Skip to main content

Fort Collins

A person wearing a life vest and helmet paddles over a wave in a yellow kayak at the Cache la Poudre Whitewater Park in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Situated north of Denver and tucked between the prairie and the mountains, Fort Collins is the last city on Interstate 25 north before you hit the Wyoming border. It's also a gateway city to northern Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest. And it has plenty to offer on its own, including a fun art, music and theater scene, a range of locally sourced eateries, miles of trails and acres of open spaces, and a well-deserved reputation as the Craft Beer Capital of Colorado.

 

Find things to do in Fort Collins

Browse
A six-person band with their backs to the camera face a large crowd outside at Old Town Square. There are twinkle lights strung up between green trees.
Outdoor concerts on Old Town Square are frequent.
A couple in a lime-green hammock, that's strung up between two pine trees above a rocky outcropping look out onto Horsetooth Reservoir at sunset. In the distance a mountain meets an orange sky that's tinged with blue.
A Horsetooth Reservoir sunset should not be missed.
A group of people surrounded by large wooden beer barrels that reach the ceiling sip beer from small tasting glasses at a brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Sample some of Colorado's best craft beers.
A child plays in a dark room where the walls are lit with digital drawings of flowers and plants at the Museum of Discovery in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Kids will love exploring the Museum of Discovery. (credit: Richard Haro)
A person in a brimmed hat leans against a railing overlooking the crowd watching a musical group on the stage of the open-air Mishawaka Amphitheater in Fort Collins, Colorado
See a show at the iconic Mishawaka Amphitheater. (credit: Richard Haro)
A person stands on a rock viewpoint looking out at the rippling, blue Horsetooth Reservoir. In the distance green grass, and trees roll into mountains. The sky is blue, the sun is a bright ball and there are white clouds.
Overlook the vast Horsetooth Reservior on your next trip.
The snow-covered convergence of two streets in downtown Fort Collins on a winter's night. There are white twinkle lights in all of the trees and a couple cars are on the road.
Downtown Fort Collins turns into a winter wonderland come December.
A solo fly fisher stands in the middle of a cascading Poudre River. The riverbanks are covered in green long grasses, scrubby bushes and trees. There are grey rocks and in the distance a hill meets the light-blue sky.
Go fly-fishing on the Poudre River.
Six people are on a guided whitewater raft. They are wearing blue helmets and life jackets. Their guide stands in the back of the yellow inflatable raft wearing a red baseball cap. The water is white surrounding them.
Take in all the thrills on a whitewater rafting adventure.
Two people ride fat bikes on a snowy trail overlooking a blue reservoir with evergreen trees in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Find ways to get outdoors all year long.

Though there was a fort here in the 1860s, it was more of a trading post where Native Americans and traders met on the banks of the Cache la Poudre River (French for "hide the powder"), for the most part in friendly fashion. While its name suggests otherwise, there's never really been a strong military presence here.

Things to Do in Fort Collins

Be sure to visit the Old Town Historic District, with its fine bookstores, galleries, shops, local eateries and a calendar of fun annual events. The city itself was recently named a Certified Colorado Creative District, thanks to its artsy and innovative vibe. Read more about the city's arts and culture scene

Other must-sees include the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and Avery House (a stately Victorian home), as well as a self-guided historic walking tour of downtown. You can even ride the charming Fort Collins trolley.

Because the city is also home to Colorado State University, it has all the liveliness and bustle of a college town. Good restaurants, brewpubs, nightlife and culture abound. There's always something going on.

The city is also one of Colorado's major craft-brewing hubs, featuring New Belgium Brewing Company, Odell Brewing Company and CooperSmith's Pub & Brewery, all of which offer their own distinctive (and delicious) brews. Discover more Fort Collins breweries

Fort Collins is an outdoor-oriented community, with the nearby Lory State Park and Horsetooth Reservoir, where you can do everything from boating and swimming (in the summer months) to horseback riding, camping, fishing, mountain biking and rock climbing. And there are plenty of places for off-road driving, mountain biking, hiking and other outdoor activities. Golfers will find several challenging local courses, and anglers can fish for both stream and warm-water fish. Find year-round outdoorsy things to do in Fort Collins

Nearby Accommodations
Loading...
Fort Collins
Visit Fort Collins

Chill vibes and authentic Western hospitality, plenty of scenic outdoor spaces to play in, top breweries with sprawling beer gardens and a buzzing music and arts scene make Fort Collins a Colorado must-visit city.

Read More
Denver & Cities of the Rockies
Related Trip Ideas