This was a fun and interesting experience, and our young kids (5 and 2.5) had a good time and enjoyed the tour. Our guide was pleasant, knowledgeable, and kept things light/fun. My only complaint is that the cave itself left something to be desired, because of how long it takes for stalagmites/stalactites to grow in that specific cave, they're all pretty small and there aren't many large, expansive areas, it just seemed small. We still had a great time and I hate to complain about something they can't control, just wanted to mention it. Still worth going, especially with kids. We did the mining activity at the end, and our kids loved "panning" for gemstones, they even found a few little chunks of fools gold! Oh, and there are great views from the balcony outside the gift shop.

My family visited Cave of the Winds when I was a kid, so I thought it'd be nice to come back. It's smaller than I remember...but I've grown since then so yeah, it's not surprising. Our guide, Tracy, was an absolute joy to spend the hour with. He was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and I could tell he loves what he does. There were some young children (about the same age I was when I first visited) in our group and he was wonderful with them, teaching about the cave in a manner that kept them, and the adults interested. I'm glad I was able to come back and see the cave again.

We came out for the discovery cave tour in May/June 2025. Upon arrival around 10AM on a Friday morning, there was no wait to get into the park and parking was a breeze with two attendants directing traffic. Caution on the (short) curvy road, especially on your way back down. The person working the front box office/ticket booth was super nice and got me quickly checked in with fool-proof instructions for exactly what to do and where to go next for our tour. Our tour guide, Tracy, was wonderful! You can tell they've been doing this a long time with the information they shared, peppered in with lots of funny jokes. Our favorite was that you can't touch the stalactites or the stalagmites but make sure to touch every "stalag-PIPE" (the railings! 🤣) We enjoyed learning about the history and science of the caves. An unforgettable experience for all ages! There's a good amount of stairs throughout the tour and some spots where you need to duck and curve around, so keep that in mind if mobility is a concern. They will also take your photo with your family in the cave and offer it to you for purchase at the end of the tour in a nice little commemorative envelope/frame thingy. Nice little souvenir that fits easily in carry on-bag. They have an observation deck with a gorgeous view below and all around. Just inside from there is seating, and food&Drink available for purchase. I recommending booking your cave tour in advance especially if going on a weekend or have more than 2-3 in your party, to ensure you get in the time you want!

It was ok. Ive been to many caves in this country. This cave was... ok. The formations werent spectacular, they had some cool ones, but overall there wasn't a whole lot. They have a lot of other activities here to keep the kids interested. Its a cool place, lots to do and see. The cave was just a little underwhelming.

We went on a haunted lantern tour of the caves with our guide Klaus & had the BEST time! The stories, guidance, humor and history lessons were top notch. Such a cool experience and an incredible way view the mountain on a different level. Highly recommend!

We did the terror- dactyl and the lantern tour. I didn't catch the babe of the ride operator but he was awesome and really built up the adrenaline for us before dropping us off the mountain. Drew led us through the caves safely and really captured his character well. We had a lot of fun complete with thrills and laughter!

Hour long "discovery tour" brings you through lit areas of the cave. Pathway is somewhat narrow, includes multiple sets of stairs with handrails, and is a chilly 60 degrees. Guide was very good about keeping group together and having us mind our heads on low passages. It wasn't one of the more majestic looking caves I've been in in terms of rooms or formations, but was a fun and easy tour.

Informative. Dwellings are all in a single continous structure. The expedition (self guided) is a bit lackluster for me but an educational experience nonetheless. Great gift shop with an expansive assortment of items. Mountain views are phenomenal. A few images of the shop contents are definitely not all inclusive.

We really enjoyed visiting this site. We had a few hours of free time and this was absolutely perfect. There wasn't any hiking or extreme elevation to get to the actual site, just park your vehicle and you are there. We were able to walk inside and the history of the Dwellings was well curated. The young man at the Tshirt sale area closest to the parking lot was a wealth of information on how the Dwellings were moved to preserve them in the late 1800's. It was her life's work and I am so grateful for her efforts in doing so for us to experience a bit of life for these indigenous people. If you have a little time take advantage of this exceptional experience. Beyond 5 ⭐s Dog friendly as well!!♥️

This was my 2nd visit and it's still one of my favorite places to visit. It's very close to Garden of the Gods, so it's a great place to visit same-day. They have a nice gift shop. I love that you can walk around in the ruins and that they are immaculate. It's nice to see a historic location that is immaculately clean. It's cool to imagine people living there. There is a cafe on the property, but it was not open during our visit.

