The Best Things to Do in Longmont, Colorado

Is Longmont, Colorado worth visiting? YES. It has small-town charm, delicious food, cozy coffee shops, and phenomenal views of the Rocky Mountains. It’s a great spot to spend a couple days. Whether you live here or are visiting, these are the best things to do in Longmont, Colorado – with a focus on being outdoors. With 300 days of sunshine, time in Colorado is best spent outside.

I have lived here for 3 years now and LOVE it. I love to be outside, and there are so many ways to do that here. People are nice, our little Main Street is adorable, and you just can’t beat the constant views of the mountains.

The Details about Longmont, Colorado

Population: around 100,000.

Location: 45 mins northwest of the Denver Airport, 45 mins north of Denver, and 1 hour east of Rocky Mountain National Park. Longmont is surrounded by farmland. You feel like you’re in a small town, but you have tons of things to do, places to shop, and awesome things to eat.

Elevation: 4,978 feet

Random Fact: Longmont opened Colorado’s first library in 1871.

The Best Things to Do in Longmont, Colorado

I have done a lot of things on this list, but I also acknowledge that I don’t have the same interests as everyone reading this blog. I’ve included some things I haven’t done but look amazing; they’re just not my jam.

Sunset at McIntosh Lake Trail

Hike/Walk on a Beautiful Trail

Longmont has epic scenery for walks, hikes, and runs. The views of Longs Peak and the Rocky Mountains never cease to make me pause and feel grateful for living here. The town has really taken advantage of the views and put in some incredible trails to showcase them.

Check out the best free trails near Longmont.

My top 3 favorites would be a 3.5 mile run around McIntosh Lake, an easy 1 mile stroll around Jim Hamm  pond, or a walk/dip in the creek at Dickens Farm Nature Area.

Golf

I do not golf, but I do drive and run past the golf courses in Longmont and think about how pretty the views are from them. Longmont has 3 public golf courses and other private ones.

Get Caffeinated at a Local Coffee Shop

Fuel your adventures in Longmont at one of our local coffee shops. My absolute favorite is MECO Coffee on Main Street; their pastries are phenomenal, the coffee is of course great, and they sell gifts/cool things from local vendors. Other options include: Java Stop on Main Street with a cozy atmosphere, Luna Cafe with an awesome porch, Red Frog Coffee off Ken Pratt with delicious drinks, and Cave Girl Coffee with a huge field out front and lots of gluten free options.

Go Skydiving

Longmont is home to a top skydiving company, and you can frequently see the planes flying through the clouds. If this adventure is something you want to check off the bucket list, I’d imagine the views are fantastic.

I went skydiving in Australia once. While I’m glad I did it, it is not something I ever wanted to do more than once.

Get Up in a Hot Air Balloon

Keeping on the up in the air topic…. There are 2 companies in or near Longmont that operate hot air balloon rides. These colorful balloons can often be spotted in the morning when the sun is rising, and the views must be epic.

Union Reservoir view from the dirt road

Visit Union Reservoir

Ok, am I the only one who thought reservoirs were always man-made?? It wasn’t until I was writing this post that I discovered that this cool spot was carved out during the last glacial age. Whaaaat? It’s one of the only natural lakes in Colorado. It’s large (736 acres) and beautiful. I guess they drilled into it and it drains into a creek – that’s why it’s a reservoir? Sorry, not a science blog.

Wakeless boating is allowed, there’s an off-leash dog area, and fishing is popular here. You can also swim and windsurf. So many activities! It’s also just pretty to look at.

Click here for fees and hours.

Pro Tip: If you set your GPS to take you to Union Sailing Club, it will take you to this dirt road with amazing views of Union Reservoir and the mountains behind it. I discovered this dirt road on a run one day, and it feels like this secret, awesome place.

Go Fishing

There are over a dozen places to go fishing in Longmont. You do need a fishing license if you’re going to do this.

Longmont Symphony Orchestra

This is one of the only non-outdoors things to do on this list, but it’s too cool not to add. The Longmont Symphony Orchestra does some very cool things and also does child-friendly concerts. If you love this type of music, check them out.

Go Shopping on Main Street

Meander down Main Street. Check out the cute, unique shops.

Read Next: 3 Day Yosemite National Park Itinerary or Running while Traveling – How and Why You Should Do It.

Eat Delicious Food

Longmont might be relatively small, but we have some delicious food.

Some favorites:

All-around food and atmosphere: Pumphouse Brewery.

My personal favorite: Longs Peak Pub and Taphouse (cash only) – their blackened chicken sandwich is SO GOOD.

Breakfast pick: Pistachios – you can get $5 breakfast burritos that are excellent.

Pizza: Mama Meads – their 24″ pizzas are comically large, it’s cheaper than other pizza places in town, and I’m always happy with their pizza.

View of Longs Peak from St. Vrain State Park

Visit St. Vrain State Park

Colorado has 50-ish State Parks, and Longmont has one of them. St. Vrain State Park has ponds, 7 miles of trails, camping, and more. It’s definitely worth a visit for, of course, the views of the mountains. If you live in Colorado, you can pay $29 when you do your car registration to get a year-long State Park Pass.

Drink at a Brewery

Here’s a list of all the breweries. We love Left Hand Brewery because their Left Hand Milk Stout is bomb. They also open a big turf area in the summer, which is an awesome place to hang out. Wibby is our 2nd favorite. Try out the Longmont BrewHop Trolley to visit them!

Check out the Saturday Farmers Market

Every April-ish to November-ish, Longmont has a farmers market at the Boulder Country Fairgrounds from 8am-1pm. Get coffee, food, and fresh produce.

1 Hour Drive Away – Visit Rocky Mountain National Park

I can’t talk about Longmont without mentioning how close we are to this incredible National Park. If you have time to make a day trip up to Rocky Mountain National Park, DO IT. It’s only 1 hour-ish away, there are fabulous hiking options, and it is so beautiful. You do have to get a timed entry permit. If you only have a short time in the park, I highly recommend hiking the Emerald Lake Trail. It’s one of the greatest day hikes you can do.

How to Get to Longmont, Colorado

Assuming you’ve flown into Denver International Airport, you’re around 45 minutes away from Longmont. I’d recommend renting a car and driving so you can easily drive around Longmont. You can also take a shuttle bus or uber.

When to Visit Longmont, Colorado

Honestly, any time is a good time to be in Longmont. We get some really pleasant winter days, and the views are always spectacular. I’d vote spring or fall because the weather would be most mild.

Enjoy the best things to do in Longmont, Colorado!

I hope you have an amazing time in Longmont. If I’ve missed one of the best things to do in Longmont, Colorado, please comment below! And share with your friends so you can all have an epic time here.

For more on Colorado: The Best Alpine Lakes Hike (near Breckenridge), Colorado Summer Bucket List, and Backpack Caribou Lake (an excellent 1 night backpacking trip not too far from Longmont!).

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