Fort Collins, Colorado

As its name suggests, Fort Collins was once a military outpost. Camp Collins, the city’s closest ancestor, protected the Overland mail route and acted as a stopping off place for travelers on the Overland Trail until it was destroyed in a flood in 1864. Fort Collins was built several miles downriver of this site, and, strange to say, it never had walls.

Today, Fort Collins is a college town, home to Colorado State University. It lies at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills, and it’s a short drive to Rocky Mountain National Park, or to the magnificent Roosevelt National Forest. But Fort Collins is so much more than a gateway.

The city’s emphasis on art has filled the public spaces with color, from huge murals to sculptures to brightly painted pianos that anyone is welcome to play. Festivals celebrate art and culture throughout the year, and the museums and theaters of Fort Collins invite visitors to soak up some history and indulge a taste for drama.

The city offers this and much more. How about enjoying some live music in a venue that was once an armory? Or getting take-out from a pizza joint filled with ’80s memorabilia? Fort Collins really does have something for everyone.

Worth Checking Out

• Roosevelt National Forest
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
• The Armory