Located just a couple miles West of Fort Collins, Horsetooth Reservoir is a must-see for anyone visiting the area for the first time. The reservoir is surrounded by scenic hiking trails, many of which are easy or moderate. In August, this is also a great area for relaxing at the beach, swimming in the refreshing mountain water, and renting paddleboards, kayaks, or boats!

Old Town Fort Collins is very charming, with buildings dating back to the late 19th century, unique shops and boutiques, and a thriving food scene. Old Town Square is also a popular gathering place with a fountain, sculptures, and flowers.

This area consists of public campus gardens devoted to horticultural research & featuring many annual varieties. It is beautiful this time of year!

New Belgium Brewing Company is a Fort Collins landmark! You can book a tour of the brewery, or enjoy the large outdoor space, food trucks, and excellent beer.

The Holiday Twin Drive-In Theater is located in Fort Collins, at the base of the foothills. There are two screens that each typically feature two movies. The drive-in is open every night, all summer long and occasionally has special programs such as concerts. There is also a bar and concession stand.

Colorado State University is located in the heart of Fort Collins. The campus is a nice place to walk around and hosts many events throughout the summer.

Located less than twenty minutes west of Fort Collins, Lory State Park is an outdoor recreation area that has great trails for hiking and biking. For visitors, we recommend Arthur's Rock, a 3.2-mile out-and-back hike with great views of the city.

The Mishawaka is a restaurant that is nestled in the foothills and sits on the Poudre River. You can grab a bite to eat while watching white-water rafters or attend an outdoor concert here.

This 2,198-acre area, located just south of Fort Collins, features unique rock formations and trails for hiking, biking & horseback riding.

Rocky Mountain National Park is an hour and half drive from Fort Collins and makes for a great day trip. The drive to the park is scenic, and of course, so is the park itself! If you aren't afraid of heights, driving above timberline on Trail Ridge Road is a unique experience. The park is also great for walking, hiking, horseback riding, and camping. For new visitors, we recommend stopping by Lily Lake or Bear Lake. (This picture is of Emerald Lake, which shares a parking lot with Bear Lake, it is a 3.6-mile roundtrip, easy/moderate hike.) We recommend also visiting Estes Park, a cute mountain town located just outside of the park.

Reservations for entry into the park may be required!

For a classic Colorado mountain town experience only 40-minutes from Fort Collins, Estes Park is the place to go! Located just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, there is no shortage of local shops and ice creameries. Estes Park is also home to the historic and haunted Stanley Hotel (where The Shining was filmed). On the way, you can stop by the Colorado Cherry Store and look out for bighorn sheep in the canyons. Be prepared for potentially big crowds. as Estes Park is a popular tourist destination.