Manitou Springs takes its name from the natural mineral springs that bubble up throughout the town, and they are still its most distinctive feature. More than a dozen springs are accessible to the public — marked with plaques explaining the mineral content — and you can taste the water for free at fountains scattered along the main streets. The flavours range from slightly fizzy and mineral-tinged to full-on sulphurous depending on the spring, and the local rule seems to be that the worse it tastes, the better it is supposed to be for you.
The springs were the original reason people came here, and the late Victorian resort culture they inspired shaped the character of the town. The architecture along Ruxton and Manitou avenues — the old spa buildings, the stone bridges over Fountain Creek — reflects that era. It is a pleasant town to wander slowly, tasting your way between fountains and stopping into the galleries and independent shops along the way.