Hi! I’m thinking of moving to the area (specifically Cascade) but I have two middle schoolers. It looks like Cascade uses Manitou Springs’ school system?

I know it’s super touristy but I don’t mind too much. I love artsy, weird things and people.

Can you all share the good, the bad, and all the weird things I should consider? Like what’s the internet situation? Does the drinking water taste funny? Are the doctors nice? Are people inclusive? Will my cats be eaten by mountain lions? Etc?

Hi, all. Thinking of making a trip to visit Manitou Springs / Colorado Springs from the Northeast where I currently live. It seems like it might be a great fit for me.

Pros for me:

• Manitou Springs - looks like an adorable, historic, walkable, community-oriented small town.
• Still close to Colorado Springs for big city amenities / preventing a feeling of being too isolated.
• Close to multiple colleges in the area.
• Gorgeous nature.
• Mild, dry climate but still with four seasons.
• Good balance of political ideology. I'm gay but also politically conservative, so Manitou seems like it could be a good sweet spot.

Cons:

• Air might be TOO dry? I'm not sure. My favorite climate that I've lived in has been Sacramento, which is also considered quite dry rather than humid. How much drier does CO feel compared to Sac? I've read a lot of people complaining of cracked skin, needing to drink tons of water every day, getting nose bleeds, headaches, etc, in CO, but...?
• Large homeless population in CO Springs? But not Manitou?
• One person said there are a lot of smokers in both Manitou/CO Springs [cigarette smokers] and that the downtown area smells like smoke, but that was only one person. Anyone else notice that at all? I absolutely hate the smell of cigarette smoke, gives me a headache.

Are there any other cons I should consider?

I will probably visit for myself one way or another, but it's an expensive trip and a long flight from where I am, so I'm just trying to make sure I've taken as much into consideration as possible. Thanks!

I have about 10-12k tickets from the Penny Arcade. I have been collecting them for probably around three years. Anyway, I'm moving out of state for a job. I want to know what the community thinks I should do with them. I was thinking cash them in and hand out the toys, a friend wants to make a viral video, blah🤢. They do have Penny Arcade pint glasses that could be cool souvenirs. I got one for my brother and nephew. All your thoughts are appreciated, maybe we can vote on something.

Does the photo booth at the penny arcade still work? Last time I went it was around this time of year and it was out of order. Was super bummed lol

https://preview.redd.it/6vywzbrbz1od1.png?width=981&format=png&auto=webp&s=8593a3254406291dda818796be24f85b93b9ef11

Good morning, Coffin Racers and Coffin Racing enthusiasts! 

The popularity of events like The Emma Crawford Coffin Races can, unfortunately, lead to scams. Our vendor slots are currently filled. We have deleted, blocked, and reported five fraudulent posts in the last 24 hours. Please note that all official announcements will be posted on this page, not in the comments.

 With that being said, only 47 days until race day! Are you ready? 

 #CoffinRaces #ManitouSprings #BeAwareOfScams— in Manitou Springs, CO.

The above is from The Coffin Races official Facebook page.

Our family of four will be visiting next month along with a few other towns to prospect for a move to Colorado. Manitou Springs is at the top of our list so we’d love some input for our visit. Where do you recommend staying and is there anything in particular we should check out as prospective residents?

My security cams caught this fella in my back yard tonight at 1:45 a.m.

https://youtu.be/b67o3sf5k8g?si=rv_dlU41kls39B1t

Noticed a sign on the door that said "closed for business, thanks for your support through the years" or something like that. Did it close??

Is parking downtown free on holidays? Asking for today (Labor Day) but curious as a whole and couldn’t find anything listed here. Thanks!

Hey guys, I know this is outside the usual convo for this sub, but I really want to get your opinions.

I'm a student researcher from Colorado. While I am from COS, I am still yet to see Manitou Springs demographics represented in research studies. This is especially important because this is how the process works:

Laws are changed everyday by politicians and courts citing research studies and their results. Those research studies collect data from surveys that ask people for their opinions on the subject.

I found the Max Planck Institute study being done on who people think should regulate media like Reddit.

But suppose they don't get enough people representing all kinds of groups within the US or within a state? In that case, any action they may take from the results will be skewed or plainly unhelpful for the underrepresented population.

In this case, it is Manitou. If you share a similar sentiment as me, please consider taking a look at their study, which takes 5 minutes, is anonymous, and would also bring more representation for Manitou.
https://mpib.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9HmdL6BsUFYMS5U?Q_Language=EN-US

Coming tomorrow and want to do cave of the winds. We have a 2 1/2 year old.

I heard the tours are guided, no running around away from group, touching anything, and only inside voices. All things toddlers this age aren't good at. But reviews keep mentioning people bringing their young kids.

What do you think?

Need something to do tomorrow that'll be fun for our little guy.

