October’s arrival signals all sorts of fall favorites making it the perfect month for a weekend getaway in Fort Collins. The changing leaves create an ideal backdrop for exploring the great outdoors on foot, by bike and via car, while the fall harvest promises fun at the local farms. We’ve outlined our picks for a memorable October getaway, below.
Day 1 – Exploring fall’s splendor al fresco
Grab a bite
Day 1 is all about the outdoors, so we're picking a patio for each meal. Try breakfast on the dog-friendly North Patio at Ginger and Baker. Order from the Café or Coffee Shop menu, while your four-legged friend finds a favorite from the special Ginger and BARKer menu.
Hike or bike
Our picks for best leaf-peeping on foot or by bike are in these areas:
- Lory State Park
- Spring Canyon Park (Pictured below)
- Poudre Trail
- Fort Collins Natural Areas - We recommend Reservoir Ridge or Riverbend Ponds)
Picnic fare
Pick up sammies to go from Fort Collins favorite Choice City Butcher and dine trailside.
Catch the sunset
The Elizabeth Hotel’s rooftop Sunset Lounge features all-weather and open-air lounge areas perfect for sips and sunset views.
Dinner by moonlight
Take a five-minute stroll from The Elizabeth to The Exchange, an innovative Old Town development featuring shipping container food and beverage outlets and outdoor dining aplenty. Our favorite stops include: La Piadina for a traditional Italian Piadina; Vatos Tacos & Tequila for, well, tacos and tequila; and Churn (of Little Man Ice Cream Company fame) for a dip, split, sundae or shake.
After hours outdoors
Stick around The Exchange for nine holes at Old Town Putt, a brew or two at FoCo Beer Collective or Penrose Taphouse and Eatery, or a glass of wine at Blanchard Family Wines.
Day 2 – Fabulous fall drives
Hit the roads around Fort Collins and you’ll reap the rewards: vistas, views and fall color as far as the eye can see.
The most important meal of the day
Fuel up at the iconic Silver Grill Café before you hit the road. Might we suggest a famous cinnamon roll (or two) to-go?
Road trip
You can’t beat these areas for leaf-peeping and wildlife-spotting:
- Rist Canyon to Poudre Canyon
- Poudre Canyon
- North Park
- Roosevelt National Forest
- Rocky Mountain National Park
Pit Stop
Stop for lunch in one of the quaint, small towns you pass during your travels. If you take the Rist Canyon to Poudre Canyon route, be sure to stop at the Mishawaka for lunch! This iconic venue and restaurant has been around for over 100 years.
Stroll around Old Town
Both a national and local historic district, Old Town Fort Collins is full of local boutiques, cafes and restaurants, and more. Pick up a souvenir, grab dinner at Union Bar and Grill or RARE Italian, play a piano (discover one of over 100 that are part of Pianos About Town).
Catch a flick
Drive to the Holiday Twin Drive-In and catch a film (or two) from the comfort of your car.
Day 3 – Harvest some fun
Who doesn’t love a good corn maze! Fort Collins is flush with local farms, pumpkin patches and fall festivities. Pumpkin spice optional.
Breakfast harvest
When the house favorites include Pumpkin Bread French Toast and Sweet Potato Latkes you know you’ll get a great fall harvest day start at Rainbow Restaurant.
Harvest extravaganza
The area options may be endless, but we’ll share a few of our faves:
- The Bartel’s Farm – a huge selections of pick-your-own pumpkins, corn mazes and hayrides
- The Farm at Lee Martinez Park – visit the farm animals and take a hayride
- Northern Colorado Corn Maze – Jack Lantern’s Corn Maze is a Colorado favorite
- Something from the Farm – family-owned, organic pumpkin patch, bale maze and more.
Fall brews cruise
Fort Collins is the capitol of craft brews and there’s no better place to sample the seasonal offerings. We’ll even supply a full list of Fort Collins breweries to get you started. If breakfast didn't fill you up, grab some food at one of the food trucks you'll find at our craft breweries!
Farm-to-table finale
The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm is the perfect place to wrap up a day dedicated to the fall harvest, with rustic-inspired modern farm fare in a 19th-century farmhouse.
