October 9Friday
12:43
Depart Seattle
UA 2033
16:34
Land Denver
two minivans at the counters, not a sprinter
New Saigon Bakery banh mi for the drive
640 S Federal, 20 min off route, 16 kinds, $8.50. or skip and eat at 8
17:30
Drive to Manitou
E-470 toll to I-25 south, 1h50, friday traffic can make it 2.5
19:45
Dinner: Shanxi Noodles & Dumplings House
5935 Constitution Ave, open till 9:30 fri. hand pulled noodles, chicken in red oil, shanxi vinegar eggplant noodles. call for 8
Swirl for a glass
717 Manitou Ave, open till 9
Stay Manitou 336 El Paso Blvd
October 10Saturday
7:30
Don Turi's Tacos y Tortas breakfast
4423 Centennial Blvd, on the way to garden of the gods. chilaquiles suizos, house pressed tortillas
8:45
Garden of the Gods
park before 9 or you won't. perkins central trail, paved, 1.5 mi flat. balanced rock after
11:00
Rock Ledge Ranch grounds
free, next door, flat walk, gotg backdrop
12:30
Lunch: Uchenna
2501 W Colorado Ave. ethiopian, lunch sat 12-2. RESERVATION REQUIRED, 5 tables. veg platter + meat combo, eat with hands
14:00
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
walk into the rooms, 45 min
15:00
Penny Arcade + mineral springs walk
930 Manitou Ave, bring quarters, outdoor rooms close in cold. springs loop: seven minute > cheyenne > iron geyser
17:30
Ghost Stories of Old Manitou walking tour
from heritage center 517 manitou ave, departs every 15 min from 5:30. $18, sells out, book 8 now. not scary, 1 hr
19:30
Dinner: Ephemera
514 S Tejon, upstairs at coati. 5 courses $79, pairing +$50. tock. call about 8
Stay Manitou
October 11Sunday
8:00
Adam's Mountain Cafe breakfast
26 manitou ave, walkable
9:20
Cog Railway
ruxton ave depot, 5 min. book online $67, pick 8 seats together. 3 hrs. donuts at the top. not for heart/lung history
13:00
Lunch: Manitou Thai & Ramen
barker house lobby. pa lo pork belly, tonkotsu
14:30
Split up
teens: Cave of the Winds discovery tour $30. everyone else: Miramont Castle $15 (open sun) or nap
17:00
Red Rock Canyon contemplative trail
west lot, 0.5 mi, sunset on the rocks without gotg crowds
19:00
Dinner: Taytacha Peruvian
austin bluffs pkwy, no sign yet. ceviche, anticuchos, lucuma ice cream. call for 8 and sunday hours. backup: Momo Korean 2761 briargate, 4:30-9, no social, feels like an aunt's house
Stay Manitou
October 12Monday
8:30
Provision Bread & Bakery
4 S Wahsatch. ham and cheese croissants for the road
9:00
Drive to Aurora
1h30
11:00
Havana St crawl
Chef Liu's 2222 S Havana (mouthwatering chicken, twice cooked pork) then Nana's 2495 S Havana (chili wontons, xlb). both open mon
13:30
Stanley Marketplace
2501 Dallas St, 20 min from DEN. molino chido tortillas, coffee, walk it off
15:30
Nile Ethiopian or Tofu Story early dinner
1951 / 2060 S Havana. or skip if still full from lunch
18:30
Drive to DEN
be at the airport by 19:00
20:58
Depart Denver
UA 2651, lands SEA 22:59
October 9Friday
12:43
Depart Seattle
UA 2033
16:34
Land Denver
two minivans at the counters, not a sprinter
New Saigon Bakery banh mi for the drive
640 S Federal, 20 min off route, 16 kinds, $8.50. or skip and eat at 8
17:30
Drive to Manitou
E-470 toll to I-25 south, 1h50, friday traffic can make it 2.5
19:45
Dinner: Mausam Indian Flavors
3167 W Colorado Ave, 5 min from house, open till 10. jafrani chicken, king prawn masala. easy for 8, (719) 362-3300
Stay Manitou 336 El Paso Blvd
October 10Saturday
7:30
Don Turi's breakfast
4423 Centennial. chilaquiles, churros
9:00
Pikes Peak Highway
gate opens 9, no permit in oct. $15 pp or $50 per car up to 5 (two cars = $100). crystal reservoir, glen cove, devils playground, summit donuts. 4-5 hrs. dress for freezing
