We found only 4 of 8 springs in Manitou Springs on a snowy March afternoon on a Saturday: Shoshone…read moreSpring (not working), Cheyenne Spring, Stratton Spring (my favorite), and this curious oddity. We would have never found it if it wasn't for a woman who saw us at the Cheyenne Spring drinking the water out of Cheyenne and trying to bottle it to take home. She said, "you gotta try the water at the Navajo Spring, it tastes like spicy carbonated water". When I asked her where it was, she said "right there!" and pointed to Navajo Spring a few feet away from where we were standing. I don't think we would have found this place unless it was pointed out to us as it's in a curious location, housed in a building where Patsy's Candy and Gift shop sits. The water here didn't taste that spicy to me, maybe more saltier than the Cheyenne's, but it was definitely carbonated. The history of this spring is fascinating. I got some information from The Mineral Springs Foundation: it was popular in the 1870s and young boys were hired to dip cups into the spring to quench the thirst of travelers and tourists. Cups and ladles on chains were also fastened to lower into the springs so everyone could taste the carbonated waters. The water from Navajo Springs were incorporated into Manitou Ginger Champagne, Manitou table water and cola drinks and were shipped all across the country by the Manitou Mineral Water Company. I was so enamored by the fact that this historical spring sits right in the middle of a candy store (outside and accessible) and right next door to an old-fashioned penny arcade! Right below our feet we could see the spring rushing by through the wooden floor slats. Amazing. Here's to 154 years of good health! I hope the springs stick around for another 150 years or more!

This was my favorite mineral spring in Manitou because of the sculpture, the interesting way we…read morefound it, and it just says "magic" to me. We only found 4 out of the 8 springs in town, but that's because we were walking around in snow and it was getting late. Prior to finding this spring (by accident) - This particular spring makes a high pitch noise that I mistook for birds screeching, so we walked over to investigate, and here it was! We also found the Shoshone Spring (not working), Cheyenne Spring and the Navajo Spring. All of these springs have their own stories. According to the Mineral Springs Foundation, this particular spring was named after Winfried Scott Stratton, who struck it rich with gold in the early 1900's. When he died he left his fortune of several millions of dollars to indigent children and the elderly. "On February 21, 1936, at a depth of 283 feet, sparkling soda water was struck flowing at 25 gallons per minute. Today, Stratton Spring stands as one of Manitou's iconic mineral spring assets along its downtown corridor, ensuring Winfield Scott Stratton's legacy. (from Mineral Springs Foundation webpage)" The water here is sparkling, but not as salty as the Cheyenne Spring. It had the mildest taste of all the springs in town and the sodium, potassium and calcium content here was less than all of the other springs.

You will find this natural spring right on the Manitou Springs strip near the traffic circle. It…read morenot only serves as a spring but is also has a nice sculpture on it. The bronze sculpture depicts a lady, known as "the maiden of the water", bending over. The statue is on a semicircular pedestal and under a semi-circular pergola. It is a very nice spring set-up and draws you to the spring. The statue, spring, and little plaza area that it is located could use a little TLC and is in need of some maintenance. It is still operational, but just needs some attention. The spring is named in honor of Winfield Scott Stratton, who became the region's first self-made millionaire in 1891, after discovering a huge payload of 1.3 million ounces of gold. In 1936 his Foundation drilled the Spring in his honor after his untimely death in 1902. The spring flows at about 25 gallons per minute and appeared to having air coming out with the water as evident from its hissing. It has a seltzer water taste, and this and water from the other springs are rumored to have healing properties. The water is an acquired taste, but drinkable. This is not a very long stop and is one of many springs in the area. This is something that you would probably just stumble across and not a destination. There is metered street parking within a reasonable walking distance from here but I recommend combining a stop here with other activities like a visit to the tourist strip, with shops and restaurants, that it is located. The good news is that you can fill your water bottles here as well as look at a nice piece of street art. It is definitely worth a look if you are in the area.

this is a fun little adventure. Historic waterfall park. It is seasonal so pay attention to that…read more It is worth the little hike very beautiful and peaceful. It is under a graditi bridge that is the only thing that takes away from nature but still very cool. There are also some little caves nearby just be careful can be slippery and bears and or people living in them

