Karen’s guidebook
Westside Food scene
Homey bar/eatery since 1985, with vegan options!
Adam’s is within walking distance and is a favorite of ours! This is a great place for breakfast!! For dinner, I love the Senegalese vegetables; My husband is a fan of the lasagna.
104 locals recommend
Adam’s Mountain Cafe
26 Manitou AveHomey bar/eatery since 1985, with vegan options!
Adam’s is within walking distance and is a favorite of ours! This is a great place for breakfast!! For dinner, I love the Senegalese vegetables; My husband is a fan of the lasagna.
A great bar featuring wine, brews & cocktails, plus small plates. Ask to sit on the back patio by the fire pit …very romantic!
36 locals recommend
Swirl
717 Manitou AveA great bar featuring wine, brews & cocktails, plus small plates. Ask to sit on the back patio by the fire pit …very romantic!
A hidden gem serving home-style Mexican mains, local craft beers & great margaritas in adobe-style setting. Charming patio dining is available.
72 locals recommend
Crystal Park Cantina
178 Crystal Park RdA hidden gem serving home-style Mexican mains, local craft beers & great margaritas in adobe-style setting. Charming patio dining is available.
Excellent locally roasted coffee and fresh baked goods and lots of cute little gifts. Check out their beautiful dog treats!
12 locals recommend
Red Dog Coffee
739 Manitou AveExcellent locally roasted coffee and fresh baked goods and lots of cute little gifts. Check out their beautiful dog treats!
Walk down a promenade to find this hidden Manitou treasure! Flights are inexpensive. We like to sit outside and cool off after a hike!
51 locals recommend
Manitou Brewing Company
725 Manitou AveWalk down a promenade to find this hidden Manitou treasure! Flights are inexpensive. We like to sit outside and cool off after a hike!
I usually recommend mainly Manitou eateries, but I had to include one of my nearby favorites. This restaurant has a lively atmosphere and serves up classic Italian dishes with homemade sauces. They have gluten friendly options.
127 locals recommend
Paravicini's Italian Bistro
2802 W Colorado AveI usually recommend mainly Manitou eateries, but I had to include one of my nearby favorites. This restaurant has a lively atmosphere and serves up classic Italian dishes with homemade sauces. They have gluten friendly options.
This is a “self pour” taproom. They have about 40 taps that constantly rotate. Most are craft beers, but they have 3 wines (red, rose, white), ciders (alcoholic) and maybe one non-alcoholic item. You get a device which keeps track of what your pour and charges accordingly. Pour an ounce if you just want a tiny taste, or a full glass. Sample as many as you like (up to 32 ounces total!). The food is typical pub food and is OK (appetizers, flatbread pizza, brats, sandwiches) but they also have meat pies (yummy) and an option for a salad instead of chips. You go for the beer, not the food, but the food is OK.
51 locals recommend
Trails End Taproom
2925 W Colorado AveThis is a “self pour” taproom. They have about 40 taps that constantly rotate. Most are craft beers, but they have 3 wines (red, rose, white), ciders (alcoholic) and maybe one non-alcoholic item. You get a device which keeps track of what your pour and charges accordingly. Pour an ounce if you just want a tiny taste, or a full glass. Sample as many as you like (up to 32 ounces total!). The food is typical pub food and is OK (appetizers, flatbread pizza, brats, sandwiches) but they also have meat pies (yummy) and an option for a salad instead of chips. You go for the beer, not the food, but the food is OK.
Safeway
3275 W Colorado AveThis is the nearest store where you can buy groceries for the house.
Seriously ....the best pizza in Colorado Springs, and they have gluten-free. Order from the west location, just 10 minutes away.
They have dedicated their business and namesake to Christian and Stefany’s youngest daughter, Sofia, who uses alternative medicine to treat her seizures caused by epilepsy and cerebral palsy. The family chose to sell their pizzeria in Florida in order to gain legal access to Sofia’s life-changing medicine here in Colorado. They consider themselves to be among thousands of American Medical Refugees. Colorado has changed their lives and they choose to show their gratitude by spreading that message through every slice they sell.
40 locals recommend
Slice420
2501 W Colorado AveSeriously ....the best pizza in Colorado Springs, and they have gluten-free. Order from the west location, just 10 minutes away.
They have dedicated their business and namesake to Christian and Stefany’s youngest daughter, Sofia, who uses alternative medicine to treat her seizures caused by epilepsy and cerebral palsy. The family chose to sell their pizzeria in Florida in order to gain legal access to Sofia’s life-changing medicine here in Colorado. They consider themselves to be among thousands of American Medical Refugees. Colorado has changed their lives and they choose to show their gratitude by spreading that message through every slice they sell.
