So long bucket list quest; hello “hushpitality” with a side of digital detox

One of the most significant emerging travel trends for 2026 is the “quietcation” — an off-the-beaten-path getaway minus the digital tether. Fort Collins has long been a destination for authentic, analog experiences that appeal to visitors of every age and interest. Some are as simple as a walk through an urban Natural Area, while others leave participants with a unique memento in addition to lifelong memories.

So Long Hi-Tech; Hello Analog

Dig in the dirt

Stem & Roots, a unique houseplant boutique located in Old Town Fort Collins, features a Terrarium Bar, plant swaps and workshops, in addition to works by over 10 local artists and the tools needed to “grow green friends.” Stem & Roots also offers repotting and consulting services, so your peaceful green creations can thrive indefinitely.

Craft custom kicks

Colorado Shoe School is the Northern Colorado maker destination where expressiveness meets hands‑on artistry. Nestled just north of town in Bellvue, it offers beginner‑friendly workshops that guide students step‑by‑step through making their own shoes (or fanny packs, or leather journal covers) entirely by hand. By tapping into the craft culture, upcycling repurposed materials, and offering a tangible creative outlet, it delivers digital downtime, sustainable skill‑building, and the pride of walking away in something self‑made.

Customize your glow

burn. Candle Bar’s bespoke pour-your-own candle experience is the ultimate analog activity for aspiring makers and environmentally conscious creatives. burn. uses soy wax and non-toxic scents, as well as reusable vessels that can be refilled over and over. The shop also has a DIY Perfume Experience for endeavoring scent engineers. Enjoy human connection and community while you craft and take home an inspired personal creation as a memento. 

Flex those flipper fingers

Pinball Jones is a true Fort Collins gem chock full of classic pinball machines from the ‘70s to the 2000s, as well as the latest machines on the market. You’ll also find pool tables, air-hockey tables, Skee-ball, and all manner of throwback arcade games. New to pinball? The friendly staff and arcade regulars are happy to offer advice. Remember to bring your quarters (there are change machines available plus an on-site ATM); Pinball Jones is committed to authenticity.

So Long Runways; Hello Road Trips

Explore Northern Colorado’s backroads and scenic byways

If you’re itching to get out on the open road, Northern Colorado is a perfect base. Start in Fort Collins and venture out to discover six of NoCo’s beloved small towns and one of the state’s 26 Scenic Byways. The Cache la Poudre – North Park Scenic Byway stretches 101 miles west of the city and follows the Cache la Poudre River, Colorado’s only nationally designated Wild and Scenic River. The journey along the byway also offers a chance to celebrate local history, passing Vern’s Place (celebrating its 80th anniversary this year) and Glen Echo Resort (celebrated its centennial in 2025), with Ted’s Place serving as the official gateway to the canyon.

So Long Predictable Hotel Room; Hello Alt Lodging

Sleep in solitude and non-traditional accommodations

Riverside Colorado is an eco-friendly lodging option in the Poudre Canyon with furnished canvas wall tents, tiny homes, cabins and lodge quarters. On site, the Poudre Park Market General Store carries prepared foods and essentials while The Kind Bean, a converted Airstream, keeps guests caffeinated.

Marr’s Mountain Cabins in Red Feather Lakes is home to six fully furnished lakefront cabin rentals and a tavern. This hidden gem in the mountains northwest of Fort Collins is surrounded by the 612,000-acre Roosevelt National Forest.

Seven Utes Yurt is Colorado Mountain School’s newest adventure basecamp, mountain lodge, and outdoor education center in the remote Cameron Pass area of Colorado. Located in State Forest State Park, the 40-foot yurt sleeps up to 16 and boasts 360-degree mountain views.

Yonder Yurts features seven secluded yurts near Walden, Colo. in State Forest State Park. The concessionaire also operates Nokhu Hut and Agnes Creek Cabin located near Cameron Pass.

So Long Artificial Intelligence; Hello Authentic Interactions

Gaming sans screen

The Haunted Game Café offers a screen-free environment with hundreds of board games, strategic card games and immersive role-playing adventures. In addition to retail space, the shop features a full café for gaming, including eight spacious themed tables plus large and small tables for more intimate matches. Table rental includes games from the shop’s open library, or you can BYO favorite. The café serves food and beverages, as well.

A good read and a cuppa

Escape the scroll at Old Firehouse Books located in the city’s historic firehouse, where you’ll find new and used books along with reading-adjacent gift items. The beloved independent bookseller also hosts book signings, book club meetings and other community events. Pop next door – using the connecting doorway – for a spot of tea at Happy Lucky Teahouse. You may be as hard-pressed to pick a flavor from the 200 tea varieties on the Great Wall of Tea as you are to choose your next read.

Partake in a Tech Sabbath

A cozy, European-inspired bakery in Old Town, Bread Fellow invites guests to slow down over house-made breads, pastries, and coffee. On Saturdays, they host a Tech Sabbath—no Wi-Fi, no laptops—just real conversation, good food, and a space to be fully present. They also limit Wi-Fi use during the week to encourage more mindful, in-person connections. A perfect spot for those embracing digital minimalism in Fort Collins.

So Long Concrete Jungle; Hello Wide Open Spaces

Urban open space access: Northern Colorado Natural Areas 

Among Northern Colorado’s greatest outdoor treasures are its 52 conserved and stewarded Natural Areas, many of which are located near the heart of Fort Collins. Beyond community green spaces or parks, Natural Areas are protected expanses of land offering an escape in the middle of the city. They also help minimize urban sprawl, provide habitat for wildlife and native plants, protect traces of the past, allow for recreation, and more. The over 43,000 acres of Natural Areas in and around Fort Collins include foothills and plains, ranches and farmlands, wetlands, rivers and ponds.  

Natural Areas encourage outdoor exploration via hiking, biking, walking, horseback riding, bird watching, fishing, picnicking, and more. The Natural Areas Department hosts free educational programs, like skygazing and eagle spotting, plus wellness-focused options, including “Forest Therapy” and “Wellness Walks.” Many of the Fort Collins Natural Areas are wheelchair accessible. View the full calendar for programs and dates.

Backcountry beauty close to town: Lory State Park 

Located adjacent to Horsetooth Reservoir just west of downtown Fort Collins, Lory State Park is known for its unique rock formations and varied terrain, from meadows to mountain forests. The park includes over 28 miles of hiking trails and 23.5 miles of biking trails meandering through rolling valleys and mountainous hillsides. Equestrians have access to over 21 miles of horseback riding trails, plus the equestrian cross-country course, while climbers frequent the park’s giant granite rocks and intriguing formations. Lory’s Corral Center Mountain Bike Park was built using the park’s old horse corrals, repurposed to create a 69,600-square-foot bike park featuring dirt jumps, a pump track and skills area. The bike park is Colorado’s first officially state-sponsored dirt/pump track.  

National Park dupe: State Forest State Park 

Often overlooked in favor of its national park neighbor (Rocky Mountain National Park), this rugged expanse of over 71,000 acres offers sweeping mountain vistas, alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife—without the crowds or permit hassles. 

Known as the “Moose Capital of Colorado,” State Forest State Park is the perfect destination for travelers seeking immersive outdoor experiences, whether it’s spotting moose in the wild (safely from a distance), hiking through untouched backcountry, or camping under star-filled skies. Plus, with year-round recreation—including hiking, fishing, OHV trails, and winter snowshoeing—it rivals national parks in adventure, while offering a quieter, more accessible experience.