For me personally, this was a fun trip because we were able to enjoy nature and hike up the…read moremountain to the Falls since there weren't any parking spaces. HOWEVER, I noticed around lunch time spaces open up. So if you're wanting to plan it where you don't have to park in Manitou Springs then walk all the way up, go during lunch! My experience started rocky, pun intended. We arrive at 9:15 not knowing they didn't open until 10 and that's when we noticed there's hardly any parking spots inside that gate. My mom had already tried to visit 3 times before this most recent but didn't have time to wait for a spot to open, so she had to leave. Anyway, the Rainbow Falls attendant came out and told us to drive around until 10 and come back. Which we did. And when we came back, right at 10, every spot was taken as we knew would happen. It was frustrating at first. After we backed out, we decided to find a spot in town and just walk, mind you had a five year old with us and didn't know if she would be able to hang it there. It was also getting in the 90s, super hot. Thankfully, we all had brought water bottles so we were able to hike it. It really was a beautiful walk, at times there's weren't sidewalks so we had to walk in the road with traffic. There's also construction going on, a bit of a mess but we made the best of it and decided to soak in the nature! Once we reached the Falls, BEAUTIFUL!!! It was very cold and I would recommend wearing crocs or shoes you can walk in the water with, there's rocks that will hurt. For us, it was perfect since we were hiking up and down the mountain to get to/from our vehicle, so the water felt great and refreshing. We came on a Saturday right as they opened, perhaps during the week might be better, parking wise? If hiking sounds like your ideal thing, then DO ITTTT. Plan to pay for parking in town and take your time walking, it's worth it :)

Quaint, hipster little town. It has some local shops, as well as some touristy type places to buy…read moresouvenirs. The view is nice, with this town being at the base of the mointaind. It has a nice little mountain vibe and it's fun to walk from one end to the other to browse the shops.

Manitou Springs is an adorable, quaint little Rocky Mountain village outside of Colorado Springs…read morethat is a *must* for folks who enjoy an active lifestyle. The stairway to heaven known as the Manitou Incline https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-incline-manitou-springs is here, as well as nearby Cave of the Winds https://www.yelp.com/biz/cave-of-the-winds-mountain-park-manitou-springs, Pike's Peak https://www.yelp.com/biz/pikes-peak-americas-mountain-cascade-2 and Garden of the Gods https://www.yelp.com/biz/garden-of-the-gods-visitor-and-nature-center-colorado-springs with all of their trails and scenic views. Plus, you can sip from several different naturally carbonated springs http://manitoumineralsprings.org/pdf_files/brochure.pdf and eat some fabulous meals & desserts at the numerous quirky restaurants on the main drag. When you're ready to slow down, you can visit one of 11 art galleries. Almost everything is accessible on foot or via the free shuttle system that circulates through town. It's about 75 miles or a 90-minute drive from Denver (depending on traffic), but if you have the extra time and don't want to drive or park, you can take a Bustang $12 fare South Line https://www.ridebustang.com/south-line bus into Colorado Springs and from there catch the $2 fare #3 shuttle into Manitou https://coloradosprings.gov/sites/default/files/rt3_spweb2018.pdf. Free parking is available at Memorial Park https://www.yelp.com/biz/memorial-park-manitou-springs, from which you can take a free shuttle https://www.yelp.com/biz/bus-system-mountain-metropolitan-transit-colorado-springs-2 into town, the Incline, or the Pike's Peak Cog stop, but walking most of the village itself is totally doable from the park if you are fit. Don't forget your refillable bottles for the spring water! More helpful links (since Yelp doesn't want to update the biz listing to include a relevant URL): Mineral Springs CC & Visitor's Bureau https://manitousprings.org/ Mineral Springs Foundation http://manitoumineralsprings.org Mineral Springs City Government http://www.manitouspringsgov.com/

If you are near Manitou Springs area, I would recommend visiting the Dwellings. It's self guided…read moreonce you pay the entrance fee. There are small informational signs around the area to let you know more about what you are looking at or you can download the auto tour. The Pueblo building holds pottery, photos, and artifacts. There is a very large gift shop. Bathrooms are located in that building as well.

