Tacos Al Molcajete

Where: 926 Main St
Hours: 7am-11pm (closed Tuesday)

There are plenty of good places to get your taco fix in Longmont, but our current favorite is Tacos Al Molcajete, located on Main Street just above 9th Ave. This unassuming spot has seen several Mexican restaurants come and go in the past decade or so, but we are hoping Al Molcajete is in it for the long haul -- we're not sure if we could live without their absolutely delicious Tacos al Pastor. Something about the sweet-n-savory flavors here adds up to absolute perfection. Those have been highlights each time we've visited, but truth be told, we haven't had a bad dish yet, whether it's crispy flautas or whipped-cream-topped churros. The fresh salsa bar is a treat too -- though be forewarned: those neon orange varieties are positively nuclear. With an extremely friendly staff, low prices and food that's always on point, Tacos Al Molcajete is a very welcome addition to Longmont's culinary scene.

Small Business Saturday: Where To Shop in Downtown Longmont This Year

Downtown Longmont is bustling with small businesses, and we are rounding up our favorites in honor of Small Business Saturday (November 26, 2016). This year, get out there and Shop Small! Keep money local and help our community thrive. (Have any favorites that we left out? Mention them in the comments!)

Clockwise from top left: Discoveries Egyption Imports, Yore, Colorado Crafted, Cheese Importers

Yore (381 Main St.)

The sleek Yore is one of our downtown faves. It features an expertly curated selection of quality goods that are practical, responsibly manufactured, and extremely cool.

https://yore.us

Old Town Outfitters (501 Main St.)

Outdoor adventurers will love anything you pick out here -- Old Town Outfitters offers offers an array of apparel, gear and accessories.

http://oldtownoutfitters.com 

Barbed Wire Books (504 Main St.)

If you're shopping for a bookworm, this is your spot. It's got shelves upon shelves of vintage volumes, along with a section devoted to new books as well.

http://www.barbedwirebooks.net

Discoveries Egyptian Imports (454 Main St.) 

A hidden downtown gem, Discoveries Egyptian Imports is stocked with Egyptian jewelry, crafts and sculptures - everything that they carry is made in Egypt. Definitely worth checking out! 

https://egyptianimports.com

Cheese Importers (103 Main St.)

Explore the tres bien gift shop, and take a trip into Cheese Importers' expansive walk-in cooler with 350 cheeses from all over the world available, not to mention olives, cured meats and more (lots of samples, too).

http://www.cheeseimporters.com 

Adorn (668 4th Ave.)

Adorn offers whimsical cards and stationary, unique home décor and handmade jewelry. Its sister store across the street, Adornables (661 4th Ave.), focuses on out-of-the-ordinary toys and books for kids.

http://visitlongmont.org/adorn-home-gift-gallery

Larry's Guitar Shop (508 5th Ave.)

Make the musician in your life very happy and find a guitar, amplifier or musical accessory at this cozy stringed instrument shop, where the staff is as friendly as they are knowledgable. 

http://larrysguitars.com 

Colorado Crafted (online shop)

Skip the generic gift baskets this year. The Longmont-based Colorado Crafted's online shop sells stylish gift boxes of artisanal foods, all made right here in the Centennial State.  

http://www.coloradocraftedbox.com

Golden Ponds

Where: 2651 3rd Ave

If you follow our Instagram account, you may have noticed that we spend a fair amount of time at Golden Ponds. Located at the western end of Third Avenue (and just off of the St Vrain Greenway), Golden Ponds are just a stone's throw from the middle of town.

A railroad track runs along the north side of the ponds, and large electric towers cut right across them, so you will not be fooled into thinking you have escaped into the wilderness. Still you can't beat the sweeping views of the mountains, and this is a great spot for viewing some of Longmont's wildlife. Over the years we have regularly spotted bald eagles, great blue herons, osprey, white pelicans, and once we even saw a mink. Of course, there are also geese and ducks aplenty. 