14:00
Lunch: Tong Tong
2036 S Academy. kimchi jjigae, galbi, tteokbokki. CALL FIRST (719) 591-8585, a listing says closed oct 4-12 for vacation. backups: Momo Korean 2761 briargate (dinner only 4:30-9), Happy Time Korean 5547 powers center pt (spicy squid), Shin Sa Dong 3845 E Pikes Peak
16:00
Rest at the house
17:30
Ghost Stories of Old Manitou
book 8 now, $18
19:30
Dinner: Ephemera
tock, call for 8
Stay Manitou
October 11Sunday
8:30
Breakfast at the house
9:30
Florissant Fossil Beds
55 min west on 24. petrified redwood stumps, 0.5 mi paved loop, $10 pp 16+
11:30
Cripple Creek Heritage Center
free, overlook of the whole district, wild donkeys in town
12:30
Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine
1000 ft down, 1 hr, runs through late oct. ore sample for everyone
14:00
Lunch in Cripple Creek
casino restaurants are the option. or pack sandwiches from Provision
15:00
Victor
6 mi on, the sleepier mining town, lowell thomas museum
16:30
Green Mountain Falls
gazebo lake loop 10 min. Skyspace sunset show if booked (25 seats, thu-sun, book ahead, short uphill walk)
19:00
Dinner: Uchenna
ethiopian, dinner 5-8 sun. reservation required for 8
Stay Manitou
October 12Monday
8:00
Totem brunch
315 E Pikes Peak Ave, mazatlan cafe, open mon 9
9:30
Drive to Denver
11:00
MAKfam
39 W 1st Ave, baker. open mon 11, closed tue. mala wings, chive potstickers
13:00
Denver Art Museum
open mon 10-5, under 18 free
15:30
Rebel Bread + Mondo Vino
675 S Broadway cacio e pepe croissant. 3601 W 32nd for bottles to bring home
18:30
Drive to DEN
be at the airport by 19:00
20:58
Depart Denver
UA 2651, lands SEA 22:59
October 9Friday
12:43
Depart Seattle
UA 2033
16:34
Land Denver
two minivans at the counters, not a sprinter
New Saigon Bakery banh mi for the drive
640 S Federal, 20 min off route, 16 kinds, $8.50. or skip and eat at 8
17:30
Drive to Manitou
E-470 toll to I-25 south, 1h50, friday traffic can make it 2.5
19:45
Dinner: Shanxi Noodles
5935 Constitution, open till 9:30
Stay Manitou 336 El Paso Blvd
October 10Saturday
8:00
Adam's Mountain Cafe
9:00
Drive to Cañon City
1h15
10:30
Museum of Colorado Prisons
1935 women's prison, teens like it
12:00
Royal Gorge Route Railroad lunch train
book a lunch car for 8 now, confirm departure on their calendar
15:00
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
walk the bridge, gondola, ~$35
17:30
Back to Manitou
1h15
19:30
Dinner: Ephemera
tock
Stay Manitou
October 11Sunday
8:30
Breakfast at the house
9:30
Drive to Pueblo
45 min
10:30
Musso Farms / Milberger Farms
hwy 50 farm stands, roasted pueblo chile to freeze and bring home, buy a bushel. season ends late oct
11:30
Gray's Coors Tavern
515 W 4th. birthplace of the slopper, 2026 champ. open sun 11-7. add red chile + egg. push tables, cash friendly
13:00
Pueblo Riverwalk
walk it off, 30 min. tortilleria delicias for fresh tortillas to take home (green chile reviews pick)
14:00
Cactus Flower or Gold Dust Saloon
cactus flower = runner up slopper, bigger room. gold dust = top 10. estela's mill stop cafe is the real local one but weekdays only
15:00
Drive back
16:30
Helen Hunt Falls + Gold Camp Road
after 3 the canyon road empties. roadside falls, then the tunnels on gold camp
19:00
Dinner: Taytacha Peruvian
call for sun hours
Stay Manitou
October 12Monday
8:30
Provision Bread
9:00
Drive to Morrison
1h05
10:15
Red Rocks Park
free, walk the amphitheater rows, visitor center. morning only, there's a show that night
12:00
Tacos Selene / El Taco de Mexico
