Destinations, Colorado, Colorado Springs/Manitou Springs, United States

Exploring Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs in 3 Amazing Days

November 17, 2025 / by Lisa Werth / 10 Comments

With a backdrop of the Rocky Mountain foothills and endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, spending a few days in this region, just 45 minutes south of Denver, is a joy. Colorado Springs is a historic, bustling big city, the second-largest in the state. Funky little Manitou Springs, a couple of miles away with a population of just over 4,000, is a charming town with a vibrant art scene. The two are quite different, but both boast abundant sunshine, low humidity, and stunning natural beauty. It is easy to visit the pair on one trip and get the best of both worlds!

Both places have an altitude above 6,000 feet, so be sure to stay hydrated during your adventures.

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Day 1 – A Walk in the Garden of the Gods & Old Colorado City

Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods is a 1,300-acre National Landmark and public park located right in Colorado Springs. Fantastical red sandstone rock formations fill the park, framed with a backdrop of Pikes Peak and other mountains.

Much of the land was donated to the City of Colorado Springs by wealthy railroad man Charles Elliott Perkins. The donation was contingent on the park remaining free to the public and retaining the name “Garden of the Gods”.

The Visitor’s Center is an excellent starting point. It offers fascinating interactive exhibits describing the history of the Ute Indigenous people dating back 18,000 years, the millions of years-long geological process that resulted in the rock formations, and information about the flora and the wildlife in the park. One could easily spend an hour or more just exploring the Visitor’s Center.

There are more than a dozen intersecting trails winding through the park and highlighting the various rock formations with clever names such as the Tower of Babel, Kissing Camels, Sentinel Spires, and Siamese Twins. The trails range from half-mile loops to a six-mile trek all the way around the park, and everything in between. The paved Perkins Central Garden Trail goes through the heart of the park and gives excellent views of some of the most famous formations. Rangers at the Visitor’s Center have a wealth of information if you need help deciding which trails to take. The park also features a trading post, picnic areas, and public restrooms.

Mountain biking and rock climbing (with a permit) are allowed in specific areas of the park. Paid tours in jeeps, on segways, and on horseback are also offered.

Visiting at sunrise or sunset is especially dramatic. Prime locations for spectacular photos include the Siamese Twins Rocks, Balance Rock, and the Cathedral Valley Overlook at parking lot 3. Don’t expect to have the park to yourself, though! Even at 6 am, you will encounter other people.

After a wonder-filled morning in the park, and perhaps even a picnic lunch, a relaxing afternoon is in order. Head to Old Colorado City, a former settler’s town that is now a National Historic District within Colorado Springs. This delightful area is populated with 19th-century buildings that now house a plethora of quaint shops, galleries, bars, and some of the best food in the city.

History buffs can check out the History Center, celebrating the historical significance and culture of the original Colorado City, the Ghost Town Museum, with authentic artifacts re-creating an indoor ghost town, or the Michael Garman Museum, featuring intricate miniatures representing historical figures and scenes.

Day 2 – Hiking & The Olympic/Paralympic Museum

Start your second morning by fueling up for your hike with a hearty burrito, a delicious bagel, or a freshly baked sweet treat from the cozy, friendly Red Dog Coffee in the middle of Manitou Springs.

Perhaps the best activity in the region is to take a hike. There are oodles of opportunities; All Trails is a great resource to find one that fits your needs. If you’re looking for a real challenge, and/or to earn bragging rights, consider climbing the famed Manitou Incline. For something a little tamer, try the gorgeous St. Mary’s Falls Trail.

Manitou Incline

If you choose The Incline, the easiest way to get there is to walk across the street from Red Dog Coffee and catch the free shuttle. There is no cost to climb The Incline, but an online reservation is necessary; the number of participants each day is limited.

What is The Incline? It is the remains of a funicular railway built in 1907 that ascended Mount Manitou. It was destroyed by a rockslide in 1990. Since then, the trek up has become a popular fitness challenge, known for its steep grade (up to 68%!) and its sweeping views. A whopping 2,768 steps lead up the 2,000-foot elevation gain in just one mile. It took us almost 90 minutes to climb that one mile, and we were far from the slowest climbers. (Also far from the fastest!)

QUICK TIP: Ample water is an absolute must; there is none available on the trail or at the top. We did not bring trekking poles, but wished we had. Many of the steps are extremely steep, and poles would be quite helpful.

Once you reach the top, there are places to explore and to rest and enjoy a well-earned snack. Descending the steps is discouraged, both because it is dangerous and because it interferes with those climbing up. Instead, a pretty 3-mile trail from the top winds back down to the base.

Manitou Incline

St. Mary’s Falls

The St. Mary’s Falls trailhead is a scenic 20-minute drive from downtown Colorado Springs to North Cheyenne Cañon Park. If you have more time, there are numerous other great trails in the park, including Seven Bridges Trail, the longer Columbine Trail, and the very short Silver Cascade Falls Trail.

The first half of the trail follows a creek and passes a small but lovely waterfall. The latter part of the hike is a bit steeper and ends with the beautiful St. Mary’s Falls and panoramic views over Colorado Springs.

After a hearty lunch to reward your efforts, prepare to be inspired at the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum.

Colorado Springs, along with Lake Placid, New York, house the only two facilities created by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee to train its athletes. The Colorado Springs facility opened in 1978 and offers training camps as well as opportunities for athletes to live and train on the campus for months or even years at a time.

The state-of-the-art Olympic & Paralympic Museum was opened in 2020 to recognize the athletes who have represented Team USA. Inspired by the Guggenheim Museum in NYC, visitors take an elevator to the 3rd floor, then follow a ramp that winds back down to the floor level.

