Location: Fort Collins
Top Things to do in Fort Collins
Top 10 Free Things to do in Fort Collins, Colorado (CO)
Fort Collins is the Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Larimer County, Colorado, United States. Situated on the Cache La Poudre River along the Colorado Front Range, Fort Collins is located 65 miles (105 km) north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. With a 2016 estimated population of 161,000, it is the fourth most populous city in Colorado after Denver, Colorado Springs, and Aurora. Fort Collins is a midsize college city, home to Colorado State University.
Restaurants in Fort Collins
1. Cache La Poudre River
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 413 reviews
Colorado's only designated National Wild and Scenic River provides thrilling whitewater and paddling adventures.
Reviewed By pastorvanee
Our family enjoyed a 10.5 mile bike ride in Ft Collins. Our loop began near the beautiful flower gardens on the CSU campus and included other open areas and ovals on the campus before following the RR to catch the Poudre River trail heading east ,downstream. Around our 6-7 mile mark we followed a trail to connect to the Spring Creek trail and followed it back west, upstream to CSU again. What a great scenic and relaxing bike ride! Ft Collins is as "cool and hip" as Boulder and even more beautiful. CSU campus is a beautiful place to see and just be.....soak in the peace and beauty of the stunning gardens and be renewed in the strength and majesty of the magnificent Rocky Mountains!!!
2. New Belgium Brewing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,247 reviews
A 100% employee-owned brewery recently named the nation's best brewery tour by USA Today's 10Best. Full tap selection featuring year-round favorites and small-batch beauties. Free tours (book in advance to claim a spot) and a different food truck every day. Kids welcome, but must be 21+ to sample our delicious beers. Well-behaved dogs on a leash also welcome. Indoor bars, outdoor patio and lawn. Electric vehicle charging available.
Reviewed By Ozefish479 - Los Angeles, United States
The rating is solely for the beer, which is some of the most innovative and highest quality in the USA. They have so many styles you are sure to find one (likely many more) that you love. The bar and outside areas are excellent and sipping a great beer in the winter sun is a highlight of any trip to Fort Collins. Now for the tour, which had been on our bucket list since my son started attending CSU. He was finally 21 so we were good to go. Fear and trepidation entered my heart when the first announcement from the tour guide was that he spoke too fast. I think that’s what he said but he spoke so fast I could only catch every third word. So off we went. The beer samples were great but the information was mostly indecipherable.
3. Fossil Creek Park
4. Center for Fine Art Photography
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
Always free, public welcome. Our galleries feature talented photographic artists making waves on an international photographic arts platform. C4FAP exhibits juried group exhibitions and solo exhibitions year round. We also host artist talks, receptions, and workshops. For current exhibition locations, please check our website at www.c4fap.org.
5. Spring Canyon Community Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By conservativeandproud - Fort Collins, United States
If you are ever in Fort Collins, CO and are looking for a place to relax and have fun, you won't be disappointed when you take time to enjoy the great outdoors in this huge park with so many amenities. Whether you are a picnic person or the avid outdoorsy type this park is for you. There is a great playground for those little kiddos so they can run around and get rid of that excess energy. This park has something for everyone with a skate park, tennis courts, dog park, basketball courts, baseball field complete with a covered dugout, dirt bike course, great walking trails, multiple picnic pods, a memorial to honor our much appreciated Veterans and a lot of wonderful, green grass to run and play in. The sunsets over the foothills are sure to delight along with the beautiful cloud formations with their pink and blue hues. Anyone of any age is sure to find something to do in this wonderful park. For those of us who may need to use the facilities, I can attest to the fact that the restrooms are actually cleaner than a lot of store and restaurant restrooms which was unexpected but a pleasant surprise! So, put on your walking shoes and plan a trip to this gem of a park at the base of the foothills in the fine city of Fort Collins, CO!
6. Annual Flower Trial Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 261 reviews
Reviewed By 754jodyg - Johnstown, United States
I've walked around these beautiful flowers many times on a daily walk and stopped to experience their beauty and color in the summertime sunshine. This place really brightens my day. The folks that maintain the flowers does a really good job.
7. The 1879 Avery House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Fort Collins has Franklin Avery to thank for the wide streets in Fort Collins; he took advantage of the open spaces when he surveyed the town in 1873. Avery later founded First National Bank and was instrumental in developing water projects that enabled agriculture to flourish in northern Colorado. In 1879, he and his wife Sara built a family home on the corner of Mountain Avenue and Meldrum Street and raised their children, Edgar, Ethel, and Louise, there. The original two-story home consisted of two rooms on the first floor, now the entry area and dining room; three bedrooms upstairs; and a basement. Constructed of sandstone from local quarries, the house cost $3,000 when it was built. During the ensuing years, the Averys added to the house several times; the final addition included the distinctive Queen Anne tower. Poudre Landmarks Foundation, Inc., was formed in 1972 and manage the house along with the City of Fort Collins.
8. Coyote Ridge Natural Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
9. Funkwerks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By 139savannaha - Fort Collins, United States
Funkwerks is probably my favorite brewery in FoCo! The beers are incredible, the staff are fantastic, and they're dog friendly!
10. Downtown Artery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
The Downtown Artery is a art and music ecosystem. We aim to provide a community that fosters creativity. We have a bar, cafe, event/music venue, art retail space, art gallery, artist studios, lounges, and AirBnB rooms! We are constantly evolving!