Jake and Telly’s Greek Taverna
2616 Colorado AveDelightful Greek cuisine and a lovely patio too!
They serve authentic Spanish tapas made with Colorado ingredients and wines. 36 wines, sherries & ports to pair with 36 tapas. Full bar. 100% gluten-free; 50% vegetarian; and 25% vegan menu. Local farm and ranch suppliers year-round. Large Spanish deli for dine-in or take-out.
59 locals recommend
TAPAteria
2607 W Colorado AveThey serve authentic Spanish tapas made with Colorado ingredients and wines. 36 wines, sherries & ports to pair with 36 tapas. Full bar. 100% gluten-free; 50% vegetarian; and 25% vegan menu. Local farm and ranch suppliers year-round. Large Spanish deli for dine-in or take-out.
Located on the creek in historic Manitou Springs, just down from Soda Springs Park and next to Arcade Amusements. 20 taps with local Colorado craft beer. ....Great with kids!!
6 locals recommend
Border Burger Bar
934 Manitou AveLocated on the creek in historic Manitou Springs, just down from Soda Springs Park and next to Arcade Amusements. 20 taps with local Colorado craft beer. ....Great with kids!!
Sightseeing
Academy Riding Stables is less than 1/2 mile from our house. They offer horseback riding tours through the Garden of the Gods guided by real cowboys! It is a great way to learn about the park, and enjoy the beautiful scenery!
36 locals recommend
Academy Riding Stable
4 El Paso BlvdAcademy Riding Stables is less than 1/2 mile from our house. They offer horseback riding tours through the Garden of the Gods guided by real cowboys! It is a great way to learn about the park, and enjoy the beautiful scenery!
This outfitter also offers Jeep tours, Segway rides and balloon flights! You can book right at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center.
27 locals recommend
Adventures Out West
1335 Manitou AveThis outfitter also offers Jeep tours, Segway rides and balloon flights! You can book right at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center.
I would also recommend Cave of the Winds (719-685-5444). (My son was a tour guide there when he was in high school :-). The Lantern Tour is especially cool but a little spooky. They have tours just for kids and they also have a new zip line!
464 locals recommend
Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
100 Cave of the Winds RdI would also recommend Cave of the Winds (719-685-5444). (My son was a tour guide there when he was in high school :-). The Lantern Tour is especially cool but a little spooky. They have tours just for kids and they also have a new zip line!
Our grandkids love the Penny Arcade ((719) 685-9815) in downtown Manitou. Take a roll of quarters, not pennies :-)
166 locals recommend
Manitou Springs Penny Arcade
930 Manitou AveOur grandkids love the Penny Arcade ((719) 685-9815) in downtown Manitou. Take a roll of quarters, not pennies :-)
The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park (just 20 minutes up Ute Pass) is another favorite of our grandkids. The museum includes a fossil preparation lab and a large gift shop!
103 locals recommend
Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center
201 S Fairview StThe Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park (just 20 minutes up Ute Pass) is another favorite of our grandkids. The museum includes a fossil preparation lab and a large gift shop!
Pikes Peak Highway is open year round - weather permitting. Want to drive up America’s Mountain? It is magnificent!! Take warm jackets no matter what the weather is here.
681 locals recommend
Pikes Peak Summit House
Pikes Peak Highway is open year round - weather permitting. Want to drive up America’s Mountain? It is magnificent!! Take warm jackets no matter what the weather is here.
Visit America's only mountain zoo! Named 6th-best zoo in the nation it has amazing views of the city and plains. Hand-feed giraffes and budgies and ride the open air ski lift. I especially enjoy the carousel build around 1925!
569 locals recommend
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo RdVisit America's only mountain zoo! Named 6th-best zoo in the nation it has amazing views of the city and plains. Hand-feed giraffes and budgies and ride the open air ski lift. I especially enjoy the carousel build around 1925!
Great Family Outing! There is zip lining and a giant swing. The cafe had good food and the view is ... fantastic. There are shows that allow you to get up close to birds of prey. There are other shows too throughout the day. It is a one hour drive from Colorado Springs.
340 locals recommend
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
4218 Co Rd 3AGreat Family Outing! There is zip lining and a giant swing. The cafe had good food and the view is ... fantastic. There are shows that allow you to get up close to birds of prey. There are other shows too throughout the day. It is a one hour drive from Colorado Springs.
Visitors to the United States Air Force Academy often wish to take in the iconic sights of the beautiful campus.
