Where to Stay in Greeley (Best Areas & Places)

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Greeley

Greeley is a Northern Colorado town that’s known for its agriculture, oil and gas exploration, and the University of Northern Colorado. This means a lot of the area around Greeley is open farmland and space. Most Greeley visitors are going to want to stay downtown in the historic district. It has a quaint, charming feel and plenty of walkable businesses.

Centerplace is home to many chain stores and restaurants including Target, Home Depot, and Starbucks. It’s a good spot if you’re on a long road trip and need to restock. Western Greeley is more suburban, with fewer restaurants and hotels. Evans, to the south, is another suburban area that has grown in recent years. 

👉 Pro Tip: Before visiting, be sure to bookmark my guide on the Best Things to Do in Greeley, Colorado! 

Historic District

👉 Best Area For Visiting UNC | ✨ Best Historic District Hotels: Currier Inn Bed and Breakfast • Greeley University Inn • Doubletree By Hilton Greeley At Lincoln Park

If you’re coming to town to visit the university, or for a vacation, you’ll want to stay in the historic district. This area has beautiful old buildings that house restaurants, shops, cafes, and more. It’s also within walking distance of several Greeley attractions and is about a mile from the university. 

Pros of Staying in the Historic District Neighborhood:

• Quaint historic feel
• Walking distance to restaurants and bars
• Close to the university

Con of Staying in the Historic District Neighborhood:

• Hotels are most expensive here, but are still much more affordable than hotels in Denver and other metro areas

Centerplace

👉 Best Area For Convenient Stores & Food | ✨ Best Centerplace Hotels: Homewood Suites by Hilton Greeley • Candlewood Suites Greeley • Best Western Greeley

Centerplace is the name of a street and mall in the middle of Greeley. You’ll find grocery stores, a Target, and many other well-known businesses. You’re not going to get a relaxed charm here, but it’s a very convenient spot if you need to restock up on supplies for an ongoing road trip or camping trip. 

Pros of Staying in Centerplace Neighborhood: 

• Near several big box chain stores & restaurants
• Plenty of choices for popular restaurants

Con of Staying in Centerplace Neighborhood:

• Lots of businesses but lacking in charm

Western Greeley

👉 Best Area For Outdoor Sports | ✨ Best Western Greeley Hotels: Days Inn by Wyndham • Homewood Suites by Hilton Greeley

Western Greeley does not have very many hotels. It’s a suburban area with lots of single-family homes and neighborhoods. However, it’s close to the Greeley Family FunPlex, a golf course, a bowling alley, and a natural area by the Cache la Poudre River. It’s a great spot for outdoor activities, whether you’re looking for organized games like golf or you want to spend the day hiking near the river.

Pros of Staying in Western Greeley Neighborhood:

• Near Greeley Family FunPlex
• Near natural area and river

Con of Staying in Western Greeley Neighborhood:

• Not near bars or restaurants

Evans

👉 Best Area For South Platte River Access | ✨ Best Evans Hotels: Rodeway Inn Greeley • Country Inn & Suites by Radisson • Americas Best Value Inn

Evans is a city next to Greeley, south of US-34, that has experienced growth over the past few years. There are several chain restaurants that are popular with Greeley residents. Evans also has parks and is close to the South Platte River. 

Pros of Staying in Evans Neighborhood:

• Near reliable chain restaurants 
• Close to the river and some parks

Con of Staying in Evans Neighborhood:

• Not close to as many unique, locally-owned bars & restaurants

Tips for Staying in Greeley

Slow it down

There aren’t many big, must-see places in Greeley. There are plenty of interesting things to check out, like downtown Greeley, and the University of Northern Colorado. However, if you’re visiting Greeley, you won’t be going nonstop from one attraction to the next until you collapse in your bed each night. Enjoy a slower pace and relax! 

The cow smell doesn’t linger

Greeley is home to a very large meatpacking plant, and there are days the town smells very strongly of cows. In fact, thanks to the wind patterns before a snow, many people in Denver say it “smells like Greeley” before a storm. However, the smell doesn’t stick around Greeley for long and most days are pleasant. 

Rent a car

The historic district and the nearby University of Northern Colorado are walkable, so it’s possible you won’t need a car for your entire trip. However, Greeley is an hour from DIA, and there are other fun cities nearby you may want to explore like Fort Collins or even Boulder or Denver. You’ll definitely need a car for those, as well as for getting around town.

To easily compare agencies and rates, check out our preferred rental partner, Discover Cars. 

Take a day trip

Greeley is roughly an hour’s drive from Denver and Boulder, and an even shorter distance from Fort Collins. You could easily spend a day (or more!) exploring each of those cities and each one of them makes a fun day trip from Greeley.

👉  Pro Tip: Check out our Ultimate Colorado Travel Guide for ideas on what to do and where to stay in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and more!  

Hydrate

Colorado is very dry, and the higher elevation means it’s important to stay hydrated. Bring a water bottle along on any hikes or outdoor activities you plan. Actually, it’s useful to bring a water bottle along regardless of what you’re doing for the day! 

And wear sunscreen

Colorado is known for its sunny weather – even days with a snowstorm can end up sunny after the snow is done! Be sure to wear sunscreen, both in winter and summer. Also, since people often dress in layers and peel them off as the weather warms, be sure to sunscreen underneath sweatshirts and hats!

📚 Related Reading: Don’t forget any of the essentials with our handy Colorado Packing List! 

FAQs About Where to Stay in Greeley

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As you plan your trip, hopefully this article gives you an idea of where to stay in Greeley! Be sure to check out my guide to Things to Do in Greeley, as well as Things to Do in Fort Collins nearby!