A pedestrian bridge crosses over the St Vrain Creek, revealing a small waterfall. In the spring, the waterfall rages wildly (as seen above) with all of the snow melt. This is always a favorite kids' destination, perfect for throwing rocks and cooling off in the spray. 

Golden Ponds also has many shelters making it a great picnicking spot, and it also allows fishing.

Longmont Bike Night - 2015

When: Wednesdays, 6:30pm, May-September  (Bike Night launches on May 13th!)

Where: Rides start at Roosevelt Park, under the flags on the east side of the park. 

Web: www.bicyclelongmont.org

Blog: www.longmontbikenight.org

Wednesday evenings in the summer are filled with the cheerful sound of ringing bike bells, as hundreds of cyclists young and old cruise through the shady streets of Old Town Longmont. Bike Night is a very popular summer activity — and every week seems to draw bigger crowds. Routes generally stick to the Old Town area and they're usually pretty easy, not to mention safe, thanks to the presence of police escorts (riding along on bikes, of course). Kids will love the whimsical weekly themes, which encourage dressing up. This year has included rides devoted to the totally rad 1980s, Prom Night and, entertainingly, the holiday season. Nothing stranger and more charming than a flock of cyclists in Santa hats rolling into a hot summer night.

Cheese Importers

Where: 103 Main St, Longmont, CO 80501
Hours: Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Web: www.cheeseimporters.com

We've been lavishing praise on Longmont's mighty Cheese Importers for years. "Magical," "unbelievable," "totally awesome" are words we've used when describing the place to out-of-towners. And that was all before this fromage emporium moved to its new, (totally awesome) location on Main Street. Previously, Cheese Importers had been tucked away in the warehouse/industrial section of town, a hidden gem if ever there was one. 

Now, it's no longer hidden, having taken over the city's former power station, right on the outskirts of downtown. It was perfect before, and now it's even more perfect: there's an expansive, walk-in cooler with 350 cheeses from all over the world available, not to mention olives, cured meats and more (lots of samples, too); there's a shop with cookbooks, gourmet candy, kids' toys, home furnishings, and art; and there's the Parisian-style cafe, Bistrot des Artistes, offering delectable sandwiches, pastries, coffee, desserts and (soon) wine, all in a sunny, very classy setting. As the French would say, "C'est si bon!" 

Java Stop

Where: 301 Main St.
When: Tuesday-Saturday 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday 6 a.m. - 1 p.m. (closed Mondays)

Who needs Starbucks? There's no shortage of independently owned coffee shops in Longmont. Those in search of a caffeine fix can choose from the very popular Ziggy's, the excellent Luna Cafe (or up until recently known as Caffe Luna), the relatively new La Vita Bella and several others.

But our preferred coffee shop these days is the cozy Java Stop, located downtown in the historic Imperial Hotel building. The couches are comfy, the coffee is excellent, the pastries are fresh and the vibe is extremely low key and friendly. The prices are extremely reasonable too -- almost too reasonable. 

Owned and operated tirelessly by a husband-wife team, Java Stop has the feel of a community gathering spot, where conversation flows and new friends are made. Extra points go to this spot for being very kid-friendly -- there's a fully stocked closet with toys, games and children's books.

Two Dog Diner

Where: 645 Tenacity Drive
Web: www.twodogdiner.com
When: Monday: 7am–3pm, Tuesday-Saturday: 7am–9pm; Sunday: 8am–3pm

Although it's got the look of a classic roadside eatery, Two Dog's use of the word "diner" might be selling itself a bit short. It's a gourmet greasy spoon, bringing serious kitchen expertise to American standbys. Two Dog Diner is most popular as a breakfast joint -- and with good reason. The pancakes are fluffy, the bacon is perfect, the coffee is strong, and the service is friendly. There are even some out-of-the-ordinary specials that might entice -- Cinnamon Roll French Toast anyone?

