Manitou Springs, Colorado is a charming resort city with a rich history, unique downtown, and a variety of outdoor activities. The town was initially intended to be a destination spa and resort by its founders, Palmer and Bell. The town’s city plan reflects the topography of the valley, with a street pattern roughly following Fountain Creek and extending westward to Ute Pass. Today, Manitou Springs is known for its mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, and recreational opportunities.
The area around Manitou Springs experienced a dramatic boom in the 1880s, thanks to the growing number of visitors who came to the area to experience the mineral water that gushed from the springs. The mineral water was believed to cure various ailments, and people with tuberculosis even came to the area for the sunshine. As a result, the town soon became an important mineral water supplier and tourist destination. A number of companies made their mark on the town by selling it to visitors.
The 2001-2002 Historic Survey and Inventory of Manitou Springs resulted in the completion of 125 Architectural Inventory Forms, with over one-third of the resources potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The residential structure type varied, with 80% of the structures accommodating a single-family occupancy, while the remaining twenty-five comprise two to five-family dwellings. This varied housing form is reflective of the town’s diverse population and changing landscape.
The Manitou Springs Library opened inside the Manitou Art Center (MAC) on March 5, 2021. The library offers a wide range of services to patrons, including browsing the library’s collection, booking computer sessions with librarians, using a fax machine, scanning the library’s copier, or borrowing a computer. Additionally, there are limited edition library cards available while supplies last, featuring a portrait of Susan Odiam. This collaboration between the library and the MAC will further expand the library’s services in Manitou Springs.
The MAC and Library are partnering to provide greater access to makerspaces, meeting rooms, and workforce development opportunities to the community. Together, they look forward to a prosperous future by fostering creativity and promoting prosperity. This collaborative effort is the next phase in the revitalization of the community, and now is the time to invest in the future of Manitou Springs. Both institutions are getting involved to make a difference in the community.
There are a lot of great places to visit and see in Manitou Springs. One of the most popular attractions is the Garden of the Gods, a stunning geological wonder featuring towering red rock formations and miles of hiking trails. Another must-see destination is Pikes Peak, a 14,115-foot mountain that offers breathtaking views and a challenging hike to the summit. Manitou Cliff Dwellings is another popular tourist attraction, featuring a museum and reconstructed Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Additionally, the town’s historic downtown area is filled with unique shops, art galleries, and restaurants, offering visitors a taste of Manitou Springs’ rich history and culture.
Manitou Springs, CO is home to the Crystal Park Cantina, located at 178 Crystal Park Rd, Manitou Springs, CO 80829. West of the Crystal Park Cantina is Manitou Springs Middle School, located at 415 El Monte Pl, Manitou Springs, CO 80829. To get to Manitou Springs Middle School from the Crystal Park Cantina, head northeast on Crystal Park Rd toward Sutherland Rd and turn left onto Poplar Pl. Turn right onto Santa Fe Pl and then take a slight left onto El Monte Pl. Turn left onto Bond St/Richardson St and then turn left. Turn right and the destination will be on your left. West of Manitou Springs Middle School is Swirl, located at 717 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829. To get to Swirl from Manitou Springs Middle School, head east toward Bond St/Richardson St and then turn left toward Bond St/Richardson St. Turn right onto Bond St/Richardson St and then turn left onto El Monte Pl. Turn left onto Manitou Ave and the destination will be on your left. Northwest of Swirl is Adventures Out West Pikes Peak Ziplines, located at 1335 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829. To get to Adventures Out West Pikes Peak Ziplines from Swirl, head east on Manitou Ave toward Pawnee Ave and then turn left onto El Paso Blvd. Turn left onto Washington Ave and then take a slight left onto Sunshine Trail. Turn left onto US-24 W and then make a U-turn. Take the US-24 BUS E exit toward Manitou Spgs. Continue onto US-24 BUS E/Manitou Ave and the destination will be on your right. Southeast of Adventures Out West Pikes Peak Ziplines is the Manitou Winery, located at 934 Manitou Ave STE 108, Manitou Springs, CO 80829. To get to the Manitou Winery from Adventures Out West Pikes Peak Ziplines, head south on Manitou Ave. At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on Manitou Ave. At the next traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and stay on Manitou Ave. Turn left onto Cañon Ave and then turn left onto Park Ave. The destination will be on your left. West of the Manitou Winery is the Miramont Castle Museum, locaetd at 9 Capitol Hill Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829. To get to the Miramont Castle Museum from the Manitou Winery, head west on Park Ave and then turn left toward Manitou Ave. Turn left onto Manitou Ave. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto Ruxton Ave. Turn right onto Capitol Hill Ave and then turn right to stay on Capitol Hill Ave. The destination will be on your left. Northeast of the Miramont Castle Museum is BlueBird Heating and Air, located at 10203 Ross Lake Dr, Peyton, CO 80831. To get to BlueBird Heating and Air from the Miramont Castle Museum, head west on Capitol Hill Ave toward Montcalm St and then turn left to stay on Capitol Hill Ave. Turn left onto Ruxton Ave and then at the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto Manitou Ave. Turn right to merge onto US-24 E and then continue onto W Cimarron St. Turn left to merge onto I-25 N and then use the right 2 lanes to take exit 149 for Woodmen Rd. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Regis University and merge onto E Woodmen Rd. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Meridian Rd and then turn right onto Londonderry Dr. Turn left onto Antler Creek Dr and then turn right onto Ross Lake Dr. The destination will be on your right.