You are heading to Fort Collins, Colorado and looking to create your list of the best things to do while you are there—and you’re in the right place. Located in Northern Colorado, Fort Collins is the perfect stop for a few hours or a full day as you make your way further into the mountains.
Their claim to fame is their endless local breweries and you can add in great food and a cool vibe, too.
Hit up music festivals, the Taste of Fort Collins, or just take a self-guided tour through the fun streets of downtown. As a beer drinker, I couldn’t wait to explore the new (to me) town and you should be excited, too!
NOTE: Fort Collins sits at 5,000 feet so be prepared for the elevation gain by drinking lots of water! This does make it a great pit stop before other mountain towns that are well above this like Breckenridge, Aspen, and Leadville as you slowly get acclimated.
Where to Stay in Fort Collins, Colorado
You have many choices when it comes to finding a place to stay—find all of them on Visit Fort Collins. As far as where I think you should choose…
The Armstrong Hotel
Let me start by saying: I highly recommend The Armstrong Hotel. We decided to opt for the boutique hotel, which was such a great place close to everything. Located in a restored 1923 building, the design combines vintage and modern decor that feels welcoming and relaxing—it’s like your own cute little apartment for the weekend.
Now that we have a baby, I’m way more into fun and comfortable places to stay, and this place did not disappoint. There’s a swanky bar—you can bring cocktails to the room—delicious breakfast (more on both later), and a separate bedroom from the living space, which comes in clutch during baby bedtime. We had the best time, and if you’re debating the price, I say go for it, especially if small humans are with you!
Are you trying to get REAL luxurious? Check out The Elizabeth Hotel. This sophisticated spot is five stars.
The Best Things to Do in Downtown Fort Collins, Colorado: Coffee
A weekend away calls for fancy coffee, right? Well, there are plenty of places to choose from in the downtown Fort Collins area.
MUGS Old Town
Start your day at the locally owned and operated Mugs. A great spot with a cool space and organic coffee and espresso, Mugs has a cool bar (there’s booze, too!), an all-day food menu with local ingredients, outdoor space, and a fun, casual vibe. It’s a great spot to start the day, and the consistent amount of people in and out tells me that I’m not the only one who thinks so.
Lima Coffee Roasters
If you want the first place you visit of the day to be trendy and full of aesthetics, hit up Lima Coffee Roasters. A light, airy space where they roast their own beans and source their ingredients locally, it’s one of the best places to grab your morning brew.
Harbinger Coffee
If you prefer cool and casual vibes when it comes to coffee shops, Harbinger Coffee is the answer. I enjoyed my cup of coffee in the back area, complete with couches—and room for the baby to roll around and not disturb anyone—but me 😉
The Best Things to Do in Downtown Fort Collins, Colorado: Drink!
Did you know that Fort Collins is known as the craft beer capital of Colorado? Now, if you know me, you know I’m a Coors Light girl and don’t get down with the hoppy, fruity beers…but I’ll dabble when it’s appropriate. The area offers a great way to taste local beers but also have fun drinking your ol’ faithful. Here is where to have a good time:
Salt Road Brewing
All of the different breweries offer something unique, but Salt Road Brewing is the perfect place to chill (with or without kids!) and drink quality beer. I went with a flight to try a variety and loved them all—”Smile” was my favorite. Dark wood, exposed brick, and floor-to-ceiling garage windows make it an inviting place where you could hang out all day.
The Yeti Bar & Grill
Cue the Coors Light. You can only do so many craft beers, and if you want a casual, cool spot to watch sports, head over to The Yeti Bar & Grill. It’s in the heart of the city with a cool outdoor patio within all the action. One of the most fun things you can do in the area is experience Old Town Square with a beer in hand while people-watching, and this location allows you to do it!
Bondi Beach Bar & Grill
If you’re hunting for dive bars, Bondi Beach Bar is your spot. Located right in Old Town Square, you’re in on all of the action. Enjoy the outdoor patio or head inside, where you’ll find a long bar with TVs, oversized booths, and a cool vibe. The menu is what you would expect—burgers, wings, and apps like pretzels and cheese curds. They do have drink specials, and this place really lights up when it gets dark!
Ace Gilletts Lounge
More on the swanky bar at The Armstrong Hotel. Ace Gilletts is a dark, moody underground bar that not only dazzles you with live jazz music but whisks you away with its cocktail menu. The perfect spot for a date night, sit down at the marble bar and order cocktails and small plates. Or, if you’re staying here, order your drinks to go and enjoy sipping on your drink in your own space. Both of my cocktails were *chef’s kiss*
The Best Things to Do in Downtown Fort Collins, Colorado: Eat
Whether you need a good brunch, a sports bar, or a Japanese restaurant, Fort Collins has you covered with all of that and more. Here are the places we ate at and would recommend:
Ace Cafe
Do you need another reason to stay at The Armstrong Hotel? Well, here it is—Ace Cafe, where you will find some of the best brunch in Fort Collins, Colorado. We took advantage of a special booking offer that included $50 here, and I don’t know how you can start a day better than with Crab Cake Benedict. The all-day menu is full of items I wanted to try, and you won’t be disappointed if you come to take advantage of the outdoor patio or funky inside on the hotel’s main level.