But breakfast is not all that Two Dog excels at. Their burger is a contender for the best in town; ditto the fish & chips. The fries aren't a contender -- they simply are the best in town; salty, not-too-greasy, and impossible to stop eating. Again, check out the specials board for some surprisingly fancy dishes, ranging from grilled fish tacos to chicken piccata. Like any self-respecting spot calling itself a "diner", Two Dog also offers a killer milkshake and delicious homemade pie. Save room!

Tip: Ask for the homemade potato chips. Thank us later.

The Tasty Weasel Tap Room / Oskar Blues Brewery

Where: 1800 Pike Road

Web: www.oskarblues.com/restaurant/tasty-weasel-tap-room

When: 12-8pm daily

Deep in the heart of south Longmont's nondescript warehouse/office park district, you'll find the place many craft beer lovers consider paradise: the Oskar Blues Brewery. Oskar Blues is known nationwide for making cans cool again -- but who cares what container they use, the brewery's beers are phenomenal, from the flagship Dale's Pale Ale to the malt-tastic Old Chub Scottish Ale. Those two examples are just the beginning of beer nirvana at OB's tap room, The Tasty Weasel, which serves as the testing ground for the brewers' latest creations. Any time you visit, there will be beers that are available nowhere else on the planet -- nitro taps, firkins, oak-aged selections, weird/wild experiments, you name it. We recommend visiting. Often. The Tasty Weasel's patio, with picnic benches and plenty of sunshine, became one of our favorite afternoon weekend spots this summer. For a brewery, it's extremely kid-friendly -- get the kids a B. Stiff & Sons Root Beer, fix them up with quarters for skeeball and some free peanuts and they'll be happy for hours. There's also usually some folky/rootsy live music happening in the late afternoon, along with a friendly crowd of locals and beer tourists. The Tasty Weasel doesn't serve food, but oftentimes Oskar Blues' food truck, the Bonewagon, is parked right out front. Their cheeseburger may just be the best cheeseburger in the universe.

Tip: Go behind the scenes and see where the magic is made -- Oskar Blues offers free tours of its brewery Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 2, 3, 4 & 5pm and every day at 4pm.

YA YA Farm & Orchard

Where: 6914 Ute Highway

Web: www.yayafarmandorchard.com

When: 2016 September and October: Sat: 9am-3pm, Sun: 9am-4pm Tues-Fri: 9:30am-4pm

One half of the Longmont 100 team hails from Upstate New York, where cider donuts are a fall tradition. Out here in Colorado, these delicious autumnal treats are harder to come by. But YA YA Farm & Orchard has got ‘em – and they meet our high standards. Of course, there’s plenty more to do out at YA YA, located on an 1896 farm – it’s a wonderful spot for a fall family outing. Apples, obviously, are in abundance: the orchard holds 810 trees with over 120 different varieties, and you can fill a bag with five to seven pounds of apples for the bargain price of $12. If you want to pick your own, call ahead – U-Pick is by reservation only. But if you are willing to let someone else do the work, pre-picked apples are for sale at the YA YA store.

There are also friendly Percheron draft horses who would love to be fed some of those apples, if you’re so inclined, as well as mules, chickens, and turkeys. Throw in a gorgeous view of the Rocky Mountain Front Range, and you’ve got yourself a perfect outdoor adventure. 

ArtWalk

When: Select Fridays in the Summer, 6:30-9 p.m.

Where: Main Street, between 3^rd and 6^th Aves.

Web: www.artlinklongmont.org

Always a fun way to say goodbye to the work week during the summer, ArtWalk sees Downtown Longmont turn into a family friendly street party. Art is the focus, obviously, with galleries staying open late, local artists displaying their work and opportunities to create your very own masterpiece. But that’s really just the tip of the iceberg – expect live music, performing arts, feats of acrobatic daring, martial arts demonstrations, food carts and much more. Traffic is diverted around Main Street during the event, which means you can stroll up and down the busiest strip of asphalt in town for a few hours without worrying about being run over. Which is nice. 

