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As America’s only mountain zoo and TripAdvisor’s #4 thing to do in Colorado Springs, the wildlife park boasts a bold and varied conservation of over 30 endangered species. With handfuls of educational programs and ongoing conservation projects, the zoo is committed to sharing their knowledge of these beautiful animals with all who visit. But it’s not all about looks here at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, what sets them apart is the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the animal’s natural habitat. You can interact with and hand-feed giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and goats, take in the exhibits from birdseye view aboard the Mountaineer Sky Ride, or explore on foot while weaving through the many pathways throughout the property. However you choose to explore, these incredible animals will provide an up-close encounter of what it’s like to live on the wild side.

You don’t read about them in travel guides and you can only find them if you know where to look. Here in Manitou Springs, that’s the Manitou Incline. Once a tourist cable car track, it used to take visitors to the top of the foothills for beautiful views of Colorado Springs. But after a rock slide destroyed part of it in 1990, it shut down and became a hiking spot for the locals. It was a grueling hike, technically illegal to climb, that was frequented by only the most athletic and adventurous. Now, the Manitou Incline is becoming a popular hot spot for tourists that are daring enough to try to tackle the Incline. Gaining nearly 2,000 feet of elevation in less than a mile, it’s now legal to climb, but just as difficult to conquer. If you’re in good health and want to challenge the Incline, you’ll be rewarded with stunning, unsurpassable views when reaching the top.

And one of our favorite spots to connect with nature is North Cheyenne Canon Park. With over 1,600 acres of trees, wildlife, flora, hiking and biking trails, geological formations, and climbing walls, Cheyenne Canon is considered one of Pike Peak’s hidden gems. A favorite of locals and in-the-know visitors, the park has something for everyone. Adventurers will want to scale one of the eight different climbing walls in the park, ranging from moderate to steep climbs. For nature lovers who prefer to remain on the ground, try a hike on the Silver Cascade Falls Trail. Then take an afternoon break to visit the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center, where you’ll find a birdwatching window, hands-on natural exhibits, and Junior Ranger programs for the kids.

Whether it’s a refreshing hike or a day spent relaxing in your Victorian-inspired suite, spend the afternoon doing what you and your S.O. love the most. Against the stunning backdrop of Rocky Mountain beauty, you and your loved one can then connect over an incredibly romantic dinner at The Cliff House Dining Room. As one of Colorado’s premier dining destinations and the recipient of the distinguished DiRoNA Award, the Cliff House’s on-site restaurant is an unforgettable experience. Dine on expertly-crafted sea and land plates, beautifully plated and inspired by the prestigious work of Executive Chef Chris Lynch. To pair, enjoy their curated selection of wine—including a legendary French Burgundy! Be sure to save room for dessert to end this effortlessly romantic evening on the perfect sweet note.

Head down to Manitou Springs Memorial Park on Saturday, January 25, when fruitcakes will fly far and wide. What started as a local grassroots event in 1996 has become a community staple that attracts visitors from all over. Cheer on as the holiday’s unwanted desserts are launched into the air. Competitions include a classic hand toss, kid’s toss, a canon launch, and a team catch (just to name a few). For those who love the dessert, there will be a fruitcake baking competition, along with refreshing libations to keep the party going. Awards will be handed out for the farthest hand-toss distance, accuracy, speed, best balance, and more! This event is a true slice of life here in Manitou Springs and you won’t want to miss it.

If you’re visiting us during the month of December, we hope you’ll join us—and the rest of the town—on Saturday, December 14 for the annual Christmas parade. This local favorite welcomes in the holiday season with festive floats, exciting performers, and an appearance from Santa himself. Whether you’re traveling with family, friends or your S.O., all will love this merry evening in downtown Manitou. Afterward, enjoy dinner in town and a stroll around the shops with cocoa in hand. You may find the perfect gift for that special someone from one of our local artisans. Happy Holidays!

To start your holiday shopping off on the right foot, we encourage you to join us in shopping small and exploring all of the amazing local shops our magical mountain town has to offer. Small Business Saturday—this year on November 30—highlights the amazing businesses in our community. With twinkling holiday lights around you and warm hot cocoa in hand, check out the local artists and shop owners offering special gifts you won’t find anywhere else. You’ll walk away with wonderful, quintessential holiday memories and one-of-a-kind gifts the rest of your family will love. While there’s always a chance to go big with national department stores and malls, you’ll cherish this special opportunity to shop small in our fun, funky, and artistic town.

Yes, that’s right! On October 26, you can join in on this community fun—in its 25th year—to cheer on the coffin racers, awe over the elaborate costumes, and see who will be crowned 2018 Miss Emma. The festival was inspired by Emma Crawford, a young woman who came to Manitou Springs in the 1800s for a cure for her tuberculosis. When Emma passed in 1890, her fiancé buried her on top of Red Mountain. Years later, after a season of harsh rainstorms, Emma and her coffin slid down the mountain slope and into the canyon. After, the coffin race began as a way to honor her memory and prepare for the Halloween season. Stick around for the fun festival after the races to immerse yourself in the Halloween season.

Thanks to the state’s high elevation, Colorado continues to lead the way with some of the very best microbreweries around, including Bee Hive Honey and Modus Hoperandi. And the state is also home to unique liquors from reserve whiskeys to small-batch gins. Fortunately, you won’t need to travel outside our property to find just that. At our very own Red Mountain Bar & Grill, indulge in a taste of Manitou Springs’ tempting spirits from our curated menu of locally-sourced beers, vodkas, whiskeys, and wines (we even have a wine cellar on site!). Stop in for a refreshing cocktail after a long day of exploring; each captures the essence of Colorado’s beauty in every sip. To round out your experience, order a few plates to share with your group for the perfect end to another perfect day in Manitou Springs.

