Manitou Springs

Located directly below Pikes Peak, community pride radiates from Manitou Springs: a historical mountainside city. However, Manitou Springs’ reputation as a desirable destination dates back hundreds of years, even before European explorers discovered Pikes Peak. Native Americans loved drinking the bubbly, cold spring water, which they considered sacred. Today, tourism fuels the economy, and Manitou Springs’ population of 4,800 love living in their quaint, attraction-line city – finding purpose in sharing their hometown with first-time visitors.

Houses range from the mid $400,000s and cap at $3 million, with most ranging from $500,000 to $700,000. Manitou Springs’ mountainous, western location means it was one of the first communities established in the Colorado Springs area; many homes were built between 1900 and 1960. These well-maintained and updated ranch-style and split-level properties often include three bedrooms and two bathrooms across 2,000 square feet. Lot size varies due to elevation change, but mature trees and lush greenery surround every home, reminding you of the city’s historical roots.

Students can attend Manitou Springs Elementary, Manitou Springs Middle and Manitou Springs High Schools; all received overall B’s from Niche. Great Schools gave the elementary and middle schools a 6/10 and the high school an 8/10. Manitou Springs’ meek population allows kids to form close bonds with their peers. About 500 teens from this city and several surrounding communities attend the high school. In addition to sports teams, students can join various clubs, like the robotics team, which qualified for the 2023 national and world championships.

Memorial Park sits on the edge of Downtown Manitou Springs and is where you’ll often run into local families with young children. Mature trees create shady spots across the open greenspace near the mulched playground. You’ll also find historical monuments that provide educational insights about the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway and honor military service members. Manitou Springs sits next to Garden of the Gods, popular among tourists and locals. However, several trails begin in your community and continue around the base of Pikes Peak—and straight to the summit.

Roughly 30 restaurants line a 3-mile stretch in Manitou Springs, most in Historic Downtown. Many appeal to visitors, but these businesses are locally owned and operated, and residents value supporting their neighbors. Grab a table at Adam’s Mountain Café, where every meal, sauce and dressing is made from scratch in the kitchen. You’ll also find various vegan and vegetarian options on the menu. Celebrate special occasions at Mona Lisa’s Fondue, known for creating intimate fine-dining experiences. Downstairs, you’ll find Mona’s Cellar, where you can share a bottle of wine with cheese and chocolate fondue. If you still have room for dessert, pop into Pikes Peak Chocolate and Ice Cream for a few treats made daily by the shop’s chocolatiers.

Several souvenir shops dot city streets, but residents shop at local spots like Mountain High Sportswear because they can pick up clothes and accessories regularly used for hiking, biking and camping. Drive east for three miles and arrive at grocery stores like Safeway and King Soopers in Old Colorado City – 10 minutes from home. Continue for another 2 miles and arrive at your closest Walmart Supercenter and the onramp to Interstate 25.

The Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival is the strangest yet most beloved of all Manitou Springs’ annual. The inaugural coffin race began in 1995 to honor a deceased community member and, in the years since, has turned into a can’t-miss event that brings the entire city together. “In the late 1800s, Manitou Springs had severe flooding that washed away Emma’s coffin, which was buried on top of Red Mountain,” says Realtor Melanie Weseman of Citadel Realty LLC. “Every October, residents build and decorate coffins and then race down the street.”

Residents understand that tourism is the key to a thriving economy in Manitou Springs. They welcome visitors with open arms, excited to share their beloved city with thousands of fresh faces each year. But when those visitors pack up and leave, the locals remain. To them, Manitous Springs is more than a mountainside attraction – it’s home.

Written By

Alexandra Sosik

Photography Contributed By

David Sanden

Video By

Victoria York