Guidebook for Rural Retreat - things to do, places to go.....
Food Scene
We like the Pumphouse because of it's selection of menu items and its consistency. It's also a microbrewery and they also have plenty of other microbrewery and beverage options. I get the chile relleno almost every time and their salmon fish and chips is note-worthy.
51 Einheimische empfehlen
Pumphouse Brewery
540 Main StWe like the Pumphouse because of it's selection of menu items and its consistency. It's also a microbrewery and they also have plenty of other microbrewery and beverage options. I get the chile relleno almost every time and their salmon fish and chips is note-worthy.
Delicious food. Great drinks. Wild mushroom tater tots are to-die-for. Great owners with a good story. Music sometimes in the evenings.
68 Einheimische empfehlen
The Roost
526 Main StDelicious food. Great drinks. Wild mushroom tater tots are to-die-for. Great owners with a good story. Music sometimes in the evenings.
Yummy rellenos. Poblano cream sauce. Good house salsa. Great house margaritas and good selection of eclectic top shelf margs as well.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Cactus Grille
119 E 4th StYummy rellenos. Poblano cream sauce. Good house salsa. Great house margaritas and good selection of eclectic top shelf margs as well.
Higher end. Small plate options available. Incredible combinations, beautiful presentation, most amazing fruit-infused lemonades.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
24 Carrot Bistro
578 Briggs StHigher end. Small plate options available. Incredible combinations, beautiful presentation, most amazing fruit-infused lemonades.
Yummy breakfast. Huge portions. Wait times can be long on the weekends.
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Doug's in Loveland
532 N Lincoln AveYummy breakfast. Huge portions. Wait times can be long on the weekends.
Diverse menu. Good food. Lots of yummy local, microbrewery choices. Music sometime.
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Pourhouse
124 East 4th StreetDiverse menu. Good food. Lots of yummy local, microbrewery choices. Music sometime.
Hogfish Smokehouse Grill
1440 Diana DriveSmokehouse that also serves delicious seafood options.
BBQ. Started by 2 unemployed Georgia boys, their first storefront was a small victorian house tucked away in a Longmont neighborhood. They now have 2 locations, The Shack in Longmont and The Smokehouse in Fredrick. Try to beans and sweet potato casserole for sure. You might have to ask secretly for the Burnt Ends, a brisket wonderland taste delight!
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Georgia Boys BBQ - Longmont
250 3rd AveBBQ. Started by 2 unemployed Georgia boys, their first storefront was a small victorian house tucked away in a Longmont neighborhood. They now have 2 locations, The Shack in Longmont and The Smokehouse in Fredrick. Try to beans and sweet potato casserole for sure. You might have to ask secretly for the Burnt Ends, a brisket wonderland taste delight!
Huge delicious fresh-made cinnamon rolls and foofy coffee drinks. I love the "Jamaican Me Crazy" roast.
Colorado Coffee Company at The Foundry
254 N Cleveland AveHuge delicious fresh-made cinnamon rolls and foofy coffee drinks. I love the "Jamaican Me Crazy" roast.
Newly opened. Love the delicious fare and friendly service.
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Pistachio Cafe Bakery
2333 Main StNewly opened. Love the delicious fare and friendly service.
Blue corn tacos
1515 Main StGreat family owned taco place.
Hole-in-the-wall, carry away, lots of styrofoam but amazing bacon-wrapped hotdogs and tacos. Plenty of toppings available - fresh chopped onions, cilantro, jalapeños, salsas. I'd recommend carnitas but heck, get one of each.....
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Marcos Hot Dogs & Tacos
1647 Kimbark StHole-in-the-wall, carry away, lots of styrofoam but amazing bacon-wrapped hotdogs and tacos. Plenty of toppings available - fresh chopped onions, cilantro, jalapeños, salsas. I'd recommend carnitas but heck, get one of each.....
Probably my favorite restaurant. Walleye on Sunday's is a real treat. Top notch bartenders create delicious craft and traditional cocktails.
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Henry's Pub
234 E 4th StProbably my favorite restaurant. Walleye on Sunday's is a real treat. Top notch bartenders create delicious craft and traditional cocktails.
Drinks & Nightlife
It's like "Cheers", where everybody knows your name. Our friends open this establishment a few years ago. Super yummy microbrewery beers. Try the popcorn available behind the bar. Music mostly on weekends but sometimes special guests during the week.
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Berthoud Brewing Company
450 8th StIt's like "Cheers", where everybody knows your name. Our friends open this establishment a few years ago. Super yummy microbrewery beers. Try the popcorn available behind the bar. Music mostly on weekends but sometimes special guests during the week.
Great selection of mainstay beers and then they always have a few limited editions available. Every Saturday, they offer pours of their 22 oz. bomber specialty selections, often times of the barrel aged variety. I love the Raspberry Bandit, a raspberry brown, and the Widow Maker, an imperial oatmeal stout.
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City Star Brewing
321 Mountain AveGreat selection of mainstay beers and then they always have a few limited editions available. Every Saturday, they offer pours of their 22 oz. bomber specialty selections, often times of the barrel aged variety. I love the Raspberry Bandit, a raspberry brown, and the Widow Maker, an imperial oatmeal stout.
Our go to for sours but they have lots of other delicious options.
