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. 

McIntosh Lake

Where: South of State Highway 66, north of Hygiene Road, west of North 75th Street and east of Hover Road

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

At first glance, you might not think there’s much happening on the northwest end of Longmont. But one glimpse of the spectacular, 265-acre McIntosh Lake will set you straight. Boasting one of the greatest views of the Rocky Mountain Front Range in Colorado, the manmade lake attracts cyclists, boaters, fishers, birdwatchers and joggers to its sunny shores. 

A flat trail (half paved, half gravel) wraps itself around the water – it’s a great walk, jog or bike ride. Along the way, you’ll find two playgrounds, a tennis court, wetlands, boat ramps and plenty of photo ops. Keep an eye out for a wide array of wildlife, including blue herons, red foxes, and bald eagles. You might even see that rarest of Colorado sights – a windsurfer.