This longtime resort town is
located just west of the larger city of Colorado
Springs. The springs referred to in both place names
are actually in Manitou Springs, at the foot of Pike's
Peak. The area has been an attraction for visitors since
the day Zebulon Pike spotted his namesake peak in 1806.
The real boom happened in 1859 when gold
was discovered in Central City (to the north) and the hot
springs here generated a spa resort, bringing America's
wealthy to "take the waters.". There are 26 springs which
still bubble and feed pools. The town has a National
Historic District and a collection of antique and curio
stores, hotels and restaurants.
Pike's Peak
Most of the excitement in Manitou Springs
is based on Pike's Peak tourism. The Manitou and
Pike's Peak Cog Railway takes you to the Pike's Peak
summit. (el. 14,110 feet). Originally powered by steam
engines from its founding on 1891, the railroad now
operates with diesel power It offers a painless way to
get to the top of Pike's Peak and trains leave regularly
from the depot on Ruxton Avenue. Passing through aspen
groves at the lower levels, the train passes the
timberline with wonderful views of the valley below as
the cars complete their climb up the slope. The round
trip takes just over three hours. The train runs from mid
May through October.
The other way to get to the top of Pike's
Peak is by the Pike's Peak Highway, a 38 mile
round trip which climbs nearly 7,000 feet and offers
spectacular views of the Continental Divide and the
surrounding countryside. The first seven miles of the
road are paved. Opened in 1916, the toll road is open
from May through October and is reached by taking Highway
24 northwest from Manitou Springs. Drivers should be
reminded that this road is steep and engines can
overheat. The road is patrolled in case help is required.
There is a restaurant as well as a gift shop at the
summit.
Other Things to See & Do
The Public Swimming Pool is an
indoor pool which is open year-round at 202 Manitou Ave.
The old Manitou Spa is a bed and
breakfast hotel with a spa program. A popular attraction
in Manitou Springs, the Miramont Castle is a wild,
eccentric, rambling structure built by Father Jean
Baptiste Francolon for his mother in 1895. It was later a
sanitarium and also an apartment complex. Its
architecture is varied to say the least, ranging from
Byzantine to Victorian, and in the 46 rooms are displays
of everything under the sun. The castle is now on the
National Register of Historic Places and has been a
museum since the late 1970s. Admission is charged.
