You’ve landed in the Sweetheart City, and now it’s time to connect with your new home. Loveland is constantly changing and developing, and we want to introduce you to everything our home has to offer. You’re in the right place – you’ve connected with Live Loveland, a group of community members with diverse interests who are dedicated to celebrating, engaging and uniting our community. If you want more of the good stuff, be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter!
Though we’re famous for our sculpture gardensand our valentine re-mailing program, you may not know about our small-town charm, bounty of festivals, a burgeoning downtown, and the great people who love and #LiveLoveland. Our beautiful NoCocity also gets your access to great regional destinations and the great outdoors. We’ve got you covered with access to new folks, great local info, and some fun and excitement thrown in for good measure, so read on!
ART TOWN, USA
From our well-recognized the Art in Public Placesprogram (we have more than 475 publicly owned works of art!), to the historic Rialto Theater, Loveland has been celebrating the arts for decades. Every August, you can check out Sculpture in the Park, the largest outdoor juried sculpture show and sale in the United States. During the rest of the year, you can enjoy walks or picnics in Benson Sculpture Parkand Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra.
As you drive around town, stay on the lookout for City with HeART sculptures placed at local businesses or the Transformations art project, visible on utility boxes throughout the city. In downtown Loveland, there’s the soon-to-be-expanded Loveland Museum and Gallery, Artworks Loveland– home to 30 artist studios and a gallery space featuring contemporary art, and ArtSpace, a community asset where the arts are a common thread weaving together affordable housing, community programs, and creative entrepreneurialism. Don’t forget to lock your love to the Colorado’s largest Love Lock Sculpture just off Highway 34.
Into film? Check out the Phyllis WalbyeFilm Series or the summer Movies in the Park for Kids. Dig music? There’s the Loveland Choral SocietyandLoveland Opera Theater, plus tons of venues hosting live music in intimate venues across town. What about poetry? We have a local poet laureate program and many great writers. And for the kiddos, check out the Loveland Integrated School of the Arts(LISA) and for kids of all ages, the programs of Harrington Arts Alliance. The creative bounty of Loveland is impressive!
WEATHER
Locals say: Don’t like the weather? Wait an hour! The state of Colorado claims 300 days of sunshine per year, which means it could snow in the morning and be sunny that afternoon. Your best bet is checking your weather app frequently because the weather can change rapidly (afternoon thunderstorm, anyone?). Pack a rain jacket and sunglasses to cover all your bases. Remember to stay hydrated – you are at 4,982′, after all!
OPTIN’ FOR SOME SHOPPIN’
With a range of local boutiques throughout town as well as major national retailers, Loveland has a great mix of shopping options! Check out downtown Loveland’sShop Local Saturdayspromotion or peruse the Promenade at Centerra. And don’t miss the City of Loveland Farmers’ Market!
FESTIVE TIMES IN THE SWEETHEART CITY
Loveland has free, community events nearly every month – the perfect places meet people! The annual lineup includes the Loveland Sweetheart Festival in February; the very unique Tour de Pants Festival in May, summer-long series like the downtown concerts at The Foundry and the Rialto Foote Lagoon Concert Series; or July’s Cherry Pie Festival. Which brings us to August, the month that plays host to our biggest events of the year – Sculpture in the Park and The Old Fashioned Corn Roast Festival. Fall brings us Pastels on 5th in September, we light up the winter sky with Festival of Lightsand Winter Wonderlightsin November & December.
KIDS’ ACTIVITIES
Searching for fun kid’s activities in Loveland? Check out the wide variety of programs hosted by the Loveland Library, Loveland Parks and Recreation, dance studios, sports associations, and martial arts studios. For little ones, the The Buckhorn Northern Railroad at North Lake Park is a do-not-miss activity.
SIP AND SAVOR
Along with the recent population growth in Loveland, we’ve welcomed several new foodie destinations in town, like Origins and Door 222, adding to long time classic spots like Henry’s Pub and Dairy Delite. We offer a growing beer scene with nearly a dozen local Loveland breweries. We can even claim a hyperlocal malthouse! And don’t forget to check out Sweetheart Winery, a local favorite hangout for its great wines and beautiful patio.
OUTDOOR RECREATION
One of the reasons many people move to Loveland is due to our area’s proximity and love for the outdoors. So needless to say, you’ll find plenty of ways to opt outside throughout the year. We have extensive access to open lands and trails, so grab a trail mapand get out there!
One of the most popular things to do in Loveland is to enjoy Devil’s Backbone on the western border of town. Its 12 miles of trail connect to Rimrock Open Space and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space for hiking, running, horseback riding, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, observing nature, as well as enjoying close-up inspection of the rock outcrop and long vistas. Head over to Boyd Lake for access to all the water activities you can handle. Or hit up the Lake Loveland swim beach. Or take a short drive up to Viestez-Smith Mountain Park along the Big Thompson River. There are also active outdoor activity groups like Sweetheart City Racing and the Loveland Cycling Club. Plus,Rocky Mountain National Park is just an hour from Loveland!
Let us know in the comments where you’re headed first, and what spots YOU think other newcomers need to know about! We can’t wait to #liveloveland with you!
PS Want to hear direct from locals how they #liveloveland? Check out our Love Letters – they capture the individual joys of our town in delightful and surprising ways.
Photo courtesy of Bill Stratton