33 Einheimische empfehlen
Loveland Aleworks
118 W 4th StOur go to for sours but they have lots of other delicious options.
Lots of delicious choices. Thank goodness they offer taster portions and short pours of the higher alcohol content options.
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Verboten Brewing and Barrel Project
127 E 5th StLots of delicious choices. Thank goodness they offer taster portions and short pours of the higher alcohol content options.
Probably my favorite microbrewery and their food options are local, fresh and delicious.
201 Einheimische empfehlen
Avery Brewing Company
4910 Nautilus Ct NProbably my favorite microbrewery and their food options are local, fresh and delicious.
Historic venue in downtown Boulder. Great place to see a show.
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Boulder Theater
2032 14th StHistoric venue in downtown Boulder. Great place to see a show.
Arts & Culture
Outdoor sculpture park. Nice walking paths. Lots of pieces. Right in town - Loveland!
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Benson-Skulpturengarten
1125 W 29th StOutdoor sculpture park. Nice walking paths. Lots of pieces. Right in town - Loveland!
Performing arts venue in vintage digs. A must see if there is something you are interested in when you're in town.
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Rialto Theater Center
228 E 4th StPerforming arts venue in vintage digs. A must see if there is something you are interested in when you're in town.
Owned by a friend of mine from college days, Smokestack is a gallery as well as workshop space. You can book a seat at a "Throw Down" on the weekend when available. Call to make a reservation. You'll have to either come back to pick up your pieces or make arrangements with Sue to send them to yourself in the mail.
Smokestack Pottery
119 E Lincoln AveOwned by a friend of mine from college days, Smokestack is a gallery as well as workshop space. You can book a seat at a "Throw Down" on the weekend when available. Call to make a reservation. You'll have to either come back to pick up your pieces or make arrangements with Sue to send them to yourself in the mail.
Parks & Nature
Take a short jaunt up to the high country to see a moose or 2, or maybe a pine marten. I recommend parking and getting out of the car for a hike around Long Lake. Take lots of water, wear sunscreen or a hat. Take something warm to wear as the weather changes quickly and it's usually at least 10+ degrees cooler up there than it is down here. Parking can be tricky so plan to make a few loops around the parking lot until something opens up. Entrance fee. Gates closed from approximately end of October - Memorial Day .
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Brainard Lake Recreational Area
4382 Brainard Lake RdTake a short jaunt up to the high country to see a moose or 2, or maybe a pine marten. I recommend parking and getting out of the car for a hike around Long Lake. Take lots of water, wear sunscreen or a hat. Take something warm to wear as the weather changes quickly and it's usually at least 10+ degrees cooler up there than it is down here. Parking can be tricky so plan to make a few loops around the parking lot until something opens up. Entrance fee. Gates closed from approximately end of October - Memorial Day .
Entertainment & Activities
Nothing fancy but this historic hot springs is only an hour and a half away. The pool, at just under 100 degrees F so you can stay in for hours, is housed in a green house with massive tropical plants. They also offer separate men's and women's hot cave pools that are HOT! Makes for a nice day trip.
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Indian Hot Springs
302 Soda Creek RdNothing fancy but this historic hot springs is only an hour and a half away. The pool, at just under 100 degrees F so you can stay in for hours, is housed in a green house with massive tropical plants. They also offer separate men's and women's hot cave pools that are HOT! Makes for a nice day trip.
Eclectic movie theatre in north Fort Collins. Recently moved to new location. Drinks and food served during movie viewing. Old location used to have comfy sofas and arm chairs. Not sure what the new location holds!
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The Lyric
1209 N College AveEclectic movie theatre in north Fort Collins. Recently moved to new location. Drinks and food served during movie viewing. Old location used to have comfy sofas and arm chairs. Not sure what the new location holds!
Sample some complimentary tea while waiting for your tour. Walk through tour where you get to see raw ingredients and tea bag making magic. Afterwards, you should plan to visit the gift shop and pick up some teas that you likely haven't seen in your local haunts.
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Celestial Seasonings
4600 Sleepytime DrSample some complimentary tea while waiting for your tour. Walk through tour where you get to see raw ingredients and tea bag making magic. Afterwards, you should plan to visit the gift shop and pick up some teas that you likely haven't seen in your local haunts.
Great music venue for summer festivals. 20 minute commute. Camping on-site and in the town park during festivals.
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Planet Bluegrass
500 W Main StGreat music venue for summer festivals. 20 minute commute. Camping on-site and in the town park during festivals.
Getting Around
Main hub for the RTD bus system. From here, you can get to the airport, downtown Denver, Boulder..... just about anywhere along the Front Range.
8th / Coffman
Main hub for the RTD bus system. From here, you can get to the airport, downtown Denver, Boulder..... just about anywhere along the Front Range.
Denver International Airport is about a 50 minutes away via the recommended toll way, E470, otherwise, you have to drive through downtown Denver.
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Denver International Airport
8500 Peña BoulevardDenver International Airport is about a 50 minutes away via the recommended toll way, E470, otherwise, you have to drive through downtown Denver.
Shopping
One of my favorite gift spots. They have beautiful jewelry, beaded bags, cottage decor and imported fabrics/bags.
Wishful Living
321 Mountain AveOne of my favorite gift spots. They have beautiful jewelry, beaded bags, cottage decor and imported fabrics/bags.