...And Then I Got Lost and Ended Up in Fort Collins

by leigh
-
August 25, 2008

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So I was driving north, headed for Wyoming to visit family when a tornado touched down just a few miles ahead. I took the next exit off the freeway and drove west, figuring that getting closer to the mountains was a good idea. The fates liked me that day, and I was spared the tornado's wrath. Then I found out I had driven into Fort Collins. No actually I was in town for business (in the role of photographer-for-a-day), but where's the fun in saying that? Just off I-25 an hour's drive north of Denver, or less if you drive like I do, Fort Collins is a quaint little city worth a visit if history and beer is your thing.

About Fort Collins

Home to around 125,000 Coloradans, Fort Collins sits beside the front range of the Colorado Rockies and branches out from beside the Cache la Poudre river. It is home to Colorado State University (CSU), which gives parts of the city a strong college town atmosphere. Despite this, the old agricultural settlement has a distinctly historic atmosphere that welcomes visitors of all ages.

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New Belgium Brewing Company

500 Linden St, Fort Collins, CO 80524

I’m by no means a beer expert, but plenty of locals have good things to say about New Belgium’s brews. One visiting friend took as his souvenir a case of their beer to share with friends. Even better, the brewery offers a full tour of its employee owned brewing facilities, followed by a free tasting of the drinks.

In true Colorado fashion, the brewery is dedicated to sustainable business practices, meaning it does its best to be environmentally friendly.

Favorite brews:
Fat Tire Amber Ale
1554 Black Ale
Skinny Dip Blonde Ale (summer seasonal)

In true Colorado fashion, the brewery is dedicated to sustainable business practices, meaning it does its best to be environmentally friendly.

Favorite brews:
Fat Tire Amber Ale
1554 Black Ale
Skinny Dip Blonde Ale (summer seasonal)

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Odell Brewing Company

800 East Lincoln Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Go for the tour or go for the tap room tastings, Odell Brewing serves up some great local flavors that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Favorite brews:
Easy Street Wheat Ale
Cutthroat Porter
90 Shilling Amber Ale

Go for the tour or go for the tap room tastings, Odell Brewing serves up some great local flavors that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Favorite brews:
Easy Street Wheat Ale
Cutthroat Porter
90 Shilling Amber Ale

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Fort Collins Brewery

1900 E Lincoln Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80524

The Fort Collins Brewery has a nice little tap room for testing out its beverages. Samples can be had for free, or pints can be drunk at a reasonable price.

Favorite brews:
Chocolate Stout
Major Tom’s Pomegranate Wheat Ale

The Fort Collins Brewery has a nice little tap room for testing out its beverages. Samples can be had for free, or pints can be drunk at a reasonable price.

Favorite brews:
Chocolate Stout
Major Tom’s Pomegranate Wheat Ale

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Coopersmith's Pub & Brewing

5 Old Town Sq, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Head to Coopersmith’s for a meal and a pint, or a pint and billiards, or just a pint.

Favorites:
Horsetooth Stout
Poudre Pale Ale
Not Brown Ale

Head to Coopersmith’s for a meal and a pint, or a pint and billiards, or just a pint.

Favorites:
Horsetooth Stout
Poudre Pale Ale
Not Brown Ale

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Anheuser-Busch Inc

2351 Busch Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Just in case you’re a Budweiser fan, or want to see how breweries run on a massive scale, Anheuser-Busch offers a factory tour and free beer tasting.

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Whitewater Rafting

During the late spring and summer, whitewater rafting is one of the best adventures to be had. Catering to rafters of all experience levels, from newcomers to veterans, Fort Collins has a number of companies that charter trips down the Cache la Poudre river.

Most companies offer guided trips running either a half day or a full day in length. Those new to the sport, but in decent physical shape, should try to stick to Class III rapids or lower, while Class IV and V rapids are suitable for experienced rafters in good condition. Take altitude into account when planning your trip, as they begin up in the mountains.

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Old Town

Old Town Sq Fort Collins, CO 80524

Lined by shops and restaurants, Old Town’s brick-lined pedestrian streets are filled with benches, planters and public art. Perfect for a bit of gift shopping and a meal, the historic buildings of Old Town create a peaceful atmosphere and offer cool retreat from summer heat.

Odd historical fact: Fort Collins’ Old Town was used as the model in designing Disneyland’s Main Street.

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Swetsville Zoo

4801 E Harmony Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80528

This kindly local retiree, Bill Swets, decided to spend his days making metal sculptures of all kinds of creatures and events, real and fantastical.

Cute in a roadside attraction kind of way (the zoo is literally less than 1/8 mile off the interestate exit), it’s worth taking a self-guided tour of the grounds and the 150+ sculptures that live there.

This kindly local retiree, Bill Swets, decided to spend his days making metal sculptures of all kinds of creatures and events, real and fantastical.

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Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art

201 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524

The Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art doesn’t have a museum collection, instead relying on drawing visitors with its innovative temporary exhibitions. The museum shows the latest in artistic styles and trends, highlighting one artist or one theme at a time and changing its displays multiple times throughout the year.

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Fort Collins Museum

200 Mathews St, Fort Collins, CO 80524

The Fort Collins Museum is a wonderful resource for learning about the city’s history, and how it has influenced the city as it exists today.

Within the next few years, the Fort Collins Museum will merge with Discovery Science Center, and both groups will move into a new museum facility that will combine their different interests.

The Fort Collins Museum is a wonderful resource for learning about the city’s history, and how it has influenced the city as it exists today.

Within the next few years, the Fort Collins Museum will merge with Discovery Science Center, and both groups will move into a new museum facility that will combine their different interests.

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Discovery Science Center

703 E Prospect Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525

Discovery Science Center is filled with hands-on exhibits geared for kids, great for those under 12.

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City Park

1500 W Mulberry St, Fort Collins, CO 80521

A large, open recreational area, City Park has green spaces, sporting fields, a miniature train and an outdoor swimming pool, complete with slides. It’s perfect for a summer picnic or afternoon out with the kids.

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