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Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings is a popular tourist destination, situated on US Highway 24, 5 miles (8.04 km) west of Colorado Springs, Colorado. It has been named after the historic town of Manitou Springs. Apparently, the Cliff Dwellings are a precise depiction of the homes of the ancient Anasazi people. However, the interesting fact is that the Anasazi people never inhabited this area. The adobe walls of these dwellings were actually towed from Mesa Verde, situated several hundred miles to the southwest.

These authentic Anasazi cliff dwellings are nearly 700 years old and are well-preserved under a huge red sandstone overhang. These captivating architectural remnants of an American Indian Culture are a unique historical treasure. The Cliff Dwellings are open to the public seven days a week. Visitors are allowed to touch these structures and also wander inside these dwellings. The culture and heritage of the Native American Indians is demonstrated by their descendants through traditional dances during the summer months.

A major tourist attraction nearby is a three-storey Pueblo-style building designed in the architectural style of the Pueblo Indians. This magnificent building houses an elegant, Southwestern gift shop and the popular Anasazi Museum. Other attractions include the outdoor Archaeological and Natural History Preserve that comprises of impressive reproductions of an Anasazi baking oven and a stone-mesa top building. The Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings are connected to the Pueblo Structure by a scenic trail with well-labeled herbs, trees, native flowers, and other plants. A snack bar and a picnic patio operate in the area from June through August to meet the food and drink needs of the visitors. The Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings, situated in the scenic foothills of the panoramic Pikes Peak, gives the visitors a rare opportunity to relive America’s past and explore the fascinating architecture of the ancient Anasazi (c. 1100-1300 A.D.).

• Mailing Address: Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum, PO Box 272, Manitou Springs, CO 80829
• Telephone: (719) 685-5242
• Toll-free: (800) 354-9971
• Website: www.cliffdwellingsmuseum.com

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