Fort Collins isn’t like the bustling city Denver, but don’t be mistaken and think Fort Collins is a boring place without much to do. There are many places of interest in Fort Collins and there really is something for everyone, from shopping, to food, to outdoor activities–Fort Collins has it all!

Food in Fort Collins

One of the most interesting places to eat in Fort Collins would have to be Totally 80s Pizza.
At 2567 S Shields St Unit 4C. It is a popular tourist destination for visitors and a great place to go, whether you are a local or not. The appeal of the restaurant is the 80s memorabilia that covers the place. It was created by Alex Morgan and took 10 years to gather all the relics of the 80s. It includes many rare vintage games, autographs, and cereal boxes. While you wait for your pizza to be done, chill out and play some arcade games or marvel at the 80s memorabilia. While this place is very well known, it is local to Fort Collins and has no other locations, making it a special part of the city. It opens 4:00 pm-9:00 pm on Monday, 11:00 am-9:00 pm on Tuesday-Thursday, 11:00 am-9:30 pm Friday-Saturday and 11:00 am-9:00 pm on Sunday.

Avogadro’s Number is another local restaurant and is known for its music and art. It hosts art shows and music, and is a great restaurant that showcases the community. It has been in Fort Collins for 54 years and continues to showcase the diverse community with the murals on the walls of the establishment. It is also a very friendly place for everyone, having a nice outdoor patio with a treehouse for kids. It is a great place to visit to see what Fort Collins is all about and to eat great burgers–as they have both vegan and traditional burgers. It is located at 605 S Mason Street. It opens at 11:00 pm Monday through Friday and 9:00 am Saturday-Sunday.

The Exchange is unique to Fort Collins at 200 N College Ave. It is more than just one restaurant–it is a giant plaza filled with outdoor dining and activities. It hosts live events filled with music, trivia, and games, and of course, is a great place to eat, having multiple restaurants from Old Town Churn Ice Cream to WingStop. This gives people variety and a space to find food for everyone and meet up in the middle, as you can take food and drinks from the various restaurants and eat/drink within The Exchange’s borders. It’s a great place to be for entertainment and food, and a perfect place to go with friends and family. Prices vary by restaurant, but there is something for every budget and appetite.

Shopping in Fort Collins

While Daiso is not specifically local to Fort Collins (there are other locations along the Front Range), it is a very fun and affordable place to shop and unique to our community. Located at 4300 S College Ave Suite 18, it recently opened in Fort Collins and has just about everything, including kitchen supplies, stationery, craft supplies, snacks, and more. The store is unique in the fact that it has Asian snacks and many cute Sanrio items. Prices are very affordable–much like a dollar store. It’s worth a trip! You’re sure to find an inexpensive trinket or treat to make your day!

Games Ahoy is a local video game chain with two locations in Loveland and one location in Fort Collins at 2721 S College Ave. It is a great store to go to if you are a video game aficionado or a casual game lover who collects the occasional merchandise. They have tons of games, game systems, toys, keychains, candy, and more to purchase. Additionally, the Fort Collins location hosts Super Smash Bros. tournaments every Thursday afternoon, and they also have several arcade games that you can play for free.

Foothills Flea Market on 6300 South College Avenue, is 14,000 square feet in total, and boasts 70 dealers. It is a great place to find antiques and to thrift various miscellaneous items. Even if you don’t buy anything, looking at what the flea market has to offer is entertaining in itself. It is great if you are a collector or like making things, as you can find several things to customize and DIY. Additionally, near the Foothills Flea Market are several other flea markets where you can find more antiques and vintage items.

Recreation in Fort Collins

Chipper’s Lanes has bowling, an arcade, laser tag, and more. It is a great place to have fun with friends. The one closest to Rocky is on 217 W Horsetooth Rd, and exclusive to Colorado. They also have many fun prizes and snacks to buy. Chipper’s Lanes has two locations–the other one is just north of Old Town–and both are open from 11:00 am-11:00 pm.

The Museum of Art is free for anyone under 18 and is a great place to look for inspiration and learn about art. They even have classes and workshops, lectures and panels, and all things art. It is located at 201 S College Avenue and is open on Wednesday to Saturday at 10:00 am and open at 12:00 pm on Sunday.

If fitness is your thing, Ascent Studio Climbing and Fitness is the perfect place for you. While the membership fees are a bit expensive, it is worth it if you like climbing and fitness. They have climbing classes, yoga, and special events. It is located at 2150 Joseph Allen Drive and open every day from 6:00 am-10:00 pm on weekdays and 8:00 am-8:00 pm on the weekends.

Downtown Fort Collins has many places to go, from stores to restaurants, to concerts and art. It is a central hub in Fort Collins that connects the community and really has something for everyone. It is a very entertaining place to go to shop and just people watch and look around. They have a vinyl shop, boutiques, books, thrift stores, toys, coffee, and so much more. It’s a perfect place to wander on an autumn day.

This is just a small sampling of things that Fort Collins has to offer. Of course, there are many more things to see and do. If you have a favorite, drop it in the comments below!