11 Reasons to Visit Colorado in the Fall

11 reasons to Visit Colorado in the Fall

 

Well, here is a place that is amazing anytime of the year, especially in the Fall. Colorado’s Front Range, also where I spent a week this Summer on a culinary expedition through 6 different cities in 5 days. Sounds crazy? It was, but amazing, and where I made lifetime experiences and lifelong friendships, not to mention it was taste bud stimulation beyond belief! There is just so much to do, so I’m going to highlight the perfect spots to visit during the fall!

For starters: Boulder was the first stop, which is within an hour drive from Denver. If you REALLY want to, you can even bike from Denver to Boulder via this bike trail. Too cool! Plus so much to do outdoors, like hiking, beer or wine tasting, sightseeing, riding horses, fishing, eating through the state at the most delicious restaurants. More on that on my previous post about my Summer trip to Northern Colorado….options are just endless in Colorful Colorado (yes, that’s really the official state name!), perhaps I belong there yea?! Now that the weather is cooling and the leaves are changing, Colorado is the PERFECT Fall getaway, with so much to do! Here is some of events to look forward to this season:

Colorado’s Front Range in the Fall – Simply Amazing

BOULDER

1. Burgundy Wine Festival 

October 20-23, 2016

 

You guys know I’m a wine girl, and perhaps it comes with the territory for being married to Winecoach, but Burgundy wines are close to the heart, especially after taking a tip to Burgundy, France! The fact that Boulder offers a three-day extravaganza, featuring the rarest wines of Burgundy for our tasting pleasure at some of Boulder’s most highly acclaimed restaurants is simply a must! A MUST try during the Burgundy Wine Festival! This is great for wine lovers, but also for those wanting to learn anything about such exquisite, delicious wines! And in November there is also Boulder’s Restaurant Week where more than 40 of Boulder’s top restaurants offer a special three-course, prix-fixe menu. Amazing!

While in Boulder, also check out:

2. Boulder Farmer’s Market

WHEN: Saturdays through November 19, 2016, and Wednesdays through October 5, 2016
WHERE: Boulder Farmers Market, 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302

Fluffy Cinnamon Pretzels at the Boulder Farmer’s market!

The most beautiful organic strawberries.

I am a lover of Farmer’s Markets ANYWHERE, but I just love Boulder’s! No wonder it’s rated the No. 1 farmers’ market in the country (according to the readers of USA Today). Fresh fruit, hot chocolate, fresh pretzels, fresh honeycombs and juices, cheeses and the list goes on and one! Always a good time here! My favorite part is meeting the people behind the produce/products! The live music is also amazing, so when in Boulder, really make it a point to visit here!

More Fall things to do in Boulderbouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/fall-activities-in-boulder/

Annual calendar of events:

http://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/events/annual-events/ 


LONGMONT

3. Oktoberfest

WHEN: September 23rd, 4-10pm, and September 24th, 12–10pm
WHERE: Roosevelt Park, Longmont CO
MORE INFO: lefthandbrewing.com/events/longmont-oktoberfest-5/

Celebrate Longmont’s favorite fall gathering with Left Hand Brewing Company, featuring ten live bands with headliner The Wailers, bringing their Funk/Soul/Dance/Pop sound. Nine local breweries will be on tap including Left Hand, Oskar Blues, Pumphouse Brewery, 300 Suns, Grossen Bart, Longs Peak Tap House, Shoes and Brews, Skeye Brewing, and Wibby Brewing. Longmont Oktoberfest will serve up fresh fare, live music, and German themed fun and festivities for all ages. The $5 suggested donation will benefit Habitat for Humanity’s House That Beer Built and the Left Hand Brewing Foundation!

4. Day Of The Dead Exhibit

When: October 15-November 8th

dayofthedead 
I LOVE Day of the Dead! and if you’re not familiar with it, it is also known “El Día de los Muertos”, originated in Mexico, and as per usual, despite it’s “death theme”, it is a festive celebration honoring the deceased loved ones on All Saint’s Day, which is a Catholic Holiday.  Why do I love it? Besides the history and celebratory heritage, it is also quite colorful, I celebrate it every year! Longmont has a fantastic  Day Of The Dead event, and this is the 17th year of this even which will showcase original artwork by local artists Carols Fresquez and Francisco Zamora; This is the largest of it’s kind in Colorado, and filled with activities that celebrate the season. Such fun, don’t forget to dress up!

Events Link: http://visitlongmont.org/events/


ESTES PARK

5. Fall Back Beer Fest

November 5, 2016
Where: Estes Park Events Complex, 1125 Rooftop Way, Estes Park, CO 80517
Info: visitestespark.com/events-calendar/special-events/fall-back-beer-festival/

So many options, so little time!

