Fort Collins
Visit Fort Collins to discover a downtown precinct dotted with historic monuments, early 20th-century architecture and some of the most cherished breweries in the U.S. Fort Collins is a tight-knit community of 150,000 residents, centered on Colorado State University.
The town is regularly praised for its high quality of life and its picturesque gardens. Follow its winding networks of bike paths and sample delicious local produce. As you navigate the paved routes you’ll come across gourmet restaurants, boutique retail stores and mountainous landscapes surrounding the town.
Rent a bicycle from the Fort Collins bike library, free of charge, to get around the city. Clever city planning means that cyclists have the right of way at most intersections. Biking is usually the fastest means of transportation for crossing the city. Those who don’t enjoy traveling on two wheels can use the convenient Fort Collins bus system.
Explore the downtown region on foot to see why locals are so proud of their city. Outdoor restaurant patios are prevalent on the main streets, along with fresh produce stores and independent cultural institutions. Take the kids to the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. Spend time in scenic public spaces such as Old Town Square and Oak Street Plaza and see the campus of Colorado State University on a guided tour before you settle back with locals over a beer.
Colorado has long had a reputation for excellent beer. Allow enough time to visit some of the craft breweries in town and sample the local varieties. Try New Belgium Brewery’s Fat Tire, one of America’s most popular craft beers.
Cycle outside the city center to see Colorado’s rugged beauty. Go whitewater rafting through the Roosevelt National Forest or mountain bike in Spring Canyon Park. Find tour guides and outdoor sports stores in the downtown area to prepare for your adventures.
Fort Collins is a laid-back town throughout the year. For a relaxed visit, come during the holidays when bars, restaurants and cafés are much quieter with the university population reduced. Just a short drive from the Denver International Airport, the town can be reached by car or bus.