From dramatic sunsets to unique museums to specialty art, your Colorado Front Range tour is packed with memories.
Duration: 4 Days
Available: Spring/Summer/Fall
This Itinerary is Ideal For: All
Day 1
Colorado Front Range Stop – Fort Collins
Begin your day at the Silver Grill Cafe with a hearty breakfast in Northern Colorado’s oldest restaurant.
The Fort Collins Sightseeing and History Bus Tour by Magic Bus Tours takes visitors on a narrated tour of Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado State University’s famous oval, Horsetooth Reservoir and City Park, with surprises and stories along the way.
Lunch at Mainline Ale House features their homegrown and homemade menu and handcrafted beers.
The afternoon begins with a visit to the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and its hands-on mixture of science and history. Next, it’s the popular guided Private Tour of New Belgium Brewery.
Refresh back at the hotel before departure for a cooking demonstration and dinner at Ginger and Baker. Explore fun, seasonal recipes and refreshing drinks in the Teaching Kitchen before getting comfortable in The CACHE and enjoying inspired Colorado cuisine.
Overnight at Homewood Suites by Hilton.
Day 2
Colorado Front Range Stop – Greeley
Check out and depart Fort Collins for the short drive to Greeley. There you’ll have breakfast like a local at Doug’s Diner, Aunt Helen’s Coffee House or Cranford’s Tea Tavern.
Spend the remainder of your morning at Centennial Village Museum at Island Grove Regional Park. This seven-acre living history museum allows visitors to encounter the past as it was over 100 years ago. More than two dozen historic structures and lush historic gardens await your exploration. Visit the Village where grand houses, businesses and animals from the past make their home. It opened in 1976 during the nation’s bicentennial and Colorado’s centennial. Each part of Centennial Village tells a story, from westward expansion to the immigrant story to town living in the early 20th century.
Enjoy lunch at the Greeley Chop House for fine dining, The Rio for seriously good Mexican or Stuft a Burger Bar for a custom burger. Each is located in historic Downtown Greeley.
Get ready to be amazed at the Colorado Model Railroad Museum. This world-class model railroad is the finest in the world, and features stunning landscapes and realistic trains. Watch the trains close-up as they roll through busy towns, wind their way along river valleys and cross high trestles. Volunteers are on hand to tell the story to groups.
Check in to one of Greeley’s group-friendly hotels and refresh before dinner. Your options include Meeker’s a Colorado Kitchen & Bar, a premier farm-to-fork experience. Lucky Fins Seafood Grill features original, great tasting seafood dishes and meats. Pelligrini’s Ristorante Italiano-Bar is Greeley’s truly authentic Italian restaurant.
Day 3
Colorado Front Range Stop – Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park
Breakfast at your hotel before departing for the scenic drive on US 34 through Big Thompson Canyon’s unique granite walls to Estes Park.
Stop at the new Estes Park Visitor Center before a morning of strolling and shopping. Estes Park has more than 300 shops with a variety of goods from handcrafted Southwestern arts to giftware to fine apparel. It’s a Northern Colorado shopping destination.
For lunch, Mama Rose’s Restaurant on the Riverwalk offers views of the Big Thompson River with traditional Italian favorites. Poppy’s Pizza & Grill downtown on the Riverwalk is a favorite for specialty pizzas, burgers and sandwiches.
Travel Trail Ridge Road from Estes Park into Rocky Mountain National Park and experience a change from a forest of ponderosa pine and aspen to one of fir and spruce to wind-battered, stunted trees to the alpine tundra. Despite its harshness, Trail Ridge Road visitors witness vibrant life and vivid colors. Arrive at the Alpine Visitor Center and marvel at extraordinary views of the alpine tundra. A bookstore, gift shop, snack bar and restrooms are available. Rangers are ready to lead walks in the “Land Above the Trees.”
Return to Estes Park for dinner at Hunters Chop House. A casual steakhouse in hunting lodge-style surroundings, they’re serving beef, pork, poultry and elk. Going to your Greeley hotel, witness a sunset as you travel through Big Thompson Canyon.
Day 4
Colorado Front Range Stop – Loveland
Begin your day with breakfast and hotel checkout before traveling to Loveland and the Loveland Visitor Center. Take a moment to browse merchandise from more than 25 Loveland artisans and manufacturers. Adjacent to the Visitor Center, McWhinney-Hahn Sculpture Park has a walking path that is handicap-accessible.
Loveland is a vibrant, thriving art community with bronze casting at the forefront. Your morning will be completed with a tour of Bronze Services of Loveland, Inc. Nearby Benson Sculpture Garden has 158 pieces on permanent display by world-renowned artists.
For lunch, the buffet and reserved seating await hungry travelers at the Loveland Pizza Ranch.
Close by is Johnstown and Scheels, Colorado’s largest selection of sports, fashion and footwear. Here’s the last chance to shop for that perfect item. Depart Northern Colorado’s Front Range with memories that will last forever.
