Got the 2020 Blues?
Never fear, 2021 is near!
Make your new year’s goals and stick to them. Manitou Springs is your one-stop destination for all those resolutions you’re going to commit to keeping past January 15th! You’ve got resolutions and we’ve got solutions.
Get your rear in gear
It’s time to start your next fitness plan, and we’re not talking about “fittin’ this” huge slice of pizza in your mouth. It’s time to max out that daily step goal, and we’ve got the trails to keep you going all day, week, month, year!
If you’re new to the groove, start out with a hike on the Paul Intemann Trail. This 4.81 mile trail starts at Ruxton Ave, parallel to Manitou Ave. With great views in under a mile from the start, this trail connects Manitou to Colorado Springs trails, so you can keep movin’ it for miles beyond.
Are you a more seasoned trail warrior? The Incline is for you. All fitness levels will challenge themselves on this 2,744 step railroad tie trail at the base of Pikes Peak, America’s Mountain. Reservations are required, so make them HERE in advance to secure your time. Keep your wristband on, because you can get local discounts after your descent at participating Manitou Springs businesses on the day of your hike.
There's something in the water
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! It’s a fact: those who drink less water tend to eat less fruits and veggies, drink more sugar-sweetened beverages, and get less physical activity*. We’ve got you covered! Manitou Springs is known for our Mineral Springs, and there are 8 fountains that run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week all year! Bring a water bottle (glass is preferable) and fill up. Each underground spring is naturally effervescent and has a different mineral content. Grab a map at the Chamber of Commerce and do your own self-guided tour through town and experience the healing properties that have made Manitou a destination since the 1800’s.
If drinking spring water isn’t your thing, then head over to soak in it at Sunwater Spa. Their heated cedar soaking tubs are available by reservation only. Plan ahead and get your own private soaking space while you gaze at a snow-capped Pikes Peak. Don’t forget to bring your water bottle! (and your swimsuit)
You are what you eat, so make it good!
Vacation and dieting don’t belong in the same sentence. Luckily, in Manitou Springs, there are healthy options for dining that won’t kill your calorie budget in one fell swoop. Grab a healthy brunch at Adam’s Mountain Cafe and feel good about what you eat! Organic produce and an emphasis on vegan & vegetarian dishes makes this place a destination for everyone (and a local favorite!) For a quick grab-and-go, visit the newly opened Tava Truck, which boasts farm-to-table goodness, STAT! As Manitou’s only food truck, the menu is designed by, and truck operated by, 2 Head Chefs. Expectations high? They’ll meet ‘em.
*Call restaurants first or check their website for dining availability*
Try something NEW and EXCITING
When adventure calls, Manitou answers! Ditch the indoors and brave the elements on a Jeep ride with Adventures Out West. Knowledgeable drivers will tell you stories of the past and fun family facts as you cruise in town or mountain trails together. Dress warm- Blankets are provided, but it won’t protect you from all the elements on your journey!
If more hands-on excitement is your thing, climb the red rocks at Garden of the Gods! Local companies provide climbing experiences for the whole family with advanced reservations.
If scrambling up rocks is already checked off on your list, then how about a Manitou Springs Scavenger Hunt? You won’t need your car to hunt for clues, so grab the family (even your four-legged family members!) get your walkin’ boots on and head out to find fun and mysterious places around the corner from wherever you may be standing downtown.
Ditch the Stress
If you’ve survived 2020 without any increase in stress, congratulations! As for the rest of us, we’re carrying a heavier load than usual on our shoulders. That’s Travis’ specialty over at Manitou Chiropractic. Call ahead to make your appointment and get a much-needed adjustment. As the largest organ, skin takes a beating when you’re stressed*.
Add in Colorado’s dry climate and your skin will be screaming for help! Pick up essential oils, serums, and healing herbs at Anna’s Apothecary. Don’t know what you’re looking for? Their knowledgeable staff will help you find the perfect potions for you.
