Manitou Springs has 26 bubbling natural springs, nine of which are approved as drinking water. The carbonated-type waters are especially tasty and used in the lemonade served at the Cliff House hotel. Until I discovered this, I wondered why their lemonade was so special.
All of the natural springs are free to the public and maps of the springs are available for those who want to undertake a walking tour, or "springabout" adventure. Be sure and bring empty water jugs to fill with the pure spring water.
During the 1880s, Manitou was known as an exclusive health spa and resort because of the natural springs.
By 1873, the town was blossoming with elegant hotels, Victorian homes, Queen Anne cottages and a thriving business district (now the historic town center).
Travelers not only came for the elite status and healing power of the water, but for the views—containing such breathtaking beauty as to inspire Katherine Lee Bates to pen "America the Beautiful." Today, Manitou Springs is one of the largest National Historic Districts west of the Mississippi.