Just 10 miles east of Boulder, the little city of Lafayette is fiercely championed by its residents (including Ken and Allison themselves!) for its tight-knit, small-town feel yet abundant cultural riches for a city its size. Lafayette has an artsy vibe, with a flourishing public art program, studios, and shops on Public Road (Lafayette’s main street), and dozens of colorful murals around town, in alleyways, and on folks' garages. A fantastic public library, rec center, and public lands mean there’s always a place to go for adventure and personal enrichment. To get outside, walk around beautiful Waneka Lake and check out the bird sanctuary at Greenlee Wildlife Preserve on the north side of the lake. Coal Creek Trail, a wide, gravel path, is another treasured green space, shaded by towering cottonwoods and a natural refuge in all seasons, and Indian Peaks Golf Course awaits on sunny days (stay for a burger and epic views on their clubhouse patio).
Teocalli Cucina | It’s never not busy for a reason. Delicious guacamole, tacos, enchiladas and margaritas draw a jovial crowd all day.
The Post Chicken & Beer | An early lynchpin in downtown Lafayette’s revival, The Post is a favorite gathering place with the best fried chicken around (or the Yoga Pants Salad for vegetarians).
Community Supper Club | Simply some of the most sumptuous, cannot-stop-eating dishes in the Denver metro area, paired with Lafayette’s best cocktail program.
Acreage | With great views of the foothills and Rockies, great food, and a fun atmosphere with fire pits and picnic tables in the large outdoor space, this is a great spot to gather all year long.
Coal Creek Trail | A crown jewel in Lafayette’s open space program, with 14 miles of soft-surface trail along pretty Coal Creek.
Waneka Lake | Stunning mountain reflections and a trail around the entire lake.
The Arts Hub | A performing arts center for all ages, there are always theater productions to catch or dance, theater, music, and film classes to take.
Installations Along Public Road | An ever-changing selection of whimsical, thought-provoking, and captivating sculptures appear all up and down Lafayette’s main street.
The Read Queen | This adorable bookstore is a go-to spot for inspiration among the shelves and great coffee, too.
Art Night Out | Head downtown for the second Friday of the month, May through September. Everyone in town is there to browse artists' booths and dance to live music.
Lafayette Oatmeal Festival | A winter warmup in January that involves sampling tasty oatmeals with over 75 toppings.
Lafayette Peach Festival | Attendees line up early to get a flat of peaches from Colorado’s Western Slope and a pan of fresh-baked peach cobbler at this annual August festival.
“Selecting a greatest hits list of places to dine is becoming an increasingly difficult task, with formidable contenders in every corner of the community.” —5280 Magazine
“The sounds of chirping, singing or squawking can be heard by many visitors at the Greenlee Wildlife Preserve in Lafayette. Various owls, hawks, geese and other birds have been spotted around the area, and in late 2019, Lafayette was designated Colorado’s first ‘Bird City.’” —Colorado Hometown Weekly
30,307 people live in Lafayette, where the median age is 39.1 and the average individual income is $53,345. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
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