Colorado Explorer

By Linda DuVal


> Greeley: Hub of the plains
> Activities: Vintage cars and wildflowers
> Dining
> Lodging
> Shopping
Log cabin at Centennail Village. Greeley
Photo: © Rick DuVal

Greeley: Hub of the Plains

By Linda DuVal

When Horace Greeley exhorted young adventurers to "Go West," he had no idea that a town named for him would become a hub of life on the northeastern plains. Established in 1870 as a ranching community, it was colonized by one of Greeley's cohorts, Nathan C. Meeker. It became home to one of the state's largest meat-packing plants. The railroad made it possible for this venture to succeed, and brought many newcomers to the planned "Utopian" community.

Today Greeley's 90,000 residents enjoy some terrific museums, the most elaborate of which is the Centennial Village Museum. This re-creation of a plains town is gorgeously landscaped and includes some 60 structures, from granaries to Victorian homes, adobe houses to a church, representing the city's settlement from 1860 to 1920.

"A lot of people think it was named for James Michener's novel, but it wasn't," says the city's superintendent of museums, Chris Dill. "And isn't it wonderful that what started out as a Bicentennial project in 1976 has grown like this and become a permanent part of the city?"

Other museums worth visiting include the Plum Farm, where animals and crops are explored, and the Greeley History Museum, a 35,000-square-foot look at the region's heritage.

A new Freight Museum opens Memorial Day weekend to the delight of railroad buffs everywhere. The model railroad set-up includes hundreds of hand-crafted buildings and thousands of feet of track in HO scale (3.5 mm to one foot).

Kids will enjoy the city's FamilyFunPlex, which includes an indoor water park with waterslides and a flowing "river," basketball courts, inline skating track, running track, full gym, 18-hole putt-putt golf course and a video game center.

Because of the University of Northern Colorado, there's no shortage of arts and culture, either. Check out the many art galleries in town. Great shopping can be found at the unusually charming St. Michael's Square on the southwest corner of the city. Unique local shops mix with organic food stores and a variety of restaurants to create a village-type atmosphere.

Locals love the Hobnobber Tavern, a brewpub with a pub-style menu, and MeMe's Brick Oven Pizza, both located in the outdoor mall. For dessert, stop by the Marble Slab for a frozen treat with your favorite mix-ins. Or check out the dessert case at Harvest, where a slice of cake will feed about four people!

There are loads of mom-and-pop Mexican restaurants, but Alberto's has long been known for its sweat-inducing green chile. Other ethnic cuisines also are represented, but steak rules on Greeley menus.

In summer, check out the huge Greeley Farmer's Market. If you love rodeo, don't miss the Greeley Stampede, June 25-July 5.

Outdoorsy types must hike or bike the Poudre River Trail, or spend half a day (or more) in the nearby Pawnee National Grasslands, where the prairie meets the sky and mountains are just a suggestion to the west. It's here that Michener's book "Centennial" begins.

For information on visiting Greeley, call 970-352-3567 or 800-449-3866.

Linda DuVal is a former travel editor and freelance writer in Colorado Springs.

Vintage cars and wildflowers

Activities

Fans of Clive Cussler's high-adventure novels know that the author loves vintage automobiles. But did you know his impressive personal collection is on display right here in Colorado? The Cussler Car Museum in Arvada features 75 vehicles, including a 1925 Minerva, 1929 Isotta Fraschini and 1932 Stutz Town Car.

Open Mondays and Tuesdays, May-September. 303-420-2795.

1933 Lincoln Towncar, Cussler Museum
Photo: © Cussler Museum

Skateboarders have found their nirvana at the Memorial Park Skate Park in Colorado Springs. The new $1 million, 40,000-square-foot sculpted concrete facility allows not only skateboarders, but also bicyclists and roller-skaters to play. 719-385-5940.

When do the columbines blossom? Where can you find four colors of Indian paintbrush in one place? Take your own wildflower Tour de Fleur, courtesy of Colorado State Parks, by clicking on "Conditions" at www.parks.state.co.us/parkssearch. Find out where the mariposa lily (or anything else) blooms, then take a hike.

Enjoy the best in bluegrass entertainment at Bluegrass on the River Festival at the Nature & Raptor Center of Pueblo, May 29-31. On two stages, top-notch bluegrass performers will get your toes a-tappin'—this year including Ryan Shup and the Rubber Band, and Pete Wernick and Flexigrass. 719-549-2414, www.gncp.org.

Explore the culture and history of the Four Corners area at the annual Mesa Verde Country Indian Arts and Cultural Festival, May 22-30. Events include a juried Indian art market, a Navajo rug auction, archeological tours and native American dancers from Acoma Pueblo. 800-530-2998.

Cyclists headed to Crested Butte for the Fat Tire Bike Week festivities, June 24-28, might consider stopping at the Mountain Bike Museum & Hall of Fame while they're in town. See old photos of Buffalo Soldiers testing bikes as potential military vehicles in the 1890s, among other things. 970-349-6817.

> Back to Top


Dining

For a meal both healthful and delicious, try the newly renovated Chop House at the New Sheridan Hotel in Telluride. The menu includes dry-aged prime steaks, Colorado bison, fresh seafood, organic free-range fowl and local ingredients whenever possible. Belly up to Telluride's oldest bar for a libation before or after dinner. 800-200-1891.

Love local wines? The Colorado Wine Industry Development Board has named The Warehouse restaurant in Colorado Springs as the winner of its "Best Colorado Wine List" award for 2009. Vesta Dipping Grill in Denver won "Best Use of Colorado Food and Wine."

> Back to Top


Lodging

Pilots, pack your pillows! Next time you fly into the Crawford Airport (near the Black Canyon of the Gunnison), you might make a reservation at the French Country Inn (named for the owners, not the décor). From here, you can hike, fly fish, ride the rapids or horses, and yes, even take gliding lessons at the airport. 970-921-7111.

This may be the best time of year to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park north of Alamosa.

If you have an RV, try the Piñon Flats Campground. It's tucked away in a wooded hillside overlooking the dunes, so it's cooler there than on the sand. Picnic tables, fire pits and hook-ups are available, as well as a bathhouse/restroom complex. 719-378-6399.

> Back to Top


Shopping

If you're looking for unique goods, check out the shops in Grand Lake's main drag. You'll find exquisite local and regional art ranging from pottery to paintings. Get a unique piece of jewelry made at Mine Design. And at Humphrey's Cabin Fever, shop for cabin collectibles and antiques in a quaint 130-year-old building. 800-531-1019. Denver's Antiques Row could keep you captivated for days.

So stay at the luxurious Grand Hyatt hotel downtown and take advantage of their "Antiquing Package," which includes a 10% discount at all 44 participating stores. Antiques range from vintage clothing and toys to fine furniture and rugs. 800-233-1234.

> Back to Top


Linda DuVal is a freelance writer and former travel editor for The Gazette in Colorado Springs.