Categories: Local & Entertainment; Eat & Drink

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Explore an Ex-Coal Mining Town: Lafayette, CO

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It's been laughingly referred to as the ugly stepsister of Boulder, but Lafayette, Colorado has some of its own charms. Largely a community filled with workers who head to Boulder, Denver or Broomfield during the week, Lafayette has preserved its rustic charm while transforming into a splendid family community. Restaurants, golf courses, museums and more fill this little plains town.

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Restaurants

As usual, any restaurant here has vegetarian options, though none are exclusively (or even mostly) vegetarian.

Pulcinella Ristorante

300 S Public Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026

Fantastic Italian fare in a casual atmosphere makes this restaurant great for anything from a date to a meal with young children. I recommend the gnocci.

Check their menu here .

Fantastic Italian fare in a casual atmosphere makes this restaurant great for anything from a date to a meal with young children. I recommend the gnocci.

Check their menu here .

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Inside Pulcinella Ristorante

Proto's Pizza

489 Us Highway 287, Lafayette, CO 80026

This local chain has excellent thin crust, Neapolitan style pizza. Their small pizzas are perfect for one person, or a larger one can feed a few. My recommendation is the Pontiff Pie, which features an olive oil sauce, spinach and feta cheese.

Check their menu here .

This local chain has excellent thin crust, Neapolitan style pizza. Their small pizzas are perfect for one person, or a larger one can feed a few. My recommendation is the Pontiff Pie, which features an olive oil sauce, spinach and feta cheese.

Check their menu here .

Efrain's Mexican Restaurant

101 E Cleveland St, Lafayette, CO 80026

Efrain’s is generally considered to offer the best Mexican food in the area. I’m not entirely sure how vegetarian-friendly this place is, but I think there is an option or two.

Efrain’s is generally considered to offer the best Mexican food in the area. I’m not entirely sure how vegetarian-friendly this place is, but I think there is an option or two.

Restaurants and Coffee Shops

Sushi Mara

1381 Forest Park Cir, Lafayette, CO 80026

Sushi Mara serves up some of the best sushi in the region.

Check out this review by fellow Guidespotter fcarman: Quality Sushi on the Frontrange

Sushi Mara serves up some of the best sushi in the region.

Check out this review by fellow Guidespotter fcarman: Quality Sushi on the Frontrange

Indulge Bakery Inc

1377 Forest Park Cir, Lafayette, CO 80026

Perfect for that weekend morning treat or special occasion dessert, Indulge Bakery serves up fantastic fresh pastries, hand decorated cakes, mouthwatering pies and sumptuous gelato treats.

Perfect for that weekend morning treat or special occasion dessert, Indulge Bakery serves up fantastic fresh pastries, hand decorated cakes, mouthwatering pies and sumptuous gelato treats.

Coffee

Lafayette has a few nice, locally-owned options for a morning pastry and coffee.

Cannon Mine Coffee Co

210 S Public Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026

In the back of Cannon Mine, there’s a little used book corner. It’s really more book-trade style than book purchasing, but nice if you’re looking for something to read with your drink.

In the back of Cannon Mine, there’s a little used book corner. It’s really more book-trade style than book purchasing, but nice if you’re looking for something to read with your drink.

Cinos Coffee & News

2770 Dagny Way Ste 101, Lafayette, CO 80026

Cino’s has great lattes, comfortable couches and rows and rows of magazines for purchase. Mostly a coffee-to-go location, go for their quick service and friendly baristas.

Cino’s has great lattes, comfortable couches and rows and rows of magazines for purchase. Mostly a coffee-to-go location, go for their quick service and friendly baristas.

Mojo Coffeehouse

211 N Public Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026

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Education

Lafayette is part of the Boulder Valley School District. The town has three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school, in addition to a K-12 charter school.

Boulder Valley School District

Peak To Peak Charter School

800 Merlin Drive, Lafayette, CO 80026

Peak to Peak is a K-12 charter school, with the high school receiving local and national renown for its superb quality of education.

Peak to Peak is a K-12 charter school, with the high school receiving local and national renown for its superb quality of education.

Lafayette Elementary School

101 N Bermont Ave, Lafayette, CO 80026

Ryan Elementary School

1405 Centaur Village Drive, Lafayette, CO 80026

Sanchez Elementary School

655 Sir Galahad Drive, Lafayette, CO 80026

Angevine Middle School

1150 W South Boulder Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026

Centaurus Senior High

10300 E South Boulder Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026

Though suffering from a lack of feeder schools, Centaurus High School gave both my sister and I an excellent education. There is a superb pre-engineering program, which includes college credit courses, and an IB (International Baccalaureate) program on top of its wide range of AP (Advanced Placement) courses and many clubs and sports teams.

Though suffering from a lack of feeder schools, Centaurus High School gave both my sister and I an excellent education. There is a superb pre-engineering program, which includes college credit courses, and an IB (International Baccalaureate) program on top of its wide range of AP (Advanced Placement) courses and many clubs and sports teams.

Schools in Lafayette

Hotels Near Lafayette

Need a place to stay? Sadly, Lafayette is a bit short on hotels at the moment. Try staying in Longmont or Broomfield for the lowest rates, Louisville for the shortest drive or Boulder for the best selection.

