Ten Best Things To Do in Evergreen

For those looking for a short trip into the mountains that spares you a bit of traffic, Evergreen is a wonderful step into the early Rocky Mountain foothills just south of I-70. What you’ll find there is a charming town tucked into the mountains that is filled to the brim with friendly community members, extensive art and history, and many trails to hop onto for all the recreational activities you could ever drool over. 

Read on to learn more about all the great ways to get to know the warm and welcoming Evergreen community and the natural beauty that surrounds it. Evergreen strong!

Center For The Arts Evergreen
31880 Rocky Village Drive, Evergreen
Having just celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, Center For The Arts Evergreen continues to be an important community gathering spot for residents. You may be most familiar with the center’s major annual events (such as Summerfest and Winterfest) that focus on artisan gift markets, live music and fun family activities, but it also serves as a year-round art gallery and creative community workshop. In addition to hosting a free-to-visit gallery featuring ten different exhibits each year, the center hosts a variety of educational programs to help people connect over their love of art. A ceramic facility, summer camps and other tutoring and guidance on artistic events are regularly offered to all visitors, and there are also free outreach programs at the center for seniors, people suffering from memory loss, adults with disabilities, and a mental health resilience program aimed at teenagers on a biweekly or monthly basis. Throw in their organized public art displays, and it becomes undeniable how devoted this organization is to providing art and imagination to the Evergreen community.

Center Stage 
27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen
Evergreen’s local theater is always revving up for another show, concert or other live performance. What’s the next show? Well, it could be a Broadway musical led by Ovation West’s talented cast, a choir performance by the Evergreen Chorale, or a show presented by the Evergreen Players, among others. You’ll have to check their websites to find a show you want to see after a day in the mountains. Those looking for a space to host their own events can also rent out the venue on any open dates on the calendar.

Evergreen Brewery
2962 Evergreen Pkwy #201, Evergreen
Looking for a place to grab a drink on your way back down from the slopes or trails? Evergreen Brewery is a welcoming community pub that offers house-brewed IPAs, ales and more on tap, in addition to a variety of appetizers, sandwiches and other entrees, plus a kids’ menu. Don’t miss out on their biweekly Wednesday trivia nights, and other deals and events as advertised on their website. Plus, recreationists may be interested in visiting the brewery’s neighbors and business partners at Boone Mountain Sports, which sells quality gear for skiing, snowboarding, camping and hiking.

Evergreen Clothing & Mercantile
28025 Hwy 74, Evergreen
Known for having the widest collection of Evergreen-themed souvenirs in the area, Evergreen Clothing is the best place to find something that will help you commemorate your visit to the foothills of the Rockies. With a selection ranging from clothing and art to sweets, candles and other unique treasures, this gift shop has a little something for everyone. 

Evergreen Lake
29612 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen
Arguably Evergreen’s most iconic natural landmark, Evergreen Lake is practically in downtown and has no shortage of recreational activities to partake in. The lake is a hotspot for boating and paddleboarding in the summer, and you can even rent a boat out if you’re so inclined. Once the ice gets thick enough in the winter, the lake reopens for ice skating and ice fishing. This year, the annual Evergreen Lake Plunge has been postponed due to warm weather and a lack of ice.

Hiwan Heritage Park & Museum
28473 Meadow Drive, Evergreen
Visitors who want some insight into the history of Evergreen’s early settlers must make sure to check out the Hiwan Heritage Museum building. The beautiful structure was originally built as a one-room cabin in 1893 before being expanded into a 25-room house by Evergreen craftsman Jock Spence, who built each unique room with local materials for Doctor Josepha and her mother. Dr. Jo was also one of the first female doctors in Colorado. Curious visitors can enjoy a free guided tour to learn the finer details of the house’s history and architecture whenever the museum is open each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Or, keep an eye out for news on the museum’s upcoming events cohosted with the Evergreen Mountain Area Historical Society, such as Afternoon Teatimes and a Holiday Open House.

Pence Park
4400 Parmalee Gulch Road, Evergreen
Right on the southeastern corner of Evergreen is a modest little park that mostly provides trail access to the O’Fallon and Corwina parks in Kittredge and Morrison, respectively, and to even more parks further east in Morrison. However, the park also gives one of the best overhead views of Evergreen out there from the top of Independence Peak Trail, putting the town in shocking perspective against the looming Rocky Mountain range to its west. Coming in at just over two miles round trip, this relatively easy hike is well worth the climb to earn the view at the top.

The Evergreen Gallery
28195 Hwy 74, Evergreen
Another community fixture, The Evergreen Gallery, became the first art gallery in town when it was founded almost forty years ago in 1987. Displaying and selling artwork from more than ninety skilled Colorado artists, the gallery has at least one thing to offer from most of the well-established art forms: Paintings, woodcarvings, stained glass, pottery, fabrics and fiber, photography and even some jewelry designed in Evergreen itself. Information on each featured artist can be found on the gallery’s website.

Alderfer/3 Sisters Park
30357 Buffalo Park Road, Evergreen
Based just a few miles west of downtown Evergreen, Alderfer/3 Sisters Park has over sixteen miles of trails that provide a spectacular tour of the Rocky Mountain Foothills. Whether you hike north to explore the three sister mountains and access Dedisse and Elephant Butte parks, or hike south to summit Evergreen Mountain, you’re in for a fun adventure of checking out unique rock formations and getting some great views.

Wildflower Cafe
28035 Hwy 74, Evergreen
Historically one of the landmark dining establishments of Evergreen, the Wildflower Cafe has sustained its place on the downtown boardwalk for thirty years as a welcoming place to enjoy food and make memories. The current owners, Erin Myers and Valerie Hartford, were long-time patrons of the cafe before the previous owner died, at which point they decided to purchase the cafe in order to ensure that the legacy of Wildflower would be faithfully carried on by locals. In fact, everyone who works at the cafe is an Evergreen resident, and many of them were born and raised in the area. The entire team has shown consistent dedication to giving back to the community, especially as they partner with the local Chamber of Commerce and the Evergreen Rodeo Association. As for the restaurant’s rotating menu, Wildflower Cafe provides breakfast and lunch every day, including “Pancake of the Month” and monthly drink specials. The cafe also holds a special dinner event every Friday, has weekly soups and provides quarterly pop-up menus for holiday events like Valentine’s Night. If nothing else, come buy some “Don’t Be A Rufous” merchandise.