Weekend in Old Colorado City/Manitou Springs

Thanks to Air BnB, I had a pretty sweet couple of nights in a 1979 Airstream down in Old Colorado City recently. OCC, as I like to call it when I'm being lazy, was the original capital of Colorado. By the 1920s they were going broke and voted to incorporate into Colorado Springs, so what's left today is a cute selection of old-timey architecture filled with restaurants, pubs, and overpriced clothing. Manitou Springs, home to a bevy of amazing hikes, looks similar. They're both tucked into the Pike's Peak/Garden of the Gods mountainous area, providing a nice respite from your climbing and hiking adventures. Here are my recommendations:

Local grocery stores (OCC):
King Soopers, 1750 W. Uintah St
Safeway, 3275 W Colorado Ave

Restaurants:
PJ’s Diner, 915 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829 (authentic Polish + burgers)
La Baguette, 2417 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 (French bakery serving a full menu through 6pm)
Alchemy Irish Pub, 2625 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Paravicini’s, 2802 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 ($9 lunch menu) 

Red Dog Coffee and Cafe, 739 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829

In Town:
Old Colorado City wandering: along Colorado Ave.
Manitou Springs wandering: Manitou Ave & Canyon Ave

Outdoors:
Garden of the Gods: take either Pikes Peak Ave or Colorado Ave West to 30th St, North on 30th
Red Rock Canyon Open Space: Take US-24 W, turn left onto Ridge Rd, turn left onto W High St
Manitou Cliff Dwelings $ (open 9-6): same as above, but continue on US-24 until Turn right onto Cliff Rd/Sunshine Trail
Miramont Castle Museum $ (closed Mondays): same as above, but continue on US-24 until continue on Serpentine Dr. Take Manitou Ave to Capitol Hill Ave
Manitou Incline: US-24 to Continue on Serpentine Dr. Take Manitou Ave and Ruxton Ave to Hydro St (towards Cog Railway)
Manitou Heritage Museum: 517 Manitou Ave (11:30-4:30 daily)

If you think this Airstream looks like a cute place to bunk, I couldn't recommend it, and the host, more highly. Go here for more info.