Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley | COME TO LIFE SIDETRIPS Located northwest of Fort Collins, the rustic mountain village of Red Feather Lakes is far from energetic city life and popular with campers and boaters. Surrounded by the 612,000-acre Roosevelt National Forest, the area is a year-round outdoor playground that offers beautiful scenery, diverse wildlife, hiking trails and cozy mountain retreats. Windsor is a growing community between Loveland, Fort Collins and Greeley. A peaceful place to explore the plains is the town’s Frank State Wildlife Area, along a portion of the Poudre River Trail. For local flavors, check out Chimney Park Restaurant, Chapmans Produce fruit and veggie store, and Hearth Restaurant and Pub. Hikers seek out The Keyhole rock formation at Devil’s Backbone Open Space, an impressive geologic landmark. Boaters, fishers, paddleboarders and other water lovers will find plenty to do in the area at picturesque Carter Lake, as well as Boyd Lake State Park, Lou Hagler Reservoir and others. You can also make an easy 35-mile day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park and settle back in Loveland for the evening. Restaurant and Birrieria Doña Maria are just a few examples. Stop by the Colorado Model Railroad Museum, which features more than 1,100 railroad-related artifacts. There’s also the Centennial Village Museum, a living-history odyssey with original homes, lush gardens and walking paths that provide a look at local life from the 1870s to early 1930s. Or take a swing along the Poudre River Trail, with mountain views, easy hiking trails and river access, fishing and wildlife viewing. The Poudre Learning Center has a fishing club, garden tours, bike trails and more. You’ll find more than 160 pieces of public art sprinkled around Greeley, as well as lovely parks — including Homestead Park and Open Spaces — that feature lakes, small streams, bridges, waterfalls and islands. Every summer Friday brings live music on the Ninth Street Plaza for Friday Fest, with face painting, bubbles artistry, sidewalk chalk and more. Day 3 Like any good college town, Greeley has a fine selection of coffeehouses to kick your day off right. Hit historical hot spots to learn about Greeley’s past. The 1870 Meeker Home Museum and the Greeley History Museum — where you can see the famous serpentine dress of local legend Rattlesnake Kate — are sure to please. Greeley’s culinary offerings grow every year, including breweries, distilleries and on-trend restaurants. 477 Distilling, Daruma Japanese In the evening, whether you’re after thought-provoking pieces or lively entertainment, numerous performance venues are sure to scratch any creative itches. For starry night skies, Red Mountain Open Space, Soapstone Prairie and Coyote Ridge natural areas are a few places to spot far-away galaxies. The Northern Colorado Astronomical Society also hosts public events. Day 2 Drive 30 minutes south to arts-obsessed Loveland. Wander Benson Sculpture Garden’s nearly 200 sculptures. Then head downtown, where charming blocks showcase historical buildings, shops and restaurants. Check out The Foundry, a three-block, mixed-use haven with events, a movie theater and more. Or, stop by the Loveland Visitors Center for information on the Sweetheart City’s many breweries. Speaking of sweethearts ... loved ones can lock in their affections on two 10-foot-tall LOVE sculptures. Buy an engraved lock at the visitors center, and then step outside or head to Lake Loveland to lock your love on the grids. BENSON SCULPTURE GARDEN/MICHAEL WILCOX. Benson Sculpture Garden COLORADO . COM 141
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2023: Page 141
