Introduction
Fort Collins is a beautiful town located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It’s filled with natural beauty and boasts some incredible activities, from hiking to biking, just waiting for you to discover them. Below are my top recommendations for things to do in Fort Collins Colorado!
1. New Belgium Brewing
New Belgium Brewing is a craft brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado. It is the fourth-largest craft brewery in the U.S. and has won many awards including over 100 medals at competitions around the globe. New Belgium Brewing combines its love for beer with its passion for the environment by using sustainable practices and renewable energy resources to help protect natural resources and preserve the quality of life.
The tour begins with a short film about how New Belgium started as a college project before becoming one of America’s most recognized breweries today. Then it’s on to the main tour where guests can learn how they make their famous beers like Fat Tire Amber Ale or Ranger IPA while learning about sustainability efforts implemented by New Belgium throughout its operations. There are multiple tours available each day so check out their website if you want more info!
2. Cache La Poudre River
If you love rivers, there’s no better place to go than Fort Collins. The longest river in Colorado, the Cache La Poudre River is home to many activities including rafting, fishing, and kayaking. You can even hike along the riverbanks or take part in other water sports such as swimming or jet-skiing! Several trails lead directly to the banks of this pristine natural wonderland where you can enjoy one of these fun things to do in Fort Collins Colorado!
3. Annual Flower Trial Garden
If you love flowers, this is the place to be. The flower trial garden is a great place to get inspired by beautiful blooms and learn about their history. You can also take a stroll through the botanical gardens while you’re there, which will give you even more opportunities to admire nature’s most colorful creations!
How do I get there? It’s easy peasy; just hop on over to Public Garden Road in Fort Collins (aka your local library) where you’ll find yourself right at the entrance of this amazing garden.
What should I bring? A camera! And maybe a friend or two if they’re available—you’ll want extra hands for all those selfies with those stunning flowers in front of them!
What should I wear? Be sure not to wear anything too heavy so that it doesn’t restrict your movements (and make sure it doesn’t get caught on anything). If possible, try bringing an umbrella because raindrops do tend occasionally fall from above us here in Colorado—but don’t worry if it does happen: we have plenty of umbrellas available for rent across from our main gatehouse building.
How much does admission cost? Admission costs $10 per person for adults 18 years old and over… but children 13 through 17 years old can enter free with paying adults during non-holiday weekdays only between 8 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday year round! And remember kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while inside this lovely public garden. (We won’t allow anyone under age 6 without supervision either.)
4. Horsetooth Mountain Open Space
Horsetooth Mountain Open Space is a 1,000-acre park with hiking and biking trails. The park is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, near Fort Collins and Colorado State University. The area was first inhabited by Native Americans hundreds of years ago, but it wasn’t until 1878 that settlers began to settle there themselves. Today, the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space Visitor Center can be found on the northern edge of this historic land. It features exhibits on local flora and fauna, interpretive displays about wildlife habitat and natural history as well as an interpretive exhibit at its nature center that shows how people lived more than 200 years ago. It also includes interpretive signs along several miles of trailheads throughout the park’s boundaries.
5. Odell Brewing Company
You can enjoy a tour or a tasting at Odell Brewing Company. Tours run Monday through Thursday at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:30p m, 11:30 pm, and 12 midnight (midnight tours are first come first served).
Tours include a behind-the-scenes look at their craft brewery and packaging lines with information about the brewing process, ingredients used, the history of the company, and more!
6. 80’s Pizza & Museum
When you want pizza and a little nostalgia, head to Totally 80’s Pizza & Museum. The pizzeria serves up slices with names like the “I Love the 80s” (pepperoni and sausage) and the “The Kidney Stone” (spinach, mushroom, parmesan cheese). The restaurant also exhibits memorabilia from some of your favorite decade-specific moments, like Back to the Future toys or Michael Jackson’s glove from his Dangerous World Tour.
Address: 1330 E Magnolia St., Fort Collins CO 80521
Hours: Sun – Thurs 11 am -10 pm / Fri & Sat 11 am – Midnight
7. Fort Collins Municipal Railway
The Fort Collins Municipal Railway offers a variety of routes with stops at all of the city’s major points of interest, with multiple lines running throughout the day. The service is free to ride and open 24 hours a day—although you should check their website for details on holiday hours and other important info.
8. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery is a great place to learn about the history of Fort Collins. The museum has many hands-on exhibits, including a live butterfly garden, an outdoor discovery play area, and daily science shows in the planetarium. The museum is located on the edge of campus, near the Lory Student Center. There’s also a gift shop and cafe if you want to grab something after your visit!
9. Spring Canyon Community Park
Spring Canyon Community Park is a great place to go for pretty much anything. If you want to take your dog for a walk, this is the place. If you want to throw around a frisbee with your best friends, this is the place. If you want to go for a bike ride and catch some fresh air, this is the place! You can do whatever kind of fun activity floats your boat here at Spring Canyon Community Park!
10. Fossil Creek Park
Visit the Fossil Creek Park. This park is a great place to hike, bike, and walk around. There are many trails to explore and even a small lake with a trail around it. There are picnic tables and a small playground for the kids too! You can even rent boats to paddle around the lake if you so desire.
11. Jessup Farm Barrel House
Jessup Farm Barrel House is a brewery and distillery that produces both beer and spirits. They have tours and tastings, as well as a restaurant where you can enjoy your favorites with friends. Located in Fort Collins, CO, this establishment is worth checking out if you’re looking for something fun to do in Fort Collins!
12. Gardens on Spring Creek
Gardens on Spring Creek is a fantastic place to take the kids for a nature walk. The gardens are located at 1420 W. Elizabeth Street and are open from March through October from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. You can visit their website for more details about visiting hours, admission fees, etc.
Gardens on Spring Creek are great for anyone who loves plants and flowers! It has a variety of native plants from all over Colorado as well as some exotic species from other parts of the world such as Vietnam and Mexico that look like they’re out of this world! If your kids have ever wanted to see what rainforest looks like without going all the way down South then here’s their chance!
The best part about Gardens on Spring Creek is that it’s free so you don’t have to worry about spending too much money while having fun with your family at Fort Collins’ most beautiful garden spot!
13. The Farm at Lee Martinez Park
Located at the former site of Fort Collins’ first airport, The Farm at Lee Martinez Park is a place where you can learn about the history of farming in Northern Colorado. The farm features several buildings including a farmhouse and barn. In addition to its agricultural past, the farm was also once home to prisoners who were held on death row.
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park was opened to the public in 2014 after being purchased by Larimer County from private owners who had been leasing it for agricultural use since 1988.
14. Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures
If your idea of a good time is exploring the world through art and culture, then the Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures is for you. This museum features an interactive collection of different exhibits from around the world. The exhibits include a sculpture garden, which is open to everyone during daylight hours every day except Christmas.
Many other programs at this museum allow visitors to learn about different cultures through education, music and dance performances, workshops, festivals, and other events throughout the year.
Conclusion
Fort Collins is a great place to visit. There are so many things to do here! You can explore the city, go wine tasting in the vineyards nearby, or spend some time at one of our museums. We hope this article has given you some ideas for what new things to check out when visiting Fort Collins Colorado.