The fun and immersive experience includes more than a dozen high-tech galleries, including a history of the games, a Parade of Nations, and separate displays for the winter and summer games. A highlight is the sports simulators, where visitors can experience for the 30-meter dash, alpine skiing, and archery, to name a few. The museum houses one of the largest collections of Olympic torches and medals in the world.

Olympic Museum

Day 3 – Pikes Peak & Downtown Manitou Springs

The biggest claim to fame in the region is the glorious mountain that towers over it: Pikes Peak. It is the second most visited mountain in the world, behind Mt. Fuji. Originally inhabited by the Ute Indigenous people, it was called Ta-Wa-Ah-Gath or “Sun Mountain Sitting Big.”

In 1893, Professor Katharine Lee Bates and a group of other professors celebrated the end of a school session by taking a prairie wagon to the summit of Pikes Peak. The view from the top inspired her to write the poem “America the Beautiful”, which, of course, went on to become one of the most beloved songs in US history.

There are no prairie wagons available today. (Thank goodness.) The easiest way to summit the 14,115-foot mountain is to ride the free shuttle from Manitou Springs, and then hop aboard the world’s highest cog railway. (Tickets required, advance reservations highly recommended.) The breathtaking train ride is an hour each way, traveling along Ruxton Creek, past a waterfall, boulder formations, and the ruins of Halfway House Hotel. Riders are given 40 minutes at the top to soak in the 360-degree views and explore the visitors center (don’t miss the famous Pikes Peak donuts!).

Another option is to drive the 19-mile toll road yourself. The scenery is gorgeous and, unlike the train, you can stop along the way and have as much time at the summit as you wish. The road is steep and curvy, so unfortunately, the driver will not be able to enjoy the views. Reservations (with a nominal fee) for timed entry must be made well in advance. It is 2-3 hours of driving round trip, not including the time spent at the top.

If you have the time and wherewithal, you can even take the 13-mile hike (one way) up the Barr Trail, with an astounding 7400-foot elevation gain, before reaching the summit. (Hikers can hike back down, or take the cog railway or hiker’s shuttle.) Folks seeking even more adventure can hike halfway up and stop at Barr Camp to spend the night (reservations only) before summiting the next morning. Barr Camp is open year-round.

(Photo credit to ColoradoSprings.gov)

No matter what mode of transportation you use to get there, the Pikes Peak summit is over 14,000 feet above sea level. Regardless of your age or fitness level, lightheadedness and even disorientation can occur at this elevation. Young children and people with health issues should be especially cautious.

After the Pikes Peak adventure, assuming you drove or took the railroad up, take the afternoon to wind down, relax, and enjoy the increased oxygen levels at “only” 6,000 feet. When the shuttle drops you off in Downtown Manitou Springs, you can choose your pleasure in this quirky and wonderful town. Grab a bite to eat, do some shopping, check out the local art, people watch from one of the cute coffee shops, compare and contrast the delicious ice cream offerings up and down Manitou Avenue, or grab a beer at the Manitou Brewing Company.

For a little nostalgia, be sure to spend some time at the vintage Penny Arcade. If you’re interested in the history of the town, pop into the Manitou Springs Heritage Museum. If you happen to be there in October, you can even take a Ghost Tour.

Manitou Springs is home to 8 public naturally-carbonated mineral springs fountains, each with a distinct flavor. They were once believed to have healing powers. Take a self-guided tour to taste them all.

Where to Stay and Eat

Lodging

To get the most from your visit, consider staying near either Old Colorado City or downtown Manitou Springs. This will allow you to enjoy dining and shopping opportunities within walking distance and to avoid parking hassles.

Colorado Springs (the first two are within a couple of blocks of Old Colorado City, the third is adjacent to the Garden of the Gods):

Manitou Springs (all three are within a few blocks from the main area of town):

Dining

Colorado Springs (in/near Old Colorado City)

  • Jives Coffee Lounge (open daily 7 am – 9 pm) Lively, hip music-centric place with weekly open mic nights and Irish Pub music nights.
  • Mother Muffs (all day breakfast + lunch & dinner) Rustic sports pub with pool and shuffleboard, and frequent live music.
  • Uchenna (lunch & dinner) Family-owned restaurant with authentic, made-from-scratch, flavorful Ethiopian food.
  • Pizzeria Rustica (weekend lunch & daily dinner) Cozy trattoria with Neapolitan wood-oven pizzas and local ingredients, patio.
  • Tapateria (lunch & dinner) Tapas, wine, and cocktail bar with and dog-friendly patio. Tapas are all gluten-free.
  • Lumen 8 (happy hour, dinner, weekend brunch) Rooftop restaurant above the Springhill Suites with great views.

Manitou Springs

  • Red Dog Coffee (breakfast & lunch) Freshly made baked goods, burritos, bagels, & sandwiches in a friendly, cozy setting with local art.
  • Adams Mountain Cafe (breakfast, lunch, dinner) Made-from-scratch menu, healthy food-focused, at the base of Pikes Peak.
  • Cliff House Dining Room (breakfast, lunch, & dinner) Fine dining in a refined Victorian hotel, with seasonal seating on the front porch available.
  • Manitou Brewing Company (lunch & dinner) Serving small plates, sandwiches & burgers, and a wide variety of craft beer and cocktails.
  • Swirl Restaurant & Wine Bar (lunch & dinner) Offering apps, flat breads, sandwiches, & mains, with a dog-friendly patio.
  • Jade Dynasty (dinner) Serving excellent Asian dishes with large portions. It is a little distance from downtown, but they deliver.

Are you continuing your Colorado adventures? Check out our posts about Pagosa Springs and Breckenridge/Summit County!

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