This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
The Day Tripper (Half and Full Day) Itineraries
BOULDER/NEDERLAND
Head West from Longmont to Boulder, Colorado. Home to the University of Colorado, this buzzing community offers outdoor recreation, the pedestrian-friendly Pearl Street Mall for shopping and dining and over 20 craft breweries.
From Boulder, travel up the Boulder Canyon to the funky little town of Nederland. Here you can take a ride on the historic Carousel of Happiness, hike popular trails or ski/snowboard at Eldora Mountain Resort.
NIWOT/GUNBARREL
Ten minutes west of Longmont is the town of Niwot. Named after Chief Niwot of the Arapaho tribe and meaning left hand, Niwot boasts 11 shops, ten restaurants, two craft brewers and zero stoplights. During the summer they host weekly concerts, and special events take place throughout the year.
Further west is the small town of Gunbarrel, named after an historic stagecoach route. Gunbarrel is a booming community on the outskirts of Boulder. Visit the Celestial Seasonings headquarters here and enjoy a free, guided 45-minute tour, tea tastings, gift shop and café. Just next door is Leanin’ Tree Production Tour & Gift Shop. This greeting card manufacturer offers free tours of their facility Monday through Friday.
LYONS/ESTES PARK
About 15 minutes west of Longmont is the town of Lyons, Colorado. Take a stroll down their Main Street and enjoy shops, restaurants and the scenery. Dine at the original location of Oskar Blues Brewery at the Oskar Blues Grill & Brew and kids of all ages will enjoy the Lyons Classic Pinball and Video with over 70 classic pinball machines and arcade games.
Continue west on either Highway 36 or the scenic Highway 7 (Peak to Peak Highway) to Estes Park. This quaint mountain town offers more than 200 charming shops, restaurants and attractions. Grab an old-fashioned ice cream cone or homemade fudge, stroll along the Riverwalk, see the sights from the Aerial Tramway and take a tour of the historic Stanley Hotel (inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining).
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
In less than an hour from Longmont, you can be at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Park offers 415 square miles of exciting outdoor activities including hiking, camping and wildlife viewing at any time of year, plus snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding in the winter. We recommend a trip along Trail Ridge Road (open seasonally) up to the Continental Divide. It’s the highest, continuous paved road in the United States reaching an elevation of 12,183 feet. Be on the lookout for elk, deer, stellar jays and marmots as you stop and take photos or hike some of the 350 miles of trails that make this park a hiker’s paradise.
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