Bright orange trees, crisp air, cooler temperatures and pumpkin-themed everything—fall is finally here!
Between hayrides, pumpkin picking and corn mazes, you have plenty of ways to stay busy in the weeks ahead. But because there’s so much fall fun and only so little time, we rounded up some of the best seasonal to-dos that you need to prioritize this year.
From hitting up our local pumpkin patch to getting spooked in one of Northern Colorado’s scariest attractions, we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite fall activities in Loveland. How many of these festive activities will you get to this season?
It just wouldn’t be fall without at least one visit to a local pumpkin patch! Fortunately, Loveland is home to Osborn Farm, a family-owned farm that has been serving the area for more than 150 years. Their iconic fall attractions include the signature pick-your-own pumpkin patch, a barrel train, hayrides and more. They will also have plenty of other fall treats and goodies for sale alongside the seasonal produce. Click here for more information and to stay updated on their 2021 opening date.
Take a scenic drive
There’s no better way to take in the Northern Colorado foliage than hopping in the car for a scenic drive. Our slice of heaven is surrounded by scenic byways, state parks and, of course, Rocky Mountain National Park, all of which are perfect for a quick fall color tour. Click here for our list of favorite drives in the area, which includes the Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic and Historic Byway along with Trail Ridge Road and many more.
Sip on a pumpkin latte from a local coffee shop
While we love a good PSL as much as the next person, coffee just tastes better when it has been locally roasted and brewed! Luckily, Loveland is full of fantastic coffee shops, cafes and roasteries that will keep you happy and caffeinated all season long. Click here for our list of six essential coffee spots in town and get to sipping.
Stroll through the Benson Sculpture Garden
Get the best of both worlds—artwork and NoCo’s fall colors—at Benson Sculpture Garden, a scenic 10-acre park featuring 170 sculptures from world-renowned artists. The park was created with proceeds from the annual Sculpture in the Park festival, one of the finest outdoor juried exhibitions of three-dimensional artwork in the United States. Alongside its local fame, the sculpture park has also been recognized as one of the most important modern and contemporary art sites around the world. It’s open year-round and there is no admission fee—so stop by on the next sunny day for a nice fall walk or picnic on the grounds.
Go glamping
Now that the weather is cooling and camping in a tent is a little less appealing, consider going on a glamping trip! There are many glamorous camping destinations throughout Northern Colorado, including yurts, canvas tents, treehouses and more unique accommodations (we have an extensive list right here). Book your stay this fall for a cozy retreat amidst some beautiful scenery.
Enjoy a seasonal beer from a local brewery
Pumpkin makes its way into just about everything this time of year—including our beers. Many of our local breweries are working on their seasonal releases from pumpkin spiced ales to graham cracker porters and everything in between. Stop by a few of our favorites—like Loveland Aleworks, Verboten Brewing, Big Beaver Brewing, Berthoud Brewing and Big Thompson Brewing—to see what they are cooking up for the 2021 season!
Get spooked at Creepy Walk in the Woods
Creepy Walk in the Woods is exactly what it sounds like, so you’ll want to leave the kids at home for this one! Different from all the other haunted houses and haunted cornfields in the area, this experience drops you right in the middle of the terrifying Savage Woods at the base of Devil’s Backbone. Unguided, you’ll have to find your way through frightening encounters and past terrifying monsters. Due to COVID-19, this haunted attraction was canceled in 2020, but they hope to return to the area for 2021. We recommend following them on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.
Take a fall hike
Peak fall foliage season or not, fall is an excellent time to go hiking in Colorado! Temperatures are cooler and of course, the scenery is spectacular. No matter what trail you choose, you’re certain to come across swaths of golden leaves, but there are a few local favorites you’ll definitely want to hit like the Devil’s Backbone Nature Trail or Bobcat Ridge.
On October 16th and 17th, head to the Northern Colorado Regional Airport for The Great Colorado Air Show! This spectacular autumn event will feature the U.S. Navy Blue Angels along with many other incredible aerial performances that you don’t want to miss. One-day passes are $40 for children and $55 for adults. You’ll also want to remember to bring folding chairs or blankets to watch the show from.
Participate in a 5k
If you prefer doing your outdoor exercising when the weather is a bit cooler outside, you’re in luck. The 2021 fall season is bringing several fantastic 5ks, 10ks, marathons and other fun races to the Loveland area. This year, you can look forward to the Last Call Triathlon on September 26th; the Long View Marathon on October 3rd; Harvest Night Two Mile Fun Run on October 16th, the Narrowleaf Lake Run on October 24th, and several more coming up in November.
Dig into some seasonal treats at The Cupcake Gypsies
Photo Courtesy of Ashley Tiedgen Photography via The Cupcake Gypsies
As both a wandering food truck and an adorable brick and mortar in the heart of downtown Loveland, it’s not hard to track down a tasty treat from The Cupcake Gypsies. They create an assortment of cupcakes along with cake pops, cakes, donuts, empanadas, muffins and much more all year long. But we love stopping in on a cold fall day for a seasonally flavored and decorated cupcake or cinnamon roll and a cup of coffee or hot tea.
We hope you fall in love with fall in Loveland!
Let us know how you’re planning on spending the season in the comments below.
Comments