"Weird" doesn't even come close
If you’ve visited our quaint, little mountain town—you know the “unexpected” is, well, just expected in Manitou. On an average day in Manitou Springs, you could:
Toss fruitcakes competitively in the park
How do you get rid of all of that post-holiday fruitcake? Toss it, of course!
Gather round the drum circle
Meet up every Thursday with local drummers, dancers and hoopers—hula, that is.
Race a coffin down manitou avenue
Little known fact: the fastest mode of transportation is actually a coffin.
The coffins will race again: While this truly spooky global pandemic has put the brakes on this year's Emma Crawford Coffin Races—have no fear! We plan to race again, next year.
Where to get your haunt on
in Manitou Springs
Manitou knows how to do spooky. Locals and visitors young and old—alive and, not so alive—come together to celebrate a season of truly peculiar events, tours, and traditions of Manitou, past and present. While Manitou Avenue won’t be overrun with coffin racers this year, there’s still so many haunts and hideouts to explore.
Skeleton Craze
When: October 1-24th
Ghost Stories of Old Manitou – Walking Tours
When: Weekends in October
Ghost hunting in Manitou: Many locals believe Emma Crawford still haunts Red Mountain to this day. Trails along the side of the mountain lead to her original burial site. She was eventually laid to rest in Crystal Valley Cemetery in an unmarked grave. In 2004, she was granted an official grave site to honor her life.
Boo at the Zoo
When: October 16-17, 23-24, 29-31
Halloween High Tea
When: October 29th, 30th, and 31st
Haunted Lantern Tour
When: Daily
Creep it real in Manitou
Even though we’re mourning the 2021 Coffin Races rather than mourning at her wake—there are so many tricks or treats to experience in Manitou Springs this season. However you celebrate the Halloween season, we’re here for the boos.
