What to Do
Are you looking to plan a visit to Sterling? Find a variety of ideas to fill your itinerary. Maybe you love museums or hiking and biking? Perhaps you enjoy golf or disc golf or fishing and boating? Here you’ll discover a variety 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!
Ready for some free-range tourism? You’ve come to the right place to roam.
What to See
The art and culture center for northeast Colorado, Sterling is known for its tree sculptures by renowned artist Bradford Rhea, creator of America’s gift to Pope John Paul II during his historic 1993 visit to the United States. Sterling also boasts the region’s largest display of bronze artwork in northeastern Colorado. With many talented artists and a commitment to community art, Logan County is colored by numerous murals in both Sterling and Merino and new metal art creations are popping up in several parks and other public places.
Sterling has a rich past to explore in the historic downtown are, as well as at the Overland Trail Museum, which records the greatest migration of people our country has ever experienced.
Where to Eat
Our culinary culture includes down home favorites at local diners, and unique cuisine and signature specialties at our restaurants. A gigantic scoop of hard ice cream is a favorite at the charming Simkins Parlour. Stop at Parts & Labor Brewery in the former Bill's Motors 1926 building for a vintage shop vibe, an extensive and quirky menu, and a brew made with locally grown wheat. The Hot Spot Smokehouse delivers hopped up barbecue and feast at local "reader's choice" Best Place to Eat, The Grill at River City.
Where to Stay
Accommodations in Sterling 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.
Baja Tacos
231 Broadway St, Sterling, 80751
Baja Tacos has been serving Sterling for over 20 years. We have our own signature secret spice recipe that you won’t find anywhere else. We are the one & only original Baja Tacos. Come in and see us!
Best Western Sundowner
125 Overland Trail St, Sterling, 80751
A 3-minute walk from the Overland Trail Museum, this straightforward hotel off I-76 is 1.7 miles from central Sterling and 14.1 miles from North Sterling State Park.
The casual rooms and suites have free WiFi and flat-screen TVs, as well as minifridges ...
More information...
Buffalo Hills Campground & RV Park
22018 US Hwy 6, Sterling, 80751
I-76 and Hwy 6 Full-hookup, pull through sites. Tent sites. Clean modern bath and shower. Game room and mini golf. Theatre.
Burger King
1602 W Main St, Sterling, 80751
Well-known fast-food chain serving grilled burgers, fries & shakes, plus breakfast.
Colonial Motel
915 S Division Ave, Sterling, 80751
For The Discriminating Traveler. Quaint, Clean, Free Refrigerator. & Micro, Internet, and Color Cable TV W/60 Channels, Large Parking, Accept Dogs, In Room Coffee, Check-Us out....Reasonable Pricing
Columbine Park
1318 South 3rd Avenue, Sterling, 80751
Sterling’s multi-use trails, especially in Columbine Park, are getting busier all the time. Our trails are open to walkers, joggers, skaters, and bicyclists, of all ages and abilities.
Crest Motel
516 S Division Ave, Sterling, 80751
In downtown Sterling, this low-rise boutique motel is two miles from the Overland Trail Museum and 12.9 miles from North Sterling State Park. The modern rooms all have free WiFi, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, mini fridges and microwaves. There's a ...
More information...
Dairy Queen
700 W Main St, Sterling, 80751
Soft-serve ice cream & signature shakes top the menu at this classic burger & fries fast-food chain.
Daylight Donuts
409 Chestnut St, Sterling, 80751
Counter-serve chain serving donuts & its own brand of coffee for sit-down or takeout. Open Daily 5am-11am.
Domino's Pizza
Delivery/carryout chain offering a wide range of pizza, plus chicken & other sides.
Dream Redeemer (bronze)
Ticks and tocks of magic clocks, Hands whirling as they run; Meshing gears rewind the years, Erasing all that's done. Night and day he churns away, With passion he redeems; Deflated lives his throne revives. Machining all new dreams.
El Jacal Mexican Grill
Everything fresh - the way you want it! Come experience the real flavors of Mexico.
Exordium (Marble)
20,000 lb. marble sculpture created Bradford Rhea. This sculpture of seven angels was inspired by Revelation 8:6
Fiesta Restaurant
807 Sidney Ave, Sterling, 80751
If your taste buds are looking for something different, take them on an exciting journey through our authentic Mexican cuisine. From our famous Fajitas to our Chicken tenders and French fries or our Taco salads, Fiesta Mexican Restaurant guarantees the gr ...
More information...
Fox 5 Theatre
313 Poplar St, Sterling, 80751
Modest venue showing first-run blockbusters & independent movies with weekly ticket specials.
Hays Student Center Ballroom
100 College Ave, Sterling, 80751
This is a multi-purpose facility used for conferences, banquets, receptions, testing, bazaar/fair booths, health clinics, etc. The ballroom seats 400 theatre style or 350 with tables and chairs banquet style. The facility is air conditioned, and has a sou ...
More information...
Hootenannie's Pub
324 W Main St, Sterling, 80751
We offer a wide range of food, including some of the best burgers you will find. All in a classy but relaxing environment. Come early and enjoy a fast and quick lunch or stay late and enjoy a mellow party atmosphere with bands, DJs, and exciting events.