Don’t miss the last ArtWalk of the season this Friday, September 21! 

Sandstone Ranch Visitor Center

Where: 990 State Highway 119
Web: http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/parks/park_list/overview/SSR_District_Park.htm
Visitor Center Hours: Tuesdays – May 17-Oct. 25, 2016: 9am-12noon; 2^nd and 4^th Saturdays – May 14-Oct. 22, 2016: 10am-2pm

It's hard to imagine what Longmont was like all the way back in 1860, but you can catch a glimpse of those bygone days at Sandstone Ranch, one of the earliest homesteading sites in the area. The intensely named Morse Coffin came to Colorado during the Gold Rush in the late 1850s, and instead of heading to the mountains like most of those seized with gold fever, stuck it out on the banks of the St. Vrain. And it seems as though he thrived there, establishing a sandstone quarry that supplied stone to cities all over Colorado and beyond. In the early 1880s, Coffin built the Second Empire-style house that still stands -- it's been added to and modified over the years, but retains a definite pioneer flavor.

There's also an ancient barn and walking trails that wrap around the old quarry. We like Sandstone as a biking destination; you can roll right up to it from the St. Vrain Greenway and relax on the lawn in front of the house. The Visitors Center, featuring information on local history and wildlife, is open seasonally (see dates and times above).

Your Place Or Vine

We are sad to report that Your Place or Vine has closed. (Looking for a Longmont locale to get a good drink? Check out Sugarbeet or Harold's and you will not be disappointed.)

Never mind the cringe-inducing name of this wine bar/restaurant tucked away in Longmont’s Prospect neighborhood. Your Place Or Vine is an underappreciated gem – an extremely worthy date or ladies’ night destination. With 25 wines available by the glass or bottle, a small-but-well-chosen selection of craft beers on draught, and delectable, Mediterranean-inspired small plates, Your Place is classy without being pretentiousness, stylish but still casual. 

We like the wine flight option – three individual pours for one low price. We can also highly recommend the Sunday brunch, with some extremely tasty flatbread spins on traditional breakfast items, like the YPOV Benedict and the pesto-licious Green Eggs & Ham. The maple syrup-drizzled bacon is a nice touch, too. 

LoBo Trail

People are serious about bikes in Colorado, and Longmont is no exception. This year, the League of American Bicyclists rated the city at the silver level in terms of bike-friendliness. After a few years of living here, we're finally getting into the cycling scene -- and loving every minute of it. Our current favorite ride follows the LoBo Trail about seven miles to nearby Niwot. Hook up with the trail on Sunset Ave. (just south of Pike Rd.) and follow it out to where it runs parallel with the Diagonal Highway. About a mile in, the trail turns from concrete to crushed gravel, and the ride gets slightly less smooth. But don't worry, you'll have plenty of excuses for breaks -- the magnificent views of the mighty Flatirons pretty much command you to stop and soak in the sights. 

You can ride the LoBo Trail all the way to Boulder  -- a 12-mile adventure we've yet to undertake. Hey, we're just getting into this biking thing, remember? So far, our final destination of choice has been the Winot Coffee Co. (7960 Niwot Road), located in the Cottonwood Plaza. Coffee, pastries, sandwiches and a sunny patio. What more could sweaty cyclists wish for?

Tip: For maps and other two-wheel resources, look no further than www.BicycleLongmont.org.

Prospect Eats / Sound Bites

When: every Monday from May 11th thru September 7th, 5:30pm

Where: 100 Year Party Court

Web: https://www.facebook.com/events/1632630200299448/

(Prospect Eats changed its name to "Prospect Trucks and Tunes" last year and has again changed its name to "Sound Bites")

The gourmet food truck trend is nothing new, but it's finally hit Longmont with a resounding bang, thanks to Prospect Eats. Prospect, if you're not familiar, is a "new urbanist" community located on the south end of town, which is slowly-but-surely becoming a must-visit dining destination. Last year's inaugural Prospect Eats was pretty mellow, with a handful of trucks serving pizza, Mexican food and burgers. In 2012, however, things have blasted off, with close to two-dozen mobile eateries offering everything from Venezuelan sandwiches to smokin' BBQ. 

