Experience Longmont, Colorado
Longmont makes its mark along the Front Range as a fast-growing city with deep rural roots and a welcoming hometown feel. An appreciation of the past and a clear, ambitious vision for the future blend seamlessly in this charming Northern Colorado city. With a passion for top-notch quality of life and community togetherness, it’s no wonder Longmont was named an “All-American City” in 2006 and was listed among Money Magazine’s Top 100 Best Places to Live. Receiving the recognition twice, Money Magazine gave an honorable nod to Longmont’s enviable mix of “good jobs, low crime, quality schools, plenty of open space, comparable home prices and lots to do.”
The city is nestled against a spectacular Rocky Mountain backdrop crowned with snow-capped Longs Peak, along with skiing, fly fishing, boating, rock climbing, and hiking adventures beckoning nearby.
Longmont’s agricultural and rural heritage is very much alive and thrives in the city’s many retail stores. Treasures can be found at the Quilt Show in Longmont, the Agricultural Heritage Museum, Callahan House, and the properties of the St. Vrain Historical Society.
Longmont Economy
The local economy is strong and growing, providing a comfortable home for large high-tech and biotech employers such as IBM, Seagate, Amgen, and numerous small independent businesses.
Longmont a Diverse Friendly City
A diverse, safe, and family-friendly city, Longmont features a long list of activities for all ages. Local recreation centers offer swimming, games, wall climbing, and first-rate gym facilities. The city boasts 1,500 acres of parks and open space, including Sandstone Ranch, an award-winning sports and play park facility. Downtown is brimming with unique shops and restaurants, and the historic east and west neighborhoods are a delight. Several major festivals and events highlight the regional calendar, including the popular downtown Festival on Main, Rhythm on the River, the Boulder Country Fair, and Lyons’ RockyGrass bluegrass festival, which draws big-name headliners and music lovers nationwide.
Denver is a convenient 45 minutes south and offers metropolitan fun and entertainment year-round. Explore the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and the lovely Denver Botanic Gardens. Denver’s Center for the Performing Arts has a varied and unique repertoire of exhibitions and events. Home to the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, Colorado Avalanche, and Denver Nuggets, not to mention the Colorado Rapids, winner of the Major League Soccer Cup, the city is full of non-stop pro sports action. Travel north to check out the Eagles, a semi-pro hockey team that plays at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland. A must-see, the city of Boulder and the amazing Flatiron rock formations are a mere 20 minutes away from Longmont.
Arts & Culture
The city has a vibrant arts and cultural scene with more than a handful of engaging art galleries, The Longmont Theatre, The Old Firehouse Art Center and The Longmont Symphony – one of the finest community orchestras in the state.
Galleries. Public artwork. Theatre. Exhibits. Classes. Paint your own pottery. Music. Kids’ arts programs. Photography. Creative bicycle racks painted by local kids. Murals. Studio Tours. Artwalk. Sculpture.
These are just a taste of the many arts that bring the downtown area and beyond to life during the day and evenings with the many venues and events around the arts. Longmont appreciates and celebrates nearly all forms of the arts, and the local calendars, coffee shops, and galleries offer things for everyone.
The Performing Arts
Is musical production or theatre your interest this weekend? Enjoy dinner at a downtown restaurant and then choose from the Longmont Theatre Productions, Jesters Dinner Theatre, or a handful of productions offered by one of the talented middle or high school groups.
The Longmont Symphony may be most known to all in Longmont for their free concert on July 4th, but this symphony provides selections for those with diverse musical interests to audiences of mixed ages and musical awareness. Visit their downtown office or website for a complete listing.
Longmont Art Galleries
Interested in seeing what the local artists are up to? A stroll down Main Street (meandering east or west periodically) exhibits the talents and creativity of the many artists in Longmont and beyond, between Carlos Healing Arts Gallery, Old Firehouse Arts Center, the Muse Gallery, the Great Frame Up, Rapid Rabits, K.C. Willis Studio & Gallery as well as the many coffee shops that frequently change out the exhibits with new and interesting and affordable works of art.
The Old Firehouse Art Center is a 501(c) 3 organization that offers two galleries, programs, and so much more in this historic old firehouse on the corner of 4th & Coffman streets. Stop by the gallery for a glimpse of frequent and rotating exhibits.
The Muse Gallery, operated by the Longmont Council for the Arts, is where local artists hang! The gallery features three spaces: the WESTend, which provides particular exhibition space for local, regional, and national artists. The Main Gallery is dedicated to resident artists, and the community space to catch glimpses of budding young artists.
Artwalk is when this city truly celebrates all forms of art at once. On the third Friday of May, July, and September, art forms of all types are displayed, celebrated, performed, created, and appreciated by the thousands participating!
Longmont Museum
The Longmont Museum, located on the south side of town (400 Quail Road) offers three permanent exhibits featuring the history of the Front Range and Longmont with two additional galleries with rotating exhibits for those with diverse interests. The museum offers a summer concert series, various exhibit-related programs as well as the FREE “Discovery Days” for the youngsters!