EAT
Nestled in the shadow of Pikes Peak is some of the best Middle Eastern food in the state of Colorado. The Sahara Cafe offers delicious Gyros, homemade hummus, fresh falafel and kabobs that are perfect to fuel up on after a day spent exploring the mountains surrounding town. The owner, Sam, is from North Africa and uses spices and ingredients imported from his hometown to create warm, welcoming food. A true gem.
TheSaharaCafe.com
SLEEP
Built in 1873 during the gold rush on the location of a stagecoach stop from the late 1850s, the Cliff House at Pikes Peak incorporated all of the Victorian grandeur of the times. Large covered porches, expansive windows and soaring ceilings all create an atmosphere of refined luxury that you could easily see the aristocracy of the past enjoying. Each of the 54 rooms is decorated in its own unique turn-of-the-century style, but the hotel offers all of the modern amenities one expects these days—WiFi, fitness center, an 800-plus-bottle wine cellar. After almost being destroyed by fire in 1982, the building was left vacant for 16 years until a 10-year restoration finally saw it returned to all of its glory in 2007. It’s located near all of the major attractions in town: Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Manitou Incline and Garden of the Gods. TheCliffHouse.com
PLAY
Although it’s best known for the supremely steep Manitou Incline (a trail that rises over 2,000 vertical feet in less than one mile), there are many other unique outdoor offerings spread around town. The Cave of the Winds (caveofthe winds.com) has been introducing individuals to underground adventures for over 100 years. Located just outside of town, it offers several different tours through the caves. You can either follow established trails or explore off the main routes with guides for several hours of spelunking. If climbing is your thing, or you always wanted to try it, Front Range Climbing Company (frontrangeclimbing.com) will take you out for a day of scaling some of the iconic routes spread throughout nearby Garden of the Gods and Red Rock Canyon. After a day of getting dusty and dirty, stop by for a tour of the historical Miramont Castle Museum (miramontcastle.org), an 1890s Victorian mansion, to tour its 33 rooms and have high tea. Then head into town to play a few games of Skee-Ball and air hockey at the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade.
—Hudson Lindenberger
