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The Odometer: Roughly 55 miles, one-way from Denver (1 hour, 7 minutes)
Greeley catches a lot of flak, but frankly, we think that’s ridiculous. On the surface, it’s an agricultural hub and a college town. But hang around for a beat and you’ll find it’s got way more going on, like local art, outdoor recreation, festivals, and a surprisingly strong community vibe. Plus, we think Greeley makes for a strategic home base for exploring northern Colorado: It’s just 45 minutes to Fort Collins, around an hour to Denver, and just over an hour to Estes Park.
Still, don’t overlook Greeley (population: 112,000) as a place to crash between road trips. Witness living-history performances at High Plains Chautauqua in August, catch free community concerts every Friday through September, and make sure to visit for the biggest event of the year, the Greeley Stampede, every June. In fact, the largest municipality in Weld County launched a rebranding initiative this past March to attract visitors, highlighting the way in which Greeley feels like a small community and inviting tourists to “Discover the Draw,” the city’s new motto.
No matter when you decide to head north on I-25, there’s always ways to fill out your Greeley itinerary. Below, where to play, eat, and discover the draw for yourself in the gateway to the Rockies.
Jump Ahead:
What To Do Outside
You don’t have to head west to get your nature fix. The 21-mile Poudre River Trail runs through the Cache la Poudre River Corridor, connecting Greeley to its northwest neighbor, Windsor. The trail is entirely paved, making it a scenic route for non-motorized fun like cycling and Rollerblading. Start at the trailhead at Greeley’s Island Grove Park, a shady and family-friendly spot that hosts the annual Greeley Stampede. After nearly five miles, let Fido roam free at Rover Run Dog Park. Make sure to stop at the Poudre Learning Center, a 65-acre site that’s popular for local elementary school field trips. There, learn about the river’s local history, like how early settlers made irrigation ditches for agriculture.
Kids in tow? At Island Grove Park you’ll find Aven’s Village Playground, an inclusive and wheelchair-accessible play space that goes beyond ADA compliance. There, little ones can swing, learn braille, play a xylophone, and run around the splash pad during the summer. Find another newly updated playground at the nearby Josephine Jones Natural Area, which also features 1.8 miles of soft-surface trails, public art, and a fishing pond.
Disc golfers, you’re in luck. One of Greeley’s most popular courses is open to the public on the University of Northern Colorado’s grounds (and rentals are available at the campus recreation center). The first hole is located near the James A. Michener Library, but find the full map on the university website. Another course, the Promontory Disc Golf Park, opened earlier this year and features tight fairways that wrap around three scenic ponds. If you’d rather try your hand at mini golf, the Family FunPlex recreation center has an 18-hole course (and a year-round indoor water park).
And if you’re just hoping to take a hike, try the Sheep Draw Trail, a nearly five-mile trek that weaves through five of Greeley’s natural areas, including the grassy Pumpkin Ridge Natural Area and the tree-lined Hunters Cove Natural Area. There, scan for red-winged blackbirds among the cottonwoods and find patches of white sweetclover growing along the stream—and report your findings on iNaturalist, which helps the city better manage the space.
Read More: Hidden Treasures
What To Do Inside
Greeley reports 360 days of sunshine, but if it’s a gloomy day, there are still plenty of ways to have fun indoors. At the Colorado Model Railroad Museum ($15 for adults, $9 for kids), find more than 72 miles of connected track where 500 mini locomotives chug along. Explore the inside of a Colorado & Southern Railway caboose built in 1919, and don’t miss the collection of rare post-war Lionel trains.
Near downtown, the two-year-old LINC Library Innovation Center boasts 60,000 square feet of space where you can fiddle with 3D printers, operate woodworking equipment, and reserve the podcast or art studio. Look for the Hobbit door—beyond lies the children’s library that hosts regular storytimes, while the gaming room next door is a teen hotspot. And keep an eye out on the library’s event calendar, which includes offerings like coding contests and fairy house workshops.
