An unusual sandstone formation that resembles a backbone stretches for two miles between mountains and plains west of Loveland, and the 2,198 acres of preserved open space surrounding it are perfect for hiking and wildlife viewing. Pack a picnic lunch and choose your own adventure: a six-mile hike or 10.5-miles trek. Keep your eyes open for red-tailed hawks and great horned owls, along with mule deer, bears, elk and mountain lions.
The name isn’t the only thing that’s appealing about this landmark bowling alley. There’s a chance you’ll get to rub elbows with one of the sport’s elite: manager Tom Crites played in the circuit for nine years, winning five national titles (a record in Colorado).
After a long day of outdoor adventure, treat yourself to a comforting meal at Next Door food & drink restaurant. Located off 4th Street in downtown Loveland, this eatery features eclectic décor and serves modern American fare in a casual setting. If you’re starving, go for the hangar steak. Looking for something lighter? Try the quinoa patty. Don’t forget to order a Manhattan with chocolate bitters.
With suite-style rooms that include a sofa bed and kitchenette equipped with a microwave, mini fridge and coffeemaker, the Embassy Suites Loveland is one of many options for families and business travelers. The on-site Spa Botanica is popular.
For the full Colorado experience, dine at Rocky River Bar & Grille, which offers plenty of healthy, locally sourced ingredients. Opt for the red birds chicken, which is vegetarian-fed, free roaming and raised without antibiotics, or the haystack mountain goat cheese, or buffalo burgers made with beef from Spomer Ranch in Milliken. For drinks, enjoy brews from Breckenridge Brewery and spirits from Spring44 Distillery. And don’t forget dessert: Boulder ice cream.
Walk through art at this outdoor sculpture garden for an interactive exhibit that allows visitors to touch, experience and pose with art. The laidback experience features 144 world-class sculptures. Download a map here before you go.
Spring44 Distillery makes everything from vodka and gin and whiskey using water from a natural spring on a 10,000-foot mountain in Colorado’s Buckhorn Canyon. The distillery offers cocktails for $6 in their quaint tasting room from 4 p.m.to 7 p.m.on Fridays and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Free tours are also available. Reservations are required.
Explore art of Zimbabwe at Chapungu (pronounced cha-poon-goo) Sculpture Park. A sanctuary from the everyday, the 26-acre park is the only permanent exhibit of its kind in the U.S. Located east of The Promenade Shops at Centerra in Loveland, the public park features 82 African stone sculptures carved by artists from Zimbabwe. The artwork is positioned among water features along a 1.5 mile walking trail, with benches and community gathering areas.
Head to historic 4th Street (Loveland’s main street) to explore the town’s eclectic boutiques and art galleries located downtown. You’ll find carefully curated clothing stores, independent kitchenware shops and doggie boutiques. History buffs will want to download the historic walking tour map, which takes you past the Bonnell Mercantile, built in the late 1880s and the Herzinger & Harter Building, Loveland’s first brick commercial structure.
Art enthusiasts won’t want to miss out on a bronze foundry tour during a stay in Loveland. To learn about the ancient wax casting process used to cast sculptures, schedule a tour at Art Castings of Colorado or Bronze Services Fine Art Foundry. Both offer public tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment. Make sure you wear closed-toed shoes and keep in mind that these are working foundries.
