Fort Collins

Though there was a fort here in the 1860s, it was more of a trading post where American Indians 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

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. 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 an old trolley.

Because Fort Collins 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 tours of their operations. Anheuser-Busch has a major Budweiser beer brewing operation here, with free tours (and samples) for guests and a peek at the world-famous Clydesdale horses.

This northern Colorado city is an outdoor-oriented community, with the nearby national park, 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.

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