Top Family Activities in Fort Collins
Looking for new ways to explore Fort Collins as a family? Expecting out-of-town guests with kids
and baffled by how to entertain them? Let me know what other gems we have that I might have missed and I'll add them to the list!
1: Everyone loves a Farm -The Farm at Lee Martinez Children love animals! Take time to walk the Poudre River Trail, feed the animals and pack a picnic to enjoy at Lee Martinez Park. Beaver Meadows Stables Scenic trail rides overnight rides and dinner rides! Bee Family Centennial Farm Museum - The Museum offers your family a one of a kind learning experience as you journey through time with the Bee Family's efforts to cultivate the arid prairie of Northern Colorado. Learn about irrigation, the sugar beet industry, and lamb feeding. Enjoy the children's activities and animals. Terry Bison Ranch - Guided horseback rides, motorized and train tours.
2: Read a good book Poudre Rover Public Libraries have special programs and services throughout the year. There are story times and special events, crafts, and classes. Old Firehouse Books offers a diverse selection of books and activities for all ages too. Clearview Libraries, Loveland Library and Berthoud Community Library as well as Poudre and Old Firehouse all offer reading programs for the summer months.
3: Plenty of Parks! There are an abundance of quality parks and playgrounds! All have something special about them. They offer everything from Slicing, swinging, spinning or climbing. Check out City Park, Fossil Creek Park, and Spring Canyon Park. Spring Canyon Park was created to accommodate those with and without disabilities so everyone can play together and enjoy getting out and getting active.
4: Old Town Fort Collins Think about throwing coins into the Old Town Fountain and climbing on the fish and bear sculptures. Play on a Piano About Town. Enjoy a picnic from your favorite sandwich shop and chase it down with ice cream or candy and play with some toys from one of the local shops.
5: Take a Hike: There are several great places to take a small walk or a full on day hike. My family favorite is Horsetooth Falls. Older children seeking a bit of a challenge may prefer Horsetooth Rock or Arthur's Rock. Red Feather Lakes, Roosevelt National Forest offer many great options for day trips. Carter Lake, Flatiron, Horsetooth Mountain, Red Mountain, River Bluffs, Soderberg open spaces, Big Thompson parks, Devil's Backbone, Eagles nest, and Hermit park are just a small list of areas that offer fun for all different levels of adventurers. BobCat Ridge, Coyote ridge natural area, Arapaho National Forest, offer wonderful sights as well.
6: Natural Experience - If you want to experience some nature here in the city Fort Collins boasts an impressive selection of natural areas. Magpie Meander is a family favorite and features a natural surface trail, a small stream, a beaver dam and a pond full of bullfrogs. If you need a stroller friendly option check out Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space with paved rails and fantastic bird watching.
7: Museums: Museum of Discovery The museum offers something for everyone of every age. Toddlers and Elders will have a blast with the interactive exhibits. Garbage Garage, Global Village Museum of Art & Culture, Swetsville zoo, Center for fine art photography, Fort Collins Museum of Art, Trimble court artisans, and University Art Museum are all great for an afternoon of learning and fun!
8: Roses are red Violets are Blue Spring to early fall there are some great flowers throughout Fort Collins. CSU Annual Flower Trial Garden is a personal favorite (we had our engagement pictures taken here) offers a great way to check out the wonderful flowers and get an idea of how they hold up in our region. The Gardens at Spring Creek is a gold mine of activities, classes, events, birthday parties and it goes on and on. This is the place to be for Christmas!
9: Birds, Birds, Birds The Rocky Mountain Raptor Program has been rescuing, treating and releasing raptors in Northern Colorado for more than 30 plus years. The CSU Environmental Learning Center is where raptors live that can't be released due to the extent of their injuries.
10: Queue the Lights If you prefer to take on the arts from a different point of view, say a theatre seat. Lincoln Center
offers shows for all ages. There are several local venues offering great opportunity for entertainment and participation. Budweiser Events Center is a great source of not only sports events but shows for all ages as well and all interests. Fort Collins Children's Theatre and Debut Theatre Company offer classes and workshops. UCA offers a great summer camp for dance and theatre. Candlelight Dinner Playhouse can't be beat for either a great way to entertain the kids or a great date night!
11: Splish Splash Indoor swimming year round at Mulberry pool, Mountain Whitewater Descents Rafting offer a great trip for older kids and parents to enjoy the Poudre River. A Wonderlust Adventure 33 Fabulous Summers of Whitewater Rafting on the Poudre River near Fort Collins!
12: Fun Parks: Rollerland Skate Center offers a great way to have fun and burn off energy. Ride a Kart in Estes Park for the race car enthusiast.
13: Indoor Play: Fort Fun, and Family Funplex. The names say it all. Chippers Lane is always a hit for those who love to bowl. Northside Aztlan Community Center offers everything a community center is expected to have plus a family atmosphere you can't get everywhere. The Summit in Windsor is a great place for parents and kids to play!
14: Tours in and around Fort Collins: Magic Bus tours offers all kinds of tours. Poudre Landmarks Foundation Inc. offers historic information around the landmarks of Fort Collins mainly information not transportation. FC Municipal Railway offers a unique way to view the sights. All offer great tours and insight on the areas they specialize in.