Other ideas if COW isn't ideal?

We are headed to Manitou Springs area this weekend for our ten year wedding anniversary. Two adults + 2 year old toddler. So we gotta do stuff that works for all three of us.

We are staying in a two bedroom suite at Buffalo Bicycle Resort. So we apparently have food trucks, bar, swimming pool, and live music every night.

We are thinking Friday of doing Cave of the Winds + Rainbow Falls + checking into hotel. Thoughts? Good for toddler? Good places for dinner/lunch?

Then Saturday all we have planned is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (we have tickets for 11am). What else would be fun to full our day nearby?

Suggestions for breakfast, lunch, dinner, things to do. Figure maybe walk downtown Manitou. Open to stuff in Co Springs or Old Colorado City.

Sunday we head home but any quick morning adventures could be fun on the way out.

Ok, looking for a 4-8 mile hike, all that matters are 3 things. 1: It cant be Red mountain, Iron mountain, Gog and Mcgog, Ute trail, the Incline, I have already done those. 2. It needs to feel adventure like lol. What I mean is I love being surrounded by trees, no one else around, and not really any signs of other people. Not an open trail you can see everywhere around you, but a closed one surrounded by trees. 3: Need to be within walking distance of central manitou.

In town for 3 days, what is the best way to enjoy pikes peak - drive, cog or jeep tour? Looking for other things to do in town also. Is rainbow falls worth a $20 shuttle ride?

This dude has been to my house 4 times that I've caught on my security camera -- both front & back porch -- plus several times at my neighbors' homes. He is so quiet for a lumbering kinda guy. All I know is that I won't be opening my door after sunset without checking the camera first, ha!

https://youtu.be/mLUQCDPydtQ?si=Umv7GO2woFnHeNUm

Any good hike within walking distance of central manitou other than the incline, Iron Mountain, and Red Mountain? Rainbow falls won’t be open when my friends and I are available. Any suggestions?

Do kids Trick or Treat on Halloween in Manitou Springs, since it not quite bear hibernation season yet?

Hi, new here in town. I will be moving from the east side of the springs and I have a large dog who loves her walks. I'm located in the hilly areas near the high school and I was wondering if there are any good parks/trails nearby? I do see soda springs park right in town but I didn't know if there was anything else around up above the main avenue.

Thanks!

Hey there, we're KRCC News and we're celebrating southern Colorado on July 19, aka 719 Day. We want to hear from you, what do you love about the region? Read about the event we're holding online and on air, and how you can participate, here.

I tried google and calling first, promise! Just curious if anyone knows if the arcade will be open on the 4th. Thanks!

Has anyone hiked it when the weather mentions a chance of rain/storms later in the afternoon? I was gonna go on the 1st but the storm possibility has me worried

City of Manitou Springs Government 3h · 🏳️‍🌈The 2024 Pride Parade will take place on Saturday, June 29 starting at 10:00 a.m., and Manitou Springs has many easy transportation and parking options available! Between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., traffic on Manitou Avenue will be detoured onto some of Manitou Springs’ narrower streets. Westbound traffic will detour onto El Paso Boulevard, onto Lover’s Lane, and then Canon Avenue. Eastbound traffic coming from Ruxton will detour onto Osage Avenue. Please note, both roads are extremely narrow residential roads with on-street parking throughout. Large trucks will not be allowed to detour through these roads and will be redirected back onto Manitou Ave or onto US-24. Please avoid these routes between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Parade participants are utilizing the Wichita Parking Lot for staging, and parking will be limited during the parade. You can check the live parking occupancy and cost breakdown of our parking options before you head into Manitou Springs at: ManitouSpringsGov.com/parking

Are there bike racks near the incline trailhead? I search satellite photos and nothing really stood out. I don’t know the local customs and attitudes so I would rather leave it in an official spot rather than just finding a signpost or stair rail to lock onto. If it’s signposts or stair rails only, maybe you have a suggested location?

I am curious if there have been any bear sightings in Manitou Springs this season? I'd love to see local video of anyone can direct me to watch.

Hi, I’m wondering if there is any free parking available in Manitou Springs, I plan to summit pikes peak, I usually park at old mans trail and run up to the incline, so a mile or two added on is no biggie. I just want the free parking, I know that you can get a voucher at Barr trail , but I’m having a hard time finding that information. Any help would be appreciated. Please and Thank you .

I tried to google this and search this sub but only got a few recommendations. Im looking for a place for me, my mom and her well behaved dog to stay for a day trip to Manitou Springs. We value art/beauty, eclectic vibes, quirkiness, cleanliness and kindness. Got any recommendations? Trying to stay away from air bnbs but id be open to an especially unique/weird/cool one. Any stores or restaurants we should visit? Thanks in advance! Cant wait to visit your beautiful town.