Distances to Nearby Towns and Cities

Boulder: 11 miles (West)
Denver: 23 miles (South)
Longmont: 13 miles (North)
Broomfield: 6 miles (South)

 

Lafayette, CO

Lafayette, CO

Lafayette has a population of approximately 24,000.

Thanks to its high-quality youth programs, museums and schools, in 2008 Lafayette was voted one of the “100 Best Communities for Young People by America’s Promise Alliance.

Lafayette has a population of approximately 24,000.

Thanks to its high-quality youth programs, museums and schools, in 2008 Lafayette was voted one of the “100 Best Communities for Young People by America’s Promise Alliance.

Entertainment

Nissi's Coffeehouse & Bistro

2675 Northpark Dr Ste 200, Lafayette, CO 80026

Regionally popular for its excellent live music events, Nissi’s serves fantastic tapas and offers a sizable wine and beer list.

Regionally popular for its excellent live music events, Nissi’s serves fantastic tapas and offers a sizable wine and beer list.

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The front counter at Nissi’s

Rocky Mountain Center For Musical Arts

200 E Baseline Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026

In addition to its musical education programs for students of all ages, the RMCMA hosts performances by live music groups throughout the year.

In addition to its musical education programs for students of all ages, the RMCMA hosts performances by live music groups throughout the year.

Attractions

Indian Peaks Golf Course

2300 Indian Peaks Trl, Lafayette, CO 80026

An 18 hole Hale Irwin designed course, Indian Peaks Golf Course presents a challenging game. Holes range from the short, relatively easy par three of the 5th hole to the difficult uphill battle of the par five of the 17th hole. There is also a large driving range and nice clubhouse, complete with a pro shop and restaurant.

For rates and reservations, visit their website here .

An 18 hole Hale Irwin designed course, Indian Peaks Golf Course presents a challenging game. Holes range from the short, relatively easy par three of the 5th hole to the difficult uphill battle of the par five of the 17th hole. There is also a large driving range and nice clubhouse, complete with a pro shop and restaurant.

For rates and reservations, visit their website here .

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Tee up at the Indian Peaks Golf Course

Waneka Lake Park

1598 CARIA DR LAFAYETTE, CO 80026

The park centers around a large central lake, circled by a 1.1-mile exercise path. There is a playground for children and sheltered picnic areas can be reserved for group events.

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At Waneka Lake in the winter.

Miner's Museum

108 E Simpson St, Lafayette, CO 80026

A look into Lafayette’s past is possible at the Miner’s Museum . Moving beyond mining history, the museum also covers other aspects of the town as it existed in the late 19th century.

A look into Lafayette’s past is possible at the Miner’s Museum . Moving beyond mining history, the museum also covers other aspects of the town as it existed in the late 19th century.

Wow Children's Museum World of Wonder

110 N Harrison Ave, Lafayette, CO 80026

This exploratory museum is designed for young children, with imaginative play areas and exhibits displaying varied scientific principles.

This exploratory museum is designed for young children, with imaginative play areas and exhibits displaying varied scientific principles.

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Play at WOW! Children’s Museum

Lafayette Recreation Center

111 W Baseline Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026

The Bob L. Burger Recreation Center has ample facilities for exercise and fun, including a gym, indoor swimming pool complete with a water slide and a play area for young children as well as outdoor fields for other sports.

The Bob L. Burger Recreation Center has ample facilities for exercise and fun, including a gym, indoor swimming pool complete with a water slide and a play area for young children as well as outdoor fields for other sports.

Lafayette Public Library

775 West Baseline Road, Lafayette, CO 80026

The two-story library has all the literary amenities of a library, along with some modern additions. There is a Homework Center for students looking for help with their schoolwork, a computer lab for adults and a small cafe and art gallery, filled with locally produced arts and crafts available for purchase.

The two-story library has all the literary amenities of a library, along with some modern additions. There is a Homework Center for students looking for help with their schoolwork, a computer lab for adults and a small cafe and art gallery, filled with locally produced arts and crafts available for purchase.

Attractions and Recreation

Events

Lafayette hosts three fun annual events, drawing crowds from throughout the surrounding areas.

Oatmeal Festival

When: January
Next occurs: Jan. 10, 2009

Celebrating the health benefits and culinary diversity of oatmeal, the annual Lafayette Oatmeal Festival has a 5k walk/run, the largest oatmeal toppings bar in the world and recipe competitions.

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The Oatmeal Festival mascot

Peach Festival

When: August
Next occurs: August 16, 2008

Peach dishes, fresh peaches and local arts are celebrated at the Lafayette Peach Festival. Each year, the community comes together to indulge in this sweet fruit, buy local produce, listen to live music and shop for locally produced treasures.

Celebrate Lafayette

When: October
Next occurs: October 4, 2008

A street parade, live entertainment and regional arts and crafts are all featured at Celebrate Lafayette. The main street in town, Public Road, closes down for the day as residents and visitors alike fill the streets and explore the community.

Guide: Explore Boulder in a Day

While you’re in the area, take a day trip into Boulder.

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