The Locals' Guide: 5 Manitou Springs Hidden Gems Most Visitors Never Find
Manitou Springs has a way of revealing itself slowly. Most visitors follow the same route—the Incline, the shops on Manitou Avenue, maybe Garden of the Gods—and come away thinking they've seen it all. But if you stay a little longer and look a little closer, this quirky canyon town offers discoveries that feel almost private. Here are five of our favorites, straight from the locals who call this place home.
1. Miramont Castle
Best For: History lovers, architecture enthusiasts, curious wanderers.
Perched on Capitol Hill just above Manitou Avenue, Miramont Castle is one of Colorado's most underrated attractions. Built in 1895 by a French Jesuit priest, the 46-room mansion blends nine different architectural styles into one remarkable structure—Romanesque, Tudor, and Chateauesque all coexist beneath a single roof. Most people drive right past it. Don't. The museum inside offers a fascinating window into the Victorian-era Pikes Peak region, and the Queen's Parlour Tea Room serves afternoon tea in a setting that feels genuinely transported from another century.
The Outrider Tip
It's an easy uphill walk from our front door—head east on Manitou Ave, then follow Capitol Hill Road. Allow at least 90 minutes to do it justice.
2. The Free Mineral Springs
Best For: A uniquely Manitou experience that costs absolutely nothing.
Manitou Springs is named for its mineral springs, and seven of them are still accessible to the public—free of charge—right in the heart of downtown. Each spring has a distinct mineral profile and a noticeably different taste. The Cheyenne Spring near Soda Springs Park is a classic starting point: slightly effervescent, with a clean mineral bite that locals swear by after a hard hike. Bring your own cup or bottle and make an afternoon of sampling them all. It's one of those experiences that's impossible anywhere else in Colorado.
The Outrider Tip
Ask us for our personal spring map at the front desk—we've tasted every one of them and have strong opinions about the order.
3. Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama
Best For: A night out that's genuinely unlike anything else in Colorado.
Melodrama theater—complete with pantomime villains, audience participation, and nineteenth-century morality tales—has been a Manitou Springs tradition since 1899, and Iron Springs Chateau keeps it alive in spectacular fashion. Shows run on weekend evenings through the season, and the crowd tends to be a mix of locals and lucky travelers who stumbled onto something special. The venue itself is a historic property tucked into the canyon, and the whole experience feels like an honest discovery rather than a tourist attraction.
The Outrider Tip
Check their calendar before your trip and book early—shows fill up faster than you'd expect. It makes for a perfect Saturday evening from our basecamp.
4. Crystal Park Road
Best For: Scenic drives, rock collecting, and feeling like you've found the back door to Pikes Peak.
Most visitors to the Pikes Peak region focus on the highway to the summit. But Crystal Park Road—a steep, privately managed access road climbing from the south side of Manitou—offers a completely different perspective. The road winds up through pine forests and shale formations that have been producing amazonite, smoky quartz, and topaz crystals for over a century. Rock hounds come from across the country for the collecting opportunities; the views of the valley below are simply a bonus.
The Outrider Tip
Access requires a small fee paid at the gatehouse. Go early on weekdays for the best solitude and the best light for photography.
5. Patsy's Candies
Best For: A sweet piece of Colorado history that's been here since 1903.
No list of Manitou Springs hidden gems is complete without Patsy's. A fixture on Colorado Avenue in Colorado Springs since 1903, Patsy's is the oldest candy shop in Colorado and one of the oldest in the country. Their hand-pulled saltwater taffy and chocolate-dipped everything are the real deal—made the same way they've always been made. It's a short drive from The Outrider, and visiting feels less like a tourist stop and more like something a local would insist you do before you leave.
The Outrider Tip
Pick up a box of toffee to enjoy back at the hotel by our fire pit. It pairs remarkably well with Colorado night air.
Make It Your Home Base
The best thing about all five of these gems? They're within easy reach of The Outrider. We're located at 229 Manitou Ave—the center of it all—which means you can spend the day wandering the springs, touring the castle, and collecting crystals, then return to a sauna, a cold plunge, and a fire pit waiting for you. That's what we mean when we say roam free, rest easy.