See more, spend less
Budget woes? You can enjoy Manitou Springs’ attractions with just a few pennies! Bring the kids to the Penny Arcade, a world-famous arcade with all the classic (and some new games) to bring the kid out in everyone. You really can play games for a penny or a dime, we’re not foolin’! Call 719-685-9815 for hours and to check if the arcade is open.
Calling all history buffs: The Manitou Springs Heritage Center is a FREE museum that is run by volunteers who know their stuff. If you can’t stop by in-person, keep a lookout for their online presentations & learn something you didn’t know about the local culture!
Next, get out of town for a few hours and head to North Cheyenne Canon Park’s Helen Hunt Falls. Officially designated in 1966, this FREE attraction offers beautiful waterfall viewing and a short hike to a bridge over the falls- get your selfies ready!
Disconnect & Reconnect
Are you looking at your phone right now? When screen time trends upward, it’s time to put down the electronics and get back to nature. Leave your chargers at home (well, let’s not get too extreme) and take a journey out to Garden of the Gods. There are 21 miles of trails both paved and unpaved to take in sweeping views of the front range while on wheels or by foot. If the nature center is open, take them up on a guided hike and hear more about the formation of the red rocks and local geology.
While you’re there, reconnect with your equestrian side by hitching a ride at Academy Riding Stables. Guided trail rides for the whole family will remind you why trading your SUV for horseback sightseeing was the better choice. With 300+ days of sunshine, you can pick your day to play in the park!
Less Tube, More travel
Can’t miss the next episode of your popular reality show? That’s what DVR is for. Make that resolution to get off the couch and explore more. Manitou Springs is your basecamp for adventure in the Pikes Peak region!
You’ll have to wait until May to ride the famous Cog Railway, but you can still follow the tracks on Barr Trail. Making it to the top of a 14er is not necessarily encouraged in winter months, but that won’t stop you from making it 6 miles up the peak to Barr Camp. They boast the highest cabin in America at 10,200 feet, halfway to the summit. You can stay for a minute, or overnight with reservations. Chat with the caretakers for local tips and suggestions on the trail!
*Shop & Ski Monarch Promo thru March 15th. 40% off weekday only lift tickets with $75 worth of receipts from businesses in Manitou Springs.
Sweet dreams are made of suites
Did you know that memories are consolidated during sleep? Make your resolution to get more zzz’s and you’ll capture all the important moments you don’t want to forget. Start with
With wifi being readily available, you can stay on track with your work and the kids’ schoolwork when you stay at one of our over 30 local properties in Manitou Springs. Whether you’re looking for a private log cabin getaway, a romantic bed and breakfast, or a family friendly motel with a swimming pool, you can find your home away from home.
Family Feud (er, FUN!)
Family time has been a bit overwhelming in 2020, so get outside the usual day-to-day and explore activities to strengthen bonds that have been strained with work-and-school-from-home this past year. Bonus: everyone learns something together!
Always wanted to mountain bike? Now you can! No, really. Stacy will teach you! Mountain Bike with Stacy will customize your guided family ride / training to your level of skill, so you don’t have to worry about not knowing your stuff to get out there and get your kicks on the trail. There’s also a couple’s clinic available for those who want to better communicate and enjoy riding together more, which is something Stacy calls “saving relationships one MTB skills clinic at a time.”
More family fun sans feuding can be found at Adventures Out West, where jeep tours, hot air balloon rides, ziplining, and segways abound. If you’re a Colorado resident, bring the kids and their homeschool POD for weekly ventures at a discount that can include some biology and history lessons, so you won’t feel guilty about having fun during the school day.
Don’t forget to check in at Cave of the Winds! The adventure park is open to offer thrills outside, and now there are homeschool tours to learn about the cave’s history, geology and the animals who live inside them. Fun for the entire family, especially if you get Mom to ride the Terror-Dactyl. Open daily, but call ahead to reserve online.
