Guidebook for Fort Collins
Food Scene
Biking/walking distance- cute atmosphere, local owner, pretty good pizza, and they take reservations.
24 locals recommend
Nick's Italian
1100 S College AveBiking/walking distance- cute atmosphere, local owner, pretty good pizza, and they take reservations.
Small sandwich shop with amazing sandwiches. Sit in the bar area to have a beer with you sandwich! If you are trying to get a sandwich at lunch, just be prepared to wait. You can call ahead too- do this if you are in a hurry.
16 locals recommend
Pickle Barrel
122 W Laurel StSmall sandwich shop with amazing sandwiches. Sit in the bar area to have a beer with you sandwich! If you are trying to get a sandwich at lunch, just be prepared to wait. You can call ahead too- do this if you are in a hurry.
Great breakfast or lunch spot- outdoor seating, good service, and good food. Avoid sitting to close to the kitchen, as they have an expo cook that is a bit loud.
Back Porch Cafe
1101 E Lincoln AveGreat breakfast or lunch spot- outdoor seating, good service, and good food. Avoid sitting to close to the kitchen, as they have an expo cook that is a bit loud.
Cafe Bluebird
524 W Laurel StReally good food. Get there early or you will wait!
So beautiful out on the deck! It is a neat venue for a show or to have a bite to eat/beer. The restaurant/music venue is literally right on the poudre river.
If you go to a show they do have a shuttle tha picks up in town- check the website, as drinking even one beer in the canyon is pretty dangerous.
69 locals recommend
The Mishawaka
13714 Poudre Canyon RdSo beautiful out on the deck! It is a neat venue for a show or to have a bite to eat/beer. The restaurant/music venue is literally right on the poudre river.
If you go to a show they do have a shuttle tha picks up in town- check the website, as drinking even one beer in the canyon is pretty dangerous.
One of the best in Fort Collins- the restaurant is always buzzing at night and it is seat yourself. You will need to be assertive if you get there after 6:30pm on a weekend night. We usually order the Burger/The Crown Royale or King's Curry. The fries are also to die for!
28 locals recommend
The Crown Pub
134 S College AveOne of the best in Fort Collins- the restaurant is always buzzing at night and it is seat yourself. You will need to be assertive if you get there after 6:30pm on a weekend night. We usually order the Burger/The Crown Royale or King's Curry. The fries are also to die for!
Good food, bar games, outdoor seating! Sometimes live music is happening in Old Town Square- Coopersmith's has a patio looking out to where the music is.
Beer is so-so.
51 locals recommend
Coopersmith's Pub & Brewing
5 Old Town SquareGood food, bar games, outdoor seating! Sometimes live music is happening in Old Town Square- Coopersmith's has a patio looking out to where the music is.
Beer is so-so.
Fun breakfast spot to bike too- long ride, but you bike over a series of bridges over the river that are really cool! The food is decent, but the atmosphere and bike ride makes this place a good spot to check out. Lory State park is super close- you can check out the trout farm, lakes, and trails close by.
23 locals recommend
Vern's Restaurant
4120 W County Rd 54GFun breakfast spot to bike too- long ride, but you bike over a series of bridges over the river that are really cool! The food is decent, but the atmosphere and bike ride makes this place a good spot to check out. Lory State park is super close- you can check out the trout farm, lakes, and trails close by.
Drinks & Nightlife
Avo's is know for there large outdoor seating area with live music. It is geared toward a more hippy crowd, 40+ crowd, and has menu items like Tempeh. They do have a big bar food type menu with burgers, appetizers, etc. Entertainment acts are hit or miss blue grass, to caberet. The venue is fun in the summer. They usually have a cover charge- call before you head over to check out what is happening there.
41 locals recommend
Avogadro's Number
605 S Mason StAvo's is know for there large outdoor seating area with live music. It is geared toward a more hippy crowd, 40+ crowd, and has menu items like Tempeh. They do have a big bar food type menu with burgers, appetizers, etc. Entertainment acts are hit or miss blue grass, to caberet. The venue is fun in the summer. They usually have a cover charge- call before you head over to check out what is happening there.
The smallest bar you have ever been inside! It is cash only (but they have an ATM). Fun for a pit stop on a night out on the town- they have jello shots, atomic cherrys, and (the best) everclear oranges!
26 locals recommend
Town Pump
124 N College AveThe smallest bar you have ever been inside! It is cash only (but they have an ATM). Fun for a pit stop on a night out on the town- they have jello shots, atomic cherrys, and (the best) everclear oranges!
High quality beer, with a fun family/friend kind of vibe. They usually have yard games and a food truck. The outdoor area is huge!
142 locals recommend
Odell Brewing Company
800 E Lincoln AveHigh quality beer, with a fun family/friend kind of vibe. They usually have yard games and a food truck. The outdoor area is huge!
Parks & Nature
Hiking Horsetooth is really fun and could be considered a moderate to difficult hike. You can climb up onto the rock that symbolizes the Horsetooth. Great view of Fort Collins!
The reservoir is also a great drive and picnic spot. If you drive up to picnic- there is one free spot to eat & hang out. You have to drive up and head towards the north end of the reservoir to a boat launch area- I think it is the final picnic area before getting to the little marina.
Activities on the water
-SUP rentals- call ahead
-Renting a party pontoon. It is a decent size reservoir, and can be really fun as long as the weather cooperates (water is cold). It can be windy...
250 locals recommend
Horsetooth Reservoir
Hiking Horsetooth is really fun and could be considered a moderate to difficult hike. You can climb up onto the rock that symbolizes the Horsetooth. Great view of Fort Collins!
The reservoir is also a great drive and picnic spot. If you drive up to picnic- there is one free spot to eat & hang out. You have to drive up and head towards the north end of the reservoir to a boat launch area- I think it is the final picnic area before getting to the little marina.
Activities on the water
-SUP rentals- call ahead
-Renting a party pontoon. It is a decent size reservoir, and can be really fun as long as the weather cooperates (water is cold). It can be windy...
Really great hiking trail with pretty views!
*Tip- be aware of snakes when hiking. Don't let your dog off leash.
10 locals recommend
Reservoir Ridge Natural Area
Really great hiking trail with pretty views!
*Tip- be aware of snakes when hiking. Don't let your dog off leash.
Entertainment & Activities
Sometimes the Clydesdale's are in town at the brewery- check the online schedule. Fun for adults and children.
28 locals recommend
Budweiser Brewery Experience
2685 Busch DrSometimes the Clydesdale's are in town at the brewery- check the online schedule. Fun for adults and children.
The Lyric
1209 N College AveLocal movie theater that serves beer, and shows independent films.
Arts & Culture
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
408 Mason CtInteractive exhibits and a planetarium!
Shopping
White Balcony
Cute gift and clothing shop for ladies!
Essentials
This grocery store is just a short walk away. You need to walk past the elementary school down the park path and you are there. There is also a Starbucks inside.
26 locals recommend
Safeway
2160 W Drake RdThis grocery store is just a short walk away. You need to walk past the elementary school down the park path and you are there. There is also a Starbucks inside.