At the last few events we've attended, the lawn has been packed with picnickers, so word is getting around. We suggest getting there early, since those lines were starting to get extremely long as the evening wore on. But even if you're stuck waiting, it's not a bad place to wait, with adorable kids running around, a live band jamming and the trees gently swaying in the summer breeze. Here's to a new summer tradition in Prospect!

Longmont Memorial Rose Garden

Where: Roosevelt Park, 700 Longs Peak Ave.

Web: http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/parks/park_list/overview/roosevelt.htm

To paraphrase the old George Jones number, It's been a good -- no, a great -- year for the roses. This spring was one of the warmest on record, meaning that we never got one of those nasty, garden-destroying cold snaps in April or May. The result? Roses running riot all over town. The absolute best place to literally stop and smell the roses in Longmont is without a doubt the Longmont Memorial Rose Garden, located on the west side of Roosevelt Park, just a short walk from downtown.

The garden's history stretches back to 1945, when the first roses were planted by the Lions Club as a war memorial. It's well-known today amongst rose aficionados, even garnering coverage in USA Today. Lovingly tended to by community members, you'll find a dazzling array of rose varieties here -- 190 in all -- ranging from classic reds to exotic hybrids.

Vance Brand Airport / Flight Deck Grill

Where: 229 Airport Road

More info: http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/airport/index.htm

Most weekends, the air in Longmont is filled with the distant (or sometimes not so distant) buzz of private airplanes emanating from the Vance Brand Municipal Airport. While piloting is not a hobby we see ourselves taking up anytime in this lifetime, we strongly suggest heading out to the airport on the weekend. The views are spectacular, naturally, with the twin peaks of Longs Peak and Mt. Meeker looming in the distance, almost completely unobstructed.

The airport is also home to one of our favorite Longmont hidden gems, the Flight Deck Grill (find their Facebook page here). Open Wednesday through Sunday in the spring and summer, this homespun operation offers excellent (and cheap) breakfast and lunch items, including pancakes, breakfast sandwiches and hot dogs. They've got a very nice patio right next to the runway, where you can watch planes taking off and landing -- and get an occasionally dizzying glimpse of scores of skydivers plummeting towards the earth. Bike out in the morning (they open bright and early at 7:30am) and enjoy a cup of coffee and some delicious crumb cake while gazing into the wild blue yonder.

Longmont Farmers Market

When: Saturdays, 8am-1pm, first Saturday in April through the first Saturday in November

Where: Boulder County Fairgrounds (9595 Nelson Rd.)

Web: www.boulderfarmers.org

With every passing year, the Longmont Farmers Market gets bigger and better. What once was a fairly bare-bones affair has grown into one of the bigger events of its type on the Front Range. On sunny Saturday mornings, throngs gather to enjoy the fresh bounty of local farms. Of course, this is a 21st century farmers market, so the produce is merely the beginning of the goods offered. Munch on tasty pastries, sample some Colorado wines, listen to a little live music, buy handmade crafts and get your cutlery sharpened. Highly recommended: the artisanal cheeses at Windsor Dairy's booth. They're made with 100 percent grass fed milk from Swiss cattle, aged over 60 days, all natural -- but the important thing is that they are totally delicious. There is plenty of prepared food too, ranging from pupusas to pizza, so the market is a great breakfast, brunch or lunch destination.

Tip: Though parking is generally in abundance at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, we strongly recommend biking. Not only is the market located right off of the St. Vrain Greenway, but Bicycle Longmont (www.bicyclelongmont.org) offers a free bike valet service, located at the north end of the market. Just drop off your wheels with them and start exploring.