Manitou Springs is 65 miles south of Denver, and four miles west of Colorado Springs. Celebrate on Manitou Avenue at the Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off and Mardi Gras Parade, which takes place every February. You can sample gumbo from local talent, and vote on the winner. Be sure and watch the parade in downtown Manitou that follows the cook-off. Book a Manitou Springs bed and breakfast so you can take part in all of these fun activities. Other offerings include a visit to Memorial Park for the annual Great Fruitcake Toss, which takes place right after New Year's Day! Adults and kids can all join in on the fun. Each year, the competition gets stronger so you won't want to miss it. Event details are available from the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce. Or you can choose to stay at a Manitou Springs B&B or Manitou Springs inn to get closer to nature. Many tourists decide to venture up the Pike's Peak Railway, which goes all the way to the top of Pike's Peak. This is the highest railway in the northern hemisphere, and train rides run from May through September. Another easily accessible location for visitors is the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. These are actually replicas of Native American caves and provide accurate dwellings, as well as a museum detailing the history of the Anasazi Indians. After all that, visitors can enjoy relaxed dining at the rustic Briarhurst Manor. Diners can sample the finest in Colorado cuisine and enjoy stunning views of Pike's Peak. Families are welcome and a children's menu is also available. Another lively eatery is the Castaways Inn, where visitors delight in the pirates, exotic drinks, and award-winning steaks. Less