A fascinating and beautifully preserved piece of Colorado history! The Manitou Cliff Dwellings offer an incredible opportunity to step back in time and experience how the ancient Ancestral Puebloans once lived. The structures are stunning up close, and being able to walk through and explore them makes it feel truly immersive. The museum is well done, with lots of interesting exhibits and artifacts that bring the history to life. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and happy to answer questions. The gift shop has a great selection of unique Native American crafts and souvenirs. Easy to get to, family-friendly, and a perfect blend of education and adventure. A must-see stop in the Manitou Springs area — five stars all the way!

Visited the Manitou Cliff Dwellings with my child. The site is interesting for a quick look, but it’s quite small and doesn’t have much historical depth or interactive content. Kids might enjoy exploring the caves for a short while, but overall it feels a bit overpriced for what you get. Worth visiting once, but probably not something I’d go back to.

Interesting and photogenic stop near Colorado Springs. You can walk inside the reconstructed cliff dwellings and get hands-on with history, but it’s not an authentic ancient site. More educational exhibit than genuine archaeology—worth a visit if you go in with the right expectations.

Loved it! This was my second time here, but the first was at least 7 years ago. The staff was super helpful, the gift shop was cute. There's a self guided tour where you can read a bit about each area. The whole family including my 4 year old were able to stretch our legs after a long drive and learn something too.

The Cog Railway station in Manitou Springs is the perfect start to an unforgettable adventure up to Pikes Peak! The station itself is charming and easy to navigate, but what really stood out was how friendly and welcoming the staff were. From check-in to boarding, everyone went out of their way to make sure the experience was smooth and enjoyable. Riding the Cog train is such a cool and unique way to see Pikes Peak — relaxing, scenic, and absolutely breathtaking as you climb to the summit. You can sit back, enjoy the views, and learn a little about the history of this iconic mountain along the way. If you’re planning a trip to Colorado, the Manitou Springs Cog Railway is a must-do experience. It’s not just transportation, it’s part of the adventure! 🚂🌄

Absolutely worth every cent to come on this train. Make sure you get the side with the three seats or when you buy your tickets, on the left side for the most scenic views. I was lucky enough to have Janine as my conductor and to weave a wonderful storytelling narrative as we went up Pikes Peak. On the way down she checks in with everyone one and then shares a few more stories. When most of the experience is on a train, you want the best person for the job. I hope I get her again on a return visit. The summit itself is very cold so don't forget your gloves! This is easily the most accessible 14,000ft mountain in America and probably the world. Such a unique experience for everyone. Just be sure to grab pictures first when you get to the top because the 40 minutes you're up there goes fast!

The train ride was absolutely phenomenal. I highly recommend doing the conductor package. It is awesome riding in the very front on the way up however, on the way back, you are facing backwards, looking out the window, which makes it even cooler cause you get to see everything in both directions, not looking at any other people so again highly recommend the conductor package, absolutely stunning views the wildlife, and the donuts at the top if you got

You NEED to get tickets in advance for best experience and least waiting. You will be glad you did. This was a fantastic tour. We went in June, lots of snow on top of the peak. It was a beautiful ride up. We purchased the front row seat by driver and it was amazing. Our boys really learned a lot, worth the few extra dollars if those seats are open. It’s such an unobstructed view. Photos are like no other.

Great way to see pikes peak with lots of dramatic views. Tour guide was great and very informative. Only down side where that the train was pretty tight seating. If you are tall or pr plus sized it's going to be a rather uncomfortable ride. Also the views are much better from the 3 seat side than the 2, the train does not turn around the other direction so you ride on the same side coming back which was a bit disappointing as we didnt get quite as good a view as the other side. Still a great experience.

Riding the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak was breathtaking. Literally. My family of 4 enjoyed this ride! We booked the 2 seat side which was great but we would have loved the views more from the 3 seat side. Now I know for next time! The ride up was enjoyable & we enjoyed listening to all the fun facts & history on the way up! We almost got 1 of everything at the visitors center & Sat down & ate quickly. Walked even quicker through the gift shop as it was slightly pricy & enjoyed the rest of the time outside taking in the incredible views! This was truly a unique experience & would 100% recommend it for any age! We chose as early ride & enjoyed Manitou Springs the rest of the day!

