Story: Keep Manitou Weird

“Keep Manitou Weird” is an expression that can be seen on bumper stickers and signs in stores around Manitou Springs, Colorado. For many who sense an impending yuppification of the town and yearn to hang onto Manitou's roots, this is the town's slogan. Manitou Springs is located a ten minute drive west of downtown Colorado Springs. For two sisters that are so close in proximity, they are quite different. Colorado Springs is a large city, a city whose reputation as a military stronghold and an epicenter for the mega-church proceeds itself. Manitou Springs is a smaller town, nestled right up to the foothills around Pikes Peak, the mother mountain that shines over both. For many years, Manitou has had the reputation of housing all of the area's old hippie, wicca, bohemian artist, free thinker, and new age contingent. Although Manitou has been growing over the past few years and getting a cross-pollination of population, it retains its weirdness and charm that has drawn people from near and far alike for over one hundred years.

The area that now contains Manitou Springs was once considered sacred to the Cheyennes and Utes, because of the nine mineral springs that are scattered throughout the town. The spring water is free and runs from various fountains, so while you're in town don't forget to bring a jug. The mineral content is listed near each fountain. My favorite is the Twin Spring on Ruxton Avenue which is particularly good when mixed with pink lemonade.

The town of Manitou Springs was a popular summer resort for the Victorians and many of these original buildings still exist and are listed on the National Historic Register. Although there are many tried-and-true tourist destinations such as the Cave of the Winds (a baby Carlsbad Caverns) or the Cog Railway (the world's highest cog train which climbs to the 14,110 feet top of Pikes Peak), I suggest going to town with no itinerary, just wandering through the streets and letting yourself be surprised by what you find. The shops along Manitou Avenue are particularly interesting and can be quite eccentric and varied.

One things that is a must-see is the Manitou Arcade located in the heart of town. The arcade encompasses an outdoors boardwalk set up with many small rooms that are filled with games dating back to the early 1900s. From Skee-Ball to Pac-Man to pinball to Dance Dance Revolution, this arcade has it all. The famous Penny Arcade has the oldest games, many of which cost a nickel, dime, or even a penny. Ever wanted to spend a penny to see a surprisingly strange Harem show or a dime to see a Jean Harlow look-alike strip down to her slip? This is your chance. They even have a quarter fortune teller that is eerily reminiscent to the one in the movie Big.

There are many excellent hiking and biking trails of many levels through town. The Paul Intemann Memorial Nature Trail is a five mile trail that runs right above Manitou and offers spectacular views. The hike to the top of Red Mountain is a fairly short but steep hike for anyone who would like to climb a mountain in just a couple of hours. At the top of Red Mountain are the ruins of an old casino. Manitou Springs also houses the trailhead for Barr Trail, a thirteen mile trail that climbs 7,000 feet in elevation to the top of Pikes Peak.

The weekend before Halloween is an excellent time to visit Manitou Springs, because it is then that the city holds its annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races down Manitou Avenue. Emma Crawford was a Victorian woman who died of tuberculosis and was buried at the top of Red Mountain. Many years after she died, her coffin was unearthed by the weather and washed down the side of the mountain. The Coffin Races are held each year in her honor and include many creative coffin and costume designs. Talk about keeping Manitou weird!

Visiting Manitou Springs is truly a unique experience. While I have been there literally hundreds of times, I am still finding new things to see and do. If you grow tired of the same vacation experiences, come to Manitou Springs and let yourself get swept away in the beauty of the mountains and the outlandish local flair.