Whether you’re visiting Loveland for the Strongest Man On Earth event (that’s what I did) or simply for a quick getaway, there’s plenty to do and no shortage of gorgeous scenery. Seriously, it looks like a Nat Geo postcard! Here’s a detailed guide on how to plan a weekend in Loveland Colorado, with everything you need to know to prepare for a memorable time.
How To Plan A Weekend In Loveland Colorado
Disclaimer
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Quick facts:
Where is it?
About an hour from Denver airport.
Who is it good for?
Solo travelers, couples, families, friends.
The highlights
Picture perfect mountain towns, nature, scenery, wildlife.
Where to stay?
Embassy Suites by Hilton will not disappoint.
Do you need to rent a car for Loveland, Colorado?
Yes. It’s best to have a car for Loveland, not only to get there from the airport but also to be able to explore the area and amazing day trips nearby.
I recommend using the ‘avoid tolls’ option on Google Maps when driving from the airport for a more scenic route.
What to pack for Loveland, Colorado
Here are some helpful things to have outside of your usual essentials:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Heat and sun protection if you plan to hike
- Polarizing filter for your camera (these are great to bring out the natural colors if you hike during the day)
- Adventure camera and this compact tripod and selfie stick combo (see below for how handy it is when you’re traveling solo)
Spend a day exploring The Devils Backbone Open Space
If you love the outdoors, you could easily spend a day hiking and exploring the Devil’s Backbone Open Space. I know it doesn’t sound like a friendly name, but it is simply gorgeous!
There is a large board with a map of the trails at the parking area, and from there the trails were very well maintained, well signed, and easy to follow. It’s great for beginners to do one easy trail or more advanced hikers to take on a few of them.
The scenery is so incredible and the area has a peacefulness that will have you forgetting you only drove a short distance from town. I especially loved exploring the rock formations and The Keyhole – nature’s picture perfect framing. It’s also a good place to spot wildlife. I saw rabbits, deer, and heard rattlesnakes while I was there.
It’s important to mention that the trails are mostly open to the elements, so definitely wear a hat and pack plenty of essentials like water and sunscreen. That sun is pretty brutal in the heat of the day, but that’s a nice time to stop for a picnic!
Spend a day in downtown Loveland
Loveland is not a huge city, so you can explore the downtown area in a day or two – depending on your pace. I spent a day downtown and that was enough for me, then the rest of the time I was hiking or day tripping nearby.
Here are a few of my favorite places to see downtown.
FeelLove Coffee Loveland
Just my humble and extremely correct opinion, but every good day starts at a good coffee shop. FeelLove Coffee will is just that.
I loved the iced latte flavors and vintage chic ambiance so much so that I went here two mornings in a row. Be wise, don’t skip it!
Mary’s Mountain Cookies
I don’t know exactly what it is, but there’s something special about Mary’s Mountain Cookies.
These freshly baked and cooked to perfection cookies will satisfy even the sweetest tooth, and there are plenty of mouth-watering loaded flavors to choose from.
Vintage Willows
For a spot of shopping, my favorite was the very hipster chic Vintage Willows Boutique. It’s a great place to support local and find something unique for your wardrobe.
The orange dress from my Instagram highlight reel was from here and it was gorgeous.
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Cat Cafe
A single solo traveler and a cat cafe is just a stereotypical story that writes itself, isn’t it? But for real, it’s a cafe full of free roaming cats. You’re not gonna not pop in for at least a quick visit, right? The drink options were average, but the four legged company was perfect.
Meadkrieger Meadery
This was the only place that I couldn’t visit because it was closed when I was visiting, but I’m sharing here so you can go because it looked amazing! I love the idea of the tasting flights as a way to finish a day walking around town.
Eat, drink, and be merry at this local Meadery and Wine Cellar – what’s not to love?
Find the love lock sculptures
Your Loveland bucket list should include a little scavenger hunt to find the Love Sculpture and the Heart Arch. Perfect selfie opportunity and you can add your own love lock. You’ll need to drive from the downtown area, but it’s easy enough to add them to your downtown day itinerary.
To save you roaming around lost, here are the locations:
Love Sculpture – Loveland Visitors Center
Heart Arch – by Lake Loveland and Dwayne Webster Veterans Park | 1429-1401 Lake Dr, Loveland, CO 80537
Take a day trip to Estes Park
You simply cannot miss Estes Park. It is about an hour away from Loveland, and serves as the most picture perfect day trip.
From the moment you drive in and see the Elk in the main square park, you’ll be in love. Seriously, they just hang out there.
It is a great place to walk around browsing stores and spending a little too much money (don’t worry – it’s vacation money so it doesn’t count). I also liked taking the scenic walk up to Knoll-Willows Open Space for the scenery and historic Birch Ruins. It was an easy hike that I did in flip flops so very easy to add to your day there.
Add an ice cream and you’ve got yourself a fantastic day in the most charming town.
Where to stay in Loveland
I stayed at the Embassy Suites by Hilton and it was wonderful! The convenient location was close enough to be a short drive from the highlights, without having to stay in the heart of downtown.
It was also walking distance to some nice restaurants which was quite handy after a couple of margaritas at the local BBQ restaurant. I was solo traveling and an old OG cowboy named Gary invited me for dinner – it’s an awesome story, ask me about it sometime.
As always, I booked my stay using Booking.com because that’s where I can always find a good deal on accommodation. Their Genius loyalty program also helps me get an extra discount and cool perks like free upgrades.
No matter where you choose to stay, I absolutely recommend using it to find your home away from home while traveling.
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