Longs Peak rising over Longmont. Photo: Kahunapule Michael Johnson
A town teeming with diversity, from a historic downtown to a number of tech companies to recreation areas, Longmont offers a bit of everything.
Longmont ranks 13th in Colorado in terms of population, with over 86,000 residents. The city is located in Boulder County with a total area of 27.6 square miles. It boasts of over 300 days of sunshine, more than 1,500 acres of parks and open space, numerous options for recreation, and a grand view of the Rocky Mountains. Left Hand Brewing and Oscar Blues Brewery, two popular breweries in Colorado are also found in Longmont. These make Longmont a one-stop place for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts.
History
Longmont was originally called the “Chicago-Colorado Colony” by a group of men from Chicago. In 1870, these founders began planning and developing the once-barren site by selling memberships in the town. They used the money to purchase acres of land for its town site and farms. The name was changed to “Longmont” in 1981, inspired by the scenic view of Longs Peak, a summit in the Rocky Mountains, which could be clearly seen from the town.
Things to do in Longmont
Longmont City has been included in the “Best Places to Live” by CNN and 24/7 Wall St. in three separate years. It also won multiple awards in civic leadership. Aside from its rich culture and many options for adventure, the community’s friendly atmosphere also makes Longmont a city like no other.
Main Attractions
Longmont Museum – This museum is located in a contemporary building that offers exhibits in art, history and science. It also has an educational program available for all ages, concerts and performances, film series, and souvenir shops. Admission to the museum is free for children three years old and below, and every second Saturday of the month for the public.
Rabbit Mountain – Enjoy a panoramic view after a short hike in Rabbit Mountain. Rich in plants and wildlife, its amenities also include an easy parking that can accommodate 41 cars and 4 horse trailers, picnic shelters and restrooms.
Callahan House and Garden – Featuring a Queen Anne-design house and an Italian garden, this historic attraction in Longmont offers an elegant Victorian-era ambience. It hosts a number of special events that are open to the public. The garden is also available to visitors when not booked for event.
Sunflower Farm – A 50-acre farm in South Longmont that offers children’s educational tour and a quiet, rural environment for the whole family. You can do a lot of things in Sunflower Farm including feeding farm animals like goats, sheep and llama, exploring an airplane, soaring down the zip line, or simply touring the whole place and appreciating your break from city life. The farm doesn’t serve food, however, so guests are advised to bring their own.
Downtown Longmont Creative District – A gorgeous mix of quaint and contemporary architecture, the district highlights a generous number of creative services and businesses including art galleries, books and music stores, dance studios, event venues, live music, theaters, printing and media, marketing and web design groups, and musical instruments and lessons.
Recreation
Union Reservoir – Also known as Calkin’s Lake, this 736-acre reservoir supplements water irrigation supplies in the area. It offers many outdoor activities like boating, kayaking and paddleboarding, camping, fishing, picnicking, swimming and windsurfing. They also provide a dog off leash area where our furry friends can enjoy a swim.
Fishing – Longmont offers several locations for fishing. This activity is being regulated and a fishing brochure is available to guide the public on what to catch and how much of it can be kept. Facilities that offer fishing activities include Button Rock Reserve, Dawson Park, Flanders Park, Golden Ponds Nature Area, McCall Lake, and many more. You can find a complete list of available fishing spots in the city’s website.
Golfing – Longmont has 3 municipal golf courses with spectacular landscapes and a relaxing view of the Rocky Mountains. The historic Sunset Golf Course is one of the most picturesque nine-hole courses in Colorado. Twin Peaks Course offers challenging layouts for golfers of any skill level and Ute Creek Golf Course is a premier course featuring an 18-hole par 72 championship course.
Sandstone Ranch – Sandstone Ranch covers 313 acres of fun and learning for the young and the young at heart. It features a community park in the eastern side with facilities like a skate park, an adventure playground, a sports field and a picnic area. The western part has a four-plex ball field complex. Its Visitors and Learning Center offers a variety of educational programs about nature and arts.
Mile-Hi Skydiving Center – The largest skydiving facility in the entire Colorado with over 30,000 jumps recorded every year. It caters to both beginners and pros and has been getting excellent reviews from the public.
Blue Skies Park – Named like so because of its proximity to the Vance Brand Municipal Airport, it features representations of historic planes and flight timeline. Blue Skies Park is a pet-friendly skate park. Its amenities include basketball courts, bird and butterfly garden, DiVinci Garden, Dog Park, playgrounds, Roller Hockey Rink, Small Wheels Park and a volleyball court.
Quail Campus – A 44-acre skate park boasting of 10 tennis courts. It also offers amenities like picnic areas, a handicap-accessible indoor pool that’s open year round, a pond, several public arts, and a recreation center. Dogs are allowed in Quail Campus as long as they are on leash.
Rough and Ready Park – Named after the city’s oldest irrigation ditches, the historic Longmont Rough and Ready Ditch, this nine-acre park offers quite a number of opportunities for recreation. Its amenities include a skate park, basketball courts, volleyball courts, bocce ball courts, a dog park, horseshoe pit, picnic areas, playground and small wheels park.
Stephen Day Park – The park features a BMX/mountain bike area, a skate park, basketball and volleyball courts, playgrounds, spray water feature and a dog park. It was named in honor of a local Vietnam War veteran named Stephen Day.
Special Events
Day of the Dead – A family-friendly event full of exhibits, food and festivities, also known as Día de los Muertos. It is an annual celebration in honor of Longmont’s ancestors. The City has the biggest Day of the Dead celebration in the entire Colorado with over 6,000 viewers and spectators annually.
