Themed CSU Commencement Itineraries

Turn your stop in Fort Collins for Colorado State University's graduation into a vacation! We created can't miss itinerary stops you can pick from (or do them all) based on your graduate's college. Mix and match if you're feeling fancy and take this time to enjoy where your graduate has been spending their time the last few years!

College of Agricultural Sciences 

CSU isn't the only place around town that's known for their ag roots. When Fort Collins was founded, sugar beet farming provided jobs and a steady stream of revenue to many of the town's founding members. Put your boots on, don your Cowpoke hat and see how agriculture is still prominent in Fort Collins culture. 

• Breakfast at Howling Cow Café - Located on the Graves Family Farm, Howling Cow Café makes all of their drinks with milk from the farm. Their breakfast menu includes bagel sandwiches and sweet treats.
• Morning Fresh Dairy Tour - Since 1894, Morning Fresh has been a family-owned, all-natural dairy. Sign up for a tour to learn more about the history of the dairy, the process of managing and milking a natural herd, and at the end, you'll get to pet a calf!
• Farmers Market on May 16^th - You're here at the perfect time to enjoy the first Larimer County Farmer's Market of their 50th season! Head downtown on Saturday morning to walk the market with vendor options ranging from mocktails to wood art to early season veggies!
• Go for a walk at Kestrel Fields Natural Area - Kestrel Fields is one of Fort Collins' newest natural areas and boasts a working farm on site. It's the perfect location for an in-town walk, all while getting to see farmers at work.
• Eat at Ginger and Baker - Ginger and Baker has three different concepts for you to choose from! Feeling like a home-cooked meal? Take a seat in The Cafe to enjoy old favorites done right, like pot pie and meatloaf. Looking for a quick stop for something refreshing? Hit the Market & Bakery for coffee or tea and a slice of their famous pie! Need an elevated night out to celebrate your graduate? Taste Colorado agriculture at The Cache, an elevated steakhouse where you can try Colorado Steaks, a wide selection of wines, and whiskey.
• Horseback Ride with Sundance Trail Guest Ranch - Jealous of all the horsey activities your graduate did during their CSU program? Take some time to enjoy these wonderful creatures at the Sundance Trail Guest Ranch. Also Colorado's smallest dude ranch, Sundance Trail provides hour-long trail rides for city folk looking to spend some time out of town.
• Breakfast at Vern’s Place - Before heading to the airport or driving home, you need to head to Vern's Place, an iconic diner in operation since 1946. Vern's Place is where cowfolk and city-slickers come together to enjoy wonderful breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, and end the day with Vern's famous fried chicken!

College of Business

An entrepreneurial hot spot, it's hard to walk a block without finding a small business in Fort Collins. Fort Collins is also home to well-known companies like Otter Box, Topo Designs, New Belgium and Woodward. From restaurants to beer to shopping, Fort Collins is a one-stop shop for business inspo.

• Tour New Belgium Brewery - New Belgium offers two types of tours: a free 45 minute tour and a $15 hour and a half tour. If you're interested in the longer tour, be sure to grab your tickets ahead of time. While you're at the brewery, we know you'll be tempted to have your favorite from the tap, but be sure to try their small batch beers which constantly rotate in the tasting room. 
• Vern's Toffee House - Grab a sweet treat from this family run business that's been in operation since 1976. Currently operated by the third and fourth generation, Vern's Toffee is a can't miss stop while you're in town. 
• Eat at Union Bar and Soda Fountain - This locally owned eatery is perfect for an evening outside. They have one of the largest patios in town, with live music on select days! Union serves American comfort food while offering fun and bubbly drinks, in addition to boozy milkshakes!
• Shopping at Local Businesses - Like we mentioned above, there are many local business in Fort Collins, providing what seems like endless shopping! Head to Old Town to shop at some of our favorite locally owned stores like The Cupboard, Santa Fe Craftsman, Happy Lucky's Teahouse, Old Firehouse Books, Akinz, Old Town Spice Shop, Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary, Hot Sauce Realm, Kilwins, Walrus Ice Cream, Nuance Chocolate, The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop, Edge Optics, and Tellus.
• Drinks at Elevation 5003 Distillery - Elevation 5003 is a women-owned distillery conveniently located in Mid-Town Fort Collins. They make their product in-house and their spirits range from Whisky to Gin to Franklin Coffee Liqueur. 
• Dinner at Moot House - While you're in Mid-Town, head to Moot House to experience a cozy, local favorite. Once you're inside, you'll be transported to a small, English pub with a wide variety of options to keep you going over the weekend!

College of Engineering

We combined everyday life in Fort Collins with unique educational opportunities to create the perfect list of things to do for engineers and engineer lovers. You'll experience in-town fun and out-of-town thrills!

