Downtown Greeley

from Go West 2019 - Greeley Tribune

Craft beer 101

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Downtown Greeley is a thriving blend of shopping, dining, housing, business and entertainment. It maintains a tribute to Greeley’s history while allowing for modern trends to emerge. From weekend warriors to full-time residents, there is always something new to discover and experience downtown. Quaint shops like Warm Hugs Mixes & Gifts Boutique, Sassy Bagz and Mariposa Plants and Flowers provide tempting distractions for even the most valiant window shoppers. Longtime shops like George’s (Bicycle) Repair Shop, King’s Clocks and Hearne’s Footwear & Clothing anchor downtown with character and outstanding customer service. Businesses downtown provide a wide variety of services — you can get a haircut and get your taxes done or take a dance class and get a massage.

It’s easy to make a visit to downtown Greeley more than just a day trip with short-term solutions like DoubleTree by Hilton at

Lincoln Park and the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center — both offering meeting and event space as well as overnight accommodations. Or, stay longer with many of the residential options available surrounding and

throughout downtown.

And, let’s not forget about the food — from finedining at Greeley Chophouse and Meeker’s A Colorado Kitchen to quick bites a Aunt Helen’s Coffee House and Batter Up Cakes, downtown Greeley restaurants can fill nearly any food craving. Several craft breweries and distilleries also call downtown home, and it’s easy to experience them during special events since downtown Greeley is designated as a Go Cup district.

While downtown Greeley is on the east side of town, it truly is the city center with government offices, Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce, Greeley History Museum, Greeley Ice Haus, a senior center, a recreation center, a performing arts center, a radio station and the community newspaper offices.

Friday Fest Every Friday from June through S eptember enjoy free live music on the 9th S treet Plaza in downtown Greeley. Music typically plays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Greeley’s famously unique “Go Cup” service runs 6-10 p.m. T here also are street performers, fire spinners, face painting, balloon artistry, sidewalk chalk and more for the kids. More info: G reeleyDowntown.com.

arts c ul ture &

Officially designated a Colorado Creative District in 2014, Greeley’s downtown corridor features art, culture, festivals and lots of dining options, too. From public art including statues, sculptures and murals, to historic landmarks and community parks, a drive or stroll through downtown Greeley will keep your eyes popping.

The Creative District is a place that not only showcases amazing arts and culture projects throughout the city, but also signifies a creative identity embodied through businesses, entertainment, cultural heritage and patrons that strives to increase economic impact and provide educational opportunities for a wide variety of creative industries. The arts scene in Greeley is always evolving, and whether you explore the arts and culture opportunities daily or only once, you will come away with a unique discovery experience.

A rt gall eries Galleries featuring local and regional artist are spread throughout the city with a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits and interactive experiences. Art lovers are especially encouraged to peruse Greeley’s art offerings at First Friday: A N ight of Art, each month as new exhibits open and artists are on site to answer questions and provide demonstrations.

Kress Cinema & Lounge T he Kress, 817 8th Ave., is a downtown treasure featuring a two-screen independent movie theatre with dine-in options available from the full-service bar in the lounge. Below street level in T he Kress S peakeasy, the menu is limited to boards and small plates and offers an intimate dining experience. M oxi T heatre T he Moxi T heatre, 802 9th S t., is downtown Greeley’s live music venue featuring a wide variety of acts from blues and jazz to techno and R&B. Moxi has a full-service bar for patrons but no dining options. U nion Col ony Civic Center T he civic center, 701 10th Ave., brings a collection of performances to Greeley every fall through spring — ranging from musical acts, touring theater productions, comedian and other stage performers. T he summer season features local music, dance and theater shows.

U niversity of N orthern Col orado T he Greeley arts scene benefits from the local college’s contributions of student, faculty and visiting artist showcases in arts, dance, music and theater. T he Campus Commons facility, completed in 2019, features a 600-seat performance hall.

Community theater Greeley community theater is thriving with groups like Little T heater of the Rockies, S tampede T heatre T roupe and N oCo T heatrix providing opportunities for actors young and old to have a turn in the spotlight. Each group performs three to four productions annually with most productions running for multiple days.

G reel ey Phil harmonic O rc hestra O ne of the oldest philharmonic orchestras in the nation, Greeley Philharmonic is comprised of professional musician from all over Colorado. T he orchestra performs six shows annually.

A rts Pic nic Arts Picnic has grown from 2,000 visitors its first year to welcoming over 20,000. It is now a nationally known event at the end of July accepting over 150 artists’ and crafters’ applications from all over the U nited S tates selling everything from pottery and paintings, soap to sculptures and gourmet food to garden art. S ome of the best Colorado talent is featured on two stages throughout the weekend while balloon twisters and magicians roam through the park. More info: G reeleyA rtsPicnic.com.