Garden of the Gods
Manitou Springs
Native American Postcards from Manitou SpringsBRING: Pack your vintage Levi's cut-offs, Bally waffle stompers and a copy of Centennial by James A. Michener, and set out to El Paso County, Colorado, to the sounds of Yonder Mountain String Band.
STAY: For the literary romantics, book the Charles Dickens suite at The Cliff House at Pike's Peak, a charming and historic alpine lodge nestled in the foothills that Travel + Leisure just named on of the top 100 hotels in the world. There's also the Clark Gable Suite or the Teddy Roosevelt Suite!
DO: Rise with the sun and hike around Garden of the God's and you'll see why it got it's name. Make sure to see the Kissing Camels and the Balancing Rock. Take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the world's highest cog railroad, to the top of snowy Pikes Peak. Visit the Nikola Tesla Museum of Science and Industry.
SHOP: Take in the emerging art scene and invest in Navajo yei blankets, horse hair pottery, moccasins, and turquoise jewelry. I scored some beautiful Native America postcards and a foxtail a la Louis Vuitton.
DRINK: Drink the healing, natural mineral water of Mantiou springs from 10 spigots around town. Go for organic Yerba Mate at Mate Factor. Create your own custom wine at D'vine Wine, a boutique winery located in the historic Spa Building. Or cool off with a margarita at The Loop or a Fat Tire at Adam's Mountain Cafe on the garden patio overlooking the creek.
DINE: Lunch by the window seat at The Craftwood Inn like Cary Grant and Bing Crosby. After a day of trekking in the mountains, cozy up to some hearty Swiss food in the wine cellar at The Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant.
STAY: For the literary romantics, book the Charles Dickens suite at The Cliff House at Pike's Peak, a charming and historic alpine lodge nestled in the foothills that Travel + Leisure just named on of the top 100 hotels in the world. There's also the Clark Gable Suite or the Teddy Roosevelt Suite!
DO: Rise with the sun and hike around Garden of the God's and you'll see why it got it's name. Make sure to see the Kissing Camels and the Balancing Rock. Take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the world's highest cog railroad, to the top of snowy Pikes Peak. Visit the Nikola Tesla Museum of Science and Industry.
SHOP: Take in the emerging art scene and invest in Navajo yei blankets, horse hair pottery, moccasins, and turquoise jewelry. I scored some beautiful Native America postcards and a foxtail a la Louis Vuitton.
DRINK: Drink the healing, natural mineral water of Mantiou springs from 10 spigots around town. Go for organic Yerba Mate at Mate Factor. Create your own custom wine at D'vine Wine, a boutique winery located in the historic Spa Building. Or cool off with a margarita at The Loop or a Fat Tire at Adam's Mountain Cafe on the garden patio overlooking the creek.
DINE: Lunch by the window seat at The Craftwood Inn like Cary Grant and Bing Crosby. After a day of trekking in the mountains, cozy up to some hearty Swiss food in the wine cellar at The Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant.
