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3 DAY MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION IN MANITOU SPRINGS
Carnivale Weekend
day 1
Phantom of the Ball
Experience our amazing geology, then dance the night away at the Carniball.
- Academy Riding Stables
- Garden of the Gods Trading Post
- Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
day 2
Party Time!
Hang out in Manitou Springs and catch the Carnivale Parade.
- Miramont Castle
- Historic Manitou Springs
- Old Colorado City
day 3
High-Altitudes & Happy Attitudes
Head to the tippy-top of our local 14,115ft mountain!
- Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway
- Pikes Peak - America's Mountain
- Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Phantom of the Ball
Experience our amazing geology, then dance the night away at the Carniball.
Horseback Ride with Academy Riding Stables
- Colorado Springs
- PLAN FOR: 1-2 HOURS
We know you came here for the Carnivale festivities, but you can’t come to Colorado without checking out the wonders of geology that made us a world-famous travel destination! Academy Riding Stables will set you up with the perfect horse for your experience level, then it’s time to giddy-up and explore! Your horseback tour will bring you through the Garden of the Gods, a park full of beautiful flora, fauna, and dramatic rock formations formed millions of years ago.
Grab a Bite at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post
- Manitou Springs
- PLAN FOR: 1-3 HOURS
The Garden of the Gods Trading Post is an almost 100 year old hub of local art tucked away in its own corner of the garden. Here you can find yourself a little piece of Colorado to take home with you, whether that’s a license plate with your name on it or a pair of delicately hand-crafted earrings. If you’re in the mood for lunch, the Balanced Rock Cafe has some of the best buffalo burgers in town!
Go Spelunking at the Cave of the Winds
- Manitou Springs
- PLAN FOR: 1-4 HOURS
Now it’s time to check out even more incredible geological formations. At around 7,000ft, the Cave of the Winds is one of the highest show caves in the world! That means you not only get to see the impressive stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave, but enjoy stunning mountain views from the balconies outside. If you’re a thrill seeker, the park also has several different adrenaline-pumping rides that swing you out over the canyon below.
Dance the Night Away at the Carniball Masquerade
- Manitou Springs
- PLAN FOR: 4 HOURS
Hopefully you’ve got your costume in order, because tonight you’re going dancing. If you need some finishing touches, LeGrande Accents Boutique in Manitou Springs is full of victorian-style costumes that will fit your Mardi Gras vibe perfectly. The Masquerade Ball starts at 6pm at the Briarhurst Manor, an elegant Tudor mansion in the hills below the Garden of the Gods. Enjoy Cajun-inspired food, dance to live music from New Orleans-style bands, and even try for Carnivale Court!
Food, drinks & more
Party Time!
Hang out in Manitou Springs and catch the Carnivale Parade.
Get Fancy with it at Miramont Castle
- Manitou Springs
- PLAN FOR: 1-2 HOURS
Today is festival day, but you still have some time to explore our peculiar little town before the parade at 12pm. Miramont Castle in the western hills of Manitou Springs is the perfect spot to spend a calm morning before things get wild. The castle is a beautiful display of victorian life and culture. Wander the halls like a 19th century aristocrat, indulge yourself in a spot of tea, and even try on a fancy hat to really immerse yourself in the experience.
The Carnivale Parade in Historic Manitou Springs
- Manitou Springs
- PLAN FOR: 2 HOURS
When the clock strikes twelve, head down to the heart of Manitou Springs to enjoy the parade. The colorful Krewes march down Manitou Avenue from Memorial Park to Soda Springs Park, so you can hang out anywhere along that stretch to watch the parade and cheer on the creative floats. If you’re feeling a little extra, you can also sign yourself and your Krewe up to march in the parade here.
A Night in Old Colorado City
- Old Colorado City
- PLAN FOR: 2-5 HOURS
When you’ve had enough of the festivities in Manitou, there’s a lively night awaiting you in the next town over. The nightlife in Old Colorado City is nothing if not spirited. The streets are lined with hoppin’ bars and restaurants and the live music playing on every block really gives it that New Orleans ambiance. If you’re in the mood for some of those classic southern flavors, we can’t recommend Front Range BBQ enough. They’ve got everything from fried okra and burnt ends to gumbo and pecan pie.
Food, drinks & more
High Altitudes & Happy Attitudes
Head to the tippy-top of our local 14,115ft mountain!
To the Summit on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway
- Manitou Springs
- PLAN FOR: 3 HOURS
Carnivale may be over, but the fun has just begun! Today, you’ll head to the very top of that snowy peak you’ve seen peeking out from behind the hills in Manitou Springs. The Cog Railway begins just up the hill from Miramont Castle. From there, the train climbs up the southern slope of Pikes Peak, giving you serene views of the less populated side of the mountain.
On Top of the World: Pikes Peak - America's Mountain
- Manitou Springs
- PLAN FOR: 40 Minutes
When your train pulls up to the summit, you will be met with even more stunning views and the impressive new Summit Visitor Center. Inside, you can wander through the museum, grab yourself a souvenir from the gift shop, or just hang out and enjoy the views. Don’t forget to try their world-famous donuts in the cafe! Because of the altitude, they have to use a special recipe for these delicious, old-fashioned pastries.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
- Manitou Springs
- PLAN FOR: 1-2 HOURS
After an exciting weekend of dancing, partying and exploring, it’s finally time to wind down somewhere nice and chill. The Manitou Cliff Dwellings is an interesting little museum of Ancestral Puebloan artifacts and actual dwellings from the Mesa Verde area. Spend some time perusing the museum, exploring the dwellings, or just enjoying those stunning views.
Food, drinks & more
More ways to enjoy your days
Indoor Winter Activities
The Pikes Peak Region puts the wonder in Winter Wonderland with this spectacular four-day adventure in and around Colorado Springs.
Indoor Attractions
From museums that celebrate our western heritage to places that explore space for our future pioneers, there’s something for everyone!
Outdoor Winter Activities
Summer is beautiful in Colorado, but winter can be downright magical. This itinerary takes you to all the best natural landmarks we have to offer in the Pikes Peak Wonders Region!
