Manitou Springs is a quirky town with a lot to see and do, there is no way you can get it done in one day. It is my favorite day trip to take when I need a change of scenery. It is not too far and it has some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the state of Colorado. Every time I make the trip there is something new to see.
Manitou Springs is home of some popular Colorado tourist attractions like Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, The Paint Mines, the treacherous Incline, and so much more. With all the best Colorado activities that include hiking, biking, white water rafting, rock climbing, horseback riding and more. The town itself is an attraction too. The Mainstreet is located right along the river and is filled with charming shops and cafes. The old buildings give the town an old world charm that takes you back in time. It really feels like you have entered the Wild Wild West when you are in Manitou.
Adam and I haven’t visited Manitou Springs for a long time so one weekend we decided to head out early and spend the day there. Our first stop was Garden of the Gods of course. It is a great place to go for a walk. On the weekends it gets pretty crowded and when we were there they were unloading tour buses full of people. It is probably best to visit this popular attraction on a weekday if you can help it. But no matter how many people are there it is still worth the visit.
After our morning walk in the garden, we headed out for breakfast. We did a quick search on yelp to find a place that had some healthy options. We didn’t want to be weighed down by a big meal with a full day of exploring ahead of us. We came across Garden of Gods Market and Cafe. As soon as we walked into the building I knew the food was going to be good. The atmosphere has a modern rustic charm where locals and tourist come together and enjoy a good breakfast. It very much felt like I walked into The Magnolia Table. We sat up at the counter that had a view of everything that was going on in the kitchen. We ordered our coffee and food and watched all the food that they were prepping making mental notes of what we would order next time. It all looked so good. I ordered the breakfast salad made with fresh local greens, asparagus, fennel, red onion, sunflower seeds, massive croutons, poached eggs and the most delicious fermented blueberries. Adam ordered the Avocado toast that was two massive slices of bread topped with guacamole, tomatoes, arugula, sriracha aioli, and hard-boiled eggs. I highly recommend going to this place on your visit. It is a place that I could eat breakfast every day if I lived closer.
After we fueled up we stopped by Miramont Castle. We walked around the beautiful gardens but didn’t take the time to tour the inside, that is something we will have to do another day. They also have a tea room where you can enjoy an afternoon of high tea. That is definitely something I will have to plan to do the next time I am in Manitou Springs.
We wandered the streets afterward and stopped into some of the shops. Then the rain blew in and we headed home. It was a long day of adventuring but it is such a unique town to explore when you are in the mood for something different. I need to venture to more of the other attractions the next time I am there. There is always so much to go back for in one place. The greatest thing about exploring is there is always something you missed to go back for. I may have to book a hotel the next time I am in Manitou.
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