After finishing the tours at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, I decided to stop right next door at…read morethe Manitou Cliff Dwellings, and I'm so glad I did. The cliff dwellings are incredible to see up close. They're modeled after ancient Ancestral Puebloan structures (often associated with Southwest tribes like the Navajo), and walking through them really gives you a sense of how people lived long ago. One thing that stood out to me was seeing how small the doorways and rooms were -- it really shows how much shorter people were back then! What I loved most was the self-guided audio tour you can use on your phone. As you walk through, you just select the number for each section and it explains the history and significance of that area. It was super informative and easy to follow, and I liked being able to go at my own pace. I love history, so being able to take my time and really listen made the experience even better. The gift shop is huge and honestly impressive. They had beautiful handmade items inspired by Native American craftsmanship, along with the usual souvenirs like stickers, books, and t-shirts. But they also had unique items like jewelry, coffee, honey, and so many locally inspired pieces. It's basically a full building packed with things to browse. Overall, I absolutely enjoyed this stop. It was educational, interesting, and worth the time. I would definitely come back -- and I might bring my husband next time when he has a day off. If you love history, this is a must-stop when you're in the area.

Manitou Incline... Have a day!…read more This is an epic CO hike and *can be conquered by anyone with a little intestinal fortitude... It's virtually straight up (2200+ ft vertical) then 4 miles down, no filling stations, and no shade, but is an absolute blast of a hike. It takes about 1.5 hours up and about 2-3 hours down, depending on your individual fitness level. The best part are the summit views and if you go up another 200M and take the backside Barr Trail down, the views get even better. Make sure to bring tons of water, wear good hikers (there are lots of switchbacks on the way down), and put on sun screen because it's 90+ degrees with no shade on a normal CO summer day... Don't be "that guy" or "that girl" that shows up without any gear (there were a ton of those people out there, and it's completely mind boggling), because Vegas odds are 3/2 you'll be a casualty. My best advice is take a minimum of 3L of water (I took 4L and went through all them from top to bottom, granted I sweat like a Vegas hooker in a Catholic Church), take two "tough pills" before you start, and take it slow and steady up... #slowissmoothandsmoothisfast. Make it to the top, take some great mountain pics, enjoy the trek down, and go get a celebratory cold CO crafty at one of the cool bars in Manitou springs after words.

5/5 stars?? I know, I'd have said 0/5-do not recommend, but for this:…read more If you want a serious workout, this is for you. It's been on my bucket list for a wee bit, though I'm not sure exactly why--perhaps the grueling challenge this offers, if only to challenge myself. I had no time constraints, just get to the top and back down again. I did it! I was no record-setter by any means, and I'm okay with that. Did I "train?" No. Did I acclimatize myself (being a flatlander from Kansas), yes! I brought lots of water and electrolytes and of course SNACKS, because, hello!! It's a hike and all hikes need snacks; not to mention it's grueling and your body needs the fuel. I went up to the top the first time and down Barr Trail--that is no joke either. Switchbacks and seemingly "huge" step downs--it has its own "obstacles." The sun was shining full strength so it was toasty--doable as I had a sun hoodie on, but also a tad miserable. Second time, slightly over halfway with a friend, we walked down a hundred steps to the bailout at 1300. That was absolutely fabulous! Gorgeous scenery and that day was nice and cool and foggy! Loved it! Switchbacks too, but seemingly not as bad as what the Barr Trail has. People on this trail?? Well, they're exceptionally wonderful. Everyone--EVERYONE--was supportive, encouraging and kind. People from just about everywhere. Would I do it again? Yes. When the weather is foggy and cool. Would I want to go down the 1300 step bailout, yes. The transition of trail grades is easier than on Barr Trail IMHO, but going down the Incline is sketchy--people do it, but it's steep and the recommendation is to NOT do so. It was questionable as to whether a permit was needed. I signed up--self-proclaimed rule follower that I am--only to find no one was checking anything!! So, you do you. It might be a way to have the state of CO see how many people and from where and to sign a waiver, but otherwise no one checked. I parked at a paid lot and took a free shuttle to The Incline and back--I later found out via word of mouth that there is free parking at a park nearby where the bus stops. **As an aside, I learned the day before I was planning on going that this is no joke, people have died or have been injured on this trail--please take necessary precautions for your health and wellbeing.**

