Manitou Springs vs Mesa Verde

We are leaving the Colorado Springs area tomorrow--been here a couple weeks. Mesa Verde, for me, wins hands down. The ruins at Manitou Springs are reconstructed. So no contest. I did love the drive up Pike's Peak. My heart was in my throat a few times...but great drive. But you are asking about the ruins so go to Mesa Verde. The four corners has far more of everything. The Springs really is all about tourists.

This is an easy choice in my book. Visit Mesa Verde. Manitou Springs and the Colorado Springs area are pretty low on my list of places to go in this state. A lot of "tourist traps" IMHO.

There are a variety of ruins at Mesa Verde. Besides the self-guiding tour of Spruce Tree House, there are several other cliff dwellings that one can visit only with a guided tour. Well worth doing one or more of those. There are also a variety of mesa-top ruins just off some of the roads to visit. If you do go to Mesa Verde, also check out the Anasazi Heritage Center near Dolores. Fantastic museum and they can lead you to other, less developed ruins in the area, including Hovenweep NM (the segment just over the border in UT is worth the drive) and Canyons of the Ancients.

Yep, those Anasazi dwellings at Manitou are reconstructed from dwellings originally located in the four-corners area, where Mesa Verde is located. The Anasazi did not live in the Manitou area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitou_Cliff_Dwellings

:)
Lynn

Comparison of Apples and Oranges, really. Each has it's own appeal.

Mesa Verde NP is steeped in ancient history, and is close to both Durango and Cortez, as well as the 4 Corners area. One can spend several days in Mesa Verde NP and not see everything there is to see. In addition, as others have mentioned, there's Durango and the Silverton-Durango Railroad, there's Canyon of the Ancients National Monument outside Cortez, there's the Million Dollar Highway to Ouray. And that's just the tip of the SW Colorado iceberg.

Manitou Springs is the funky suburb of Colorado Springs. Much to see and do in the immediate area -- Will Rogers Shrine, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls, Cog Railway to Pikes Peak, in addition to the drive up Pikes Peak. Then there's Colorado Springs itself, with so much to see and do there: The Air Force Academy and Chapel, the Olympic Training Center, the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, the Broadmoor Hotel, Cave of the Winds, Balanced Rock, Miramont Castle...just to name a few.

Difference in terrain as well. High Desert in the Mesa Verde area, High Plains and foothills in Manitou Springs. Elevations of 6000-9000 or so in Mesa Verde area, elevations of 6000-14000 in the Pikes Peak region.

Urban versus Remote. Hard to pick between the two. We've spent a lot of time in both, I never get tired of Mesa Verde. Traffic? Unrelenting at times in the Springs area, traffic of a different type in Mesa Verde...and much slower!.

Been to Mesa Verde twice. Love it. Whats Manitou Springs?

agesilaus wrote:
No, Manitou is a reconstruction, Mesa Verde is the real thing. Better make reservations online ahead of time for the tours at MV. We found them all booked up for 3 days in advance, when we were there a month ago.

Thanks, that's what I was wondering. Like I said, I've been in both areas many times over the years but have never been to either one of these attractions. We usually camp up off highway 550 and ride ATVs and camp and just enjoy nature.

No, Manitou is a reconstruction, Mesa Verde is the real thing. Better make reservations online ahead of time for the tours at MV. We found them all booked up for 3 days in advance, when we were there a month ago.

Thanks for your input. I've been in both areas many times and just love Southern Colorado especially Durango, Silverton and Ouray area. I just wondered what the differences in the actual attractions were. Are they basically the same?

Well 367 miles apart....

Been to each and BOTH are great.

Manitou Springs. Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods.......

Mesa Verde, Durango, Sliverton.......

Hard choice......but the train ride to Silverton wins for me. Base camp in Durango.