School may be back in session, but we’re hanging on to the last few weeks of summer. Whether you’re planning a short trip over Labor Day or your kiddos are “coming down with something” (*cough cough* we won’t tell)—we’ve planned a weekend of fun for all ages! 

You chose the “who” now it’s time to pick the “where.” If you balk at boring ballrooms and cringe at cookie cutter cakes—a wedding in Manitou may be more your style. Consider us your complimentary wedding planner as we help you decide between 4 distinct wedding venues. Naturally, we assume we’re on the guest list.

Don’t be fooled: this small mountain town is big on summer fun—and our calendar is bursting with events to celebrate whatever floats your boat. Sip, savor and silent disco your way through summertime in Manitou.

Is it just us, or does planning for Spring Break usually involve a herculean combination of pro-con lists, online travel reviews and at least 20 open tabs in your browser? It doesn’t have to. Like an all-you-can-eat buffet, Manitou Springs really does have something for everyone. So, pencils down and browsers closed because we’ve planned the perfect 3-day family vacay in Manitou. 

The perfect Valentine’s date doesn’t exist….

If you believe that, then you haven’t spent Valentine’s Day in Manitou Springs. As if the quaint mountain town isn’t idyllic enough throughout the year—it pulls out all the stops to celebrate the most romantic day. We’re head over heels for these Manitou spots—and when combined—they make for the perfect Valentine’s Day in Manitou Springs. 

There’s nothing quite as hearty and resilient as a fruitcake—except maybe The Great Fruitcake Toss! 28 years and counting, Manitou’s quirkiest tradition started in 1996 with a couple of looney locals tossing around leftover fruitcakes in the park. After 20 years, you’d think we would just make less fruitcake. Nope, not the moral of this story. Here in Manitou, we’ve made unpopular leftovers the center of a beloved, local event!

Why do we love Manitou Springs? Let us count the ways! Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz said it best: “There’s no place like Manitou.” As we gear up for a season of giving and gathering, we’re feeling particularly grateful for our eccentric little mountain town and its motley crew of characters. We’ve made our list, checked it twice, and narrowed it down to the top 12 reasons we’re grateful to call Manitou Springs home.

Manitou’s tallest tales get taller as we head into the spookiest season. Founded in 1872, our eccentric mountain town has been home to some peculiar residents—alive, and dead. But which tales are legitimate and which are mere legend? We’re creepin’ it real and attempting to debunk Manitou Springs’ most ghastly of ghost stories.

Any day spent in Manitou Springs can be, well, eventful. It’s not unusual to catch a spontaneous drum circle along main street or spot a fruitcake toss in the park. (No, really, it’s a thing.) Even without the fruitcake, our can’t-miss fall events are just as “fruity” as you’d expect. #KeepManitouFruity

Days are getting shorter and temperatures are getting lower as summer in Manitou comes to a close—and we’re not mad about it! Fall in the Pikes Peak Region is pure magic, complete with pumpkin patches, corn mazes and green chili. But you’ll have to look up to catch the biggest transformation this fall. Between mid-September and early October, Colorado is awash with golden yellows as the leaves change. With such a short window of time, make your plans now to peep the leaves here in Manitou and across the Pikes Peak Region.

It’s true, we boast 300+ days of sunshine. And boy do we boast—we downright brag! But we still celebrate our summer rains—they keep our forests green and our rivers flowing. During the summer months, it’s not uncommon for an afternoon shower to creep over the mountains and leave as quickly as it came. Wait out a rainstorm in these top attractions that are a thunderous good time come rain or shine. #weatherjokes

If you think Manitou is quirky—you don’t even know the half of it! From the town’s long history of healing waters to the little surprises hidden in the library’s card catalog, the unexpected is all that can be expected here in Manitou Springs.

They say dogs are man’s best friend. So why should they be left in the dog house while we’re on vacation? With summer road trips just around the corner, we’ve rounded up our favorite spots in Manitou to stay, play and eat with your pooch for a howling good time. 

We’re no stranger to bucket lists. In 2021 alone, Manitou Springs dawned USA Today’s Top 10 Best Small Town Art Scenes in America and was ranked one of the friendliest cities in the country by Expedia. It goes without saying—but we feel the love! With so many visitors to our mountain town each year, it’s more important than ever to experience Manitou like a traveler—not just a tourist. And since 87% of you want to travel more responsibly, we thought we’d help you level up your travel etiquette. 

Can you smell that? That’s the smell of freshly-printed planners and more people than you’ve ever seen at your local gym. It’s the smell of new beginnings and well-intentioned promises. But as the light from the ball drop fades and you’ve cleaned the last, lingering confetti out from behind your couch cushions—every day after January 1st becomes harder and harder to keep those resolutions. In fact, most Americans throw in the towel by February 1st. 

You’ve made your list and checked it twice. You’ve scrubbed the naughty and now you’re left with the nice. But there’s always a couple of people on the list that are impossible to buy for. Whether you’re shopping for an eclectic friend or the dad who has everything—there’s something special for everyone on your list in Manitou Springs. 

It’s no secret that our small businesses could use a little cheer amid navigating a pandemic that has been neither merry nor bright. There are so many reasons to shop small this holiday season—from shorter lines to more thoughtful selections. And unlike the fluorescent lights and packed parking lots of big box stores, Christmastime in Manitou Springs is quaint enough to be right out of a Hallmark movie. 

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: