Greeley: Museums, Nature and Trails

When planning your trip to Greeley, you can focus on what interests you: museums and art offer cultural experiences, while natural areas, trails, and golf bring other activities to the fore.

Culture, History, and Art

Centennial Village Museum covers 8 acres and includes 35 historic buildings. As an open-air museum, it preserves and interprets the American Western heritage of the Colorado High Plains; costumed interpreters bring the past of Weld County to life.

At the Greeley History Museum, you can explore Greeley’s history, including the founding of the Union Colony, the region’s agricultural heritage, water use, and how the city has developed over time. The Meeker Home Museum is the city’s oldest building. Original furnishings and rare artifacts tell the story of the founding family. The museum is currently closed; a virtual exhibit and interpretive panels outside are available instead. Since its status may change, check the latest opening information before planning a visit.

Together, these historical perspectives span the Western heritage and history of Weld County, Greeley’s development, and the founding family.

Greeley’s public art collection includes more than 350 rotating indoor works and more than 220 outdoor works. The totals may change as artworks are added or rotated.

Trails and Nature

Signature Bluffs Natural Area covers 86 acres, lies along the Cache la Poudre River, and is home to diverse wildlife. You can use canoes and kayaks on its pond; unpaved trails lead to more secluded areas.

As a paved trail option in contrast to the unpaved paths in Signature Bluffs Natural Area, consider the Poudre River Trail. It is 21 miles long and can be used for walking, cycling, running, and roller skating. Its eastern end is at 11th Avenue and D Street, near Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley. The two options therefore differ both in surface and in that the trails in the natural area lead to more secluded areas.

Island Grove Regional Park is home to Aven’s Village, a fully accessible playground. Island Grove Splash Park offers free interactive water play during the hot summer months. You can plan for this seasonal attraction more easily by checking its operating dates before your trip.

Poudre Ponds Recreational Fishery is a recreation area on the northern edge of Greeley.

Golf and Events

Boomerang Links is an 18-hole championship links-style golf course with tall native grasses and more than 50 bunkers. Highland Hills has been recognized as one of Northern Colorado’s leading championship golf courses since 1964. For comparison, Boomerang Links’ specific course features can be set against Highland Hills’ long-standing recognition.

The Greeley Stampede Independence Day Parade features more than 120 floats and 40,000 spectators; the numbers may vary from year to year.

Discover more destinations: Kersey, Raymer, Keenesburg, Firestone, Windsor

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