You can map out the best route, create an itinerary and draw up a schedule. But often the best parts of every road trip are the moments you didn’t plan — those unexpected pitstops driven by curiosity, hunger, a low fuel warning or a desire to stretch your legs.
This fall, take yourself on a scenic drive around Northern Colorado. If you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll find plenty of interesting sites and attractions on your own. But, for inspiration, we rounded up some of the best quirky and historic roadside stops in this part of the state. Happy trails!
Masonville Mercantile
Don’t have a time machine? No problem. Head to the Masonville Mercantile, a 129-year-old gem in the foothills west of Fort Collins. The property dates back to 1896, when it opened as a trading post during a small, short-lived Gold Rush in the area.
The site, which is gearing up to celebrate its 130th anniversary in 2026, has served numerous purposes over the decades: general store, tavern, wedding emporium. Most recently, it reopened under new ownership as a community hub offering up snacks, souvenirs, apparel and good vibes. masonvillemerc.com
Gold Hill Inn
The Gold Hill Inn is an iconic restaurant, beer garden and music venue located in a tiny mountain community roughly 10 miles west of Boulder. Open May through December, this popular gathering place dates back to 1924, when it was constructed to serve as a dining hall for the neighboring Bluebird Lodge. (The lodge, which is available for private events, was built in 1872, when Gold Hill was still a rugged mining camp.) Today, loyal fans make the drive up Left Hand Canyon to jam out to bluegrass, folk, Americana and other genres while feasting on hearty fare. goldhillinn.com
Giant Campbell’s Soup Can
No, you’re not imagining it — that really is a giant Campbell’s soup can sticking up from the grass in Fort Collins.
The eye-catching piece is part of the collection at Colorado State University’s Gregory Allicar Museum of Art. The unusual red-and-white masterpiece dates back to 1981, when Andy Warhol came to campus. Warhol didn’t make the sculpture himself, but he did provide direction and guidance to a CSU art student, who made this one as well as two others. (One was later sold to a museum in Japan; the other is in university storage.) Today, visitors are invited to stop by, take photos of the soup can (which bears Warhol’s signature) and explore the rest of the museum’s collection — admission is always free. libarts.colostate.edu/areas/gregory-allicar-museum-art/
Vern’s Place
The massive, ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls are legendary at Vern’s Place, a beloved roadside diner in Laporte, just northwest of Fort Collins. But that’s not all you’ll find on the menu at this historic venue, which originally opened as a restaurant, sporting goods store and filling station in 1946. Here, you can eat your fill of stick-to-your-ribs comfort foods, like country-fried steak, prime rib and biscuits and gravy. Next year, this historic eatery celebrates 80 years of serving tasty, homestyle fare with neighborly friendliness. vernsplace.com
International Cryonics Museum
You’re likely already familiar with the Stanley, the stately white hotel that inspired Stephen King’s 1977 horror novel “The Shining.” But did you know this iconic Estes Park spot recently got even spookier? It’s now home to the International Cryonics Museum, a one-of-a-kind venue focused on the science of preserving human bodies in hopes of eventually bringing them back to life.
Located in The Stanley’s historic ice house, the museum serves as the final (for now) resting place of Bredo Morstøl, who’s been frozen since his death in 1989. “Grandpa Bredo,” as he’s affectionately known, famously inspired the quirky Frozen Dead Guy Days festival, which recently relocated to Estes Park. stanleyhotel.com/activities/hotel-tours/frozen-dead-guy-tour
The Forks Mercantile and Saloon
The year was 1875, and R.O. Roberts had recently arrived in Northern Colorado from Chicago. He settled in Livermore, a small community roughly 30 miles northwest of Fort Collins, and decided to open a hotel at a literal fork in the road — where U.S. 287 meets Red Feather Lakes Road. Though that original structure burned down in 1895, community members joined forces to rebuild their beloved gathering spot, which reopened in its current form in 1990. These days, the site is part mercantile, part restaurant, part gas station and part coffee shop. It recently welcomed new owners, Zach and Sherryl Thode, who are carrying on the Forks’ 150-year tradition of warm, friendly hospitality. theforksmercantile.com
Glen Echo Resort
In 1925, John F. Cooke opened a general store and tent camp for travelers making their way up Poudre Canyon. A century later, the site serves much the same purpose, though it has evolved to become a modern, year-round destination. Today, visitors can spend the night in cabins, covered wagons, vintage Airstreams or glamping tents, or bring their own gear and reserve one of the tent or RV sites. Glen Echo Resort also offers gas, propane, firewood, gifts, sporting goods and other essentials, and it has an on-site restaurant and bar, Poudre’s Pub. glenechoresort.com
Seven Keys Lodge
Seven Keys Lodge, formerly known as The Baldpate Inn, has been an Estes Park staple since 1917. From June through September, you can spend the night in one of its four cozy cabins or 12 lodge rooms, which provide a comfortable base for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. After the day’s adventures, grab a bite at the on-site restaurant, Outlaws and Legends Steakhouse, which serves up steak, seafood and vintage cocktails.
During your visit to this historic hotel, be sure to look up: You’ll find more than 20,000 keys dangling from the ceiling, with specimens from iconic destinations like Westminster Abbey and the White House. sevenkeyslodge.com, outlawsandlegendssteakhouse.com
Saul the Sticker Ball
In 2016, StickerGiant made headlines for creating the world’s largest sticker ball. These days, the enormous orb — affectionately named Saul — is even heftier than it was nine years ago, topping the scales at 395 pounds when it was last weighed on National Sticker Day in mid-January.
The company, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, makes custom printed labels and stickers for businesses and individuals at its headquarters in east Longmont. The building is not open to the public, so you won’t be able to touch or see Saul up close. But you can admire the massive ball of stickers in all its glory through the front window. And, if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of Saul out and about, as staffers occasionally take him to events. stickergiant.com
Jamestown Mercantile
Drive — or pedal — 15 miles northwest of Boulder and you’ll find yourself at the Jamestown Mercantile, a homey spot that’s been welcoming guests for nearly 130 years. It was founded in 1896 as the Elks Lodge and later became Jamestown’s post office and general store. These days, it remains a beloved community gathering space, where residents and visitors alike can grab a bite, catch up and listen to live music. jamestownmercantile.com