At the Centennial Village Museum ($8 for adults,$5 for kids), you might think you’ve accidentally stepped onto the set of Little House on the Prairie, but this Greeley staple is actually a living history museum complete with 35 historical buildings, costumed interpreters, and farm animals. Learn about the Cheyenne-Arapaho people, Colorado’s early settlers, and Greeley’s Swedish, German, and Russian immigration waves that shaped the city. Make sure to time your trip right: The museum is only open on Fridays and Saturdays.
And don’t assume Greeley doesn’t have a nightlife—it is a college town, after all. Catch comedy sets and live music from artists like hard rock band Buckcherry (August 8) and country singer Kat Hasty (August 23) at the Moxi Theater downtown. Find cocktail-fueled DJ sets at Pura Vida Night Club and Lounge, or beat your friends’ high scores at Stella’s Pinball Arcade, which features rows of retro pinball machines and classic arcade games.
Where To Shop
Downtown Greeley has plenty of quirky charm, especially if you like your shopping with a side of spooky. Here’s what you should add to your day’s itinerary:
- Digital Dungeon (Gaming events galore, from Pokémon battles to Battletech throwdowns)
- Downtown Oddities Parlor (Tarot cards, ethically sourced bones—including legally acquired human bones—and vintage curiosities)
- Downtown Sound (New, used, and rare records)
- Mariposa Plants and Flowers (Houseplants, floral arrangements, and even the occasional orchid-care seminar)
- Midnight Oil (A bookstore with open mics, movie nights, and plenty of secondhand gems.)
- Mimi’s Gems and Gifts (Crystals, yoga pants, and metaphysical jewelry)
- The Nerd Store (Comics, Warhammer minis, and trading cards)
- Warm Hugs (Colorado-made salsas, cute gifts, and boutique fashion)
Where To Stay
Located inside an octagon-shaped building near the heart of downtown, the Currier Inn features 10 guest rooms with en-suite bathrooms (many of which have jetted tubs). Honeymooners should book the Horace Greeley room which features a king-size bed and an oversize tub, while the Colorado room (complete with a roll-top desk and old-fashioned claw tub) is a business traveler’s haven. You won’t find sad continental breakfasts here: Just head to the lobby for crepes and seasonally flavored lattes in Lafayette’s Creperie.
If you’re on a budget (or just like neon), look for the giant rainbow sign. The Rainbow Motel was built in 1953 and featured a Prohibition-era speakeasy before Greeley’s dry town laws were repealed in 1969. In 2017, new owners renovated the motel and infused chic, pink decor.
Where To Eat
Grab your morning joe from any of Greeley’s many coffee shops, including Spotlight Café and Creamery, John Galt Coffee, and Margie’s Java Joint. Make sure to try the seasonal drinks at Margie’s, like summer’s strawberry matcha spritz.
Find a laid-back hangout to catch the game at Bulldog Pub and Grill, a superhero-themed spot with pub classics like burgers and pizza. You can’t miss the Colorado famous WeldWerks Brewing, a 10-year-old, locally owned brewery renowned for the fruit-forward Juicy Bits hazy IPA. Spirit drinkers should try 477 Distilling and Syntax Spirits. Find a range of tacos, from Nashville hot chicken to Korean pork belly variations, at Luna’s Tacos & Tequila (and visit during happy hour for $5 house margaritas).
Grab lunch (and more margaritas) at Mexican restaurant El Pueblito, or visit local favorite Wonderful Inn, which features Chinese takeout classics. For dinner, opt for Santeramo’s Pizza House and Italian Food, a family-owned restaurant started by the son of Italian immigrants in 1962. (Order the chicken parmesan, trust us.) Located right near downtown Greeley, the garlic naan and butter chicken at Sherpa Grill Indian and Nepali are cozy-weather classics.
Other Greeley favorites include American breakfast staples at family-friendly Doug’s Diner, whiskey and waffles at Oak and Maple, hot pot and Korean barbecue at King Pot, and oysters and lobster rolls at Wings Pier.