If you are going to Colorado, there are several must do's, but going to the top of Pikes Peak on the Cog Rail is the top do and must see. A couple of other things in the immediate area to visit are Garden of the God's and Manitou Springs. Prepare for extreme weather changes, high winds. Make it a good deed day, always leave it in better shape than you found it! ❤️&follow for more places to visit and enjoy! #EatPlayExplore #Enjoycolorado #ExploringColorado

Amazing and crazy drive up to the peak. The drive down was even crazier. There is basically no guardrail! Every time we turned, there was another great view. The observatory at the peak was great and you can find donuts at the gift shop. They are overpriced but good. It was a little difficult for us during our visit because of the altitude but it was still great. It's windy so bring a jacket during the colder months. Be sure to use the lower gears while descending so that your brakes don't burn out. There's a check point that checks the brake temperature, so you don't end up on the evening news. So awesome!

Very very special experience, for drive my own car to such elevation 4300m above sea level. There are lots of hair-pin curves, and steep uphills on the road, some part of road near cliff, so you may require some driving skill.

Best motorcycle ride ever. Amazing views everywhere. Just beware of gust of wind that hits all of sudden. Five minutes of calm then 5 seconds of what seems like a wall of air.

The drive up is insane and not fpr the weak! Be sure to bring a hat, jacket and gloves for the summit. Penny machine was out of order but there are many other items in the gift shop.

We rented a hybrid jeep and it worked great on the drive to the top and the coasting to the bottom. The visitor center is great with plenty of restrooms and food choices. We had two kids and a dog and everyone was feeling the altitude a bit at the top. Nothing too bad for us but there were some older people that were clearly struggling. We took our time on the way down and stopped everywhere we could to take in the views.

Absolutely breathtaking! We originally planned to take the train but decided not to—and I’m so glad we still went. The drive up offers incredible views, though it might be challenging for those with a fear of heights. The visitor center is beautiful, and the scenery alone makes the trip worthwhile. We visited in July, and it was very windy, so be sure to dress in layers!

What a beautiful place to be. Line to enter was okay. It was about 15min wait. We got our ticket and started driving. Uphill drive is not too bad. Loved every bit of it. You have to experience this in person. The pictures and videos do not do justice. The drive to the peak Is about 45 minutes. Follow the rules and take it easy. You’ll be fine. There’s parking available once you are on the top. There’s also a cafe, bathrooms. The cafe line was pretty long but moving quickly. We tried their famous donuts, coffee and popcorn. The hot chocolate was delicious. The popcorn was fresh. The donuts were devoured by the kids. Sooooo good. The view is spectacular. Oxygen levels are low and you do feel nauseous and dizzy once you are up there. Drink lots of water, rest, take breaks. The weather is also colder so do dress in layers. The drive downhill is tricky. Use low gear, don’t ride your brakes and go slow. Enjoy the view. Overall it was an amazing experience. Do check them out.

Delicious food! My wife had a grilled chicken berry salad that was superb, along with a beer. I had one of their subs and some fries, which really hit the spot. We sat at the bar and were served quickly. Highly recommend this place!

Food pretty good compared to the options around the town, they have some really awesome things on the menu- the bleu cheese sriracha chicken is super unique and very good! Loved the killer cheese bread and potato skins. All the jalapeños were VERY spicy- jalapeño poppers almost inedible. Overall a great experience and would return- lots of good options on the menu for “bar food”. The atmosphere is very inviting and a good place to be with friends or family.

We were referred by a local and were not disappointed! If you are in Manitou Springs make sure to check this place out! We ordered potato soup, bison chili and berry side salad. So much food we ended up having the salad for dinner later. Wish we lived closer!

Had a group of 14 people and was accommodated. They can sit about 10 people together. Food was good specially the westerner burger, chilli was tasty as well. Personally I’m use to fries with a burger but they do chips here. I will say I didn’t give them high rating due to the service. Waiter seemed upset with my group even though we tried to be courteous and not waist his time.

nice bar restraunt with plenty of seating, huge selection of food from bar food to dinner steaks. Good drinks and atmosphere. Updated.. ate dinner...i would compare the dinner meal to a truckstop/dinner style. Had steak and shrimp..both were standard.