166 locals recommend
United States Air Force Academy
Visitors to the United States Air Force Academy often wish to take in the iconic sights of the beautiful campus.
Truly a feast for the eyes. Access is through a narrow valley which has been completely re-forrested and restored since the flooding a few years ago - visitors can walk up to the falls, or take the tram. Visit in the afternoon, viewing the falls in daylight, then enjoyed a trout dinner at the 1858 Restaurant (expensive, but worth it) and then returned to view the falls with the colored lights over the entire cascade. You can also used the elevator to get to the "Eagle Nest" observation deck. There are stairs alongside the rocks that go all the way up to the top of the falls!
339 locals recommend
The Broadmoor Seven Falls
1045 Lower Gold Camp RdTruly a feast for the eyes. Access is through a narrow valley which has been completely re-forrested and restored since the flooding a few years ago - visitors can walk up to the falls, or take the tram. Visit in the afternoon, viewing the falls in daylight, then enjoyed a trout dinner at the 1858 Restaurant (expensive, but worth it) and then returned to view the falls with the colored lights over the entire cascade. You can also used the elevator to get to the "Eagle Nest" observation deck. There are stairs alongside the rocks that go all the way up to the top of the falls!
Jaw dropping elegance like you just stepped back in time and you're a movie star. Walk around the grounds and enjoy the ambiance. Beginning around 7:30 PM, the sounds of a ragtime piano can be heard nightly at the Golden Bee. Modern classics including Sweet Caroline, Margaritaville, and Piano Man are played by request, and patrons are encouraged to grab a songbook, raise their glass, and sing along.
164 locals recommend
The Broadmoor Golf Club
1 Lake AveJaw dropping elegance like you just stepped back in time and you're a movie star. Walk around the grounds and enjoy the ambiance. Beginning around 7:30 PM, the sounds of a ragtime piano can be heard nightly at the Golden Bee. Modern classics including Sweet Caroline, Margaritaville, and Piano Man are played by request, and patrons are encouraged to grab a songbook, raise their glass, and sing along.
If you like a physical challenge, the Incline is a great one. The once railroad track now consists of approximately 2,744 steps made entirely of railroad ties! Although it's only one mile in length, the ascension averages a 41% incline (68% at its highest) and a 2,000 foot climb in elevation! Phew! That's a lot of stairs!
228 locals recommend
The Incline
The InclineIf you like a physical challenge, the Incline is a great one. The once railroad track now consists of approximately 2,744 steps made entirely of railroad ties! Although it's only one mile in length, the ascension averages a 41% incline (68% at its highest) and a 2,000 foot climb in elevation! Phew! That's a lot of stairs!
SunWater Spa is 1.2 miles from the house.! Soak in the mineral bath outside looking up at the mountains! A beautiful new spa, they offer so many services and the atmosphere is relaxed. You will not be disappointed.
71 locals recommend
SunWater Spa
514 El Paso BlvdSunWater Spa is 1.2 miles from the house.! Soak in the mineral bath outside looking up at the mountains! A beautiful new spa, they offer so many services and the atmosphere is relaxed. You will not be disappointed.
The Manitou Springs Aquatic Center has an ozone-treated indoor swimming pool and spa, a children's pool and a weight room. it is just a 5 minute walk from the house.
Manitou Pool & Fitness Center
202 Manitou AveThe Manitou Springs Aquatic Center has an ozone-treated indoor swimming pool and spa, a children's pool and a weight room. it is just a 5 minute walk from the house.
The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is a cog railway that climbs one of the most iconic mountains in the United States, Pikes Peak in Colorado. Breathtaking views!!
211 locals recommend
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
515 Ruxton AvenueThe Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is a cog railway that climbs one of the most iconic mountains in the United States, Pikes Peak in Colorado. Breathtaking views!!
The Museum is dedicated to capturing and sharing the history of Team USA in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the hopes and dreams of future generations!
239 locals recommend
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center
1 Olympic PlazaThe Museum is dedicated to capturing and sharing the history of Team USA in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the hopes and dreams of future generations!
The Florissant Formation is a sedimentary geologic formation outcropping around Florissant, Teller County, Colorado. The formation is noted for the abundant and exceptionally preserved insect and plant fossils that are found in the mudstones and shales.
140 locals recommend
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
15807 Co Rd 1The Florissant Formation is a sedimentary geologic formation outcropping around Florissant, Teller County, Colorado. The formation is noted for the abundant and exceptionally preserved insect and plant fossils that are found in the mudstones and shales.