Northeast Colorado offers a Hallmark holiday setting with its quaint, lit-up towns, seasonal decor, and specialty local shops. For birding, hunting, and wildlife enthusiasts, this corner of Colorado offers a snow-free environment to keep you outside longer. Here are eight reasons to visit Logan County this winter. 

1. Have A Hallmark Christmas

Sterling is the perfect Hallmark-style town to visit over the holidays. With the Historical Logan County Courthouse as the centerpiece in the quaint downtown area, amble among the lighted trees, street lamps and seasonally decorated storefronts. Browse and shop at the many unique boutiques and specialty stores. Stop for a bite to eat at a heated patio, or enjoy in-door dining with a handmade beer. The two-story-tall Christmas tree inside the rotunda of the Logan County Courthouse will be decorated with handmade ornaments from local organizations and individuals.

2. Drive Through A Winter Wonderland

Photo Courtesy of Tami Brown

Drive through an extraordinary lights display at Riverview Golf Course and be awed by the many colorful illuminated decorations arranged into tunnels, stars, trees, snowmen, and even a penguin skating on a “lake” of lights. The display is available for viewing Thursday-Sunday nights. Admission is free, but there is a donation box at the entrance if you’d like to support the new tradition!

3. Experience Christmas on the Prairie

Enjoy “Christmas on the Prairie” at the Overland Trail Museum in Sterling throughout the month of December for twinkling lights, roasted chestnuts, festive entertainment, cookies, caroling, hot cider, cozy fires and memories that last a lifetime.

4. See the Delightful Parade of Trees

Experience the delightful Parade of Trees at the Sterling Public Library at the Sterling Public Library on Tuesday, December 21, 5-8 pm. The lights will be turned down to allow the beautifully decorated trees to shine. The evening features refreshments and live music, too.

5. Shop for Locally-Made Gifts

Many of Sterling’s merchants are open for extended hours during the month of December for your holiday shopping. Shop for Sterling-made goodies and gifts at Colorado Popcorn Company, High Plains Spice Company, Mike’s Meat Market, Parts & Labor Brewing Company, Red’s Wine Boutique, Rideau Organics, Sterling Creatives Art Co-Op and Gallery, Sweetly Vintage, or Wickedly Good Treats, just to name a few.

6. Winter Golfing

With mild winter weather in northeast Colorado, golfing is a sport you can enjoy year-round. Take your pick from Logan County’s three golf courses with affordable tee times that are easy to book or disc golf fans can enjoy the scenic Pioneer Park Disc Golf Course in Sterling.

 

7. Birding

The northeast corner of the state offers some of the highest quality birding experiences in the US Great Plains. Species you can anticipate seeing include: Golden Eagle, Swainson's Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Mountain Plover (can be hard to find), Burrowing Owl, Prairie Falcon, Say's Phoebe, Horned Lark, among many others. 

8. Ice Fishing + Wildlife Viewing + Hunting

Photo Courtesy of North Sterling State Park

Prewitt State Wildlife Area has over 3,000 acres which are managed primarily for fishing and hunting. Camp, picnic, fish, boat or just sit on the shore of Prewitt Reservoir and watch hundreds of pelicans gather. Anglers can expect excellent fishing for walleye and crappie, and quality fishing for channel catfish and bluegill on the reservoir at Jumbo State Wildlife Area or North Sterling State Park.  

Come Home for the Holidays

Shop for Sterling-made Gifts

We've rounded up our best list of items crafted exclusively in Sterling, Colorado, to take home or to share with loved ones.

Colorado Popcorn Company – A gourmet popcorn manufacturer, wholesaler and local retailer in Sterling.

Cualtzy Bakery & Treats - Traditional Mexican treats baked fresh daily + custom cakes and cupcakes.

High Plains Spice Company – Hand-mixed seasoning, tea and coffee blends, from everyday to gourmet.

Mike’s Meat Market – Beef sticks and summer sausage handmade from start to finish.

Parts & Labor Brewing – Handcrafted ales (cans, growlers and swag available for gift giving).

Red’s Wine Boutique – Specializing in small-batch productions (labels feature rescue dogs).

Rideau Organics – Plant-based skincare for active lifestyles, inspired by Colorado’s beautiful and rugged landscape.

Sterling Creatives Art Co-Op and Gallery – Locally made art, from pottery and jewelry to slumped glass and stained glass.

Sweetly Vintage – A bit of old, a bit of new, and lots of handcrafted and upcycled furnishings.

Wickedly Good Treats – Custom-made cupcakes, cookies, macaroons and more.

Visit https://www.exploresterling.com/winter for more seasonal ideas.

Sterling is the perfect Hallmark-style town to visit over the holidays. With the Historical Logan County Courthouse as the centerpiece in the quaint downtown area, amble among the lighted trees, street lamps and seasonally decorated storefronts. Browse and shop at the many unique boutiques and specialty stores. Stop for a bite to eat at a heated patio, or enjoy in-door dining with a handmade beer. Bring mittens to playfully toss a snowball at your crush under the glow of the Christmas lights.

