Loveland’s enchanting historic district was bursting with festive cheer as I wove through the crowds at the annual Festival of Lights. The holiday market, brimming with cider and seasonal treats, offered indulgences at every corner. I savored pumpkin spice kettle corn, fed live reindeer (while dancing with an enthusiastic Rudolph impersonator on stage), posed with a sparkling human snowflake, and joined the countdown for the lighting of the grand tree at the center of the square. The tree will stay illuminated through January 1, 2025, with dazzling light shows every hour from 5 to 8 p.m.
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and outside of the North Pole, a place that beautifully embodies the spirit of the holidays is Colorado’s city of love, Loveland. Though best known for its Valentine’s Day festivities, Loveland shines just a little brighter (literally and figuratively) during the holiday season. (See our guide to the NEW Northern Colorado Holiday Light Trail).
Posing with a snowflake
Holiday Staycation in Loveland
Despite spending many years in the Denver Metro area, I had never ventured north to Loveland, writing it off as yet another slice of suburbia with a smattering of touristy love affirmations.
Skating at the Promenade Shops at Centerra
Oh, how wrong I was! TownePlace Suites in Loveland was the perfect basecamp for our historic downtown explorations within walking distance. We toured a variety of charming shops, pinballed at The Flipside’s nostalgic arcade, brunched under the glimmer of chandeliers at a speakeasy, and had one of the best pizzas of my life (a bold statement because my blood runs thick with marina sauce).
When we ventured off the square, we skied and golfed (indoors!), ice skated at the Promenade Shops at Centerra and hiked Devil’s Backbone Open Space (outdoors!)
We visited the Loveland Visitors Center, where we engraved our names on a lock and locked our love at the Love Lock sculpture, the largest sculpture of its kind in the U.S. (there is a second sculpture on the shores of Lake Loveland).
That was our introduction to Loveland’s love affair with life and art. Here are a few of our favorite finds for families. 
Family Fun in Loveland, Colorado for the Holidays
Holiday Lights, Camera, Action!
Bundle up the littles and revel in yuletide joy in Loveland. In addition to Downtown Loveland’s nightly light show, Winter Wonderlights brings one of the top free choreographed holiday light shows in the state to Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra for six weeks, running nightly from Nov. 23 through Jan. 1, 2025. Signature Live Nights, with live entertainment, themed activities, live reindeer, ice carving and a brand-new holiday market, will take place Dec. 13, and 14, 2024 from 4:30 – 9 p.m. Be sure to also check out Christmas Walk in the Woods Dec. 13-31 where revelers wander through Savage Woods to Santa’s House and an Elf Workshop. Learn more at Northern Colorado’s Holiday Light Trail.
Infinity Slopes’s Indoor Skiing
Take three revolving indoor ski slopes that rotate like a treadmill in a climate-controlled environment, two cocky advanced skiers and what do you get? A humbling experience. Indoor skiing may sound like an oxymoron, but these indoor slopes may be the best place to learn to ski and snowboard…and for the old-timers to correct a lifetime of bad habits. Infinity Slopes owner Travis Condor moved from Kentucky with his wife and children and quickly learned just how expensive it can be to learn the basics on the slopes so he shifted his training to an indoor facility. His on-the-snow instructors were later astounded by how he could seamlessly tackle difficult terrain and Condor was sold, later opening Infinity Slopes which offers open sessions, ski and snowboard lessons and summer camps.
Infinity Slopes
What makes indoor skiing so effective? Popular in Europe, these slopes allow you to be hyper-focused on technique and proper form with a coach rather than adapting to changing conditions. Adjustments to the speed and incline of the slope accommodate all ability levels. We started as advanced skiers, got knocked down to beginners and left with a toolbelt of adjustments to climb our way back up and beyond.
Loveland’s Homage to the Arts
Benson Sculpture Garden
Museums don’t make my bucket list during my travels unless I’m in a large city but Loveland gave me a new appreciation for public art, accessible to all. In the fourth edition of The 100 Best Art Towns in America, author John Villani ranked Loveland as the second-best art destination, just behind Santa Fe, New Mexico. With a city collection of hundreds of public works valued at millions of dollars, three major annual art shows, three of North America’s largest foundries, two sculpture parks featuring over hundreds of art pieces, and a robust public arts program, it’s easy to see why.
An unexpected highlight for me was the Benson Sculpture Garden. Since 1985, it has offered a stunning outdoor setting to showcase world-class sculptures for free. Spanning 10 picturesque acres, the garden currently features almost sculptures by renowned artists. This “public treasure” attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually and hosts the celebrated Sculpture in the Park event each August. Open year-round with free admission, the park provides accessible sidewalks and an inspiring cultural experience for visitors of all ages. The unofficial children’s sculpture area is especially fun for kids and free tours are available for groups of 10 or more.
Golf for Dummies and Experts
I tried many new things during our Loveland staycation including a visit to Tee Shots, an indoor golf entertainment and training center with a full-service lounge. My husband, an avid golfer, was in his element when we walked into this facility with four golf simulation bays featuring Trackman and Foresight Sports golf simulators. “We’re literally golfing Pebble Beach. Do you see the attention to detail, including the mansions that line the course?” Jamie gushed.
What I envisioned: Hitting a few golf balls onto a screen that tracked my (lack of) speed.
What I got: A state-of-the-art simulator that tracked insanely detailed advanced shot and swing data, including measures of a golfer’s swing mechanics and ball flight, launch angle, and spin rate.
While my husband fine-tuned his game, I realized how lacking mine was. But all was not lost: There are options for the amateur golfer! The Foresight offers a range of kid-friendly games and while I may not have hit a home run (or is that hole-in-one?) at Pebble Beach, my newbie skills beautifully translated to the simulated bowling and balloon darts. Tee Shots has something for everyone.
Downtown Loveland
While much of Loveland is a typical suburban sprawl, Downtown Loveland is somethin’ special with a pedestrian-friendly array of retail shops, art galleries and restaurants.
Life-changing pizza
A few of our favorite finds included award-winning Urban Field Pizza and Market where their square-shaped artisanal pizza changed my life. Other foodie favorites included Door 222’s hand-crafted tapas (I’m still dreaming about the bacon-wrapped dates and hanger steak). We also brunched at Sage Speakeasy and Lounge and took an afternoon pretzel break at the family-owned Skybear Brewery and Pub. Tip: Be sure to play the new tabletop game Skeech with the kids, the embodiment of friendly competitions and family bonding.
In addition to Tee Shots and The Flipside arcade, we also loved checking out the many charming boutiques. My favorites included Cloz to Home which specializes in clothing, home goods and decor (I have buyer’s remorse for not spending more money in this darling shop). Willow and Fitch carries a variety of made-in-Northern Colorado items, including home decor, vintage furniture and handmade clothing while The Collab is a collaboration of local businesses that bring their unique style.
These are just a few of the fantastic treasures we discovered. We barely scratched the surface of our explorations but there’s a lot to love about having a reason to return to this city that celebrates it.
In partnership with Visit Loveland. Learn more about Loveland’s many offerings at VisitLoveland.com.
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