• Tour the Powerhouse Energy Camps - Get a behind the scenes look at the state-of-the-art facilities and what CSU researchers are up to at the Powerhouse Energy Campus. Reach out now to book your tour!
• Eat at CooperSmith's - Founded in 1989, CooperSmith's is a local favorite. From their wide variety of beers to their pub fare, there's something for everyone at Coop's! If it's nice outside, try to sit on their patio, which is perfect for enjoying an afternoon in Old Town and people watching.
• Ride the Fort Collins Trolley - Our trolleys ran until 1951 and came back on track 42 years ago! Catch the trolley at City Park. It will drop you off downtown where you can shop, dine, or grab a sweet treat (we recommend Walrus Ice Cream!). When you're done, hop back on the trolley to hang out at the park!
• DU Mountain Campus Via Ferrata - Recently opened, the DU Mountain Campus' Via Ferratas are the first Via Ferratas in Colorado located on a campus. Choose from an easy/intermediate to intermediate/advanced route and enjoy challenging your mind and body, all while experiencing an engineering feat!
• Chipper's Lanes - Take some time to play! Grab your family and friends and head to Chipper's Horsetooth location for an evening of laser tag, bowling, sand volleyball, and arcade games.
• Social Fort Collins - Located underneath Old Town Square, Social is an award-winning speakeasy with a cocktail list to rival any bar in the country. In fact, Yelp awarded them "Best Speakeasy in the United States" in 2022 and 2023. You can't go wrong with an evening at Social.

College of Health and Human Sciences

Health and well-being encompass many different aspects of life, and Fort Collins is a champion of both! Enjoy the activities below to have an iconic Fort Collins weekend.

• Go to the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising - This free museum is located just behind the University Center for the Arts and contains a vast collection of clothing and accessories from different time periods all over the world! You might even be able to spend some hands-on time with some of the pieces!
• Cooking class at Ginger and Baker -  Get your hands dirty in the Teaching Kitchen (TK)! Sauce Making, Breadmaking, Pasta from Scratch, Pie Masterclass, and Paella are your educational options over commencement weekend. Spots are limited, so sign up now!
• See a concert at Washington's - It's time to find your groove! That Eighties Band will be playing in Downtown Fort Collins the evening of May 16. Dressing up is optional, but dancing is a must! This fun concert tends to sell out quickly, so grab your tickets soon.
• Old Town Food Tour - This three hour, five stop tour takes you to locally owned restaurants all across Downtown Fort Collins. Trust us, you won't leave hungry. The Old Town Food Tour is a great way to find your new Fort Collins favorite while spending time with family. You might also get to meet a chef or two while you're out and about. 
• Grab a beer at Purpose Brewing - Started by the former head brewer at New Belgium, Purpose Brewing is a small-batch brewery located in South Fort Collins. They always have a sour or two on tap, as well as a variety of other beers to choose from.
• Hike the Well Gulch Nature Trail at Lory State Park - This hike, an easy 2.5 mile loop, is a self-guided nature trail. Grab a brochure at the trailhead and look for the markers along your way to learn more about the local flora.

College of Liberal Arts

Encompassing a wide variety of history, art and communication activities is easy to do in Fort Collins! Check out the list below to plan your Liberal Arts adventure.

• Breakfast at Silver Grill - This iconic Fort Collins restaurant has been in operation since 1933. Be sure to try their world famous cinnamon rolls while you are there!
• Go on a Fort Collins Ghost Tour - If you're brave enough, get your tickets for the Fort Collins Ghost Tour! This tour takes you into the underground world of Fort Collins. You'll learn Fort Collins history and why we might have a few ghosts lurking.
• La Boutique - You don't have to cross the Atlantic to enjoy authentic French grocery items, pastries and sandwiches. Just head to La Boutique! There, you'll find truffles, flour, soups, drinks and other goodies. It's a perfect stop for lunch on your tour of Fort Collins!
• Take a drive to The Masonville Mercantile - Enjoy one of our favorite drives to do some shopping at The Masonville Mercantile. The Mercantile originally opened in 1896 and was a staple in Larimer County. Recently purchased and restored, the Mercantile is a wonderful historic stop.
• Enjoy Art - Art abounds in Fort Collins! In fact, the Downtown Fort Collins area is a designated creative district. There's art everywhere you look: walls, pianos, transformer boxes.
  • Gregory Allicar Museum of Art - This free museum is located in the University Center for the Arts. With a wide range of exhibits, you're sure to find something you'll enjoy!
  • Museum of Art Fort Collins - Conveniently located in Downtown Fort Collins, the Museum of Art is a wonderful place to stop and enjoy. Their current exhibit is their 22nd Annual Masks Fundraiser & Exhibit. All of the masks are on sale and proceeds go directly to supporting the museum.
  • Around Town - Check out our Public Art page for more resources to enjoy art while you're in Fort Collins.
• Fort Collins Foodie Walk^TM on May 15^th - Every third Friday from 5pm to 8pm, retail businesses in Downtown Fort Collins provide free samples made using some of their products. It's a wonderful way to get outside and into some of our locally owned shops!
• Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures - This museum is home to various types of art curated from around the world. Their main gallery currently holds Letters From the Heart, an exhibit on the different ways people express devotion across the world.

College of Natural Resources

Get ready for the ultimate tourist weekend in Fort Collins! There are multiple can't miss stops across town, so be sure to make time for as many as possible! 