Brother’s Bar & Grill
Calling all sports bar lovers! Visit Brother’s Bar & Grill if you need a beer, a sandwich, and a place to catch the game. This large space is so much fun and offers the typical American menu. You can take advantage of daily drink specials, and whether you show up at 11 AM or 11 PM, there will likely be people here drowning in beers and having a good time.
Sushi JeJu
Ramen has become a bit of a tradition for us while traveling, and we didn’t skip it in Fort Collins. We found Sushi JeJu, where we tried both sushi and ramen and loved every bite. Everything was flavorful and fresh, and the Tonkosu Ramen is easily one of the best things on the menu. For sushi, definitely grab a Volcano Roll.
The Best Things to Do in Downtown Fort Collins, Colorado: Get Outside
We’ve discussed where to stay and where to fill your belly with good food and drinks, but where are the best places to enjoy downtown outdoor activities? You have plenty of spots in natural areas that allow you to get some of that Colorado sunshine.
Library Park
If you’re looking for a park to eliminate kid energy, Library Park is the city park to do it. Fun fact: this was my daughter’s first time on the swings! It’s a large park catering to kids of all ages and is only a couple of blocks off the main drag.
Old Town Square
I walked up to Old Town Square and immediately thought, “What a cool spot!” The brick-lined street with no through traffic is the heart of Old Town Fort Collins, where you will find live performances from local musicians, many restaurant options, and fun shops. It’s the perfect place to explore on a sunny day.
Shopping in Fort Collins
Now, I mentioned the shopping in this part of town (and surrounding blocks), so let’s discuss some must-see stops on your trip to Fort Collins, Colorado. Make sure to check out:
Bookstore on the Square
There’s nothing like a local bookstore, and the downtown community of Fort Collins certainly has a good one! Bookstore on the Square has plenty of book options, including all the best-sellers, kids’ books, and fun gifts. You can spend a lot of time here. I found our baby a great book that we still read to this day, Donut Give Up—and it reminds me of our trip!
Old Town Spice Shop
This was such a fun, unique place to stop in! If you need a spice, Old Town Spice Shop has it. From common pantry items like basil, cinnamon, garlic powder, and ground pepper to out there options like burdock root, strawberry leaf, and white willow bark, this place will have you in awe with the selection. I loved looking through the options, as well as gift boxes and other kitchen odds and ends. I even walked out with a little popcorn salt, which we love.
Blue Harvest Apparel
This is one of those places where you walk in, smell all the good smells, appreciate the aesthetic, and wish you could buy everything in store. Catered towards women, Blue Harvest Apparel is a local shop with clothing, home goods and great gifts like candles and accessories.
Akinz
I absolutely loved perusing this store—it screams all things Colorado! From printed t-shirts and hats to adventure gear and books, Akinz is the perfect mountain shop. Products are made in-house, and you are guaranteed to find something you will want to take home.
Alpine Arts—The Colorado Showcase
This is where you can stop for classic souvenirs. Stickers, mugs, T-shirts, picture frames, and any other things you collect on your travels will be available at Alpine Arts—The Colorado Showcase.
Nuance Chocolate
Okay, I have to be honest…this was not my favorite spot. I grabbed two chocolates to bring to the room and eat later and was very disappointed. The taste was just not there for me. But I didn’t want to leave it off the list because maybe you will have a different experience, and mine was just an unlucky one. If you do, let me know! 🙂
More of The Best Things to Do in Downtown Fort Collins, Colorado
We were in Fort Collins for a quick weekend away, so we didn’t get to do it all. Here are a few more ideas you can add to your itinerary if they sound up your alley!
- Fort Collins Museum of Discovery is a hands-on museum with interactive exhibits for all ages and covers science, history, and culture.
- The Cache la Poudre River near Fort Collins offers camping, fishing, hiking, and whitewater rafting. Miles of trails, including the Poudre River Trail, also offer horseback riding and mountain biking.
- Colorado State University offers football games if you are around on a nice fall day.
- Rocky Mountain National Park is less than an hour and a half away and is an absolute must-do if you have the time. There are many hiking trail options, an epic Colorado drive, and something for every bucket list. NOTE: You need to register for a time to enter.
- Lory State Park is only 20 minutes away and is the perfect place for hiking or riding fat bikes in the warmer months or cross-country skiing in the cold.
- Visit Fort Collins has a great website with even more of the best things to do in Downtown Fort Collins, Colorado.
The Best Things to Do in Downtown Fort Collins, Colorado
One of the best states in the entire United States, Colorado rarely disappoints. The beautiful scenery, fun outdoor vibe, and endless places to explore, you can’t go wrong. And that includes Fort Collins. Cheers!
