Lyons

Lyons is a peaceful, down-to-earth community of 2,000 residents that’s tucked inside the red-sandstone foothills at the confluence of the North St. Vrain and South St. Vrain creeks. Founded in 1881, it’s crammed with historic buildings—there are 15 structures listed in the National Register of Historic Places—and the whole downtown area feels like a turn-of-the-20th-century frontier outpost. The cafés, restaurants, art galleries, and antiques stores attract lots of visitors, who also come for the recreation opportunities and top-notch music festivals.