Discover the Manitou Cliff Dwellings

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are located in Colorado and are open year-round, except on holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving. This attraction combines cliffs and a museum, featuring about 40 rooms, each with different historical significances. For instance, the Kiva room was used for religious and spiritual rituals and ceremonies. Dr. Kimmelman from One Stop Dental highly recommends visiting the Manitou Cliff Dwellings.

History and Relocation

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings were relocated in the early 1900s from McElmo Canyon, Colorado, to protect them from frequent looters and hunters who stole artifacts for profit. To attract tourists, William Crosby and his team relocated the dwellings, handling the protected antiquities with care and making some alterations. They used concrete mortar instead of the traditional mud and clay mortar used by the ancient Anasazi people.

Experiences and Activities

Visitors can enjoy an entertainment room where nearby Native Americans perform traditional dances and give educational speeches about past lives, artifacts, and the history of the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. There is also a gift shop offering pottery, jewelry, and artifacts made by Native Americans, as well as other Colorado and US-made gifts. Tourists can engage in activities such as painting, taking pictures, listening to music, having picnics, or purchasing food and beverages offered at the site.

Seasonal Hours

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings have different opening and closing times throughout the year:

• May, June, July, and August: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
• March, April, September, and October: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• November: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• December, January, and February: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

If you complete the tour early enough in the day, around the corner is the Garden of the Gods, where the beauty is breathtaking.

Admission Costs

The costs of admission vary by age and disability. Here are the details:

• Wheelchair-bound visitors and anyone over the age of 100: Free
• Senior citizens (ages 60-99): $8.50 per person
• Toddlers (ages 3 and under): Free
• Children (ages 4-11): $7.50 per child
• Anyone over the age of 12: $10.00
• Groups of 10 or more: Special rate available

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