We came in with our service dog and they treated us so well. Had a lot of good food for 66.00 at happy hour and that included a beer and cider. Highly recommend!!’

Cute place in a great location. The food was fabulous. I had the turkey grilled cheese special and my husband had the potatoes soup. Service was great too.

I recently visited The Mona Lisa with high hopes for a romantic evening, but unfortunately, the experience didn’t quite live up to the hype. First, the lack of air conditioning made it almost unbearable. It was incredibly warm inside, which really took away from the romantic mood—unless, of course, you enjoy sweating through your meal. Another letdown was the bread, which tasted anything but fresh. And while I understand fondue involves some level of interactivity, I was genuinely surprised to find out I’d be cooking most of the meal myself. Had I known, I probably would’ve just made dinner at home. That said, there were some positives: the staff was very professional and did a great job maintaining a friendly, attentive atmosphere. The music was fantastic, and the decor has a unique charm that makes the space feel special. Overall, it’s a beautiful setting and might be enjoyable for those who like the DIY dining concept, but if you’re looking for comfort and a chef-prepared experience, this may not be the best pick.

We made a reservation about three weeks ahead of our trip. The restaurant was lovely and was a perfect place for a date night. Our server was amazing. She explained each step of the process which is an experience in itself. Starts with salad, next is the cheese fondue. After that a small grill is brought to the table for the main course. Lastly is the chocolate pot for dessert which was absolutely delicious! I also had a cinnamon apple martini that was so good. Quite expensive but we were there for two hours so it was a meal and entertainment combined.

I’ve lost count of the number of times this place has been recommended to us so it was time to finally go. It’s our four year anniversary and we wanted something new and special. Boy oh boy did we find it! The building, decor, service and food were all so good I have a hard time saying which we liked best. We chose items off the seasonal menu which were stellar, the in house sommelier paired us with a beautiful bottle of German red as well as some bubbles to celebrate, and our server surprised us with an adorable “Happy Anniversary” chocolate plate. We were pleased and enjoyed every minute of our visit and we will absolutely be back. Shout out to Tori, our server, who told us she used to work in the kitchen and just started serving. She was sweet, patient, had great recommendations and made our visit extra special. Thank you all for a great night and see you again soon!

Wow, Mona Lisa was a great find in the town of Manitou Springs. Walking in makes you feel like you are in Italy dining in a small village, it is so cozy! We ordered Al Carte, Seafood and Vegetarian. The style of dining was called a raclette dinner a fun, laid-back experience that encourages guests to cook and assemble their own plates. Everything was nicely placed on trays for us to cook, talk, laugh and enjoy your meal. Jasmine was so friendly and welcoming. She was interested in our recent travel experiences and explained the dining experience when seating us. Very familiar with the menu and made recommendations as well. It was a memorable experience will definitely come back to visit. This was nice to have fine dining nestled in Manitou Springs with all the shopping, and dining options available. Natalie was very polite and welcoming also. She asked how our experience was upon leaving and wished us safe travel back to Dallas Texas!

Overall Experience: 2/5 Stars My wife and I were excited to eat dinner at Mona Lisa. We had been wanting to go for a while, and the timing finally worked out last night. We met another couple there for a double date. None of us had previously dined there, but we had all read mostly good reviews. The Service: 4/5 Stars It was good in the regard that our waitress was very nice and had a bubbly personality. She stopped by our table often (bordering on too often) to check on our progress with each fondue course. When I asked her about what the cuts of meat were (tenderloin, ribeye, New York strip, top sirloin, etc), she had no idea what I was taking about. I asked her to query a chef which she did. However, her relayed answer from the chef was that the cuts of meat were “loins”. I didn’t feel like belaboring the issue, so I just thanked her and moved on to ordering. The Food: 3/5 Stars I ordered a Caesar Salad. It was okay, but definitely not great. The fondue cheeses tasted fine. They were not amazing, but they were not at all horrible. The chocolate fondues tasted good, but only after we asked for them to be heated up again in the kitchen. Both of our chocolate fondues were initially cool. We don’t know if they had been sitting out for a while, or if the kitchen just didn’t heat them up enough the first time around. The entrees were the most disappointing part of the meal. The food quality was fine (I’m sure you are realizing a theme by now), they were not amazing, but they were not at all horrible. We don’t like that we had to grill all of the meat, instead of being able to use oil (in a fondue pot) to cook the meat. For four entrees, the grill area was not big enough, and the grill was not able to get as hot as it should have been to grill the meat in a timely manner. The Value: 1/5 Stars The total for the four of us was @$460. Quite simply…the quality and portion sizes of the meal did not even come close to justifying the cost. The Atmosphere: 5/5 Stars The best part about our dining experience with Mona Lisa was the atmosphere. It was quite appropriate and well done. Overall Experience: 2/5 Stars We do not plan on returning to Mona Lisa.