714 santa fe dr, 40 yrs, the green chile. counter, stagger 8
14:00
Dairy Block + Union Station
wander, rest in the great hall
16:00
Stanley Marketplace
20 min from DEN, last snack
18:30
Drive to DEN
be at the airport by 19:00
20:58
Depart Denver
UA 2651, lands SEA 22:59
October 9Friday
12:43
Depart Seattle
UA 2033
16:34
Land Denver
two minivans at the counters, not a sprinter
New Saigon Bakery banh mi for the drive
640 S Federal, 20 min off route, 16 kinds, $8.50. or skip and eat at 8
17:30
Drive to Manitou
E-470 toll to I-25 south, 1h50, friday traffic can make it 2.5
19:45
Dinner: Paravicini's
2802 W Colorado Ave, italian, handles 8, arancini
Stay Manitou 336 El Paso Blvd
October 10Saturday
8:30
Adam's Mountain Cafe
9:30
Garden of the Gods
visitor center film, balanced rock, trading post. short walks only
11:30
Ghost Town Museum
400 S 21st, indoor 1890s town, gold panning, 45 min
12:30
Lunch: Ivywild School
1604 S Cascade. bristol brewing, spark bbq, distillery, board games and cornhole. everyone picks their own
14:30
Money Museum + Pioneers Museum
818 N Cascade $5 pp for 8+, coin striking. pioneers museum free, closed sun mon so today
16:30
Rail Yard duckpin bowling
3030 N Nevada, book 2 lanes for 8 (719) 627-8586, pinball, dinner there or after
19:30
Dinner: Momo Korean
2761 briargate blvd, 4:30-9. word of mouth only, owner greets every table, kimchi stew, bulgogi bibimbap. or Tong Tong if open
Stay Manitou
October 11Sunday
9:00
Breakfast at the house
10:00
Mineral springs walk
from the house, 1 mi loop, cup from visitor center 354 manitou ave
11:00
Miramont Castle
open sun 10-3:30, $15, queens parlour tearoom for the older crowd
12:30
Lunch: Manitou Thai & Ramen
walkable
14:00
Penny Arcade
quarters
15:30
Dungeons & Javas or house games
4420 austin bluffs, free game library, private room $5-10/hr for 8. or stay home and play
17:30
Iron Springs Chateau melodrama
444 S Ruxton, 5 min walk. dinner 6:00 seatings, show 8:00, $50. CALL (719) 685-5104 to confirm sunday show and which show
Stay Manitou
October 12Monday
8:30
Totem brunch
open mon
10:00
Drive to Denver
11:30
Denver Botanic Gardens
9-4 in oct, gentle
13:30
Lunch: Nile Ethiopian
1951 S Havana, family platters, relaxed
15:30
Stanley Marketplace
coffee, wander, 20 min to DEN
18:30
Drive to DEN
be at the airport by 19:00
20:58
Depart Denver
UA 2651, lands SEA 22:59
October 9Friday
12:43
Depart Seattle
UA 2033
16:34
Land Denver
two minivans
17:30
Dân Dã
9945 E Colfax, aurora, 25 min from DEN, open till 8 fri. new saigon daughters. clay pot catfish, sizzling clams, coconut curry crab, spring roll tower. call for 8
18:30
Society 303
9600 E Colfax next door, best natural wine bar 2026, one glass
19:15
Drive to Manitou
1h50
Stay Manitou 336 El Paso Blvd
October 10Saturday
7:30
Don Turi's
chilaquiles, tortillas pressed in house
8:45
Garden of the Gods
before 9
11:00
Juicy Kebab or 92 Chicken
juicy kebab: garden of the gods rd, kabuli pulao lamb shank, 20 portions a day. 92 chicken: 4431 centennial next to safeway, korean fried chicken, honey garlic drumsticks
12:30
Coaltrain Fine Wine
west side bottle shop, WA and natural bottles for the house
14:00
Cog Railway
book online
17:30
Ghost Stories walk
optional, $18
19:30
Ephemera
tock, pairing
21:30
Shame & Regret
back alley whiskey bar, adults only leg. teens home with games
Stay Manitou
October 11Sunday
9:00
Totem brunch
mazatlan, open sun 9
11:00
Nana's Dim Sum & Dumplings
1895 democracy point, north. chili wontons, xlb, custard buns. or Don Guillo 2551 delta dr, puerto rican, daily specials not on the menu. or Cubaneate, cuban, fried pork ribs
