Nestled into Garden of the Gods Park is Colorado Springs’s oldest and largest gift shop. Nova recently visited this historic location on Beckers Lane in Manitou Springs to find an assortment of gifts, souvenirs, t-shirts, and other trinkets to purchase.
If you’re in the area, stop here to pick up a map of the park, enjoy some delectable fudge, and meet those behind its operation.
Gifts & Souvenirs
No visit to Garden of the Gods would be complete without stopping at The Trading Post, Colorado’s oldest and largest gift shop. Nova recently visited this historic location in Manitou Springs and discovered over 90,000 trinkets, souvenirs, and gifts available for visitors to take home with them!
Trading Post offers everything from T-shirts and jewelry, one-of-a-kind pieces of art, gift cards, and local Colorado/US products for every special event and every budget. A gift card to this store makes a beautiful present!
Garden of the Gods Trading Post offers more than gift shopping and art gallery; in addition to training sessions and workshops, retreats, team building activities, and family/military reunions. Covering over 2,400 square feet, this facility features a private tiered patio for outdoor events as well as catering, breakfast meetings, and group luncheons – plus many other services!
The gift shop itself isn’t too bad either; aside from offering your typical T-shirts, coffee mugs, magnets, and toys there’s also a decent selection of nicer souvenirs – perfect for kids as well! Additionally, there’s even a tiny eatery offering sandwiches, fresh fruit cups or even ice cream treats!
If you need a quick bite after exploring Garden of the Gods or somewhere to unwind and recharge, Gateway Grill in the Trading Post offers fast and convenient meals. Enjoy views of the park from their spacious patio while sitting back with something sharp. Craft Fresh provides grab and go deli sandwiches, salads and pastries along with reasonably priced ice cream cones – it makes an excellent destination.
Food & Drink
Garden of the Gods Trading Post offers everything you could ever need – souvenirs from your trip, food to satisfy any hunger pang, unique finds that won’t be found elsewhere and quick bites to satisfy those momentary cravings! It boasts over 25.000 square feet and offers gifts, one-of-a-kind items and souvenirs you won’t find anywhere else!
If you’re after something more specific, the trading post offers a selection of Colorado-branded merchandise like mugs, t-shirts, and books branded with Colorado brands. Plus, if you get hungry after hiking or shopping a long day of Colorado sightseeing the Balanced Rock Cafe serves lunch and dinner, offering wraps, sandwiches salads, as well as their famous Buffalo Burger along with an excellent beverage selection!
Park’s picturesque scenery makes for the ideal setting to enjoy a meal and unwind, with Aspens and Centuries Old Cottonwoods surrounding the dining patio. Food was delicious and service was exceptional; prices were fair. Overall I would definitely recommend this spot as an oasis from city life!
This restaurant is the ideal spot for a family outing, offering something to satisfy every member of your group, with healthy options explicitly catering to kids. Their staff was extremely accommodating in helping me with any inquiries. Their outdoor seating area is great for picnicking or just taking in the breathtaking view, while you can rent out pavilions if desired for special events. Their efforts in creating memorable experiences were truly appreciated – I loved my visit here so much that I hope to return soon.
Art Gallery
Garden of the Gods Trading Post is more than a store; it’s an art gallery featuring works by local artists – traditional and contemporary Native American jewelry, sand paintings, Pueblo pottery, and more can be found here. Additionally, there is Colorado-themed merchandise such as T-shirts and coffee mugs sold here, plus there’s even an outdoor patio where visitors can relax with a book in hand!
The Trading Post in Manitou Springs, Colorado is one of the top tourist spots. Boasting an idyllic setting featuring iconic red rock formations, rolling hills dotted with juniper and sage plants, and Pikes Peak towering majestically in the distance – creating an almost magical feel – while growing, its original charm still remains. A great place for taking in scenic beauty while getting some exercise or simply hanging out with friends and family!
Established by Charles Strausenback in the 1920’s, the Trading Post was originally intended to resemble Pueblo Indian homes and provide visitors with a taste of Native culture. Since its conception, the Trading Post has experienced six expansions and now stands as Colorado’s premier gift shop.
Beckers Lane and the Trading Post offer one of the best and most direct ways to explore Garden of the Gods Park, providing locals with their entrance into this national landmark and providing a chance for them to pick up maps, bison burgers, and delicious homemade fudge!
The Trading Post is an excellent place to find memorable souvenirs and gifts for friends and family. Offering an impressive array of unique items suitable for any event or special occasion, plus outdoor gear like backpacks and hiking boots – staff at this shop are more than helpful in selecting appropriate products to meet the needs of each trip and planning an itinerary with activities and attractions included – they even sell food such as coffee sandwiches and ice cream!
History
Garden of the Gods Park would not be complete without visiting its iconic Trading Post – an unmissable stop that has been around since 1924 and serves as its hidden entrance into this world-famous park. Tucked into a rock formation near Pikes Peak, it provides fantastic views across southwestern landscape and still retains a special feeling today despite expansion six times since opening.
Charles E. Strausenback designed The Trading Post to resemble traditional Pueblo Indian homes in order for visitors to experience and purchase pieces of Native American culture on their trip. Over time, it has grown into one of Colorado Springs’ oldest and largest gift shops with an art gallery featuring local and regional artists – it has also become a popular tourist attraction and local landmark alike. Charles also hosts many training sessions, workshops, retreats, team building activities as well as private celebrations and reunions within its 2,400-square foot facility!
After Strausenback’s passing in 1979, the Haas family took over his store. To honor his vision and continue selling handmade Native American goods. Additionally, they donate regularly to support Garden of the Gods park through donations to parks and recreation department.
Garden of the Gods is an enchanting landscape teeming with red rocks jutting from sand dunes and fragrant juniper and sage plants growing amidst desert air. A hiker’s haven with over 30 trails from easy to difficult. Also home to world’s highest freestanding sandstone arch, Balanced Rock, popular among tourists as well as locals for scenic drives or nature preserve walks alike.
The Trading Post offers an audio tour of parks to immerse you in history while walking or driving through them. They have recorded more than 200 narrations for parks and historic sites nationwide; you can listen to this tour either through their website or download their free TravelStorysGPS app before setting out on an adventure!