Manitou Cliff Dwellings (Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo: coupon, how much, house)

[phetaroi]

Monday, for the sake of something to do, I went to the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. It seemed overpriced considering the scope of the "ruins" and the small museum (although the museum did have a few good pieces). I am quite aware that these ruins were actually transported here from the Four Corners region just after the turn of the last century. There was a pretty good crowd there for January (the parking lot was half full).

I'm just curious about other peoples' view of this tourist attraction.

[iknowftbll]

As I understand it the structures there at Manitou Springs were salvaged from a ruined site of...ruins. I think that it's a decent recreation of an Anasazi village, but it certainly is not Mesa Verde!

It has been many years since I have been to the place, but I always enjoyed it and have fond memories of it. I think it's a decent place to take the kids when they get a little older than they are right now.

You say that it was over-priced. How much did it cost to go there?

[otowi]

It's a tourist trap, it's hokey, it isn't cheap, but sometimes still might not be bad to see once. If you get a chance, though to go to the Four Corners area and see Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon, Hovenweep, etc., - those are MUCH MUCH MUCH better.

[hollyt00]

It was $8.50 a person for me and my husband as we had a coupon you can find on their website.

It was one of the only touristy things we hadn't done, and we went up there on the 29th. I think my daughter would really like it. I enjoyed the museum as well, didn't care much for the stuff in the shop (typical touristy stuff that I can't believe people actually would buy, surprised there wasn't a layer of dust on it :P) Seeing the pictures of the exploitation of cultures sorta made me want to ...do a protest or something like that :P

I didn't think it was too overpriced, comparatively speaking.

Still prefer the Pioneer's Museum though!!

[PokerMunkee]

Been here 4 years and never had the urge to go see it. Don't think I ever will.

Nothing beats going to the top of Pikes Peak in July/August!

[sesamekid]

On a clear sunny winter's day, the view from the Manitou Cliff Dwellings is amazing.

I enjoyed it, as did my kids and my guests. I thought the museum part was really neat (the way you have to kind of crawl around in it).

Also, I bought a container of Colorado Blue Spruce seeds from the gift shop, which thrills me to bits for some reason.

[sesamekid]

This is the view from the Cliff dwellings to the south:

[MrsMac]

My kids (10, 13 and 15) loved the Cliff Dwellings! It was a history lesson in the best kind of environment for them (crawling around and climbing). They enjoyed the gift shop and museum as well and talked about our visit for days afterward (and any time someone comes to visit guess where they want to go?).

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by otowi

It's a tourist trap, it's hokey, it isn't cheap, but sometimes still might not be bad to see once. If you get a chance, though to go to the Four Corners area and see Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon, Hovenweep, etc., - those are MUCH MUCH MUCH better.

Yes, that was my opinion, too. I wanted to go once just out of curiosity. I have been to Mesa Verde, and will probably go again sometime this next year. I haven't been to the other sites you mentioned.

Since you mention Chaco Culture National Historical Park, how did you feel the road was driving in there. I understand it's quite a distance and all gravel.

[otowi]

FYI, if you're looking for touristy things to go, here is a partial listing of ideas:

Rockledge Ranch,
Pioneer Museum
Fine Arts Center
ANA Money Museum
USOC
AFA
Edward J Peterson Museum 554-4915
El Pomar Carriage House Museum 634-7711
Fountain Creek Nature Center
Bear Creek Nature Center
Pikes Peak Summit House/Glen Cove
North Pole
Space Museum 550 1000
Garden of the Gods, Trading Post, Visitor Center
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Peterson Air and Space Museum 555 4915
Starsmore Discovery Center
World Figure Skating Museum/Hall of Fame 635 5200
Glen Eyrie Castle
Will Rogers Shrine
Western Museum of Mining
McAllister House
John May Museum
ProRodeo Hall of Fame
Starr Kemptf? 2057 Pine Grove
Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum 487 8005
Ghost Town Museum
Taylor Museum (art) 634-5581
Michael Garman sculpture gallery
Cave of the Winds
Cliff Dwellings Museum
Seven Falls
Miramont Castle
Street car museum
Fountain museum
Cripple Creek/Victor (several mines/museums)
Dinosaur Depot Museum (Canon City)
Dinosaur Resource Center (Woodland Park)
Dr. Lester L. Williams Fire Museum (Printers Pkwy)
Museum of Colorado Prisons (Canon City)
Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center (Divide)
Flying W Ranch
Florissant Fossil Beds
Molly Kathleen Gold Mine
Royal Gorge
Serenity Springs Wildlife Center
Colorado History Museum (Denver)
Bent's Fort
Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave (golden)
Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum (Golden
Colorado Railroad Museum (Golden)
Cheyenne Mountain Heritage Center 632 7000
Old Colorado City Historical Society 636 1225
Colorado Springs Historical Military Museum 683 2200
Lucretia Vaile Museum (Palmer Lake)
Pikes Peak Radio & Electronics Museum 550 5810
Sangre De Cristo Arts Center (Pueblo)
Steelworks Museum of Industry and Culture (Pueblo)