Just because you’re on a budget, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Greeley and all that it has to offer. From free walks in the park to reasonable admission to some of the city’s best museums, these inexpensive activities in Greeley will make you and your wallet happy.
Whether you’re looking to splurge or save some a few bucks, there are so many fun things to do in Greeley!
Visit Centennial Village Museum | $5–8
Part of Island Grove Regional Park just north of downtown Greeley, Centennial Village Museum is a living history experience. The seasonal museum features costumed interpreters, heritage farm animals, 8 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, and more than 35 historical buildings, including some of the oldest structures in Weld County. Admission prices are low ($5 for youth, $6 for seniors and $8 for adults) — and completely free for members of the Friends of the Greeley Museums.
Hike at Pawnee National Grassland | Free
Photo Courtesy of Marjaliisa [CC BY-SA]
Here in Greeley, we are surrounded by opportunities for outdoor recreation. And the best part? It’s completely free (unless you’re counting some of the day-use fees you might encounter). But there is no such day-use fee at Pawnee National Grassland, a 193,060-acre grassland about 25 miles northeast of Greeley. Internationally known as a popular birding area, the grassland is the perfect place to go hiking, biking, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, stargazing and wildlife watching. Throughout its history, the land has seen the promise of the frontier, the tragedy of the Dust Bowl and the regrowth of the west.
Visit the Greeley History Museum | $3–5
Maintained by City of Greeley Museums—who also manages three other educational facilities in town—Greeley History Museum showcases and preserves Greeley and Weld County’s history through permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational programs, research and collections. Any time you stop by, you can check out the permanent exhibit “Utopia: Adaptation on the Plains”. Then, be sure to keep exploring other galleries to find new, rotating exhibits, too! Admission to the Greeley History Museum is just $3 for youth and seniors, $5 for adults, $15 for a family (with a max of two adults and four kids), and free for members.
See a Movie at Kress Cinema & Lounge | $8
Photo Courtesy of The Kress
While Kress Cinema & Lounge functions as part independent movie theater, part full-service bar and restaurant, you can skip the dining and drinking if you’re on a budget! A movie ticket at The Kress typically costs $8, which means you can get in and out for just $16 for two. Or, if you want to splurge, you can always visit their secretive speakeasy for a drink before or after your movie.
Play All Day at Family FunPlex | $2–6
The Greeley Family FunPlex is much more than your typical community recreation center. Situated within the Twin Rivers Community Park, the facility offers an array of amenities, services and programs, including a multi-court gymnasium, an 18-hole miniature golf course (open year-round, weather permitting), a lap pool, an indoor waterpark, a workout area, group fitness classes, personal training, and more. Enjoy all that with an admission fee of just $2 for children 5 and under, $5 for seniors, military and youth ages 6–15, and $6 for adults.
Skate at Greeley Ice Haus | $2–6
Photo Courtesy of the City of Greeley
Greeley’s premiere indoor ice arena, the Greeley Ice Haus, hosts public skate sessions, classes, clinics, leagues, tournaments and more. They offer public skate hours every day of the week in addition to cosmic skating, skating programs, public ice hockey, broomball and more. Kids can take beginner skating lessons, play hockey (for free!), or skate with you and the rest of the family during Family Skate Sessions, which cost $25 for two adults and up to four children (with skate rental included!). Otherwise, public skate admission is $6 for those 6 and over and $2 for kids under 5. Skate rental is $3.
Attend First Friday: A Night of Art | Free
On the first Friday of each month from 5–8 p.m., a number of local art galleries and businesses are open with rotating artwork, live music, and small bites and drinks. First Friday: A Night of Art is the perfect opportunity to keep your pulse on the local art culture in Greeley without spending a dime — unless, of course, you find a piece you can’t turn down. And during the summer, Friday Fest offers free live music on the 9th Street Plaza in downtown Greeley. Plus, there are street performers, fire spinners, face painting, balloon artistry, sidewalk chalk and more for the kids!
Celebrate Taco Tuesday at Luna’s Tacos & Tequila | $1–5
Photo Courtesy of Luna’s Tacos & Tequila
Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t frequent the coolest restaurant in town. Luna’s Tacos & Tequila offers $1 street tacos every Tuesday in celebration of Taco Tuesday! Choose from their street taco options, including chorizo and potato, pork mole, chicken adobo, beef barbacoa, carnitas, or mushroom, all served with onion and cilantro on a corn tortilla. And every night starting at 9 p.m., you can get $2 tacos, Sonora hot dogs and asada fries as part of their late-night happy hour.
Sip on Coffee or Tea at Cranford’s Tea Tavern | $3.50
This sunny tea shop offers a serene setting in downtown Greeley for handcrafted coffee and tea, smoothies, breakfast, sandwiches, soups, salads and more. When you order their coffee or the Tea of the Day, you can choose to hang out and get two refills for just $3.50 — the perfect option for properly caffeinating without dropping a ton of money. Cranford’s is temporarily closed while they’re undergoing renovations, so follow along on Facebook to be the first to know when they open with a whole new look!
Check Out Books at Farr Regional Library | Free
Don’t forget about the incredible free resource we have in the public library system! The recently renovated Farr Regional Library is the regional library for the High Plains Library District. This 38,000-square-foot building is home to approximately 125,000 books, community meeting rooms, a cafe/vending area, five study rooms, and a cozy fireplace. Pick up a book to read by the fire or check out a few to delve into at home! Keep an eye on the library’s calendar to see upcoming events, including storytimes for kids and book clubs for adults.
Play at Greeley Recreation Center | $2–6
This 105,000-square-foot full-service community center has everything you need for a full day of fun for the whole family. The facility features a fitness room, racquetball courts, an indoor pool, a rock climbing wall, two gymnasiums, and rooms for parties and special events. Plus, they offer community programming for both adults and children, so keep an eye on their calendar to see upcoming special events! Admission ranging from $2 (ages 5 and under) to $6 (adults) grants access to use of the gymnasiums, swimming pool, racquetball courts, climbing wall, weight room and locker room, with an additional fee for renting racquetball and climbing wall equipment.
Take a Walk Through Bittersweet Park | Free
Nothing about this park is “bittersweet”. In fact, we might argue it’s 100% sweet. This quaint park in the middle of town has a small lake, a walking trail, a memorial for veterans, a playground and open green space. This is also one of the best places to watch the sunset over the serene lake! And best of all, none of this costs a dime.
Make Cents?
…We couldn’t resist. What budget-friendly activities would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!
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