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Littleton takes its name from Richard Little, an engineer who came west in the 1860s to dig irrigation ditches and later platted a town beside the Rough and Ready flour mill on the South Platte River. That frontier grid survives in the brick storefronts of Main Street, now one of the most charming historic downtowns in the Denver area.
The city of about 45,000 is the seat of Arapahoe County and sits at the southern end of RTD's light rail, a short ride from downtown Denver. Its standout attraction is the free Littleton Museum, where two working farms recreate life in the 1860s and 1890s with costumed interpreters, heritage livestock and a schoolhouse.
The South Platte flows through a green corridor of parks: South Platte Park and its Carson Nature Center, the riverside Hudson Gardens and the paved Mary Carter Greenway. Chatfield State Park, with its reservoir and balloon launches, and the Rocky Mountain foothills lie just to the southwest.
Main Street's late 1800s and early 1900s brick buildings hold independent shops, galleries, breweries and restaurants, all a short walk from the Littleton Downtown light rail station. Western Welcome Week brings a festival in August, and the Candlelight Walk in late November kicks off the holiday season.
A free museum beside Ketring Lake with two living history farms, one set in the 1860s and one in the 1890s, where interpreters cook, garden and care for heritage breeds of livestock. Indoor galleries cover local history and art. Allow two hours and look out for blacksmith demonstrations.
A 30-acre botanical garden beside the South Platte River with themed display gardens, ponds, a rose garden and a lawn amphitheater used for a summer concert series. Admission to the gardens is free. Come in early summer for the roses or in December for the holiday light display.
A small green on Main Street named for Littleton's sister city in Australia, with lawn, seating and a stage that serves as downtown's gathering place for summer concerts, Western Welcome Week events and holiday celebrations. It makes a handy break between shops and lunch.
An 880-acre natural park along the South Platte River with ponds, wetlands and cottonwood groves, home to beavers, deer, pelicans and many other birds. Paved and dirt trails link small lakes popular with paddlers and anglers. Start at the Carson Nature Center for maps and wildlife tips.
A large state park just southwest of Littleton built around Chatfield Reservoir, with a swim beach, marina, boat rentals, a campground, horse rentals and miles of trails. Hot-air balloons launch here on calm summer mornings. A Colorado state parks vehicle pass is required for entry.
The visitor center for South Platte Park, with hands-on exhibits on the river's wildlife and history, live animals and windows looking out over the water. Naturalists lead family programs, bird walks and summer camps. Entry is free, and the trails start right outside the door.
A paved trail that follows the South Platte River through Littleton, linking parks, nature areas and Hudson Gardens with Chatfield State Park to the south and the Denver trail network to the north. It is popular with cyclists, runners and birdwatchers. Join it from several trailheads with free parking.
An intimate theater in Littleton's historic 1920 town hall on Main Street, staging musicals, plays and family shows through most of the year. The small house gives good sight lines from every seat. Book ahead for popular musicals and pair the show with dinner on Main Street.
A cooperative gallery of local artists housed in Littleton's restored 1888 Denver and Rio Grande railroad depot, with rotating shows of painting, photography, jewelry and ceramics by Colorado artists. Admission is free. It sits a short walk from Main Street and the light rail station.
Breckenridge Brewery's production brewery and farmhouse restaurant on a former farm near the South Platte, with a big beer garden, lawn games and brewery tours. The kitchen serves pub food and smoked meats. Reserve a tour in advance on weekends, and bring ID for tastings.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: Chris Light, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris Light, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Light, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Chris Light, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Xnatedawgx, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Xnatedawgx, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Light, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Light, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Light, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Light, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Light, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Light, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Light, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Light, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Xnatedawgx, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Dough4872, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Dough4872, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Lovemedead, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Lovemedead, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
