Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Step back in time at these fascinating 700-year-old Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings that kids can actually walk through and explore. Unlike many archaeological sites where you can only look from a distance, children can climb ladders, peek into ancient rooms, and imagine life as a Pueblo child centuries ago, making history truly hands-on and memorable.

• ✓Climbing through authentic 700-year-old cliff dwelling rooms connected by ladders and passageways
• ✓Pueblo-style museum with pottery, tools, and artifacts kids can see up close
• ✓Interactive experience of ducking through low doorways and imagining ancient daily life
• ✓Educational signage throughout that explains how families lived, cooked, and survived in these dwellings
• ✓Beautiful red rock setting with photo opportunities and views of the surrounding landscape

1. 1.Arrive right when they open at 9 AM to beat tour groups and have the dwellings mostly to yourselves for better photos and exploration
2. 2.Wear closed-toe shoes with good grip,the stone pathways can be uneven and climbing through the dwellings requires sturdy footwear
3. 3.Bring a small flashlight or use your phone's light to help kids see into the darker rooms and corners of the dwellings
4. 4.Allow time for the small museum and gift shop,the pottery demonstrations and authentic artifacts help kids understand what they're seeing in the dwellings
5. 5.The site is at 6,500 feet elevation, so bring water and take it slow if you're not acclimated to the altitude

Visit on weekday mornings in late spring or early fall for the most comfortable weather and smallest crowds. Summer mornings work well but can get busy with tour buses after 11 AM, and the stone pathways can be quite hot in afternoon sun.

Admission fees apply (approximately $14 adults, $10 children 7-11, under 7 free). Free parking on-site. No food service available, but you're just minutes from downtown Manitou Springs restaurants and shops. The dwellings involve stairs and climbing, so they're not wheelchair accessible.

Open year-round with consistent hours (9 AM-4:30 PM daily). Winter visits can be chilly and occasionally icy on pathways, so dress warmly and check conditions. Summer offers the longest daylight but gets warmest,morning visits recommended. Spring and fall provide ideal temperatures for exploring.

The Keg Lounge and Loop Mexican Restaurant are both family-friendly options within a mile in downtown Manitou Springs. For a quick bite, Meadow Muffins is a casual burger spot popular with families, or grab pizza at Pizzeria Rustica, both about 5 minutes away.