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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

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

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