This is a historical clock that was donated to the city by Jerome Wheeler, the town's first banker,…read morein 1889 for the opening of the Manitou Mineral Water Bottling Company. It was cast by the J. L. Mott Iron Works of Trenton, New Jersey, and also served double duty as a fountain. Water flowed from the dolphin heads into bowls for dogs to drink. On the top of the clock tower you will see a statue of Hygeia, the daughter of the Greek god of health and medicine, Aesclepius, looking at a lamp that she is holding in her left hand. It is located at near the end of the Manitou strip and is located in a small plaza area with benches. It has a clear view of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. The clock was restored, to include repainting, recreating stained glass faces from historic photos, recasting missing dolphin heads, new surrounding landscaping, and creating new interior works/illumination, in 1991, with donations from local citizens and businesses. This is not a main attraction of the town and definitely not a destination stop. It will mainly get visitors that are already there to check out the tourist strip of shops and restaurants. If you are in the area this is surely worth a quick peak or you can take a load of on one of the benches in the plaza. As with most similar stops that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a very long stop. I was there less than 10 minutes. With that being said, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

Garden of the Gods is a must-see when visiting Colorado! It's absolutely beautiful and was one of…read moremy top places to show my mom and sister when they were visiting me from California. There's something so majestic about the formation of these beautiful red rocks. The best thing about this park is that it was gifted to the city of Colorado Springs under the agreement that it remain free and available to the public, so it's a great place to visit on a budget! There are a lot of iconic rock formations and view points. I would recommend visiting the park earlier in the day so that it's cooler to walk around and so that it's not so busy. If you're also a fan of audio tours, there's a good one from TravelStorys, which you can also find on the Garden of the Gods website. They do have free shuttles available to can take you from the visitor center to key spots where you can roam around or begin a hiking trail. These hiking trails are generally not strenuous and are overall pretty family friendly. Additionally, there are also trolley tours where there's a tour guide talking you through the history of the park and stopping at iconic places where you can take some photos. The trolley tour will require purchased tickets, but we opted out of it. Plus, if you can stop by the Garden of the Gods trading post, there are a lot of cool finds and a cafe to grab some snacks! Would highly recommend!

If you find yourself in Colorado Springs, definitely take the time to visit garden of the gods…read more This park is completely free to the public. If you know the specific trail you want to hike look for the closest parking lot to that, get there early and look for that parking lot number. If you want to experience the Park for the first time, my advice would be to take yourself over to the visitor center. There is a lot at the visitor center and there is one across the street that had ample parking. Parking is also free. You can then walk from the visitor center into the central Park area, we walked around for about 3.5 miles. It was a Saturday so it was quite busy. There were people repelling, you must have a license for this. The visitor center itself is very cool too, and has clean restrooms and a museum and café Make sure to wear a hat and sunscreen if it's a sunny day and bring your water bottle Definitely a unique part of the world you should take the time to see

This little town is historic and quaint, but also eclectic. Manitou Springs has plenty of local…read moreshopping, art, and interesting finds. The hubs and I pop over often for the Garden of the Gods, but there's so much to see and explore here. Manitou Springs is basically at the base of Pikes Peak, and has a small town western town feel mixed with a splash of Austin, TX (lol). I'm enjoying the art of exploring, but good luck with parking, unless you arrive early.

Walking into the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce felt like being welcomed by old friends who…read moreactually want to help you have the best trip ever. Right there on Manitou Avenue, the staff greeted us with big smiles and hooked us up with maps, guides, and the kind of insider tips only locals know--like where to find hidden waterfalls and the best spots for hot springs. They weren't just helpful, they were genuinely excited to share their town. Whether it was pointing us toward quirky shops or telling us about the famous Emma Crawford Coffin Races, they made planning our days easy and fun. It felt less like an office and more like a hub of mountain energy and good vibes. If you're heading to Manitou Springs, this is the place to start--five stars for making us feel right at home and ready for adventure.

Came to City Hall for an event hosted by my local cat shelter. This was one of the most affordable…read morevenues in the areas, which is important for a non-profit. However, the venue is a bit tired and could use some sprucing up...it's just super basic and a bit tired. The restrooms however were clean and updated.

Unprofessional at every level. I recently had dealings with city hall and was disappointed by the…read moreservice. The employees were unprofessional and unhelpful, making the experience frustrating and time-consuming. The wait times were also excessively long to get responses by any form of communication. Overall, I was left with a negative impression. This is not a place to bring your business, as City Hall does everything possible to prevent you from opening a business here. I hope that the City takes steps to improve the quality of service and facilities at the city hall to benefit its residents and encourage businesses to revitalize this failing City.