Ghost Stories of Old Manitou Walking Tours — Family-Friendly Halloween Kicks Off Oct 2
One of the most beloved Colorado Springs Halloween traditions is back for its 31st year, and it kicks off this Thursday. The Ghost Stories of Old Manitou Walking Tours return October 2 and 3 at the Manitou Springs Heritage Center, launching a month-long run through the end of October that families in the Colorado Springs area look forward to every year.
The tours are family-friendly, rooted in local history, and — for the right age group — genuinely atmospheric without being terrifying. If you've been meaning to try them, this weekend is the time to go.
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Tours depart from the Manitou Springs Heritage Center at 517 Manitou Avenue, with tour groups leaving every 15 minutes starting at 5:30 PM. Each tour runs approximately one hour.
A Spirit Guide narrator leads the group through historic Old Manitou Springs, stopping at multiple locations for staged vignettes featuring stories about real historical figures connected to the town. The tone is historically grounded with Halloween-season atmosphere — not a haunted house, but a walking storytelling experience that combines Colorado history with October mood.
Most families find the experience well-suited for children around age 8 and up. Younger children will depend on the individual child and their comfort level with spooky themes and evening walks.
Tickets and Schedule
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Launch weekend | October 2 & 3, 2026 |
| Full schedule | Oct 2–3, 9–10, 16–17, 23, 30 |
| Start time | 5:30 PM (tours depart every 15 min) |
| Duration | Approximately 1 hour |
| Meeting point | 517 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs |
| Adult tickets | $18.84 regular; ~$17 advance (recommended) |
| Children under 10 | FREE |
| Tickets | manitouspringsheritagecenter.org or Eventbrite |
Plan Ahead — Tours Sell Out
This is not a soft suggestion: the Ghost Stories tours regularly sell out, particularly on popular weekend dates. If you're planning on October 2, 3, or any of the Halloween weekend dates, buy advance tickets now at manitouspringsheritagecenter.org or through Eventbrite. Advance tickets are also slightly cheaper than walk-up pricing.
The Heritage Center posted the October 2–3 launch announcement on September 29, 2026 — indicating tickets for opening weekend were still available as of Tuesday. But that can change quickly.
What's Next
October in Colorado Springs is rich with family Halloween programming — Ghost Stories of Old Manitou is one of the most historically distinctive options in the region and a great way to kick off the season. After the walking tours, Colorado Springs families can also look ahead to Boo at the Zoo at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (running October 16 through 31) and the Emma Crawford Coffin Races in Manitou Springs on October 24 for the 32nd annual event.
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