4 Happy Places in Fort Collins, CO
In 2018, Livability.com ranked Fort Collins the 14th best place to live in the United States, and in 2019, Niche.com gave it an “A” grade. Both websites credit the active culture and fun hangout spots in Fort Collins in their rankings, but what exactly are those places?
1. Old Town Fort Collins
The cultural center of Fort Collins is filled with hangout spots for any time of day and frequently hosts parades and festivals, such as the annual Fortoberfest held in late September as the city’s last music festival of the year. The area is also filled with boutique shops and family-friendly restaurants mixed with bars and concert venues that are always hosting events. Go to Old Town any day or night and you’ll be hard-pressed to not find something to do.
2. Cache la Poudre River Canyon
The Cache la Poudre River runs down from the Rocky Mountains and supplies water for the almost two dozen breweries that call Fort Collins home. It’s also a great place to go on hot days for a dip or just to take in Colorado’s majesty. Colorado Highway 14, which follows the river up into the mountains, is considered one of the most beautiful and scenic drives in the state. There is also the Mishawaka, an Amphitheatre and Restaurant situated with a fantastic view directly on the river.
3. Open Spaces and State Parks
Along the same foothills as the entrance to the Poudre River lie a few open spaces and state parks that are easily accessible from Fort Collins. Technically part of the Poudre River and in the towns of Laporte and Bellvue, this area is more developed and has paved trails and a few restaurants, including the adorable Howling Cow Cafe at Morning Fresh Dairy. Horsetooth Reservoir and Horsetooth Open Space are also popular, as dozens of boats take the reservoir waters every warm weekend and hikers and runners fill the trails almost every day. Lory State Park is also a popular spot during warmer months, as the panoramic view from Arthur’s Rock draws hikers daily.
4. Coffee
People that live in Fort Collins are well aware of the variety of coffee shops in their city. Alleycat and Mugs are two of the most popular for college students, while the aforementioned Howling Cow Cafe and Old Town’s Bindle Coffee serve more professional clientele. The City of Fort Collins even has an official list of coffee shops that everyone needs to visit, including Mountain Iris Cafe, Aloha Coffee and Grill, and The Bean Cycle. This, however, is by no means an exhaustive list of the options in Fort Collins, and I encourage you to look around for your favorite because, with the variety available, there is guaranteed to be one that matches your tastes.
