Nestled against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Fort Collins combines small-town charm with big-city amenities. This vibrant Colorado destination offers everything from outdoor adventures to cultural experiences without the crowds of more famous mountain towns. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast, nature lover, or history buff, Fort Collins delivers unforgettable experiences in a friendly, laid-back atmosphere.
Rich Frontier Heritage
Step back in time to 1864 when Fort Collins began as ‘Camp Collins,’ a military outpost named after Lt. Col. William O. Collins. The settlement quickly evolved from frontier camp to agricultural hub to the dynamic city we see today.
Walking through town reveals this layered history in preserved buildings and museums that tell stories of pioneers, farmers, and visionaries. The city’s careful preservation efforts mean you can experience both its historical roots and modern innovations in one visit.
Unlike many western towns that lost their character to development, Fort Collins maintains its authentic frontier spirit while embracing progress.
Colorado State University’s Vibrant Campus
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University infuses Fort Collins with youthful energy and academic excellence. The beautiful campus spans 583 acres with striking green spaces and impressive architecture worth exploring even if you’re not a student.
CSU brings world-class performances, lectures, and sporting events that visitors can enjoy year-round. The university’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital is renowned nationally, while its environmental science programs lead groundbreaking research.
During football season, join thousands of passionate Ram fans dressed in green and gold for an authentic college game day experience unlike anything else in northern Colorado.
Craft Beer Paradise
Beer enthusiasts, rejoice! Despite remaining ‘dry’ until 1969, Fort Collins now produces a staggering 70% of Colorado’s craft beer across its 20+ breweries. The city’s pure Rocky Mountain water creates the perfect foundation for exceptional brewing.
New Belgium Brewing Company offers fascinating tours of their sustainable facility, complete with spiral slides and generous samples. Meanwhile, Odell Brewing pioneered craft beer in the region with innovative flavors that continue to influence the industry nationwide.
Beyond these giants, discover smaller gems like Funkwerks (specializing in Saisons) or Purpose Brewing with their experimental small-batch creations.
Disney-Inspiring Old Town
Did you know Walt Disney modeled Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A. after Fort Collins’ charming Old Town? The district’s preserved 19th-century red-brick architecture captured Disney’s imagination during his visits to the area.
Today, this National Historic District buzzes with energy as locally-owned shops, restaurants, and galleries fill historic buildings. String lights crisscross above the streets, creating a magical atmosphere as you wander past colorful facades and hidden courtyards.
Old Town Square features a vintage trolley, interactive water fountain, and regular live music performances. The district hosts festivals year-round, from holiday lighting ceremonies to summer concert series.
Cyclist-Friendly Community
Pedal power rules in Fort Collins! Ranked #1 in the nation for cycling by PeopleForBikes, the city boasts over 285 miles of bikeways and trails. Rent a cruiser and experience the city like a local, gliding through neighborhoods on dedicated paths.
The Spring Creek and Poudre River trails offer scenic routes connecting parks, breweries, and downtown without ever sharing space with cars. For mountain bikers, nearby Lory State Park and Horsetooth Mountain provide thrilling single-track adventures with spectacular views.
The city’s bike-share program makes two-wheeled transportation accessible to everyone, while numerous cycling events throughout the year celebrate this eco-friendly lifestyle.
Natural Playground
Horsetooth Reservoir sparkles like a sapphire against red sandstone cliffs just minutes from downtown. This 6.5-mile-long reservoir offers swimming, fishing, paddleboarding, and boating adventures surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
Nearby, the Cache la Poudre River—Colorado’s only National Wild & Scenic River—provides thrilling whitewater rafting experiences for all skill levels. The river’s name comes from French trappers who cached their gunpowder along its banks during a sudden snowstorm.
Lory State Park and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space feature miles of trails leading to spectacular vistas, including the iconic Horsetooth Rock formation that resembles massive incisors rising from the earth.
Blossoming Botanical Gardens
The Gardens on Spring Creek transforms 18 acres into a living horticultural showcase that changes with the seasons. The Butterfly House—a glass-enclosed paradise—hosts up to 400 free-flying North American butterflies that might land right on your shoulder!
