Whether you’ve lived in Loveland your entire life or you’re just passing through, it’s easy to fall in love with this town nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. With its close proximity to all the adventures Northern Colorado has to offer, Loveland provides endless activities for outdoor enthusiasts, shopaholics and artists alike. USA Today even featured Loveland in its article, Idyllic America: Picturesque Towns in Each State.
That said, we decided to compile a list of 12 adventures in Loveland that are sure to please everyone in your party. So grab your friends or family and start crossing these items off your Loveland to do list!
Take the Kids to MeHaffey Park
MeHaffey Park is the city’s newest park and offers a wide range of activities that will entertain kids of all ages throughout its 63 acres! You’ll be able to spend the entire day here and you still may not see everything the park has to offer.
Start your day by heading to the “Tree House” playground. If you prefer to take it up a notch, try your luck at the climbing wall or skatepark, or challenge your family to a friendly game of tennis, basketball or pickleball! When you feel like taking a break from the physical activities, visit the Arboretum located within the park and learn more about the area’s plant life.
Be sure to bring Fido along as well. There is an enclosed dog park for him to run off all that puppy energy.
Grab a Drink at a Local Brewery or Distillery
Like its neighboring city, Fort Collins, Loveland has no shortage of breweries for sampling local craft beers! Belly up to the bar, try a sampler of a few local favorites, or grab a growler so you can enjoy a refreshing drink later that evening.
Included on this list of establishments are Loveland Ale Works, Grimm Brothers Brewhouse, Big Thompson Brewery, Buckhorn Brewers, Crow Hop Brewery and Taproom, Big Beaver Brewing Co. and Backbone Grub and Brewery.
And if beer really isn’t your thing, head to the Dancing Pines Distillery for a tour and tasting of their small-batch spirits.
Sip on a Latte from The Coffee Tree
If you would prefer to warm up with a cup o’ joe instead, The Coffee Tree is the place to do just that! This shop’s motto is “where good things grow” and we can’t argue with them. The Coffee Tree only serves organic, fairly traded coffee and fresh baked goods. So pair your coffee with a delicious scone baked from scratch that same morning and you’re all set to start your day on the right foot.
We particularly love the cozy feel of their shop. It almost feels as if you’re enjoying your morning coffee from the comfort of your own home. Whether you take your coffee to go or plan to linger for a while, you will not be disappointed with your experience at The Coffee Tree.
Visit the Colorado Cherry Company
As you make your way to Rocky Mountain National Park, you’ll pass by a quaint little cafe whose red and white storefront is perfectly juxtaposed against the canyon background. We promise, you’re going to want to take a minute and stop in for a slice of pie and some hot cider. The Colorado Cherry Company‘s menu offers much more than the name implies though, from pizza to pot pies to a variety of homemade fudge and fruit-filled desserts. What’s not to love about that?
Whatever your preference, on a nice day be sure to eat outside in one of their rocking chairs and breathe in the fresh mountain air.
Explore the Devil’s Backbone
Located just west of Loveland, the Devil’s Backbone Open Space offers all the Colorado experiences you’ve come to expect from our great state. It covers over 2,000 acres and has 12 miles of trails for hiking, biking, running and horseback riding. The surrounding towering rock formations, wildlife and fields of wildflowers are an impressive background to these said activities.
The best thing about Colorado is that no matter the season, there is always something to do outdoors. So in these colder months, explore the trails on snowshoes! 
Enjoy the Outdoors at Boyd Lake State Park
Another great place to enjoy the outdoors is Boyd Lake State Park and is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In the winter, grab your skates and hit the ice while taking in the breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains.
In the summer Boyd Lake is known as a watersports haven for its access to sailboating, canoeing, kayaking and jet skiing. You will also find fishing, camping, swimming and many other outdoor activities. With its own beach, you’ll have no shortage of opportunities to soak up the Colorado sunshine!
Dine at Door 222
Voted the #1 Restaurant in Loveland on Tripadvisor, Door 222 is known for their mouth watering tapas and unique cocktails (vodka lemonade infused with a thyme simple syrup, anyone?!) But what we REALLY love about Door 222 is their focus on philanthropy and giving back to the local community they love so much. Through their Door 222 Give Back program, they choose a local non-profit each quarter to support by donating a portion of a specific menu item directly to them.
Have Dinner and Catch a Show at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse
If you prefer to maximize every minute of your time in Loveland, kill two birds with one stone by having dinner and catching a show at the same time! The Candlelight Dinner Playhouse brings broadway to our own backyard with outstanding performances by local casts. With rotating shows, you’ll be sure to find a play, musical or concert that sparks your interest! We know you’ll enjoy the experience from the minute the red curtains open. 
Tour the Loveland Museum/Gallery
There have been several outdoorsy activities that made our list (for obvious reasons), but we can’t forget to explore our creative side as well! Arts and culture are equally celebrated in Loveland, and it’s apparent when you visit the Loveland Museum/Gallery.
The museum is home to three art galleries whose exhibits rotate every 8-12 weeks, so you can visit often to see the work of many world-renowned artists! You’ll also feel like you took a step back in time time as you wander through the history exhibits and learn more about Loveland’s past.
The museum even offers a wide variety of classes for kids, youth and adults, as well as poetry readings and other programs to get the entire community involved with the arts!
Walk Through the Benson Sculpture Garden
If you don’t want the artistic experience to end, take a stroll through the Benson Sculpture Garden. This park is home to more than 145 pieces of sculpture on permanent display by artists from around the globe. And for only $5 a person, you can take a guided tour to hear the story behind each piece in the collection.
Take a Glass Blowing Class at Daggett Glass Studio
Feeling inspired after leaving the museum and sculpture garden? Get your creative juices flowing and try your hand at creating your own masterpiece at Daggett Glass Studio.
With 28 years of experience in glass blowing, owner Dan Daggett is eager to share his craft with others. Learn the art of glass blowing as you work alongside Dan to make vases, bowls, etc. You can choose a package that consists of seven courses, or just stop on in for a single course to learn the basics! While you’re in the studio, you’ll be able to take a peek at Dan’s own work for inspiration.
See a Show or Sporting Event at the Budweiser Event Center
Make sure you schedule time to see a performance at the Budweiser Event Center alongside 7,200 of your closest friends! This expansive arena brings in a lot of well-known concerts, family shows, fairs and rodeos, and other big events throughout the year.
It’s also home to the Colorado Eagles ice hockey team, the Colorado Crush indoor football team, and if you’re into the other kind of football, the Colorado Lighting arena soccer team plays here as well.
What’s your favorite Loveland past time?
We know there are still so many other fun and exciting things to do in the Loveland area. If your favorite local hotspot or activity didn’t make the list, let us know in the comments below!
PHOTOS COURTESY OF: Artison Rocks / Loveland Ale Works / The Coffee Tree / Colorado Life Magazine / Colorado Parks & Wildlife / Door 222 / Visit Loveland / Candlelight Dinner Playhouse / Visit Loveland / Birkbeck University / Yelp / Daggett Glass Studio / Neenan Archistruction
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