13:00
Paint Mines Interpretive Park
1 hr east, hoodoos, 0.75 mi walk, the one thing nobody else does
16:30
Korean Garden
8025 fountain mesa rd, fountain, on the way back. unlimited banchan, daily, roomy. or Tong Tong if open (closed sun)
18:30
Swirl
nightcap, 24h notice for 8
Stay Manitou
October 12Monday
8:00
Provision Bread
8:30
Drive to Aurora
10:30
Chef Liu's Kitchen
2222 S Havana, open mon 11. mouthwatering chicken, spicy fish, twice cooked pork. small, two tables
12:30
Tofu Story
2060 S Havana, handmade tofu, soondubu
14:00
Yemen Grill + Coffee Story
2353 S Havana lamb over basmati, 2222 S Havana coffee
15:30
MAKfam
39 W 1st Ave, mala wings, chili crisp to go. open mon
17:00
Mondo Vino + Cafe Tres
bottles and pastelitos for the plane
18:30
Drive to DEN
be at the airport by 19:00
20:58
Depart Denver
UA 2651, lands SEA 22:59
Book now
Vanstwo minivans at DEN, holiday weekend
Cog Railwayonline $67 adult, pick seats, free change >7 days
Ephemeratock, tue-sun, closed mon. call about 8
Uchenna(719) 634-5070, reservation required, closed mon
Ghost Stories of Old Manitoueventbrite, fri oct 9 or sat oct 10, $18, sells out
Royal Gorge lunch trainonly if plan 3
Skyspace sunsetgreenboxarts.org, 25 seats, only if plan 2
Rail Yard lanes(719) 627-8586, only if plan 4
Iron Springs Chateau(719) 685-5104, only if plan 4
Meow Wolftimed entry if you swap it into monday, verify open mon
Call first
Tong Tong(719) 591-8585, listing says closed oct 4-12
Taytachahours not published, no exterior sign
ArkCleoRich1371 N Academy, sign says pho viet, one cook, slow, preorder
Manitou Thai & Ramensmall
No booking
Pikes Peak Highwaypermit ended sept 30, gate 9-3, $15 pp or $50 car
Garden of the Godsfree, park by 9
Cliff Dwellings, Florissant, Paint Mines, Red Rock Canyon
Closed on your dates
Miramont, Uchenna, Ephemera, Dan Da, COATI vendorsmonday
Tong Tong, Money Museum, Pioneers Museum, Bear Creek buildingsunday
Space Foundation, May Bug Museum, Rainbow Falls, Cadet Chapelseason / renovation
Emma Crawford Coffin Racesoct 24, you miss it
From tiktok, not the press
Momo Korean2761 briargate blvd, dinner 4:30-9, no social media, family run, a korean guy on tiktok vouches
Happy Time Korean5547 powers center pt, 10 years, spicy squid
92 Chicken4431 centennial, korean fried chicken, honey garlic drumsticks
Don Guillo2551 delta dr, puerto rican since 2019, daily specials not on menu
Cubaneatecuban, miami people say it's the real deal, fried pork ribs, tamal
Owambe10 n sierra madre, downtown, nigerian, lounge
Kung Fu Noodles and Dumplingshand pulled
Norma's Bakerymexican bakery, cortadillo, norma hugs you
Egg Lushdowntown, asian owned breakfast, salisbury steak sandwich
Lanshing Cafebriargate strip mall, new owners
Zesty Thainorth end, indonesian dishes too
Green Chile Reviews (tiktok)pueblo guy has rated 165 green chiles. his picks: gray's, tortilleria delicias, garlic & onions, estela's mill stop, romero's, mi ranchito the original
Redditblocked from my side, paste threads if you find any
Notes
Minors in barscolorado allows under 21 in breweries and bars with adults. red leg kids out by 8, super nova all ages till 8
Altitudemanitou 6400, summit 14115. cog not recommended with heart or lung history
Fall colorpeaked ~oct 1 this year. scrub oak in cheyenne canon, cottonwoods on ute pass still going
No games that weekendair force away, broncos away
Mapdocumentarychat.org/colorado, 190 places
Forecast
Manitou Springsforecast appears about a week out (NWS)
Pikes Peak summitforecast appears about a week out (NWS)