I’ve visited a lot of college towns across the US, and Fort Collins is the one I keep telling people to put on their Colorado itinerary. It’s not a mountain town — it sits at 5,003 feet on the northern Front Range — but what it lacks in alpine drama it makes up for with one of the best small-city cultures in the American West. Over 20 craft breweries, a genuinely charming Old Town district that Walt Disney reportedly used as inspiration for Main Street USA, and the Cache la Poudre River running through a wild canyon just minutes from downtown. Budget $65-140/day depending on your style.
Colorado's Craft Beer Capital
Over 20 craft breweries line the streets of this college town — from New Belgium's riverside campus to Odell's sun-drenched taproom patio.
Why Fort Collins Deserves More Than a Day Trip
When I first drove up I-25 from Denver, I figured Fort Collins would be a quick brewery stop on the way to Rocky Mountain National Park. I ended up staying three days. The town has a warmth and walkability that Denver can’t match — Old Town Square feels like a European plaza transplanted to the high plains, with brick sidewalks, outdoor cafes, and live music drifting from every other doorway on summer evenings.
Colorado State University gives the town its youthful energy. The 30,000 students keep things affordable and interesting — there’s always a food truck rally, an art walk, or a spontaneous concert happening somewhere. But Fort Collins isn’t just a college town. It’s become a legitimate destination for food and drink lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates a city that hasn’t been overrun by tourists.
The Brewery Scene — My Favorites
Fort Collins has more craft breweries per capita than almost any city in the US, and I’ve done my best to sample as many as possible. Here are the ones I keep going back to:
New Belgium Brewing — The birthplace of Fat Tire. Their riverside campus on the Cache la Poudre is stunning — free tours, an enormous taproom, and a bike-friendly ethos that defines the Fort Collins spirit. I always start here. Tours are free but book online in advance; they fill up fast in summer.
Odell Brewing Company — My personal favorite taproom in town. The outdoor patio with mountain views is the best beer-drinking setting in Fort Collins, and their rotating small-batch series consistently impresses. Try whatever’s on the pilot system — it won’t disappoint.
Horse & Dragon Brewing — A smaller operation that locals swear by. Their Sad Panda Coffee Stout is legendary. This is where you go when you want to drink with Fort Collins residents, not tourists.
Zwei Brewing — German-style lagers and ales in a relaxed taproom. When I’m tired of hoppy IPAs (which happens), Zwei is my reset. Their Kolsch is textbook.
A self-guided brewery crawl on foot through Old Town hits six to eight breweries in about 2 miles. Budget $4-8 per pour, and pace yourself — the altitude makes alcohol hit noticeably harder.
Cache la Poudre — Colorado's Only Wild & Scenic River
The Poudre River carves through a dramatic canyon just 15 minutes from downtown, offering Class II-IV whitewater and some of the best fly fishing on the Front Range.
Cache la Poudre River Canyon
The Cache la Poudre is Colorado’s only federally designated Wild and Scenic River, and it runs through a spectacular canyon starting just northwest of town along Highway 14. I’ve done the whitewater rafting section (Class II-III in early summer, about $65-85/person for a half-day trip) and it’s an absolute blast — cold snowmelt water, beautiful canyon walls, and enough rapids to keep your heart rate up without being terrifying.
Beyond rafting, the Poudre Canyon offers world-class fly fishing (brown and rainbow trout), hiking trails along the river, and some of the best roadside camping in northern Colorado. The drive up Highway 14 through the canyon is scenic enough to justify the trip even if you don’t get out of the car — though you absolutely should.
Old Town Fort Collins
Old Town is the heart of the city and one of the best-preserved historic downtown districts in Colorado. The Victorian-era buildings along College Avenue and Mountain Avenue house independent shops, restaurants, and galleries. I love walking Old Town in the early evening when the restaurants open their patios and the light goes golden against the old brick facades.
The Mayor of Old Town — A speakeasy-style cocktail bar hidden behind an unmarked door. Ask any local and they’ll point you to it. Craft cocktails run $12-16 and the mixology is excellent.
The Kitchen — Farm-to-table dining that sources from northern Colorado farms. Dinner entrees $22-38. Their brunch is equally good and more affordable.
Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing — The original Fort Collins brewpub, operating since 1989 in Old Town Square. Good pub food, solid house beers, and a pool hall upstairs.
Where to Stay in Fort Collins
Budget ($70-100/night) — The Armstrong Hotel is a restored 1920s property right on Old Town Square. It’s the best value in Fort Collins — historic character, perfect location, and rates that undercut the chain hotels on the highway. Camping at Horsetooth Reservoir ($28/night) is spectacular if you have gear.
Mid-Range ($130-200/night) — The Elizabeth Hotel is Fort Collins’ boutique music-themed property, with instruments in every room you can actually play. It’s quirky and well-located. The Hilton Fort Collins is reliable and walking distance to Old Town.
Luxury ($250-350/night) — The Edwards House B&B is a Victorian mansion turned luxury inn with four rooms, exceptional breakfasts, and the kind of personal service chain hotels can’t touch. Book well ahead — it fills fast.
Horsetooth Reservoir — Fort Collins' Backyard Playground
Six miles of sapphire water backed by red sandstone hogbacks where locals kayak, paddleboard, and camp under skies untouched by city light.
Outdoor Recreation Beyond the Breweries
Horsetooth Reservoir — Just 15 minutes west of town, this 6.5-mile reservoir backed by dramatic red sandstone hogbacks is where Fort Collins goes to play. Kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, and fishing. The Horsetooth Falls trail (2.3 miles round trip) climbs to a seasonal waterfall with reservoir views. Day pass $9/vehicle.
Lory State Park — Adjacent to Horsetooth, this state park has 26 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. The Arthur’s Rock Trail (3.5 miles round trip, 1,100 ft gain) is my favorite hike near Fort Collins — the summit panorama covers the reservoir, the plains, and the Front Range.
Coyote Ridge Natural Area — A free open space with short hiking trails and guaranteed prairie dog viewing. Good for families and casual walkers.
What to Eat and Drink
Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar — Surprisingly excellent seafood for a landlocked city. Fresh oysters flown in daily, creative fish preparations. Dinner entrees $24-40.
Choice City Butcher & Deli — Craft beer bar meets artisan deli. The pastrami sandwich is one of the best things I’ve eaten in Colorado, full stop. Sandwiches $12-16.
Cafe Vino — Wine-focused bistro with a seasonal menu and an outstanding wine list. A nice change of pace from the beer-centric norm. Entrees $26-42.
Snack Attack — Late-night food truck favorite with loaded fries and creative street food. Perfect post-brewery fuel, $8-14.
- Best time to visit: June through September for the best weather and full outdoor access. The Colorado Brewer's Festival in late June is the single best weekend to visit — 50+ breweries pouring in Old Town Square.
- Getting there: 65 miles north of Denver on I-25. It's an easy, flat drive — about an hour with no traffic. No mountain passes to worry about, even in winter.
- Budget tip: Most breweries offer free tours and $1-2 tasters. You can do a full brewery crawl for under $30. The free Fort Collins trolley runs a loop through Old Town on weekends in summer.
- Insider tip: Skip the brewery shuttles marketed to tourists and just walk Old Town — everything is within 15 minutes on foot. The locals drink at Horse & Dragon and Funkwerks, not the big-name taprooms. Funkwerks' Saison is one of the best beers brewed in Colorado.
Getting Around Fort Collins
Fort Collins is one of the most bikeable cities in the US — the city has an extensive network of bike lanes and multi-use paths. You can rent bikes from several shops downtown for $25-40/day. The Mason Trail runs north-south through the city and connects to Old Town, CSU, and the transit center.
Driving is easy and parking is generally available, though Old Town garages fill on summer weekend evenings. The free Transfort MAX bus runs a dedicated line through the city center. For the Poudre Canyon and Horsetooth Reservoir, you’ll need a car.
How Many Days in Fort Collins?
I recommend two to three days. Day one: Old Town exploration, brewery crawl, dinner on a patio. Day two: Poudre Canyon for rafting or fishing in the morning, Horsetooth Reservoir in the afternoon. Day three: hike Arthur’s Rock at Lory State Park, brunch at The Kitchen, and stock up at the Fort Collins Farmers Market (Saturday mornings, May through October) before heading to your next Colorado destination.