Free & Cheap Things to Do in Fort Collins

Arts & Culture

Fort Collins' stunning historic downtown district — the real-life inspiration for Disneyland's Main Street USA — is free to explore and one of the liveliest pedestrian districts in Colorado. Old Town Square and the surrounding Victorian-era brick streets are lined with locally-owned boutiques, craft breweries, galleries, and restaurants. Free outdoor concerts fill Old Town Square on summer evenings, and the weekly farmers market (May through October) draws hundreds of vendors. Simply wandering the 15-block historic district costs nothing and rewards with excellent architecture, street art, and atmosphere.

Address: Old Town Square, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Tip: Fort Collins has more breweries per capita than almost anywhere in Colorado — many offer free tours or $5 taster flights. The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery offers free admission the first Friday of each month. Check the Old Town Square events calendar for free summer concerts.

Outdoors

A completely free 22-mile paved trail following the Cache la Poudre River through Fort Collins and into the surrounding natural areas. The trail connects city parks, wildlife areas, and riverside habitats — popular for biking, running, birdwatching, and family walks year-round. The urban section passes through Salyer Natural Area and links Fort Collins neighborhoods from the foothills toward Windsor. Dozens of easy access points let you hop on for a quick stroll or a full-day ride. Great blue herons, osprey, and bald eagles are regular sightings along the river corridor.

Address: 408 Mason Ct, Fort Collins, CO 80524 (Museum of Discovery access point)

Tip: The stretch from the Museum of Discovery west toward Prospect Ponds Natural Area is the best for birdwatching. Fully paved and suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Connects easily to Old Town via the trail's urban section. Bike rentals available at several shops near Old Town.

Outdoors

A stunning 6.5-mile reservoir nestled in the foothills just west of Fort Collins, with swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and rock climbing backdropped by the iconic split-rock silhouette of Horsetooth Rock high on the ridge above. Larimer County day passes are $10 per vehicle — one of the most affordable outdoor recreation spots on the Colorado Front Range. The 29-mile trail system ranges from easy lakeside walks to the challenging Horsetooth Rock summit trail (3.5 miles round trip, 1,200 feet of gain) with panoramic views over Fort Collins and the plains.

Address: 4200 W County Rd 38E, Fort Collins, CO 80526

Tip: South Bay is the best swimming spot and less crowded than the main beach. The Horsetooth Rock Trail offers the best views — summit panoramas over Fort Collins and the plains are outstanding. Arrive before 9am on summer weekends to secure parking. Also one of Colorado's top windsurfing destinations.