Fort Collins

Situated north of Denver and tucked between the plains 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 well-deserved reputation as one of Colorado's top craft-brewery hubs.

 

Learn more about Fort Collins

Outdoor concerts on Old Town Square are frequent.
Outdoor concerts on Old Town Square are frequent.
A Horsetooth Reservoir sunset should not be missed.
A Horsetooth Reservoir sunset should not be missed.
Ride a bike past the Old Linden Hotel and the rest of old town.
Ride a bike past the Old Linden Hotel and the rest of old town.
Tour New Belgium Brewery and sip on a sudsy beer.
Tour New Belgium Brewery and sip on a sudsy beer.
Sample some of Fort Collins best craft beers.
Sample some of Fort Collins best craft beers.
Kids will love exploring the Museum of Discovery.
Kids will love exploring the Museum of Discovery.
See a show at the Mishawaka amphitheater.
See a show at the Mishawaka amphitheater.
Overlook the vast Horsetooth Reservior on your next trip.
Overlook the vast Horsetooth Reservior on your next trip.
Try a farm-to-table dinner under a painted sky.
Try a farm-to-table dinner under a painted sky.
Downtown Fort Collins turns into a winter wonderland come December.
Downtown Fort Collins turns into a winter wonderland come December.
Go fly-fishing on the Poudre River.
Go fly-fishing on the Poudre River.
Take in all the thrills on a whitewater rafting adventure.
Take in all the thrills on a whitewater rafting adventure.
A sunny day on the Poudre River is something everyone should experience.
A sunny day on the Poudre River is something everyone should experience.
Get off-the-beaten-path in Fort Collins.
Get off-the-beaten-path in 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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Visit Fort Collins
1 Old Town Square, Suite 107, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Colorado Welcome Center at Fort Collins
I-25 at Exit 268, Fort Collins, CO 80525