Behr is absolutely incredible!! We love him and will request him when we come back. :) Personable, fun, hilarious, made us feel so comfortable and enhanced the dining experience ten times beyond our first visit (which was also wonderful)!! We loved our seats on the balcony, the chocolate martini Behr recommended was fantastic, and every course was, of course, to die for. ;) We can't wait to come back! This is our favorite dinner destination in Manitou Springs. Love the relaxing, romantic atmosphere.

We had the most WONDERFUL experience celebrating our anniversary here! Behr was the most amazing waiter, he made our night so enjoyable with his upbeat personality and sense of humor. Dan takes great pride in his restaurant and he was so kind and really wanted to make sure we had a special night! I cannot recommend this place enough!!! Will definitely be coming here again and again! Thanks guys!

Ugh, where do I even begin with The Loop in Manitou Springs? My sister was visiting from out of town, and we were looking forward to a nice meal based on some of the reviews we'd seen. Boy, were we ever wrong. First off, the food was just plain awful. Seriously, how do you mess up enchiladas? They managed it. And the tamales? They tasted like they'd been marinating in vinegar. Just disgusting. For that kind of quality, you'd expect the prices to be rock bottom, but nope - we shelled out $70 for this garbage. The service was somehow even worse than the food. Our waiter seemed to be actively avoiding us. He spent most of his time planted at the bar with his laptop or wandering around chatting on his phone. No smiles, no checking in, simply take orders and deliver terrible food. And it wasn't even busy! There were maybe three other tables occupied. The whole place felt dirty, which just added to the unpleasantness. I honestly don't understand how this place has any good reviews. Maybe we caught them on a spectacularly bad day with multiple staff sitting around and physical dirt on the floors, but honestly, I wouldn't risk it. Save your money and your taste buds and go somewhere else. We definitely won't be back. Good luck if you decide to try it – you'll probably need it!

It took a while for us to get a waitress to serve us. When the waitress arrived she was very apologetic. The atmosphere did not really give me Mexican vibes and I'm Hispanic. The food was good. Could have had a little more flavor, but overall we would come again.

The Loop is a fantastic spot that never fails to deliver a great experience. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite or meeting friends for a casual outing, the atmosphere is always lively and welcoming. The menu offers a nice variety of options, with something for everyone, and the food is consistently fresh and tasty. I especially enjoy the friendly and attentive service — the staff really make you feel valued as a customer. It’s a comfortable place to relax, enjoy good company, and indulge in some delicious meals. Overall, The Loop has become one of my favorite go-to spots, and I highly recommend giving it a try if you haven’t yet!

The manager, Kat, is by all means an amazing member of your team. I was in last night with my cousins for dinner. Our waiter was great, but Kat handled a small issue regarding the eggs, flawlessly. Her approach, demeanor, professionalism and understanding were on point. In a world where Customer Service is lacking, your staff, namely Kat, is exceptional. Later she handled an unfortunate situation outside with care and compassion, regarding another individual. Her character definitely shines through. I'll be back soon because of Kat. Thank you for a great experience.

Carly was our server and she was awesome!! Lennon was very helpful, friendly and did a great job! The food was the best we have had in a long time in its category!!!! The margarita was perfect! We will definitely return!! Thank you for making our Sunday family experience amazing!!!

My parents and I came in last week and sat at the bar with Kat and had the best time! Food was fantastic, drinks were delicious, but the cherry on top was sitting with Kat! She made the experience so memorable and even though I live in Denver I’ll DEFINITELY be coming back! (Also the queso is amazing)

Had their vegetarian burrito and it was quite good! Their salsa dip was hot and the chips were unsalted. Would definitely recommend the place for the burrito.