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Fort Collins is a vibrant city in northern Colorado, set where the Great Plains meet the foothills of the Rocky Mountains along the Cache la Poudre River, about an hour north of Denver. It began in 1864 as a U.S. Army camp named for Lieutenant Colonel William O. Collins, and after the fort closed the settlement grew into a farming town. The Colorado Agricultural College, now Colorado State University, opened here in 1879 and has shaped the city ever since.
Today Fort Collins has about 170,000 residents and is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the United States. Its beautifully preserved Old Town, with brick storefronts and tree-lined streets, is said to have inspired the design of Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland. The city is one of the country's great craft beer destinations, home to New Belgium Brewing, Odell Brewing and more than 20 other breweries, and to a large Anheuser-Busch brewery with tours and Clydesdales.
The outdoors are close at hand. Horsetooth Reservoir and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, just west of town, offer boating, swimming and hikes to the rocky Horsetooth Rock summit. The Cache la Poudre River, Colorado's only nationally designated Wild and Scenic River, is popular for rafting, fishing and the scenic Poudre Canyon drive, and more than 285 miles of bike trails crisscross the city. In town, the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, the Gardens on Spring Creek, the CSU campus and the summer concerts in Old Town Square round out a visit, and Rocky Mountain National Park is about an hour away.
The historic heart of Fort Collins, said to have inspired the look of Main Street USA at Disneyland, with brick buildings, restaurants, bars, shops and painted piano art. Old Town Square hosts concerts and festivals. It is pedestrian friendly, and free parking garages are nearby.
An influential craft brewery known for Fat Tire Ale, with a large taproom, a patio and outdoor games, near downtown on Linden Street. Free brewery tours are offered on some days, but they fill quickly, so reserve ahead. Bike there along the Poudre River Trail like the locals do.
A family-founded craft brewery from 1989 with a popular taproom and large patio on Lincoln Avenue, serving its 90 Shilling ale, IPA and small-batch beers, with food trucks parked outside. Free brewery tours run on some days. It is a short bike ride from Old Town.
A large brewery north of the city offering guided tours of the brewing and packaging process, plus a beer garden and tastings for adults. Its Clydesdale stable is a highlight, and the horses are sometimes outside. Tours are free or low cost; check the schedule before going.
A six-mile reservoir in the foothills just west of the city, used for boating, swimming, paddleboarding, fishing and camping, with red sandstone cliffs and views over the plains. Satanka Cove and South Bay are popular access points. A daily parking fee applies to all areas.
Colorado's only river designated Wild and Scenic, flowing from the Rockies past the north side of Fort Collins. A paved trail follows it through town, and Poudre Canyon west of the city is popular for whitewater rafting, tubing and fishing. Rafting trips run from May to August.
A state park on the west side of Horsetooth Reservoir with about 26 miles of trails through foothills, ponderosa pine forest and red rock, including the Arthur's Rock trail with wide views. It is popular for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. A daily vehicle pass is required.
A county open space next to the reservoir with about 29 miles of trails, including the popular hike to the summit of Horsetooth Rock, a distinctive tooth-shaped formation, and an easier walk to Horsetooth Falls. The rock hike is about five miles round trip. Arrive early on weekends.
A large public university founded in 1870, with a historic central Oval lined with elm trees, the Avenir Museum of Design, the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art and the Canvas Stadium for Rams football. The Oval is a pleasant walk in autumn, and the museums are free to visit.
A science and history museum in a modern building near the river, with hands-on exhibits, a digital dome theater, live animals and local history collections including a historic cabin. It suits families with children and is easy to visit in two hours. Check show times for the dome.
A community botanic garden with a children's garden, a rock garden, a prairie garden, a butterfly house and a great lawn used for summer concerts. The Garden of Lights in December is popular. Admission is moderate, and the paths are easy for strollers and wheelchairs.
A restored 1919 Birney streetcar that runs on a short historic line along Mountain Avenue, operated by volunteers on weekends and holidays from spring to fall. The ride takes about 30 minutes round trip through a leafy neighborhood. Fares are very cheap and children love it.
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