Things to Do in Manitou Springs on a Day Trip

Downtown Manitou Springs is a compact, walkable historic area at the foot of Pikes Peak, with springs and attractions close by. Begin with a stroll along Manitou Avenue, then take the side streets at an unhurried pace; this is the easiest way to get a feel for the town before choosing an attraction.

Indigenous people drank from the area’s mineral springs before European explorers arrived. The name Manitou comes from an Algonquian word meaning “great spirits.”

Keep your first stretch of the day downtown: shops, historic streets, and the spring fountains are all part of the same walkable area. From there, you can continue the mineral springs route or head toward a larger attraction.

Eight naturally effervescent, cold-water public mineral springs are distributed through downtown Manitou Springs, and they are free to visit.

The town’s tourism organization provides a map for a self-guided tour. Use it to link the fountains into a single downtown walk, stopping at the springs that fit your route. They flow 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so this part of the day does not depend on attraction opening hours.

Because the springs are spread through downtown rather than gathered at one site, leave time to walk between them and explore the surrounding streets. The spring route also makes a useful first activity: once you’ve seen the downtown area, you can decide whether to add a cave visit, a historic site, or a mountain outing.

Cave of the Winds Mountain Park is a nearby option for adding a paid attraction to a Manitou Springs day trip.

The park is at 100 Cave of the Winds Rd, Manitou Springs, CO 80829. Its general park admission hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily in summer, defined as Memorial Day through Labor Day, and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily in winter, defined as September through May; the last winter tour is around 4 p.m.

Above-ground attractions have separate hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. in summer and 11 a.m.–4 p.m. daily in winter, weather permitting. The park is open year-round except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and hours vary by season.

For the drive from I-25, take Exit 141 and head west on Highway 24 for about six miles. Parking at the attraction is free. Call Cave of the Winds to confirm hours before setting out, since they can change.

If you’d rather focus on local history, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings are at 10 Cliff Rd, five miles west of Colorado Springs just off US Highway 24. For a separate mountain day, you can plan around a Pikes Peak summit visit.

A practical Manitou Springs day trip starts downtown, follows the mineral springs route, and leaves the afternoon for one larger attraction.

1. Start downtown. Walk Manitou Avenue and get oriented in the compact historic area.
2. Follow the spring map. Visit the public fountains as a self-guided downtown walk.
3. Choose one main add-on. Set aside the remaining part of the day for Cave of the Winds, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, or another outing that suits your plans.
4. Keep the plan flexible. Cave of the Winds hours vary by season, and the Incline requires a timed reservation, so confirm those details before arranging the day around them.

For a walking-focused visit, the springs and downtown can form the core of the outing. If you add a separate attraction, a walk among the formations at Garden of the Gods is another outing to consider.

Are the Manitou Springs mineral springs free?

Yes. The eight public springs are free, and they flow 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A self-guided tour map is available from the town’s tourism organization.

How many mineral springs are in Manitou Springs?

There are eight naturally effervescent, cold-water public mineral springs distributed through downtown.

Is Cave of the Winds open year-round?

It is open year-round except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, but hours vary by season. Above-ground attractions are weather permitting, so call the park to confirm hours before your visit.

Do you need a reservation for the Manitou Incline?

Yes. A free timed reservation is required for the 2,744-step climb.