Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, this Colorado city has 300+ days of sunshine annually and is home to several craft breweries and a thriving tech sector.
Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Longmont sits 30 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park, with clear views of Longs Peak. Walk down Main Street to find shops in brick buildings from the 1880s, stop by Left Hand Brewing for their famous Milk Stout, or cycle along the St. Vrain Greenway where deer and foxes often appear near the creek.
Historical Context
The Chicago-Colorado Colony founded Longmont in 1871, laying out the city in a precise square-mile grid that's still visible today. When the Colorado Central Railroad arrived in 1877, the small settlement grew into an agricultural center. The Longmont Museum and Cultural Center on Quail Road displays photographs and artifacts from this period, including original colony documents and farming equipment.
Downtown Main Street
Main Street's brick buildings from the 1880s now house local businesses and restaurants. You'll find independent bookstores, art galleries, and coffee shops along the six-block stretch between 3rd and 9th Avenues. Every Saturday from April through November, the farmers market fills 5th Avenue with produce stands and food trucks. Local farmers sell vegetables, fruits, and flowers they've grown in the surrounding fields.
Craft Beer Culture
Left Hand Brewing and Oskar Blues have put Longmont on the craft beer map. Left Hand's taproom on Boston Avenue serves 20+ beers on tap, including their well-known Milk Stout. Oskar Blues' original location on Main Street pairs Dale's Pale Ale with live music most evenings. The Brew Hop Trolley runs between these and smaller local breweries every Saturday, letting you visit multiple locations safely.
Parks and Trails
A 12-mile network of paved paths connects Longmont's 1,500 acres of parks. The St. Vrain Greenway follows the creek through natural areas where you might spot deer, foxes, and various bird species. Roosevelt Park in downtown has tennis courts and a summer concert pavilion, while McIntosh Lake in the north has a 3.5-mile walking path around its perimeter.
Getting Around
RTD buses connect Longmont to Denver (37 miles south) and Boulder (16 miles southwest). The FLEX bus service runs north to Fort Collins, with stops in Loveland and Berthoud. Within the city, the grid layout makes navigation simple - numbered streets run east-west while Main Street serves as the north-south dividing line.
