Rabbit Mountain Open Space

Where: Access the trailhead from Hwy 66 and N 53rd St
Web: http://www.bouldercounty.org/os/parks/pages/rabbitmtn.aspx
When: Day use only

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Located between Longmont and Lyons off of Highway 66, Rabbit Mountain Open Space is one of our tried-and-true hikes when we don't feel like driving all the way into the mountains. Its easy-to-moderate trails are great for kids; with little effort, you'll all be rewarded with spectacular panoramas -- on a recent clear day, we could see all the way down to Pikes Peak, just about 130 miles away. Beyond the views, Rabbit Mountain is also a popular spot for mountain biking, jogging and even horseback riding.

Rabbit Mountain is a transitional area between the Rockies and the plains, so the landscape here feels unique for the Front Range, with wildflowers and high desert shrubs bumping up against red rock outcroppings and Ponderosa Pines. Keep an eye out for birds -- we've seen bald eagles, hawks and American kestrels while hiking here. As for other wildlife, oddly enough, we've never seen rabbits on Rabbit Mountain. But take note: the area's previous name was Rattlesnake Mountain.

Yore

Where: 381 Main Street
Web: www.yore.us

In terms of square footage, Yore isn't big. But in terms of the impact it has on the Main Street retail scene, it's huge. The sleek shop adds a touch of minimalist sophistication to Longmont's main drag, with a crisp, bright feel that invites shoppers in.

Run by the husband-and-wife team of Ryan and Savannah Johnson, Yore offers a carefully selected batch of "practical goods." That means everything you get here is useful, intelligently designed, and responsibly manufactured. All good things, right? The shop is also just plain fun to browse around in, with each shelf revealing cool and interesting items, ranging from elegant kitchen items (steel straws, wooden mixing spoons, handmade cutting boards) to intriguing publications like Monocle and The Gentlewoman, to a pleasing selection of succulent plants. We love their fetching collection of greeting cards: whether you want something tasteful and charming or wry and irreverent, they've got you covered.

Since opening earlier this year, Yore has also become a magnet for Longmont's creative community, hosting exhibitions of local artists and photographers, as well as regular networking meet-ups. All in all, the shop is a fantastic addition to downtown Longmont -- make some time to stop in soon.

The Best Fall Activities in Longmont

Temperatures are finally cooling down and leaves are just starting to change color ... that's right, fall (AKA The Best Season of Them All) is right around the corner. And there's no shortage of seasonal fun coming your way in Longmont, from cider doughnuts to sugar skulls. Here are our favorite autumnal activities around town.

Roger's Grove

Places To Go

Ya-Ya Farm & Orchard

Where: 6914 Ute Highway
When: September through November, Sat/Sun: 9am-4pm, Tues-Fri: 10am-3pm
Web: www.yayafarmandorchard.com
Pick apples from more than 800 trees, say hello to a few Percheron draft horses, enjoy a fresh-baked cider doughnut or two, and soak up some spectacular views at this lovely spot between Longmont and Lyons. More info

Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch

Where: 9057 Ute Hwy
When: The October Pumpkin Festival is on weekends in October, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Select activities also available M-F, 9a.m.-5p.m.
Web: www.rockymtnpumpkinranch.com
October in Longmont isn't complete without at least one visit to the Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch. On Saturdays and Sundays, this Highway 66 spot offers carnival rides, petting zoos, pony rides, bouncy play structures, corn mazes ... and oh yeah, a whole lot of pumpkins. More info

Roger's Grove

Where: Roger's Grove Park, 220 S Hover Street
The apples at Roger's Grove are free for the picking, so grab your tote bags and start harvesting -- fruit is usually on the trees through September. Be prepared: many of the best specimens can be found on the highest limbs, and a step stool will come in handy. (Bug spray is a good idea, too.) Kids will love climbing the trees and unlimited apples. More info

Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch

Events

Longmont Oktoberfest

Where: Roosevelt Park
When: Saturday, October 24
Web: www.lefthandbrewing.com/events/longmont-oktoberfest-5/
Prost! Left Hand Brewing Co., Longmont's original craft brewery, brings Bavaria to Roosevelt Park with this annual event. There are some classic Oktoberfest sights, tastes, and sounds -- liederhosen, sauerkraut and polka -- alongside less traditional vibes: this year's headlining band is the legendary reggae group, The Wailers. There's also a whole lot of beer from local breweries, including Left Hand, Oskar Blues, Pumphouse Brewery, 300 Suns, Grossen Bart, Long’s Peak Tap House, Shoes & Brews, Skeye Brewing, and Wibby Brewing.

2016 Longmont Halloween Parade & Trick or Treat Street

Where: Parade starts on Longs Peak and Coffman and travels down Main Street
When: 9:30am, Saturday, October 29
Web: http://www.longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-n-z/recreation-services/special-events-recreation/halloween-parade
This one seems to get bigger (and the costumes more elaborate) with each passing year. Dress up in your Halloween costume and parade down Main Street with thousands of other spooky Longmontians. Afterwards, drop in at participating downtown stores for a little pre-Halloween trick or treating.

Longmont Museum's Dia De Los Muertos Celebration

Where: 400 Quail Road
When: Saturday, November 5, 11 am - 3 pm
Web: http://longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-e-m/museum/education/day-of-the-dead
The Longmont Museum's signature event is Dia De Los Muertos, the largest Day of the Dead celebration in Colorado. It's a fantastic (and FREE) cultural experience, honoring the memories of those who came before us with food, music, art, and much more. Kids will love sugar skull decorating, paper flower making, face painting, and more. Get into the spirit and come dressed in your finest “calaca” (skeleton) apparel.

Ya-Ya Farm & Orchard

Button Rock Preserve

Where: CO Hwy 80, Lyons, Colorado 80540

This favorite hike lies well outside the city limits of Longmont, off of Highway 36 just west of Lyons. But it's actually managed by the City of Longmont, thanks to the Longmont and Ralph Price Reservoirs, which provide water for the city.

Button Rock is a great day hike for families; it's not too strenuous (the incline is very gradual on the way to the reservoir) and not too long (about five miles round trip), but still offers plenty of scenic viewpoints: crashing waterfalls, craggy rock formations and wide-open spaces. You can walk along the wide road that runs alongside the river, which is flat and smooth enough for strollers. Or you can climb the Sleepy Lion Trail, which is a bit longer and steeper, and leads you to a lovely grassy meadow. We've never seen any slumbering lions around here, but apparently bighorn sheep sometimes show up. Other animals you might catch a glimpse of include marmots, eagles and mule deer.

Whichever route you take, you'll end up at Button Rock Dam, where a powerful spray of white water shoots into the river below. It's an exciting sight and sound to say the least -- and on hot days, the mist from the water will cool you down considerably. From there, you can climb the steep trail to the reservoir high above, a placid and relaxing spot for a picnic. The views from up here are spectacular.

Getting There: From Lyons, head west on Highway 36 for 4 miles. Turn left at Boulder County Road 80 and continue for 3 miles. Take note! Boulder County Road 80 is not prominently marked and is easy to miss.