Winter is here! And is there a better place to experience this season than the snowy, mountainous region of Northern Colorado? We think not.
Today, we’re zeroing in on the community of Greeley, uncovering all the best ways to pass the days of winter. From outdoor adventures like snowshoeing and sledding to cozy indoor activities like painting and beer sipping, here are a handful of fun things to do this winter in Greeley.
Go Ice Skating at the Greeley Ice Haus
Escape the elements with a unique ice skating experience at the Greeley Ice Haus, Greeley’s premiere indoor ice arena. They offer public skate hours every day of the week in addition to cosmic skating, skating programs, public ice hockey and broomball. Public skate admission is $6 for those 6 and over and $2 for kids under 5. Skate rental is $3. And if you’d like to return several more times down the road, consider purchasing a monthly or annual pass — or a 12- or 24-visit package.
COVID NOTE: The Greeley Ice Haus is open with limited hours and restrictions at this time. A face covering is required for all individuals while inside the facility. Visit the City of Greeley’s website for more information related to COVID-19.
Go Sledding
After a fresh dusting of snow, whip out the sleds for an action-packed sledding adventure! Not sure where to go? There are several epic sledding hills in Northern Colorado, including two in Greeley
The hill beside UNC’s Nottingham Field has been the go-to sled hill in Greeley for decades. You’re sure to run into people you know if you head there on a powder day! For a less crowded option in Greeley, head to the Fox Run community on the west side of town, where you’ll find the hills near 59th Avenue and 17th Street. There are multiple slopes to choose from and it’s a lesser-known area so you’ll have plenty of room!
Escape From Greeley’s Great Escape
Can you solve the puzzle at Greeley’s Great Escape? Work together with your team to escape from one of their creatively themed rooms, including Abandoned, The Baker Street Five and Pair-o-Dice Falls. Over the course of an hour, work together to find the clues, piece them together and successfully escape!
COVID NOTE: Please book at least two hours before your appointment and wear a mask during your visit. Rooms are properly disinfected between each group.
Drink a Pastry Stout at Wiley Roots
Photo Courtesy of Wiley Roots Brewing
While we love them all year long, there’s nothing quite like a dark, rich stout during the winter months. Wiley Roots Brewing has quite the selection of pastry stouts, which are made with a sweeter base, with creative ingredients like vanilla, cocoa powder, toasted coconut, chocolate and more. Pastry stouts on tap at Wiley Roots include Breakfast At Wiley’s: Coconut Hazelnut Coffee, Midnight On the Run, and Midnight On the Run Coconut — all of which are available in cans to-go, so you can enjoy them around the fire pit in your backyard if you wish.
Sip on Hot Chocolate from John Galt Coffee
John Galt Coffee is a local coffee shop in the heart of Greeley known for its manual brewing methods and cozy environment. Step inside their quirky, industrial shop (with a mask on!) to admire the manual brewing process in person, if you’re a coffee lover. But, if you’re looking for a warm, comforting afternoon treat, try their hot chocolate! Plus, it’s something the kids will love, too.
Visit the Colorado Model Railroad Museum
Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Model Railroad Museum
The Colorado Model Railroad Museum began in 2002 as a small passion project driven by big dreams. Today, it’s one of the finest, miniature accomplishments in the world, encompassing 5,500 square feet over five years and 280,000 volunteer hours. The one-of-a-kind museum showcases hundreds of railroad scenes, more than 500 scale locomotives, 80 scale miles of train track, about 28,000 handmade trees, and thousands of other handmade artifacts. In addition to the miniature railroad, guests can also see artifacts like a 1919 Colorado and Southern Caboose that is open for tours.
COVID NOTE: As of August 12, the museum is open to the public with a number of guidelines in place. Before your visit, you need to buy your timed entry ticket online. And during your visit, please wear a face mask, maintain social distancing, and follow all signage and instructions throughout the museum. Click here for more information about the museum’s COVID-19 policies.
Get Creative With Work of Art Greeley
Make the most of a cold, snowy day by retreating to Work of Art Greeley, a haven for art enthusiasts and aspiring artists — and even those who have never picked up a paintbrush! The studio offers a variety of painting classes throughout the month. All classes are led by an instructor who will take you through the process step by step — and provide all the necessary supplies. Some classes are BYOB and others provide complimentary beer or wine to enjoy while you paint. Plus, Work of Art Greeley regularly offers open studio times, where you can choose from hundreds of canvas designs, use supplies provided and paint at your own pace.
COVID NOTE: Work of Art Greeley is still open for studio painting and classes, and is also offering to-go kits for painting at home. Call the studio at 970-673-8472 or visit their Facebook page for more details.
Happy Winter!
What wintery activities in Greeley do you love to do each season? Let us know in the comments below.
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