Themed gardens showcase everything from prairie plants to mountain ecosystems, demonstrating how to create beautiful landscapes using water-wise techniques. The Children’s Garden encourages hands-on exploration with interactive features that make learning about plants fun for all ages.
During winter holidays, the Gardens transform into a magical wonderland with over 100,000 LED lights illuminating plants and creating fantastical displays that draw visitors from across the region.
Interactive Museums
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery brilliantly merges science and history through hands-on exhibits that engage visitors of all ages. Try your hand at making music in the Music & Sound Lab or explore local ecosystems in the immersive Nature’s Amazing Machines exhibit.
The Global Village Museum showcases international folk art and cultural artifacts from around the world in intimate, thoughtfully curated galleries. Meanwhile, the Fort Collins Museum of Art presents rotating exhibitions featuring both regional and nationally recognized artists in a historic building downtown.
For history buffs, the Avery House offers guided tours through a beautifully preserved 1879 home that reveals how Fort Collins’ founding families lived during the city’s early days.
Year-Round Festival Scene
Fort Collins knows how to celebrate! The quirky Tour de Fat hosted by New Belgium Brewing transforms downtown into a bicycle carnival complete with costumed parade and eccentric performances celebrating bike culture and sustainability.
Music lovers flock to Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest, a free three-day music festival featuring over 80 Colorado bands across multiple stages throughout downtown. FoCoMX showcases hundreds of local musicians performing in venues ranging from traditional theaters to tattoo shops.
Taste of Fort Collins combines culinary delights with national music acts, while the Colorado Brewers’ Festival highlights the state’s incredible craft beer scene with unlimited sampling opportunities in a festival atmosphere.
Family Adventures
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park delights children with opportunities to milk cows, pet farm animals, and take pony rides in a genuine agricultural setting. This working educational farm makes rural experiences accessible even in an urban environment.
All aboard Birney Car 21! This restored 1919 trolley carries passengers along Mountain Avenue during summer months, offering a charming glimpse into historic transportation. For evening entertainment, the Holiday Twin Drive-In—one of just six remaining in Colorado—presents double features under starry skies.
The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery’s Discovery Zone provides scientific play spaces specifically designed for younger children, while City Park’s vintage carousel and train ride have entertained generations of families.
Farm-to-Table Culinary Scene
Fort Collins’ location amid fertile agricultural land creates the perfect environment for exceptional farm-to-table dining. Local chefs partner with nearby farms to create seasonal menus showcasing the region’s bounty in creative, delicious ways.
The weekly farmers’ market transforms downtown into a vibrant showcase of local produce, artisanal cheeses, fresh-baked goods, and handcrafted products. Food truck rallies gather throughout summer, offering everything from authentic street tacos to gourmet grilled cheese in festive outdoor settings.
Don’t miss FoCo Café—a nonprofit restaurant operating with a “pay what you can” model that serves locally-sourced organic meals while building community through innovative dining concepts.
Public Art Wonderland
Colorful pianos appear throughout Fort Collins each summer as part of “Pianos About Town,” inviting anyone to sit down and play a tune. Local artists transform these instruments into stunning works of art that reflect the city’s creative spirit.
More than 160 sculptures and murals adorn public spaces, creating an outdoor gallery experience as you explore the city. The Lincoln Center showcases rotating exhibitions alongside performing arts, while First Friday Gallery Walks turn downtown into a monthly art celebration with open galleries and artist demonstrations.
The Art in Public Places program ensures that 1% of all city construction projects goes toward commissioning new artwork, resulting in a constantly evolving collection that enhances everyday spaces.
Gateway to Rocky Mountain Adventures
Positioned just 30 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park, Fort Collins serves as the perfect basecamp for exploring Colorado’s iconic wilderness. Visitors enjoy comfortable accommodations and amenities before heading into the park’s majestic landscape of 14,000-foot peaks and alpine lakes.
Roosevelt National Forest borders the city, offering immediate access to wilderness experiences without long drives. Cache la Poudre Canyon provides spectacular scenery and recreation opportunities including fly fishing in gold medal waters and hiking through pristine forests.
Day trips to charming mountain towns like Estes Park add variety to your Rocky Mountain experience, while returning to Fort Collins each evening means access to great dining and comfortable lodging after your adventures.