In nearby Colorado Springs, Adventures Out West captures the essence of the olden times by taking you on thrilling tours of Pikes Peak. Since 1973, this popular tour company offers a number of unique adventures with everything from balloon ride tours to ziplining. And trust us, you haven’t experienced Pikes Peak until you have ziplinined above its expansive terrain! You and your family can join AOW’s top cowboy guides as they take you on a fantastic tour of the land in an off-roading jeep. Whether you are first-time visitors or long-time vacationers here in Manitou Springs, AOW’s exciting day outings are always a fun way to spend the afternoon. If you’re traveling with a group, be sure to ask about their group offers for special packages and rates. 

On summer’s favorite holiday, join the community in celebrating at Soda Springs Park for some all-day festivities! While we’re skipping out on fireworks this year, your daytime celebrations will be jam-packed with excitement, great music, and a whole lot of excitement to last the entire day. At the park, head to the Bud Ford Pavilion, serving as the heart of the Independence Day block party. The family-friendly event will have a free concert of Manitou’s most exciting bands with tons of great food and drink vendors (think: beer, brats, ice cream, and more!) to keep the party going. Grab some blankets and chairs and join in on a fun day in the park celebrating America’s freedom!

The Colorado Wolf Adventures will bring these stunning canines to Pikes Peak most famous landscape, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure is an incredible chance for you and your loved ones to interact with and learn about wolves. Everything from what they eat and where they live to how they act, the Colorado Wolf Adventures will be there to answer all of your questions. What’s more, swinging by to see the wolves is totally free, making this a great excursion! If you do want to grab a picture with you and the cute carnivores, you can make a small donation which will go to the care for the wolves. Get ready for you and your new furry pal to grin and bare all of those pearly whites!

Located in nearby Colorado Springs, it’s hard not to fall in love with the vibrant reds and whites of the stunning, natural rock formations of the park. No matter how you like to explore—on foot, on bike, on horse, or by rock climbing—the opportunities are endless to make ground at this amazing site. Slanted, straight, toppled over, or flipped, the formations are works of art that you have to see to believe. During your visit, be sure to stop by the Gardens of the God Trading Post, where you can explore the on-site art gallery and purchase items from the gift shop for treasures that go beyond the typical ‘knick-knack’ and make for memorable keepsakes you’ll cherish forever.

 A popular spot among locals, but often missed by visitors, the falls is a magnificent waterfall located beneath the Manitou Avenue overpass. In the warmer months, you’ll find families splashing in the water and relaxing beside the falls on land. What makes this secret waterfall so iconic around town is not only its out-of-the-way location but the colorful graffiti that covers the rock walls surrounding the falling water. Though the city has tried to remove the graffiti on a few occasions, the artwork remains as a sort of signature and identity-marker of the Manitou Springs community. During your visit, admire the falls for what it is—peaceful, colorful, and uniquely Manitou.

The fun all begins on Saturday, March 2 with the Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off at 10:30. Get a taste of the delicious and dynamic flavors of Cajun and Creole cuisine in Manitou. You’ll be able to sample a number of different twists on the classic gumbo dish and cast your vote for who has the best in the competition! After, head over to Manitou Avenue by Memorial Park to cheer on the Carnivale Parade starting at 1 p.m.! Enjoy the incredible, colorful costumes, headpieces, and floats of the parade and watch as tons of performers march and dance their way down the street. This family-friendly event is a lively celebration not to be missed!

Discovered in 1881, the caves are unparalleled marvels. Take a tour—by lantern or with the family—to explore different portions on a guided walking tour. You’ll navigate through tunnels, paths, and rooms and get lost in all of the grand beauty. Once you’ve seen enough inside, step out to try the Wind Walker Challenge Course, the Bat-E-Pult zip line, or dive into the canyon on an aerial dive ride. During the lantern tour, make your way through narrow passageways by candlelight as you hear tales of folklore and ghost stories. Think you’re up for the challenge? This 500-million-year-old underground experience truly has something for everyone, all you have to do is take your pick!

Held this year on January 26 from 1-3 p.m. at Manitou Springs Memorial Park, the one-of-a-kind event is your chance to cheer as the undesired dessert is launched into the air! Competitions include the hand toss, kid’s toss, the canon, and team catch—just to name a few! Awards will be handed out for a number of achievements including the farthest hand-toss distance, accuracy, speed, best balance, and distance from a robotic or mechanical device. But in case you have a soft spot for fruitcake, you can put your tasting to the test with the fruitcake bake-off, where local bakers will compete in a showdown for the title of Fruitcake King/Queen. This event is a true look into the fun and carefree spirit of the Manitou Springs community. Let the fruitcake festivities begin!

Once a week throughout the entire month of December you can enjoy a walking tour of Manitou Springs brew options with a holiday twist. Springs Beer Tours is offering an afternoon of sipping and savoring “Santa-inspired” beers at various pubs around town. Not only will you get a taste for the amazing craft offerings here in town, but you’ll also be able to explore Manitou Springs like a local, discovering all of the unique spots that define our town. It’s always a magical time to spend the holidays in Manitou Springs, but it’s especially so when you can cheers to the festive season with those you love. Dates are December 8, 15, 20, 22, and 29 from 3-5 p.m.