AESL

Would like to get some ideas from locals or past travelers on the top 5 must see/do's in the Fort Collins area. As well as top spots to eat. We will be there mid July vacationing.

Gretchen

Can you take day trips? NOthing agains Ft. Collins, but there is so much more to also see.

Nelson

How long will be in town? I live in Fort Collins and wouldn't want to be anywhere else but agree with Gretchen: there are good day trips like Rocky Mountain National Park and Boulder. For example I was up here on Thursday as a day trip.
http://www.pbase.com/mangoman/image/144292367

(That particular spot is hard to get to, but scenery like that is not).

Here are events going in Fort Collins. The Thursday and Friday night free music events in Old Town are always fun.
http://www.downtownfortcollins.com/
http://events.visitftcollins.com/

Also check this out:
http://www.visitftcollins.com/

This blogger has Fort Collins restaurants. I tend to agree with her in most cases. She doesn't hesitate to give bad reviews if the place deserves one.
http://www.feastingfortcollins.com/

And she covers upscale joints to recommended local favorites like
http://www.feastingfortcollins.com/3...gadros-number/

There are numerous places to get a good beer in town if that interests you!

Let me know if you have some specific questions after checking out those sites, and what your interests tend towards.

Have a great trip. Hopefully the fires will be out by then.

Nelson

P.S> I have not used the Bike Library, since i have my own bike, bet definitely get a bike from them and ride the Poudre and Spring Creek trails.
http://www.fcbikelibrary.com/

The bike library is in Old Town Square in the top center of this map:
http://www.fcgov.com/parks/pdf/trailmap2012.pdf

livetoroam

If you have younger kids, the Swetsville Zoo is interesting,right off of I 25. Also, the train in City Park is fun for them and there is a great pool there with a lazy river.

You can do the Budweiser tour, tasting room and see the Clydesdales. Fort Collins has a winery north of town called Ten Bears Winery that you can arrange a tasting at as well as lots of microbreweries.

Hiking is fun at Coyote Ridge, Fromme Prairie, and Devils Backbone in Loveland. With the fire, you would need to see if Horsetooth or Lory State Park are open when you are here. Enjoy your stay in beautiful northern Colorado!

wtm003

I think Rocky Mountain National Park is a must see in the area. I was also there on Thursday for an overnight camping trip, but it is an easy drive from Fort Collins and you can choose from a variety of scenic hikes or take a drive up Trail Ridge Road.

My dining experiences in Fort Collins are limited but I had a good breakfast at Lucile's on their porch before heading up to RMNP. I've also had a couple of good lunches at Coopersmiths.