Lyons

Lyons sits at the confluence of the North and South St. Vrain Creeks where the canyon opens onto the plains — a geographic distinction that's given the town its character since the 19th century. The sandstone that built half of Boulder's historic downtown came from Lyons quarries, and the town still carries that rugged, practical beauty. The music scene — including the annual RockyGrass and Planet Bluegrass festivals — gives Lyons a cultural identity that most Front Range towns its size couldn't manufacture with a budget. For buyers who want mountain adjacency without mountain prices, Lyons is the most compelling entry in Boulder County.