The Centennial State is known far and wide for having incredible historical ruins, the most famous of which may just be in Mesa Verde National Park. While you probably already know about Mesa Verde, you may not – like me (until I started writing for Only in Colorado) – realize that there are several other equally historic and fascinating ruins around Colorado, including the iconic Manitou Cliff Dwellings:
Located in - you guessed it! - Manitou Springs, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings are an amazing, hands-on opportunity to experience life in the past, thanks to its convenient location and an outstanding and ongoing preservation effort.
Moved to its current location in the early 1900s, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings were originally located in a canyon near the southwest Colorado town of Dolores, where they were both built and inhabited by the Anasazi some 1,000+ years ago.
Due to the architecture's delicate state from age and looting, preservationists looked for a safe place to move them, which is when they began moving the Dwellings to a safer location in Manitou.
When you visit the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, you will have the opportunity to see the intricate work of the Anasazi firsthand, as well as explore the inside of these amazing abodes.
