Downtown Fort Collins
Old Town Square, voted #4 Best Public Square in the Nation by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, is the heart of Downtown Fort Collins. It pulses with history, culture, and creativity.
Walking through the well-preserved downtown that includes over 20 restored historical buildings that are part of both national and local designated historic districts, you’re transported back in time. While wandering about, you’re likely to notice a strong resemblance to Disneyland’s Main Street USA. We’re proud to say that the turn-of-the-20th-century charm, character, and architecture of Downtown Fort Collins served as inspiration for many of its features! A network of enhanced alleys filled with dynamic art installations, colorful potted plants, and Tivoli lights make the journey of traveling to the next place a beautiful experience of its own. Check out a walk through of some of our favorite alleys!
Downtown Fort Collins is filled with unique locally-owned stores, boutiques, and specialty shops with elaborate window displays beckoning you inside. There are also a variety of restaurants, bars, bistros, lounges, and pubs (over 130 of them, actually!) that provide a taste for any craving. In the summer, enjoy outdoor and patio dining at nearly 100 of them! Additionally, on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays between May - September, you can ride the Fort Collins Trolley from downtown to City Park and back along the historic, tree-lined Mountain Avenue.
What is Going On in Downtown Fort Collins
Initially constructed in 1985, Old Town Square Plaza was reimagined in 2015 through a meticulous renovation project that earned international recognition. This enhanced space features interactive elements, including a state-of-the-art performance stage, which hosts free concerts, live performances, and community events throughout the year. Downtown is also home to some of the most popular Fort Collins festivals, including FoCoMX, Taste of Fort Collins, and Tour de Fat.
Historic “Fort” Collins was advantageously located along the Cache la Poudre River by the ninth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry to protect travelers and settlers along the Colorado branch of the Overland trail. Today, the river is still an essential part of downtown. Designated as Colorado’s only “Wild and Scenic" River, it provides many opportunities for recreation in and around the water. Power walk, take a leisurely stroll, or ride a bike along the Poudre Trail; dip your toes in the water, or take on the rapids in a kayak.
Museums, breweries, entertainment venues, and art galleries are all within walking distance of the original “Fort” parade grounds. Guided history tours and monthly self-guided walking tours like Downtown Fort Collins First Friday Art Walk™ and Fort Collins Foodie Walk™ provide opportunities to get more deeply connected to the area. Painted pianos bring local art and spontaneous music to the streets, while transformer cabinet murals deter graffiti and add vibrancy. Certified by the State of Colorado, the Downtown Fort Collins Creative District works to advance the area as an arts and creative hub.
Downtown is rich in energy, and it shows through an entrepreneurial spirit that is welcoming, exciting, and infectious. You can encounter a diverse array of experiences all within the same block of historic buildings. Renovated 1800s storefronts both showcase a romantic honoring of the West’s history while within, they are embracing new technologies, innovative shops, and lifelong passions, all focused on a high quality of life, making this a place of possibilities, coined the “New West.”
There are so many things to do, see, taste, and experience, making downtown the ultimate Fort Collins experience. To plan your outings, check our calendar for upcoming events or visit www.downtownfortcollins.com for additional information. For downtown parking information, click here.