Hot Spot Smokehouse
Small town bar and grill where you can enjoy a cold beer, good food, and great people. BBQ, Pool, Ping Pong, Live Entertainment.
Hot Spot Smokehouse at Sky Ranch
17408 Highway 14, Sterling, 80751
Now located at Sky Ranch Golf Course to provide world class BBQ Bistro cuisine.
Jimmy John's
831 W Main St, Sterling, 80751
Counter-serve chain specializing in sub & club sandwiches, plus signature potato chips.
Logan County Fairgrounds and Mitchek Event Center
1120 Pawnee Avenue, Sterling, 80751
Fairgrounds buildings are available for use by the public for a variety of agricultural and non-agricultural related activities including horse shows, farm equipment demonstrations, 4-H and FFA contests, home and trade shows, craft fairs, flea markets, we ...
More information...
Lu's Buffalo Stop
A favorite folksy restaurant of locals and travelers alike.
McDonald's
Classic, long-running fast-food chain known for its burgers, fries & shakes.
Metamorphosis (Bronze)
102 N Riverview Rd, Sterling, 80751
The shape of the original tree suggested the form of spreading wings which inspired Rhea to sculpt the tree trunk into his beautiful version of a caterpillar spinning a cocoon which bursts into a butterfly ready to take flight. This piece is frequently re ...
More information...
Mi Ranchito
203 Broadway St, Sterling, 80751
Some of the best Mexican food that Sterling Colorado has to offer. Large servings and great prices will have you coming back for more.
Minuteman (Bronze)
Columbine Park, 1212 S. 3rd Ave., Sterling, 80751
This sculpture depicts a revolutionary-era colonial guardsman in authentic dress and in proper stance to protect his nation.
Among the forests of dreams and men,
Some trees of freedom stand;
and from their roots soldiers emerge,
To march throughout ...
More information...
North Sterling Reservoir State Park
24005 Country Road 330, Sterling, 80751
12 Miles north of Sterling Electrical hookups in Elks and Inlet Grove Campgrounds. Showers, laundry facilities, water hydrants, picnic pavilion. Fishing and hunting. Water sports. Hiking trails.
North Sterling State Park
North Sterling State Park, 24005 Co Rd 330, Sterling, 80751
Sterling is the gateway to North Sterling State Park, a boater’s paradise featuring a 3,000-acre lake and 1,500 acres of land supporting a variety of recreational activities. Clean, modern facilities offer camping (141 sites), picnicking, swimming, hik ...
More information...
Oakwood Inn
810 S Division Ave, Sterling, 80751
Comfortable rooms at reasonable rates. Travelers who shop smart can trust our family-run hotel is safe and maintained with pride.
Overland Trail Recreation Area
The multi-use trails around a fishing pond and along the river bottom are open to walkers, joggers, skaters, and bicyclists of all ages and abilities. Dogs are welcome too; they must be on a leash at all times in all parks except at the Overland Trail Rec ...
More information...
Papa Murphy's Take n Bake Pizza
Chain outlet offering build-your-own takeaway pizzas, to be cooked at home.
Parts & Labor Brewing Company
402 Main St B, Sterling, 80751
Parts and Labor Brewing Co. handcrafts all its beers inside the doors of a renovated, century-old Cadillac dealership repair shop. Their expansive menu ranges from beer bites and burgers to salads and sandos. You're going to want to try the Mom's Not Home ...
More information...
Pawnee Pioneer Trails Byway
Northeast Colorado's Pawnee Pioneer Trails scenic and historic byway leads you through a fascinating prairie expanse. With the expansion of America into the West, explorers and settlers could hardly believe their eyes when looking upon the Great Plains. W ...
More information...
Peter L. Youngers Fine Arts Gallery
100 College Ave., Sterling, 80751
Located in E.S. French Hall at Northeastern Junior College, this gallery is named after a long-time, very accomplished artist and art professor and is home to a rotating show, which changes monthly, from September to May. Visitors should stop by this gall ...
More information...
Pi Kappa Cino Coffee
A premier drive-thru espresso in Sterling, Colorado. PKC opened in December 2005. We’ve been serving up the best espresso drinks in NE Colorado ever since.
Pioneer Park
17615 Highway 14, Sterling, 80751
A True Natural!
Get off the beaten path and get on the nature trail! Enjoy a .6 mile trail in Sterling’s Pioneer Park (17615 Highway 14) that traverses through trees and brush and over hill and dale. Grab your camera and take a quiet hike. Listen to the ...
More information...
Pizza Hut
Family-friendly chain known for its made-to-order pizzas.
Plainsman Pete (Wood)
100 College Ave, Sterling, 80751
This carving serves as a "mascot" for the two-year community college. Commissioned by the NJC's 45th year as an outstanding education institution. It was originally located outside on campus but was moved inside in the 1990s to assure that it did not beco ...
More information...
Quality Inn
2020 Leisure Lane, Sterling, 80751
Situated at the intersection of Interstate 76 and the GAR Highway, this simple 3-story hotel is 1 mile from the Overland Trail Park and Museum and 3.6 miles from Logan County Fair.
All rooms have en suite bathrooms, as well as free WiFi, flat-screen TV ...
More information...
Recreation Center & Pools
The Sterling Recreation Center has an indoor pool and outdoor pool. The indoor pool has a capacity of 225, including the diving well and an outdoor pool with a capacity of nearly 450. The outdoor pool includes several water features including a Multi-Play ...
More information...
Riverview Golf Club
The Riverview Golf Club is a public golf course conveniently located right off I-76 and minutes from downtown Sterling, Colo. The golf course and facility are operated by Brent and Jessica Fiscus of Plainsview Golf, Inc. Riverview offers golfers an experi ...
More information...
Riverview Golf Course
13064 Co Rd 370, Sterling, 80751
The Riverview Golf Club is conveniently located right off I-76 and minutes from downtown Sterling, Colo.. The golf course and facility are operated by Brent and Jessica Fiscus of Plainsview Golf, Inc.
Riverview offers golfers an experience unmatched in t ...
More information...
Riverwalk RV Park
555 East Chestnut St., Sterling, 80751
Newest RV Park in Sterling
Are you looking for a place to stay that's peaceful and inviting along the river? Look no further than Riverwalk RV Park! We are located just off 1-76 Exit 125 - one mile from downtown Sterling - alongside the South Platte Ri ...
More information...
Sam & Louie's Italian Pizzeria
Sam & Louie’s in Sterling, CO is all about relating to our guests on a personal level in a welcoming, fun, relaxing atmosphere. Great care is taken while preparing your meal and providing that level of customer service you deserve, all while creating the ...
More information...
Santiago's
We are dedicated to providing you with the best Mexican food that is authentic, affordable, and always fresh; striving to bring you a family atmosphere with outstanding customer service in a casual dining environment.
Scion (Wood)
110 Riverview Road, Sterling, 80751
This sculpture consists of several bold, dauntless figures representing the incredible tenacity of those surviving life on the Plains. All of the figures are partially united in common support to symbolize the necessity for a cohesive element within the c ...
More information...
Seraphim (Wood)
This cottonwood sculpture was inspired by a verse from the Bible which, when explored further, tells about four living creatures covered with eyes front and back - a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle in flight. Each has six wings and eyes all over, inside ...
More information...
Simkins Parlour
Now serving: Premium Hard Ice Cream, Delicious High Plains Spice Company Coffees, Gourmet Soups, Specialty Items, and Fresh Salads with an array of toppings to choose from!
Sky Ranch Golf Course
Sky Ranch is the premier golf course in the northeast region of Colorado. Founded in 1916 as Sterling Country Club, the course has a rich history within Colorado golf lore. The course is the oldest in northeastern Colorado and one of the first five course ...
More information...
Skygrazers (Bronze)
1318 South 3rd Avenue, Sterling, 80751
This delightful carving has become the symbol of the "City of the Living Trees" It was dedicated to the city in the fall of 1984.
Just beyond the clouds of doubt and chaos they appeared; a congregation of spindling appendages fused in a mass of true be ...
More information...
Sonic
421 Chestnut St, Sterling, 80751
Fast-food burger & fries joint with an old-school feel, including retro drive-in service.
Starbucks
425 Poplar Street, Sterling, 80751
With every cup, with every conversation, with every community - we nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection. It takes many hands to craft the perfect cup of coffee – from the farmers who tend to the red-ripe coffee cherries, to the master r ...
More information...
Sterling Elks Lodge
The Sterling Elks Lodge offers the Dome Room and Ballroom for small, medium or large events.
Super 8 Motel
Adjacent to Interstate 76 and US Route 6, this simple budget hotel is 0.9 miles from the Overland Trail Park and Museum and an 8-minute drive from Logan County Fairgrounds.
Rooms sleep up to 5 and include en suite bathrooms and flat-screen TVs with pre ...
More information...
The Mask (Wood)
100 College Ave, Sterling, 80751
This piece exemplifies the traditional theme of comedy & tragedy. It originally was located at the entrance of the old Oak Street Theater, which was home to the Prairie Players, a local theater troupe. It took approximately 200 hours to complete. The crac ...
More information...
Tipsy Cow Bar & Grill
109 Colorado Ave, Merino, 80741
A place to hang out with your friends and make new ones and eat a good home-cooked meal.
Village Inn
Family-friendly chain serving home-style American classics such as chicken-fried steak & pot pie.
Wendy's
Fast-food burger chain known for its shakes, as well as sides such as chili & baked potatoes.
Windlace (wood)
The sculpture symbolizes the courage, grace and evolution of women in our society. It was dedicated to the City of Sterling in the spring of 1987. Against a swirling breeze, imprisoned souls ascend; Rising from their knees, In a vision they transcend. -Br ...
More information...
Wisdom Park
320 Plainview Ave, Sterling, 80751
Playground equipment, basketball court, playground equipment, concrete walking path, lighted pavilion, picnic tables and restroom.. Located at Plainview and Charmony Place.
