Stephen Day Park

Where: 1340 Deerwood Dr  Longmont, CO 80504
Web: http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/parks/park_list/overview/StephenDayPark.htm

Way over on the east side of town, but worth the trip if you've got kids. Stephen Day Park is a lovely patch of green with whimsical, winding pathways, rolling hills and a fun, spraying water feature, great for those particularly hot summer days. If your kid is a bit of a daredevil, he or she will definitely make a beeline to the BMX/mountain bike area, where there are bumps, dips and dives that will provide hours of dusty (possibly muddy) fun. There's also a smallish concrete skatepark. Wear those helmets, kids!

Sunflower Farm

An updated post about Sunflower Farm can be found here.

Where: 1150 Prospect Road
Web: www.sunflowerfarminfo.com
Hours: See website

Located on a beautiful hillside right off of Highway 287, Sunflower Farm offers families a chance to experience a real, working farm in all its neighing, baa-ing and oinking glory. You *will* get your hands dirty!  Kids can feed the friendly animals (including cows, horses, pigs, sheep), collect eggs, clamber on top of a hay bale and play on the very cool treehouse. Our daughter especially loved the big swing, which sent her soaring through the air. Whee!

 

 As shown in the hours listed above, Sunflower isn't open to the public over the summer
except on Friday evenings -- but if your kid is between 3 and 10, sign 'em up for the farm's summer camp in June, July and August, 9am to 12:30pm, Wednesday through Friday. They'll get lots of sunshine, learn all about the rural way of life -- and probably come home wondering why there isn't chicken coop in the backyard.

Downtown Summer Concert Series

Where: Corner of 4th Ave and Kimbark Street
When: Fridays at 6 p.m.: June 7, June 14, June 21, June 28, July 5, July 26, 2013
Web: www.downtownlongmont.org

The streets of downtown Longmont are filled with the sound of music on several Friday nights over the summer, as locals gather for these very fun and very free concerts. We caught the first show last week and it was a blast, with Chris Daniels and the Kings providing the swinging soundtrack, beer from Longmont's own Left Hand Brewing and Oskar Blues, BBQ from the great Georgia Boys and a festive street party atmosphere. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy some tunes on a hot summer night.

 

 2013 Lineup

June 7 -  Chris Daniels and the Kings
June 14 - Retro Sonics
June 21 - Something Underground
June 28 - Chris Thompson & Coral Creek
July 5 - Quemando
July 26 - Girls On Top

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.