Dining
The top of the list are our favorites right in Lafayette. The end of the list are worth the drive.
Teocalli Cocina
103 N Public RdWe recommend the tacos and the queso!
Great place for sunsets, but they fill up fast so arrive early and/or make a reservation.
41 locals recommend
Acreage by Stem Ciders
1380 Horizon AveGreat place for sunsets, but they fill up fast so arrive early and/or make a reservation.
Delicious cocktails, and we get the bacon-wrapped jalapenos every time.
22 locals recommend
William Oliver's Publick House
201 N Public RdDelicious cocktails, and we get the bacon-wrapped jalapenos every time.
Great first-come, first-served brunch spot. They get busy on the weekends, so plan on a wait if you arrive fashionably late!
27 locals recommend
Tangerine - Lafayette
300 S Public RdGreat first-come, first-served brunch spot. They get busy on the weekends, so plan on a wait if you arrive fashionably late!
The Post Brewing Company
105 W Emma StBest chicken in town, and they brew their own beer.
It may look like a hole in the wall, but the dinner rush says it all. A not so hidden gem!
6 locals recommend
Pho Café
1085 S Public RdIt may look like a hole in the wall, but the dinner rush says it all. A not so hidden gem!
After-dark nothing beats the moody vibe of the lounge, and we always order Kobe on the Rock. Head across the street to Comedy Works South for a show after dinner!
18 locals recommend
Jing
5370 Greenwood Plaza BlvdAfter-dark nothing beats the moody vibe of the lounge, and we always order Kobe on the Rock. Head across the street to Comedy Works South for a show after dinner!
Beautifully plated Mediterranean food, and the breads are to die for! Go in the evening, and then enjoy a walk down Larimer under the lights.
78 locals recommend
Rioja
1431 Larimer StBeautifully plated Mediterranean food, and the breads are to die for! Go in the evening, and then enjoy a walk down Larimer under the lights.
Breweries
The breweries are endless! Check out Longmont, Fort Collins, Denver and Golden for even more options.
Odd13 Brewing
301 E Simpson StA funky local spot especially for IPA lovers.
Local spot with rotating food trucks, and a nice variety of beers.
26 locals recommend
Liquid Mechanics Brewing Company
297 US-287Local spot with rotating food trucks, and a nice variety of beers.
Cellar West Artisan Ales
778-B West Baseline RoadAnother local spot with more beers to try!
Our favorites are White Rascal and Ellie’s Brown Ale, but there is a beer for everyone here. Avery gets mega busy, but it’s worth the wait. They’re closed on Mondays.
201 locals recommend
Avery Brewing Company
4910 Nautilus Ct NOur favorites are White Rascal and Ellie’s Brown Ale, but there is a beer for everyone here. Avery gets mega busy, but it’s worth the wait. They’re closed on Mondays.
A local Boulder gem. We love to go at lunchtime for tacos and beer. Dogs welcome in the outdoor seating area!
61 locals recommend
Sanitas Brewing Co.
3550 Frontier AveA local Boulder gem. We love to go at lunchtime for tacos and beer. Dogs welcome in the outdoor seating area!
Wineries
If a glass of vino is more your style!
Small batches in a rainbow of delectable flavors! Completely worth calling them to schedule a tasting (don’t just drop in).
InVINtions, A Creative Winery
9608 E Arapahoe RdSmall batches in a rainbow of delectable flavors! Completely worth calling them to schedule a tasting (don’t just drop in).
Bigsby's Folly Craft Winery & Restaurant
3563 Wazee StThey do the classics really well.
Dog Friendly
Most breweries also have outdoor seating where dogs are welcome on-leash.
Cool spot with a rotating tap list and an adjacent off-leash area for dogs.
11 locals recommend
Romero's K9 Club & Tap House
985 S Public RdCool spot with a rotating tap list and an adjacent off-leash area for dogs.
The Great Bark Dog Park
597 N 119th StThe closest dog park. A fenced in patch of dirt, but it gets the job done.
420 acres of off-leash goodness! Not much shade, so go early or late to beat the heat.
8 locals recommend
Westminster Hills Off-Leash Dog Park
10499 Simms Street420 acres of off-leash goodness! Not much shade, so go early or late to beat the heat.
We love the dog beach! $10 daily fee. Be careful arriving too late on the weekends or you’ll be in a very, very long line to get in.
7 locals recommend
Union Reservoir Nature Area
461 Co Rd 26We love the dog beach! $10 daily fee. Be careful arriving too late on the weekends or you’ll be in a very, very long line to get in.
Family Friendly
Family-friendly activities for kids and adults alike!
Featuring a lap pool, lazy river, water slides, diving boards, zero-entry kid pool, snack bar and more! Daily admission is $10 for adults and $7.50 for kids 2+.
10 locals recommend
The Great Outdoors Waterpark
500 E South Boulder RdFeaturing a lap pool, lazy river, water slides, diving boards, zero-entry kid pool, snack bar and more! Daily admission is $10 for adults and $7.50 for kids 2+.