The two-story-tall Christmas tree inside the rotunda of the Logan County Courthouse will be decorated with handmade ornaments from local organizations and individuals. Come in during regular hours (Monday-Friday) starting December 1 until January 1, 2022, and see this wonderful display.

Enjoy “Christmas on the Prairie” at the Overland Trail Museum throughout the month of December for twinkling lights, roasting chestnuts, festive entertainment, cookies, caroling, hot cider, cozy fires and memories that last a lifetime.

Head to beautiful downtown Sterling for a Parade of Lights along Main Street on Thursday, December 2. The Nutcracker-themed procession of colorfully lighted floats and vehicles will begin at 6 pm and will feature an appearance from Santa Claus as the highlight of the parade.

A special “treat” for the season will be Northeastern Junior College Theatre’s presentation of “Desserts on Broadway,” a musical performance and scenes from Broadway best served with a variety of homemade desserts. December 3 and 4 at 7 pm.

Celebrate the holiday season with “Light, Joy and Peace” presented by Windsong Chorus, Centennial State Chorus, RE-1 Valley Children’s Chorale on Sunday, December 5, 3 pm.

Voices will be raised on Saturday, December 11 at 7 pm when the Northeastern Junior College Music and Recording department presents the joyful Winter Ensemble Concert, featuring music from the NJC Contemporary Choir, Concert Choir, Concert Band and Community Jazz Band.

See and experience the extraordinary Parade of Trees at the Sterling Public Library at the Sterling Public Library on Tuesday, December 21, 5-8 pm. The lights will be turned down to allow the beautifully decorated trees to shine! The evening features refreshments and live music, too.

Many of Sterling’s downtown merchants are open for extended hours during the month of December for your holiday shopping. Click the eNews link at www.logancountychamber.com for updated information.

Shop for Sterling-made gifts:

Colorado Popcorn Company – A gourmet popcorn manufacturer, wholesaler and local retailer in Sterling.

Cualtzy Bakery & Treats - Traditional Mexican treats baked fresh daily + custom cakes and cupcakes.

High Plains Spice Company – Hand-mixed seasoning, tea and coffee blends, from everyday to gourmet.

Mike’s Meat Market – Beef sticks and summer sausage handmade from start to finish.

Parts & Labor Brewing – Handcrafted ales (cans, growlers and swag available for gift giving).

Red’s Wine Boutique – Specializing in small-batch productions (labels feature rescue dogs).

Rideau Organics – Plant-based skincare for active lifestyles, inspired by Colorado’s beautiful and rugged landscape.

Sterling Creatives Art Co-Op and Gallery – Locally made art, from pottery and jewelry to slumped glass and stained glass.

Sweetly Vintage – A bit of old, a bit of new, and lots of handcrafted and upcycled furnishings.

Wickedly Good Treats – Custom made cupcakes, cookies, macaroons and more.

 

Visit https://www.exploresterling.com/winter for more seasonal ideas.

 

 

Bird watchers are finding their perfect playground on the Pioneering Plains of northeastern Colorado. The natural backdrop

This might be the last weekend for quality leaf-peeping in the northeast corner of Colorado so you’re not going to want to miss out. This is a perfect opportunity for a fall foliage road trip to Sterling and Logan County to take a look at autumn’s lovely colors outside of the more busy destinations.

Experience northeast Colorado’s broad display of colorful fall foliage. Pack snacks in the car and take a leisurely drive to the North Sterling State Park, and enjoy the open countryside around it.

Take time for a brisk walk along the South Platte River trails in Sterling near the Overland Trail Recreation Area. Make a collection of different leaves you find on the ground. Here are some fun ideas for your collection.

For more fun and October-y activities, the Logan County Arts League has put together a list of community events to celebrate Artstober all month!

 

As you plan your trip to Sterling and Logan County:

Skip the Traffic Jams

Are you ready for a Colorado road trip to Sterling? Find a variety of ideas to fill your itinerary. Here you’ll discover a plethora of activities for every level of adventure. And to top it all off, you’ll rarely be caught in a traffic jam or stand in line. It’s what we like to call free-range tourism and we’ve got the space to find your place, no matter the weather!

Ditch the Long Lines

We are open for you to enjoy our culinary culture which includes down-home favorites at the local diners and exquisite cuisine in upscale restaurants. A gigantic scoop of hard ice cream is a favorite at the charming Simkins Parlour and the Hot Spot Smokehouse has some of the best barbecue around. Stop at the Parts & Labor Brewing Company for a selection from their diverse menu and a brew made with locally grown wheat.

Roam Freely and Relax

Accommodations in Sterling and Logan County range from a quaint boutique motel to modern hotels in beautiful settings. Travelers who prefer recreational vehicles or tent camping will feel right at home at our campsite facilities.