• Annual Trial Gardens - Located in the front of the University Center for the Arts, the CSU Annual Trial Gardens conducts horticultural research for various plant companies to evaluate how their plant varieties perform in the unique environmental conditions of the Rocky Mountain/High Plains region. 
• Rafting the Poudre River - Reserve your spot now, because graduation weekend is one of the first weekends of the rafting season! With early season rafting, you're sure to have a wet and wild time! Select from the five different companies that raft the Poudre River, Colorado's only Wild and Scenic river. Trips range from Class II to IV rapids.
• Hike Horsetooth Rock - The most iconic hike in Fort Collins takes you on a loop trail up to Horsetooth Rock. Once you summit the rock, you'll be rewarded with views of the town below. See if you can spot CSU's campus!
• Explore Downtown Fort Collins - As the inspiration for Disneyland’s Main Street USA, Downtown Fort Collins will both delight and surprise you with an eclectic variety of shops, restaurants, and artwork.
• eBike tour of Fort Collins - Strap on your helmet and explore Fort Collins how it is meant to be explored...by bike! Rent a Spin e-bike or head to Pedego to rent one of their e-bikes and check out the bike trails around town. We recommend at least spending some time on the Poudre Trail and the Spring Creek Trail.
• Patio at Odell Brewing Company - Head to one Fort Collins' first breweries for an afternoon on their patio. With regular live music, small-batch beers and the favorites you know and love, sitting on the Odell patio is something you can't miss when you're in Fort Collins.
• Dinner at The Regional - The Regional is a locally owned, homestyle restaurant that sources many of their ingredients from Fort Collins and the surrounding areas!

College of Natural Sciences

Science is all around us! Plan your trip with the stops below, and you'll see how science weaves into the Fort Collins culture.

• Drive up the Poudre Canyon for a Hike - The Poudre Canyon is the quickest way to escape the mundane and lose cell service. Be sure to download your map before you head out on your canyon exploration. We recommend the Greyrock Mountain hike or check out Hewlett Gulch.
• The Mishawaka - While you're up in the canyon, stop at The Mishawaka. This historic music venue is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat before or after your hike. If the weather is nice, ask to be seated on their patio, which juts out above the Poudre River. If you want to experience a show, you can buy tickets for Old Crow Medicine Show on Friday or the 20th Anniversary Pickin' on the Poudre on Saturday night.
• NOCO Distillery Tasting Room - As Larry Olmsted stated in WHISKY ADVOCATE, "If you only get to one tasting room in Fort Collins, make it NOCO Distillery and leave plenty of time." Reservations are highly suggested as NOCO Distillery's small tasting room provides an intimate experience, allowing you to learn more about the distilling process.
• Museum of Discovery - This interactive museum is perfect for the young and the young at heart. The museum features a Music and Sound Lab, where you can learn to pay a variety of different instruments, exhibits that discuss how Fort Collins came to be and what came before the town we love, and a First Peoples exhibit.
• Looking Glass Escape Lounge for Snacks, Drinks and an Escape Room - The Looking Glass Escape Lounge creates seasonal and signature cocktails with a twist. Looking for some magic? Try the Mad Hatter. Their appetizers feature table-side s'mores and a wide variety of other sharables. Once you're fueled, head downstairs to try to escape one of their 30-minute, 2-4 person escape rooms.
• Dinner and Fun at CooperSmith's Billiards - If physics is your natural science of choice, head to this recently resurrected iconic Fort Collins establishment, to enjoy a game of billiards and a slice of specialty pizza.

College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Health of humans and animals is important for everyone. Making healthy choices, getting outside and learning are all aspects of the Fort Collins lifestyle.

• Day in Red Feather Lakes - Sometimes there just isn't anything better than getting out of the city! Head to Red Feather Lakes for a day of fishing, hiking, horseback riding and living like a local! While you're up there, we recommend booking a horseback ride with Beaver Meadow Stables, checking out some of the best hiking trails and grabbing a bite to eat at The Tavern at Red Feather Lakes (closed Thursday).
• Enjoy a Guided Experience - With plenty of outfitters to choose from, we've curated some of the best companies to give you an experience you won't forget! Check out Sojourner Mountain Guides, KMAC Guides, or National Park Tours for hiking, climbing, or a via ferrata experience.
• Hike at the Environmental Learning Center - Located off the Poudre Trail, the ELC is a wonderful place for hiking, exploration and birding. Dogs aren't allowed at the ELC, so be sure to leave them at the hotel while you're adventuring here!
• Amara Massage Therapy - After pushing your body to the limit with outdoor activities, head to Amara, located underneath The Armstrong Hotel, to treat yourself. They offer massages ranging from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, and tandem sessions as well.
• Jessup Farm Artisan Village - Jessup Farm Artisan Village is the perfect stop morning, afternoon or evening. While you're there, be sure to grab ice cream from Josh & John's, coffee from Bindle and brunch, lunch or dinner from The Farmhouse, a farm-to-table restaurant set in a 130 year old building.