Fort Collins, Colorado

Our family has a very special portion of our hearts just for Fort Collins, Colorado. If you have never visited it, maybe you should... VLE-B

As summer closes in, Fort Collins, CO teems with family activities and attractions

Spring is wrapping up, and a beautiful summer in Fort Collins, CO is waiting just around the corner, chock full of activities all around the city and at all the unique and exciting attractions nearby. All of these diversions, and Fort Collins' location at the feet of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, combined to make the city the third most popular vacation destination in Colorado in 2010, just behind Denver and Colorado Springs. Add in our leisurely - yet decidedly metropolitan - attitude, and you've got more reason than ever to bring the whole family up here for a weekend, or more, and see what you've been missing!

And this summer, with fuel prices still on the rise, travel costs are sure to swell right alongside them - another reason to visit Fort Collins, CO. Currently gas prices here are among the lowest in the U.S., which should make day trips to the many surrounding mountain attractions just as affordable as they are thrilling!

Fort Collins has a very active cycling community, offering everything from family-friendly bike lanes to rigorous mountain trails. For the serious cyclist, Fort Collins hosts a world class cycling festival in August. No equipment? No worries. Many of our local businesses can outfit you and your family for a great cycling experience.

With higher than normal snowpack above Fort Collins, this summer will be an amazing opportunity to experience Colorado's only nationally designated Wild & Scenic River from aboard a raft. Book early as the river is limited to how many people can raft.

Summer events heat up just about every day, downtown, everywhere!
From attractions and tours that are open every weekend, to some of the West's best theater, art and live music, to open air farmer's markets and festivals, Fort Collins, CO has just about anything for anyone to enjoy this summer.

Fort Collins Municipal Railway, on West Mountain Ave., open weekends, May through September

Fort Collins once had a bustling streetcar system, and we've got an original, restored trolley car from 1919 that operates on weekends and holidays. From May through September, the trolley runs three miles between City Park and Howes Street downtown. The half-hour journey covers three miles of the town's history, and some of its most beautiful scenery. There are free rides on Mother's Day, Father's Day and many other days, thanks to sponsorship by local businesses. It's a perfect way to start off a day of exploring, or to take a relaxing mid-day journey.

"Streetmosphere" fills downtown Fort Collins with music, performance and art every weekend this summer

Starting the weekend of May 13-15, and continuing every weekend through September, downtown Fort Collins will hold surprises around almost every corner. From bands to buskers, sketch artists to street magicians, you and your family will experience the creative energy of our community while shopping, dining, or strolling. As a bonus, the entertainment is free!
Fort Collins, CO showcases music of all kinds nearly every night.
Culture and art take main stage in Fort Collins on a regular basis in Fort Collins, CO, both inside and outside this summer. Starting with "Kids on Broadway," put on by the Centennial Children's Chorus, to "Derby Day," performed by the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra, to Opera Fort Collins' production of "Madama Butterfly," our beautiful mountain burg will be hosting some of the best in arts and culture this summer. With most of these performances limited to weekend showings, you'll want to buy tickets fast!

Food, wine, beer and fun can be found almost any weekend!

First Friday art walks, the Community Potluck and the 4th of July Downtown are only a few of the events that you'll be seeing in Fort Collins, CO this summer. You and your friends can also enjoy the Colorado Brewer's Festival and Odell Brewing's Small Batch Revival for beer lovers to enjoy, both featuring great food, music and suds! What better way to spend a summer evening than outdoors with friends and family, celebrating locally produced bounty?

Open air farmers' markets present fresh locally grown fruits, vegetables and more!

Every week this summer you can take advantage of two thriving farmers' markets, where you can get lunch, shop for dinner, or just enjoy the fresh air, along with free samples of some of the surrounding agricultural fare. The Fort Collins Farmers Market is open every Wednesday and Sunday from 11am to 3pm – a perfect time to grab a fresh, outdoor lunch as you shop. And on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm, the Drake Road Farmers Market presents some of northern Colorado's home-grown best, and a chance to bring the whole family out for a beautiful weekend morning.

Whether your summer plans involve festival fun, evening dining and dancing with live music or weekend strolls and trolley rides, all of these are just the beginning of what Fort Collins, CO has in store for you when you visit this summer. And with gas prices about as low as you'll see across the nation, Fort Collins is the perfect base for a weekend full of fun and adventure on a budget. Keep your eyes on our "Visit Fort Collins" site to get the latest news and notes about new and exciting events, and to make plans to come and visit!


Fort Collins
19 Old Town Square, suite 137
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
US

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