Tours in Fort Collins

History buffs will have a wonderful time exploring Fort Collins history and the picturesque downtown and Western landscape. Visitors can ride our working Birney Car Trolley between City Park and Downtown, explore the history of Annie the Railroad Dog, and take a ghost tour to explore the paranormal activity of Old Town. There is rich western history to explore as well! Take self-guided Historic Walks throughout the original Old Town area with the comprehensive Historic Explorations Map, or opt for a quicker self-guided walking tour with interesting architecture by doing the Historic Walking Tour. However, the best option is to explore the history of Fort Collins and the surrounding region with Traces of the Past History Tours. They offer guided tours and formal programs that are fun and educational for all ages.

Downtown’s historic buildings showcase innovative architecture, tell the pioneering story of Colorado’s west and have faint shadows of the military encampment. Fort Collins even has a tie to Disneyland USA, the historic strip on Walnut Street and the old Firehouse served as inspiration for Disneyland’s Main Street.  Take part in the self-guided walking tour of Downtown’s historical highlights; click here for the Historic Walking Tour map. And tour companies offer many guided history tours including one via horse-drawn wagon! The Poudre Landmarks Foundation also runs regular events and tours of 1883 Water Works and of the Avery House, and an annual historic homes tour each September.

Spirits, aberrations, and specters are all about as you walk through the historic streets of Old Town Fort Collins. The original location for the town’s earliest residents, Native American tribes before them, and the home to the civil war military encampment, Old Town is the keeper of many secrets. There are underground tunnels, a secret river, and a seedy underworld that lead to many haunted stories from Fort Collins’ past.

If you love to be frightened or just intrigued by auras, Fort Collins Tours is just the ticket. Knowledgeable actors and guides take guests through the area’s history and ghost stories as you walk or ride through the enchanting Western streets of Old Town.

Located near the Burlington Northern and the Santa Fe Railroad, the original parade grounds for the Fort and the city’s jail, Old Town has over a century of characters, villains, and strange occurrences that create its haunted past. Sharing legends and ghostly recounts are the forte of the costumed guides whose stories will make your heart pound.

Strange sightings and energies have been noticed in the area for well over 100 years. You can experience ghosts, séances, haunted tours, and stories of historical criminal behavior by bus, foot, or horse-drawn wagon year around.

Want to know more? You can also pick up one of the many Fort Collins history books about all our stories, characters, and buildings at our bookstores in town or visit our official archives at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery.

Delicious beer and innovative brewing techniques bring people from around the world to tour Fort Collins’ award-winning breweries each year. More than 20 breweries offer beer-tasting tours with trays of dark, light, hoppy and seasonal beers. Ales, Hefeweizens and IPAs are easy to appreciate while sitting in the causal settings of the outdoor patios, listening to live music, and meeting friendly people in the taprooms. Many breweries offer tours of their manufacturing operations as well as special features like New Belgium Brewing’s innovative energy and sustainability practices. If you're looking for a safe and fun way to get around to each brewery while experiencing the great tours we suggest hopping on a bike and partaking in an adventure with Beer and Bike Tours. If you prefer someone else do the driving, check out our newest tour company, Hop Cart! Their three-stop brewery or distillery tour is a great way to explore liquid arts in Fort Collins without having to worry about transportation. For those who prefer a taste of spirits, brew, and wine, Fort Collins Tours, LLC offers a local distillery, brewery, and winery tour all in one!

Throughout most of the year, Fort Collins is best explored from the saddle of a bike. It’s a fast and fun way to get around the city and visit nearby areas – the foothills, mountains, lakes, etc. You can take it upon yourself to plan your own tour of the city or check out our suggested routes. There are also several companies in town that specialize in bike tours. You can find a list of these companies below as well as maps and more information about touring Fort Collins on two wheels. 

View the Fort Collins Bike System Map here. Use the Bikeway Bingo as a fun way to explore and learn about Fort Collins’ family-friendly bikeways, parks, natural areas, neighborhoods, and public art.  The series of five Fort Collins Bikeway Bingo Challenges include themed bingo cards to fill out along the way. Complete all 5 and you’ll be able to expertly navigate Fort Collins’ extensive bikeway network! For tips, route maps, and bicycling resources before your roll, check out the rest of our website.

Check out Colorado State University, Old Town, and a few Breweries on an electric bike tour offered by Pedego! On this 2 hour tour you'll see some of what makes Fort Collins unique, from the CSU campus to Old Town (which actually helped inspire Disneyland's Main Street USA). You'll also get to visit some of our local breweries since Fort Collins is known as the Napa Valley of Beer. Book your spots today!

If it’s mountain biking you’re after, we have lots of great trails minutes from downtown. Visit the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas for information on riding the foothills trails or check out Lory State Park, or Horsetooth Mountain Park for prime mountain biking action.

If you're looking to get a taste of Fort Collins, look no further than our wonderful food tours! The Old Town Food Tour specializes in giving you a "behind-the-scenes" feeling experience due to their personal relationships with chefs throughout town. Their rotating stops mean you can come back for a tour anytime and try something new! Love 4 Food Tours is Fort Collins' newest food tour operator. Specializing in specific tours, Love 4 Food takes you around town in a stylish van and boasts Taco Tours and a Brunch Tour.

In Fort Collins, there is public art basically everywhere you look. Whether it is statues, painting, or even music, Fort Collins is overflowing with big art pieces, and hidden art for those that are paying attention. The City of Fort Collins runs the Art in Public Places program; free art tours focused on their programs are available on the city's website. Additionally, Downtown Fort Collins has been a certified creative district since 2016, boasting a high concentration of public art. The Downtown Creative District created free, self-guided tours for history and art lovers.

Last but certainly not least is the Fort Collins Mural Project (FCMP). Founded in 2015, the Fort Collins Mural Project exists to promote local art through the transformation of alleys and business walls. Their murals can be found all throughout town and are used to empower artists and tell stories of the diverse groups of people that make Fort Collins special. Check out their interactive mural map on the FCMP website so you don't miss out on any of Fort Collins' murals.

Fort Collins is proud to be the home to Colorado State University, and the campus is a wonderful exploration of agricultural heritage, collegiate sports, and beautiful architecture. Explore the old historic Oval, the buildings of the original Colorado Agricultural College born in 1870, and early 20th century buildings surrounding the Victorian lawn. Tours explore the newer construction, stadiums, dining halls, the CSU Trial Flower Gardens, and the University Center of the Arts. RamTrax offers engaging visitor tours sharing the university’s outstanding academic programs and rich heritage of innovation and research.