Fort Collins is the jumping-off point where your urban oasis vacation meets your rural outdoor adventure escape. Called vibrant, eclectic, and authentic, Fort Collins tops “best of” lists year after year thanks to its myriad of cultural opportunities. A thriving arts and music scene, diverse and inviting shops and restaurants, and more craft beer, craft coffee, and craft spirits than nearly any city of its size only heighten the appeal. Home to the state’s only nationally designated “Wild & Scenic River,” hundreds of miles of biking, hiking, and walking paths, year-round bird watching, and a herd of genetically pure bison, it’s no surprise this Northern Colorado gem is wildly appealing to outdoor devotees. Home to Colorado State University and start-ups galore, Fort Collins also is an entrepreneurial hotbed and a tech trade town, furthering the area’s allure. Read on to find out why you are in need of a Fort Collins vacation.
Local Foodie Culture
Long known for its foodie culture, equipped with more restaurants per capita than most U.S. cities of similar size, the food-focused landscape only continues to blossom in Fort Collins.
The Farmhouse at historic Jessup Farm and The Regional in Downtown Fort Collins offer unique farm-to-table experiences with menu items crafted to include carefully sourced local ingredients.
Located inside the Elizabeth Hotel, The Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market offers everything from gourmet sammies and salads to charcuterie platters and signature dishes made using locally-sourced, high-quality ingredients.
If you’re looking for a tasty treat, check out Nuance Chocolate in Old Town, which makes small batch chocolates from beans that are roasted and ground on site. Nuance Chocolate is one of a very small number of true bean-to-bar chocolate makers in the United States. La Boutique, located next door, is new French deli in town. Grab a French pastry and sandwich for lunch on the go. Around the corner is The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop. You'll never have to choose between cheese, chocolate and pastries in Fort Collins. Indulge in the pleasures of both!
Ginger and Baker brings to life the River District. The establishment is housed in the former 100-plus-year-old Northern Colorado Feeders Supply building. The charming spot includes a pie shop and restaurant, a teaching kitchen, and retail space. Nearby is Union, a comfort food and adult beverage emporium with a patio that rivals many in town. And, just a few blocks away, you’ll find The Exchange; this innovative development features food, entertainment, mercantile, and creative outdoor areas where food and craft beverages are served from shipping container cars.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the thriving Food Truck scene in Fort Collins. It’s not unusual to have a five-star meal at one of these incredible food trucks, most of which have been started by experienced chefs looking for a creative outlet. More than 70 food trucks are roaming Fort Collins and Northern Colorado streets, serving quality food on the go. The most popular spots to find your favorite food truck is at the local breweries and the ever-so-popular Food Truck Rally that takes place every Tuesday during the summer months at City Park.
For a guided tour of the Fort Collins foodie scene, take a tour guided by Old Town Food Tours. Their tours stop at five varying locations and you'll regularly get to meet at least one chef! If you're interested in a guided tour of northern Colorado's 5th generation family-owned dairy farm, sign up for a Morning Fresh Dairy Farm tour. And don't forget about taking Fort Collins Foodie WalkTM. Every third Friday evening, walk around Old Town to participating small businesses and enjoy samples, live demos, arts, and entertainment.
Craft Breweries, Distilleries, and Coffee
Fort Collins is home to more than 20 craft breweries, including New Belgium, and the Choice City is the largest producer of craft beer in the state of Colorado. On any given day, tourists and locals alike flock to the craft breweries to enjoy a cold and frothy craft beer and some quality downtime.
The “Capital of Craft Beer” has 8 total distilleries that aim to put Fort Collins on the map as one of America’s great craft spirit distillation capitals. Locals say the craft spirits scene in Fort Collins is akin to the city’s craft brewing industry of 15 years ago.
Adding to the craft scene are craft cideries, which also happen to be gathering a big following in the Fort Collins community. Cideries like Locust Cider take gluten-free drinking one step future and have a completely celiac safe kitchen with food anyone can enjoy.
The final frontier in complete craft culture domination in Fort Collins comes in the form of third-wave coffee makers. The Choice City has welcomed a burgeoning craft coffee scene, including Harbinger Coffee, The Bean Cycle, Bindle Coffee, and Lima Coffee. Newest on the scene is Bread Fellow, a Bindle concept with fresh food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Cycling and the Outdoors
Abundant outdoor adventure heavily factors into Fort Collins’ reputation as a top destination. The city boasts 966 acres of developed park land, including 7 community parks and 43 neighborhood/pocket parks, 280-plus miles of trails, including paved and unpaved walking and bike trails.
Cycling is all the rage in and around Fort Collins, and getting to know the area atop two wheels offers plenty of benefits. It’s no secret that Fort Collins is a top cycling town in the US and is starting to be recognized accordingly. Fort Collins ranks as a platinum-level bicycle-friendly city and was recently named the most bike-friendly city in America by PeopleForBikes.org. Road cyclists will appreciate the miles-upon miles of relatively flat, wide bike lanes, trails, and paths.
Fort Collins has no shortage of outdoor activities as it is widely known for its various opportunities to explore nature. You name it, and there’s a pretty good chance Fort Collins has it. Whitewater Rafting, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, fishing, biking, hiking, and the list goes on. You will not be disappointed when it comes to the countless outdoor adventures at the tip of your fingers when you visit Fort Collins. Popular spots include the Cache la Poudre River, Horsetooth Reservoir, Lory State Park, Arapaho, and Roosevelt National Forests, and just under 50 natural areas spread across the Choice City.
Eclectic Lodging
Pictured Above: The Edwards House
Finding a place to rest your head in Fort Collins is a piece of cake. From Historic homes reimagined as charming B&Bs to full-service and four-star hotels to hip, Fort Collins has an eclectic array of lodging options.
The 164-room Elizabeth Hotel in Old Town pays tribute to FoCo’s deep-rooted music scene. A musical theme permeates this modern luxury hotel with record players in the guest rooms, inspired artwork, a piano and jazz music at the rooftop Sunset Lounge, and rock ‘n roll at The Magic Rat live music venue.
The Edwards House, located in Old Town Fort Collins, is an excellent option for those looking for a fusion of historic Victorian architecture and modern elegance. Another great Old Town option is the Remington Flats, a uniquely designed all-suites property located close to both downtown and CSU.
The Biggest Little Music City in America
Pictured Above: FoCo Food Truck Rally
The Fort Collins music landscape is blooming like never before. This Northern Colorado college town is quickly becoming recognized as a hot spot for creative music and talented new musicians.
Visitors and locals alike are buzzing about Washington’s, the biggest music venue in town anchoring the ever-growing music scene. This Old Town Fort Collins landmark, which used to serve as a popular college bar, was renovated with a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. Now the 900-capacity venue is bringing local and national brands to the region.
The recently opened Music District is a dynamic gathering hub, workspace, and creative playground for the music community. For the novice or pro, it’s a place where anyone can hone their craft, learn the business, and share skills and passions with musicians and music lovers.
The iconic Mishawaka Amphitheatre (called “The Mish” by locals) is a bucket-list venue in Poudre Canyon that celebrated its 108th anniversary this year.
Live music can be heard any night of the week in Fort Collins. In the summer, enjoy our various concert series all over town. During the cooler months, many Fort Collins establishments, like Ace Gillette's, the Sunset Lounge, and Avogadro's Number host live music. Check out our event calendar to see what's coming up!