Over 100 different beers will be poured! Need I say more? This is the place to be if you want to visit the mecca and meet makers: The Colorado brewers themselves! Over 30 Colorado breweries represented, this even is held every year on the day we turn the clocks back (such an original thought process!) and The Fall Back Beer Fest celebrates beer and those behind the craft! the people who make it. This is the third year, and this year, it falls back on Halloween! How exciting!

6. SUNSET TOUR of The ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

Daily Tours, more info on  visitestespark.com

WHERE: 1895 Fall River Road, Rocky Mountain Conservancy, CO

Amazing view, anytime of the year!

Because this is worth mentioning at ANY given season! The Rocky Mountain National Park is just so beautiful, especially with the chaning of the leaves! It has such breathtaking amazing views that are guaranteed to be special in the Fall, with fantastic wildlife and snow peaks even during the summertime in the peak of elevation from 7,522 feet in Estes Park to more than 12,090 feet along the Tundra Communities Trail at Rock Cut.

FIND ALL GREAT AUTUMN EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:VisitEstesPark.com/autumn


 

Fort Collins 

7. Tour de Fat

September 3rd 9am-4pm

Where: Civic Center Park in Downtown Fort Collins
For: Everyone! (All-Ages and yes, it’s a family event!) Just put on your best costume, hop on a bike and GO!
Cost: FREE Find more info including bike parade route map and a schedule of festivities here!

 

Ride that bike around town!

Just sounds like SO much fun!!! Fort Collins is the place with the most microbrews in the state of Colorado, also known as the Napa Valley of beer! It is so awesome, and the Tour de Fat is a wild and crazy celebration of all things Bikes, Beer and Bemusement! Ft. Collins is home of the famous New Belgium Brewing, and celebrates this tour like no other! Think: a full day on your bike beer tasting while dressed in the craziest most outrageous costumes! You can even participate in the Tour de Fat bike parade through Old Town Fort Collins enjoying not only the local craft beer, but also the local food, live music and circus like amusement! Sign me up if I wasn’t ready to pop!

 

8. FORTOBERFEST

September 17, 2016, 11am – 10pm

WHERE: Old Town Square, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Info: visitftcollins.com/fortoberfest

For a little more low-keyness, come to the last outdoor music festival of 2016 in Old Town Square for FORToberfest! It is a Fall festival, featuring live music and of course, specialty tastings of local, seasonal craft beers. This is Fort Collins after all, so what else did you expect!  FREE entrance, family affair, while enjoying a full day of live music and community celebration Downtown!

 


9. GREELEY

Oktobrewfest

September 23 – 24
WHERE: Lincoln Park in Downtown Greeley at 8th Street & 9th Avenue
Info: greeleydowntown.com/signature-events/oktobrewfest/

Because it’s Fall and October, so what else? Greeley offers the best of beer, brawts and free live concerts as well as games and lots of country fun at the Greeley’s OktoBREWfest 2016 in the historic part of town: Lincoln Park in Downtown Greeley at 8th Street & 9th Avenue. Take the weekend, or at least a full day to enjoy music, with specialty local brews, and foods from local vendors (I can attest to how delicious these foods are!) and bring the whole family for a ton of entertainment featuring arcades, face painting and obstacle courses for all generations! Too fun! They even have life-size beer pong!

SEE MORE FALL ACTIVITIES IN GREELEY:business.greeleychamber.com/events/calendar/


 

LOVELAND

10. COWBOY UP

WHERE: Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, 2939 N County Rd 31D
Info: visitlovelandco.org/discover-loveland/794/sylvan-dale-guest-ranch/

Most amazing trail ride of my life! Truly unforgettable views and the friendliest horses!

Big Ben and Big Ana!

And Giddy-up to the chillest horses you’ll ever meet! When visiting the Colorado Northern Range in search for some amazing trail rides, look no further than the authentic dude ranch for the ultimate Cowboy experience at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch. You can even stay lodged there, with amazing options of activities and the most beautiful views, as you can see!

 

11. Visit Local Brews and Distileries in Loveland

Only in Loveland!! The sweetheart city is a must visit!


Loveland is home to over 8 breweries and distilleries each with their own unique specialty, including Spring44 Distilling, which uses Rocky Mountain artesian mineral spring water from Colorado’s pristine Buckhorn Canyon, exclusively to make its fine spirits. I know I’m pregnant right now, but a girl can dream! Have a taste of the honey vodka or mountain gin after a tour, and if craft beer more your flavor, fear not! Catch a sampling of the award winning brewery scene with Loveland’s very own beer bus tour, without worrying about a designated driver! Don’t forget your beer passport for stamping!! Only Loveland, and how lovely this city really is!

I love you Colorful Colorado! Be back soon!

Xo, Ana

Count Colors, NOT Calories!
Color your Plate, Color your Life.
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This post is sponsored by Colorado Front Range; The love, excitement and opinions come from the heart and genuine passion for food and traveling experienced by this colorful author! Thank you for your support!

Xo, Ana – The Colorful Foodie