This place is pure magic. They have butterflies all year long plus other cool critters and a great indoor play area. Daily admission is $14.50 for adults and $9.50 for kids 2+.
187 locals recommend
Butterfly Pavilion
6252 W 104th AveThis place is pure magic. They have butterflies all year long plus other cool critters and a great indoor play area. Daily admission is $14.50 for adults and $9.50 for kids 2+.
Jellyfish, seahorses, SHARKS! There are underwater wonders worth exploring here! Check out the schedule and tickets for scuba diving, animal meet & greets and more.
492 locals recommend
Downtown Aquarium
700 Water StJellyfish, seahorses, SHARKS! There are underwater wonders worth exploring here! Check out the schedule and tickets for scuba diving, animal meet & greets and more.
This is such a great zoo, and it’s not overwhelmingly huge. Lots of places to stop to rest, eat and drink. If you are in town during winter, the Zoo Lights are spectacular!
884 locals recommend
Denver Zoo
2300 Steele StThis is such a great zoo, and it’s not overwhelmingly huge. Lots of places to stop to rest, eat and drink. If you are in town during winter, the Zoo Lights are spectacular!
Activities
Here are some other ideas for things to do - near and far!
Hit the gym, indoor waterpark, hot tub, sauna, steam room, exercise class, racquetball, basketball and more. Daily admission is $5.75 for adults and $4 for kids 2+.
20 locals recommend
Bob L Burger Recreation Center
111 W Baseline RdHit the gym, indoor waterpark, hot tub, sauna, steam room, exercise class, racquetball, basketball and more. Daily admission is $5.75 for adults and $4 for kids 2+.
Empty Quiver Archery
7180 West 117th AvenueA nearby archery range that makes for a fun afternoon.
Pearl Street Mall
1303 Pearl StreetShop up and down Pearl Street in Boulder.
Whimsy Paint and Sip Art Studio
14676 Delaware StreetUnleash your inner artist at a paint and sip class.
Larimer Square
1430 Larimer StA beautiful urban area for dining, shopping and strolling.
Comedy Works Downtown
1226 15th StBuy tickets to a comedy show!
The gardens are lovely. The Blossoms of Light show in winter is a MUST, but buy tickets EARLY! They sell out fast!
1100 locals recommend
Denver Botanic Gardens
1007 York StThe gardens are lovely. The Blossoms of Light show in winter is a MUST, but buy tickets EARLY! They sell out fast!
Hit a show at the lovely Buell Theatre in downtown Denver.
40 locals recommend
Buell Theatre at Denver Performing Arts Complex
1350 Curtis StreetHit a show at the lovely Buell Theatre in downtown Denver.
Walk the elevated path above the vast, open habitats and peer out at the lions, tigers and bears.
98 locals recommend
The Wild Animal Sanctuary
2999 Co Rd 53Walk the elevated path above the vast, open habitats and peer out at the lions, tigers and bears.
Rent a kayak or bring a tube and float Clear Creek in Golden, CO!
34 locals recommend
Clear Creek Whitewater Park
1201 10th StRent a kayak or bring a tube and float Clear Creek in Golden, CO!
Hike the extensive trail system, attend Yoga on the Rocks, or get concert tickets to Red Rocks - one of the most beautiful and natural outdoor venues in the country.
1973 locals recommend
Red Rocks amphitheater
18300 West Alameda ParkwayHike the extensive trail system, attend Yoga on the Rocks, or get concert tickets to Red Rocks - one of the most beautiful and natural outdoor venues in the country.
Hiking
There are too many amazing hikes to list, so here are just a few of our on-leash dog-friendly faves.
Less than 5 min from the house! Just turn right on Avalon Ave and you’ll hit the trail at the T. This trail system goes for miles and runs along Coal Creek, so bring your pup for a quick splash.
21 locals recommend
Coal Creek Trail - Lafayette, CO
Less than 5 min from the house! Just turn right on Avalon Ave and you’ll hit the trail at the T. This trail system goes for miles and runs along Coal Creek, so bring your pup for a quick splash.
Only 20-30 min from the house. The NCAR Trailhead leads to miles of trails including Table Mesa and Bear Peak.
28 locals recommend
NCAR Trail Head
1850 Table Mesa DrOnly 20-30 min from the house. The NCAR Trailhead leads to miles of trails including Table Mesa and Bear Peak.
A beautiful network of trails only 20-30 min from the house. Parking fills up especially on the weekends.
649 locals recommend
Chautauqua Park
9th StreetA beautiful network of trails only 20-30 min from the house. Parking fills up especially on the weekends.
Our absolute favorite nearby (45 min) hike. The loop is about 8 miles with lots of variety: elevation change, open, woodsy, and there is a very steep, very long section of stairs. It’s just as beautiful off-season, but bring your spikes.
22 locals recommend
Walker Ranch Loop
7701 Flagstaff RdOur absolute favorite nearby (45 min) hike. The loop is about 8 miles with lots of variety: elevation change, open, woodsy, and there is a very steep, very long section of stairs. It’s just as beautiful off-season, but bring your spikes.