I’ve lived in Fort Collins, Colorado, for the last four years, and it doesn’t surprise me that this city is regularly included on lists of the best places to live in the United States.
What does surprise me is that it gets roughly a million visitors each year, which is far fewer than other destinations in Colorado.
The city has the tight-knit community of a small town but many of the amenities typically found in a larger city. Just 65 miles north of Denver, it has a population of roughly 170,000 people and is about an hour away from Rocky Mountain National Park.
With friendly people, a historic downtown, and nature all around, there’s always something to see or do here.
Here’s why I think Fort Collins is a must-see city that deserves more attention.
There’s easy access to nature throughout the city.
Fort Collins is famous for its easy access to nature.
One of my favorite scenic spots is Horsetooth Reservoir, which is just west of the city and tucked against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
I’ve hiked in the surrounding Horsetooth Mountain Open Space and Lory State Park year-round, but I especially love paddling around the reservoir’s hill-framed inlets in the summer.
Fort Collins is also home to Cache la Poudre, Colorado’s only nationally designated “Wild and Scenic” River protected by the US Forest Service.
Whenever I have visitors, I love driving them up the winding Poudre Canyon for beautiful views of the river, and stopping to hike or picnic along the way.
The area is also a popular destination for fishing and whitewater rafting.
Community events are a highlight.
There’s always something interesting going on in Fort Collins, from concerts and happy hours to Colorado State University football games.
Throughout the summer, I head to the weekly City Park Food Truck Rally to sample a wide variety of cuisines and listen to live music, all in a picturesque neighborhood park.
Another annual highlight is Tour de Fat, a bicycle parade each August where riders don costumes and pedal to New Belgium brewery for drinks, food, and live music.
Later in the year, I love attending the Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony, when the city’s Old Town is illuminated with thousands of LED lights.
Old Town Fort Collins is full of local gems.
Old Town, a historic part of the city, is located in the heart of Downtown Fort Collins and features a variety of restaurants, shops, and bars.
I never get tired of strolling around this area, which is said to be one of the places that inspired Disneyland’s Main Street USA.
That small-town charm is what makes Old Town feel especially memorable. Not only is it home to small businesses, cafés, independent bookstores, and quirky thrift shops, but it also hosts a year-round ghost tour that highlights local history and legends.
There are also lots of interesting dining options, from American comfort food at The Regional to the best housemade gluten-free pasta I’ve had outside Italy at Rare Italian.
In the warmer months, I love going to The Exchange, an open-air food court and gathering space featuring restaurants, bars, an ice-cream stand, and an indoor mini-golf course.
On the weekends, I’ll meet up with friends at classy speakeasies like Ace Gillette or Social, both located in Old Town. We also usually stop by my all-time favorite dive bar, Trailhead Tavern, for pickle shots.
This city is known as the craft-beer capital of Colorado.
If you love beer, Fort Collins is the place to be, since it’s known as the craft-beer capital of Colorado.
We have big-name breweries like New Belgium and Odell Brewing Company, as well as many smaller, locally owned alternatives with dog-friendly patios and regular community events.
To me, there’s nothing better than spending a summer evening with friends in the beer garden of Stodgy Brewing Company, located in a building that looks straight out of a Western movie. I also love that many breweries offer gluten-free and non-alcoholic options.
Whether they’re beer drinkers or not, I think visitors can find plenty to love about Fort Collins. No matter the time of year, I always recommend checking it out and discovering why I think it’s Colorado’s best-kept secret.
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