ascends around the popular Colorado mountain range, Pike’s Peak.
Renowned inventor, Zalmon Simmons, traveled to the Pikes Peak Region in the late 1880’s. During this trip, the Simmons Beautyrest Mattress Company owner traveled to the top of Pikes Peak on the back of a mule. Although the trip was rigorous and took two days, traveling by mule was the only efficient way to make it to the top of the Peak.
Simmons believed everyone should be able to reach the top of Pikes Peak in an efficient and quick manner. During one a mineral bath in Manitou Springs, a hotel owner suggested railroad to be built to take people to the top of the peak. Simmons agreed to this idea, and began funding the venture.
The Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway Company was founded in 1889. That same year, railroad construction also began. One year later, three engines from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania were brought to the railroad. Eventually, the original three engines used the Vauclain Compound system to operate, and three new engines were brought to the engine. Currently, only one of the original six engines is operational.
In the summer of 1891, the Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway Company celebrated success with the first passenger train that made it to the top of Pikes Peak. In 1925, Spencer Penrose, who also owned and operated the Broadmoor Hotel, purchased the Railway. With Penrose’s direction, the Railway introduced locomotives that were powered by gasoline and diesel, as well as compact railcars that were to be used during the off-season. In 1938, engine No. 7 was created and had the ability to carry 23 passengers. Many people believe that the first rack railcar in the world was this No. 7 engine.
In 1939, the General Electric Company produced what is thought to be the first cog locomotive that is diesel-electric. This locomotive is known as No. 8. From 1940 to 1965, “Streamliner” locomotives, such as Nos. 8, 9, and 10 prevailed.
During the early 1960s, the modern age of the Railway began with tourism booming. Most of the popular railcars during this age came from Switzerland. Eventually, a Swiss engineer named Martin Frick was hired. With the help of Frick, the Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway became one of the most popular and innovative railways in the modern age. In the most recent years, Mr. Frick has served as an advisor to the Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway when they do business transactions with Switzerland and Germany.
The main attraction at the Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the railroad ride. Visitors take around a three hour journey across approximately 8.9 miles of railroad tracks. When visitors first hop aboard the train, they will travel alongside the Ruxton Creek. Then, the train travels through a dense spruce area full of Engelmann and Ponderosa pine trees. On either side of the train, visitors will be able to see fields of boulders.
The next stop on the train ride is Minnehaha Falls, which can be seen on the up bound and down bound route. From Minnehaha Falls, the train loops through “Hell’s Gate”, which is an opening in the mountains, and Deer Park. The first time guests will have a clear look of Pikes Peak is when the train follows along the Four Mile Siding route.
After spending the next three miles ascending the mountain, visitors are allowed to explore and experience the top of Pikes Peak for 30 to 40 minutes. Although this seems like a short amount of time, most people will get a headache or feel nauseous after hanging out at the top of the Peak for 30 minutes. This is completely normal and due to high altitude.
Guests have a few dining options. While they can’t bring external food on their train ride, they are welcome to purchase snacks from the Cog Wheel Market and take them on the ride. Also, groups of 15 or more can reserve lunch that can be taken on the train or enjoyed after the trip. Lunch options consist of a ham sandwich, turkey sandwich, or salad, alongside a cookie, bag of chips, and bottle of water.
In addition to the Cog Wheel Market and lunch program, visitors are welcome to purchase something to eat from the Café located in the Summit House, which is at the top of Pikes Peak. It’s important to note that the line for the Café is usually long. If you want to avoid spending majority of your time at the top of the Peak in a Café, purchase something before you embark on your train ride.
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515 Ruxton Ave. Manitou Springs, Colorado, 80829, Phone: 719-685-5401
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Venue Spotlight: A Pikes Peak Wedding
A Pikes Peak Wedding is a beautiful venue in Manitou Springs, Colorado that provides spectacular surroundings for romantic wedding ceremonies and receptions, as well as full-service destination wedding packages. Named for the nearby mountain called Pike’s Peak, the eponymous venue features the charming Blue Skies Inn, where the bridal party and guests can stay, along with beautifully manicured gardens and grounds in which to get married. The venue offers all-inclusive wedding packages, which provide a garden ceremony and reception, suite accommodation at the Blue Skies Inn, a ceremony officiant, bridal flowers, a custom wedding cake and an exclusive photo package. Summer ceremonies are held in the Waterfall or Woodland Gardens which are home to stately oak trees and blooming flowers, while winter weddings can be held indoors on the stunning reception space, which features a roaring fireplace and large windows that look out onto the garden. The historic Carriage House has recently been transformed into a charming chapel and can accommodate up to 60 guests for ceremonies.
