There's so much to love!
Why do we love Manitou Springs? Let us count the ways! Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz said it best: “There’s no place like Manitou.” As we gear up for a season of giving and gathering, we’re feeling particularly grateful for our eccentric little mountain town and its motley crew of characters. We’ve made our list, checked it twice, and narrowed it down to the top 12 reasons we’re grateful to call Manitou Springs home.
#1: The magic and mystery of our healing mineral springs.
The first thing most people notice when they visit Manitou Springs? There’s definitely something in the water—lithium! And potassium, calcium, chloride, magnesium…okay—you get the idea. Ever wonder why the locals have such glowing skin? Grab a cup and taste the springs’ healing powers for yourself.
BYOC (Bring your own cup) or ask for one of our free souvenir cups at the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.
#2. 249 days of sunshine and blue bird skies year-round.
The fastest recorded time up the Manitou Incline is 17 minutes. For the rest of us commoners, expect an hour hike straight up.
#6: The Manitou Incline, 2,744 steps to heaven.
Ever wondered what it would be like to use the StairMaster at your gym—but outside at 6,412 feet above sea level? A staple of Manitou Springs, the Manitou Incline welcomes over 70,000 masochists, er, visitors, each year to climb its nearly 3,000 steps.
#7. Homey cabins that'll make you feel like a modern-day Lewis and Clark.
#9: 18 taps of locally brewed beer at Manitou Brewing Company.
Just off of Manitou Avenue but seemingly hidden unless you know what to look for, Manitou Brewing Company is nestled into the backside of Pikes Peak. While the entrance may be subtle, their brews are anything but, with flavors like Chipotle Rye Red Ale, Peach Sour and Cherry Drip.
It’s “bottom’s up” at Manitou Brewing, where all of their locally brewed beer is born from the prestine snowmelt near the top of Pikes Peak.
Local rascals warming up ahead of the annual post-holiday Fruitcake Toss.
#12: The locals who call this place home.
We might just be any other mountain town if it weren’t for the community of locals that truly make Manitou Springs come alive. From afternoon drum circles to witch-owned apothecaries and everything (and we do mean everything) in between, our neighbors are the (irregular) heartbeat of our town. And for them, we are truly grateful.
