Issue #07: Your Guide to Lyons, Colorado: A Music Lovers Paradise

A recap of our month in the mountains and a travel guide to the town that stole our hearts

Mar 06, 2025

Like many outdoor enthusiasts looking to make a change, my boyfriend and I had actually both considered moving to Denver in the first few years after undergrad. Although we didn’t make the move in our early 20’s, Colorado was at the top of both of our lists as we were planning this trip. After over a decade in Chicago, city life had lost some of it’s initial luster, so when it came time to look for our home base in the Centennial State, we had agreed to focus our search towards the smaller communities near the mountains.

Before we started planning for this road trip, neither of us had ever even heard of Lyons, but after a lengthy Reddit search and a few “phone a friends”, we decided to pull the trigger and book a cozy garden level apartment for the month of February. Thank goodness the Universe was working in our favor, because we couldn’t have ended up in a better spot if we tried.

Between all of the hikes, visits with long distance friends, and ski days (cross country and downhill!), our first month on the road has been jam packed. Considering just how much I missed the bustle of the city in the months leading up to our departure, I’ve been shocked at the ease with which I was able to fall into the rhythm of this funky little town. Maybe it’s the earnestness and openheartedness with which people engage in their community, or the huge emphasis made on supporting local musicians, but finding my place among the mountains was so much more seamless than I could have imagined, and I can’t help but feel as if we are just starting to scratch the surface of life here.

Conversations are struck up out of thin air. Flyers advertising art workshops and farm share sign ups are placed lovingly on community cork boards, warm greetings are exchanged between strangers, and there are smiling dogs on almost every corner.

Lyons, you’ve stollen my heart.

Read On for:

Lots of photos from our first month on the road
A breakdown of everything we did, ate and drank in Lyons
Ideas for your own adventures

P.S. Sincerely, Soph is currently a free newsletter, so feel free to share this guide with a friend for plenty of ideas for your next trip!

What’s the Vibe?

Tiny but mighty, Lyons is an outdoor lovers paradise. As one of the final towns before you hit the Rocky Mountains, you have really easy access to an abundance of hiking trails, endless mountain biking opportunities, and if you’re into fishing you’re just steps away from the St. Vrain Creek. I’ve mentioned it a few times now, but we just could not get over how kind and welcoming the people here are. And, as home to the one and only Planet Bluegrass, music, and the community it creates, is woven into the DNA of the town. Most of the restaurants/businesses hosting weekly live music nights or jam sessions where local folk artists, and bluegrass performers bring the community together.

Where to Stay?

Although Lyons is small (their downtown has about two streets of local businesses and restaurants), there are a few hotel/tiny house options for lodging. That said, we opted for an Airbnb for a homier feel and had an amazing host who made us feel tight at home.

Where to Eat:

Moxie Bread Co: You guys, the bread. It’s so good, and so worth the visit. As a self proclaimed bread snob, it’s rare that I find a bakery where quite literally every single item that they carry hits. Their locally and regionally sourced grains are milled fresh on site and work together to craft some of the best breads, pastries and other baked goods I’ve ever tasted (No, really - They were a a James Beard “Best Bakery” Award Finalist) Aside from the bread, what we really loved about Moxie is that it’s such a hub for the community - hosting weekly bluegrass jams on the weekends, showcasing the work of local artists, and hosting events (like the sweetheart serenade). It just goes to show, good food, and good music will always bring people together.
Mainstage Brewing: While I can’t speak to their beer, the food and ambiance alone are worth making a visit for. Their pizza, while at first unassuming, has an awesome crust - fluffy, while somehow also maintaining a perfectly crispy belly. They host trivia and live bluegrass each week, carry a large assortment of games, and have a large outdoor patio which I’m assuming is absolutely electric in the warmer seasons.
Marigold: This cozy family owned bistro is definitely worth making the trip out to Lyons for - This James Beard semi finalist is truly one of the best meals that I’ve had the pleasure of eating in Colorado! The small, farm-driven menu offers a few unique twists on Northern Italian and Southern French Cuisines. Everything we tried was amazing, and they also have an extensive natural wine list if that’s your thing!
St. Vrain Market: This independent, locally owned market has a great little selection of organic goods and also happens to be home to some pretty awesome sandwiches and baked goods. Located right on the corner before heading out of town and into the mountains, this would be a stellar stop to grab a sandwich before hitting a hike.
Mojo Taqueria: There are two taco spots in town, but this one takes the cake. The tacos are solid, they’ve got a great chicken tortilla soup, and offer a Taco Tuesday Deal. What’s not to love?
Mud Hut: Conveniently positioned on the way out of town pop by this drive up coffee shop for a bacon breakfast burrito (so, so good) before a day in the mountains.