Amenities & Facilities
A Pikes Peak Wedding offers two event spaces, namely the beautifully manicured gardens for summer weddings and the recently restored Carriage House and Blue Skies Inn for winter weddings. The gardens are perfect for romantic ceremonies in the dappled shade of stately oak trees and surrounded by blooming flowers, followed by an outdoor reception beneath a tent overlooking the gardens. Winter weddings are accommodated in the Blue Skies Inn, which has spacious interiors that can accommodate up to 100 guests for seated dinner receptions, and ceremonies are conducted in the historic Carriage House, which has been recently renovated into a quaint chapel that can seat up to 60 people.
Services
A Pikes Peak Wedding offers all-inclusive wedding packages, which include rental and use of the property, including the gardens, the Blue Skies Inn, and the historic Carriage House, a ceremony and a reception. Also included in the wedding packages are an officiant for the ceremony, bridal bouquets and flowers for the bridal party, and a cake reception with a customized wedding cake and cake cutting services, and a glass flute of sparkling cider for all guests. An hors d'oeuvres reception is also available instead of a wedding meal, which features a buffet of delicious cuisine, freshly prepared on site and served by professional wait staff.
Other amenities and services included in the packages are tables, chairs, and décor (for an hors-d'oeuvres reception), a customized wedding cake, bridal flowers, digital music (supplied by the Blue Skies Inn), a marriage license, and a professional wedding photographer and all photography. The Blue Skies Inn offers luxurious accommodations in the form of deluxe suites for the bridal party and their guests, which must be booked for two nights with the wedding packages. Suites are beautifully appointed with en-suite bathrooms, whirlpool tubs, romantic four-poster canopy beds, and spacious sitting areas with roaring fireplaces. The Inn is also ideal for honeymoon stays.
General Information
A Pikes Peak Wedding is located at 402 Manitou Avenue, Carriage House, Manitou Springs, is wheelchair accessible, and offers secure parking onsite.
402 Manitou Avenue, Carriage House, Manitou Springs, CO 80829, Phone: 719-685-9012
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Venue Spotlight: The Briarhurst Manor Estate
Located in the tiny valley of Manitou Springs, a few miles west of Colorado Springs, The Briarhurst Manor is a beautiful historic Victorian English country manor house that provides a spectacular venue for weddings and receptions of all sizes. Built in 1976 by Dr. William Bell, the founder of Manitou Springs, the stately Briarhurst Manor Estate is a full service restaurant that serves award-winning Colorado cuisine in an extraordinary atmosphere with spectacular views of the Garden of the Gods and Pike's Peak. In addition to being an excellent dining restaurant, the pink sandstone manor house also provides a beautiful location for weddings with stunning outdoor sites for ceremonies with more than five acres of manicured gardens, lawns and a babbling brook with the Victorian English Country Manor Estate and the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. The restaurant can be used for private receptions of up to 500 guests in nine different dining rooms, all of which have awe-inspiring views.
Amenities & Facilities
The Briarhurst Manor Estate features several beautiful sites for ceremonies, services, and elegant receptions. The exquisitely appointed Tudor Manor is surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens and grounds with a babbling brook known as Fountain Creek, five acres of flowering gardens and lawns with gazebos and unrivaled views of Pike's Peak, which create the perfect setting for idyllic ceremonies. Reception venues at The Briarhurst Manor Estate include the award-winning restaurant, which features nine dining rooms for seated and cocktail gatherings of all sizes up to 200 guests. Outdoor sites include the West Garden and Patio, the Grande Terrace and Gazebo, and the Rose Garden Tea House and indoor spots range from the Conservatory, the West Wing, and the Palmer Room.
Services
The Briarhurst Manor Estate offers a variety of services with the rental of the venue such as tables, chairs, chair covers, centerpieces, décor, a dance floor, furniture, lighting and sound equipment, tents for the gardens, and a photo booth. The venue offers all-inclusive wedding packages that include a range of services such as catering and beverages, including a variety of options such as butler-passed hors-d’oeuvres and platters, attended food stations, carving stations, plated dinners, and dessert stations. Bar services include a host bar, cash bar, or secret family bar, or a combination of all three, and other services include a personalized wedding cake and cake cutting service, and a Champagne toast for the bridal party.
General Information
The Briarhurst Manor is located at 404 Manitou Avenue in Manitou Springs, is wheelchair accessible and offers ample secure parking at the site. Manitou Springs is a resort city just outside Colorado Springs that is renowned for its hot springs and breathtaking mountain landscapes, which is dominated by the towering Pikes Peak. Local attractions in the area include the 1880s Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the Manitou Incline Trail, and the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, which are a group of significant ancient cliff structures that attract hundreds of tourists every year.
404 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829, Phone: 719-685-1864
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