Where to Drink:

Spirit Hound Distillery: Lyons is home to Spirit Hounds Distillery, a whiskey distiller on the quest to produce the finest Colorado-crafted spirits. While we didn’t actually get a drink here (it was packed when we tried to visit), they regularly host events (i.e. standup comedy, yoga, trivia, etc.) and had an overall good vibe that is worth calling out.
Oscar Blues: Founded in 1977, Oskar Blue’s flagship location is a hot spot for the Blues, craft beer and Cajun food.

It’s also worth noting, that I was so impressed with the N/A menus here. Literally every place we visited (even the breweries!) had a hefty N/A selection. Carrying everything from local n/a beers to craft n/a cocktails and Kombucha on tap, this state knows how to make their sober friends feel like they’re a part of the party.

Outdoor Activities:

Cross Country Ski or Snowshoe: We cross country skied almost every weekend in Lyons, renting our gear at either Crystal Ski Shop in Boulder (more affordable) or Estes Park Mountain Shop (more convenient if you’re heading into RMNP) on the way into the Rockies. There are so many amazing trails to explore in the area, and we had a blast learning something new. Some of the trails we explored were: Trailridge Road (RMNP), Sprague Lake area (RMNP) and Brainard Lake (Ward, CO).
Downhill Ski: Lyons is positioned pretty conveniently to access many of the larger ski resorts, but if you’re looking for something close by, we spent an afternoon at Eldora (< 1 hour drive) and really enjoyed it.
Hike: I’m not even going to begin to scratch the surface of hiking opportunities in and around Lyons - it’s part of the reason why we want to come back! Because you’re so conveniently located, you have access to RMNP and Roosevelt National Forest. Some of the trails we explored were: Hall Ranch, Heil Valley Ranch, Rabbit Mountain (dog friendly), Button Rock Preserve, and Chautauqua Park (dog friendly). Anything we should check out the next time we come through?
Rocky Mountain National Park: Deserving of it’s own post, Lyons’ proximity to the park made it so easy to explore these massive mountains and get in some really spectacular wildlife spotting. We saw so many elk, coyote and deer on our way in and out of the park - the cherry on top of a day well spent outside!

In Town:

Hit the Shops: Lyons is home to a few small boutiques and antique shops that carry locally sourced goods and were fun to browse on a lazy Saturday afternoon
Live Music: If you couldn’t tell by the restaurant recommendations, no matter the day of the week, you’ll be able to find live music.

If you’re planning a trip to the area, there are so many other really fun spots to explore before/after your outdoor adventures.

Nederland: A cute pit-stop on your way to the mountains or after a day of skiing at Eldora. Warm up at Salto Coffee or grab the Lucious Lox and a chocolate chip cookie at Decent Bagel before hitting the road.

Estes Park: Known as the home of the great Stanley Hotel (any Shining or Dumb and Dumber fans in this little community?), Estes Park is tucked away in the Rockies, offering great views and a cute downtown.

Boulder: Definitely the most obvious of the towns nearby, Lyons is just a quick 20 minute drive from the much more urban Boulder area. We grabbed dinner here a few times with friends (One of which was the Sink from Diner Drive Ins and Dives), and did some shopping on Pearl Street. Although I didn’t get a chance to visit, local yoga chain Yoga Pearl looks like it has a great vibe.

Have you been to Lyons? How did you spend your time? Anything we missed?
What are your favorite spots in Colorado?