Summer travel in 2025 doesn't have to drain your bank account. Located in Northern Colorado, Fort Collins offers the breathtaking beauty and western spirit of the state without the resort price tag.

Free and frugal options in Fort Collins aren't relegated to the typical cost-effective experiences we all expect – the public library, community parks and nature walks. This hip, craft-focused college town is home to affordable adventures for visitors of all ages, making it possible to relax and enjoy the fleeting weeks of summertime in Colorado.

 

FREE

The season's FREE weekly outdoor summer entertainment lineup includes:

• Tuesdays – FoCo Food Truck Rally at City Park, featuring FREE live music presented by The Mishawaka Amphitheater. Runs through Sept. 16, from 5:30 p.m. to dusk.
• Wednesdays – The 2025 Musicians in Residence (MUIR) program from Wolverine Farm Publishing and Wolverine Farm Publick House features weekly concerts from four resident artists at 6 p.m. throughout the summer. FREE, but donations and tips are encouraged.
• Thursdays – FREE Bohemian Nights Thursday Night Live at Old Town Square from 7 – 9 p.m. through Sept. 4, featuring emerging and established artists from Colorado and beyond.
• Fridays – FREE Music on the Lawn at Foothills takes place throughout the summer at 6 p.m. The FREE New Belgium Friday Live Music Series returns to New Belgium Brewing Co. from 5 – 7 p.m. every Friday.
• Sundays – FREE Sunday Summer Series at the Mishawaka outdoor stage takes place on select Sundays throughout the summer. Shows take place from 1 – 4 p.m.; no reservation needed, however, shuttle reservations are available. Odell Brewing Company hosts FREE Live Music Sundays at 3 p.m. through early Sept., featuring live performances by local musicians.
• Rotating – NEW this summer, FoCo POP (Parks and Outdoor Performances) turns the neighborhood park into an outdoor stage. A variety of FREE, family-friendly performances are offered on a rotating schedule in parks across the city, making the arts accessible for all.

 

Splash Pads: Fort Collins is home to a plethora of free playgrounds and three splash pads, all of which are open every day from late spring (Memorial Day) through October (weather permitting).

• Oak Street Plaza Splash Pad: Centrally located, the park features a dancing water spout splash pad in the middle of downtown.
• Spring Canyon Park Splash Pad: The newest community park, Spring Canyon Park in southwest Fort Collins, features an inspiration playground (adaptive playground) with an adjacent touch sensor-activated water feature.
• Fossil Creek Park Splash Pad: This splash park in south Fort Collins has a waterfall and multiple dancing water spouts, all nestled next to a lake with large boulders and natural features.

 

Get hands-on at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery: The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery offers a Free Zone featuring a restored grand piano from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, a comprehensive collection of books, photos, maps and more that tell the story of Fort Collins, and the Natural Areas Visitor Center, which has an interactive map of the city's natural areas and two black-footed ferrets. The 42-foot-high Observation Deck offers great views of Old Town Fort Collins, the Poudre River and more. And if you want to experience more fun, including permanent and rotating exhibits, admission to the museum is only $15.50 for adults and $12.75 for kids, students and seniors (admission is free for members and children under two). The museum is open Tuesday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 

Weekend 'Toons at The Lyric: The Lyric hosts free Saturday and Sunday morning (10 a.m. – noon) cartoons weekly, along with a cereal bar, mimosas and a full breakfast menu (for a little extra dough). Donations of $5 are appreciated but not required.

 

Free fun at Fort Collins' Natural Areas: Fort Collins is home to over 50 protected Natural Areas encompassing more than 36,000 acres and more than 100 miles of trail. Natural Areas are pockets of land that are perfect for grandparents, parents, and kids to explore together hiking, biking, boating and more. Volunteer master naturalists lead eagle watches, skygazing and other events at the Natural Areas (registration required). Or you can venture out on your own. Spot bison in pristine grassland at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area or look for wildlife ranging from great blue herons to bats, foxes, or even deer in the center of the city at the Gustav Swanson Natural Area. Curious about what else you can do at a Natural Area? Download a Natural Areas Explorer guide.

 

See the bison: In November 2015, 10 foundation bison forming the Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd were released at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area. It was the first herd established using assisted reproductive technologies and the only known university program (CSU) utilizing Yellowstone bison or their genetics; Yellowstone bison are most closely related to the animals that originally roamed the nation's grasslands. Visit Soapstone Prairie Natural Area from March – November for a chance to see the herd.

 

CSU's Annual Flower Trial Garden: Step into a vibrant oasis at Colorado State University's Annual Flower Trial Garden, where a colorful array of annuals transforms the landscape into a living laboratory from late May to October. This breathtaking garden isn't just a feast for the eyes — it's a hub of innovation, inviting students, researchers, industry experts, homeowners, and extension personnel to explore, educate, and evaluate groundbreaking horticultural research tailored to the unique environmental conditions of the Rocky Mountain/High Plains region. Open daily and free to the public, it's a must-visit destination for anyone passionate about nature, science, and stunning floral displays.

 

Poudre River Whitewater Park: The popular Poudre River Whitewater Park is located just north of Old Town in the booming river district. The free park includes a boulder-lined boat chute, rock features, holes for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and tubing, and shallow play along the shore.

 

Pianos About Town: This cool collaboration combines art and music, featuring pianos painted by artists throughout the year. The completed pianos are rotated to locations around Fort Collins and people are invited to play a tune while admiring the musical works of art. There are currently over 100 painted pianos in and around Fort Collins. The project is a collaboration between the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program, Bohemian Foundation, and the Downtown Development Authority.

 

Transformer Cabinet Murals: Introduced in 2004 as a graffiti abatement program, the Transformer Cabinet Mural Project helps lower maintenance costs while adding colorful art installations in unexpected places. Local artists and non-profit groups paint the cabinets in this collaboration between the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program and Utilities Light and Power. There are over 400 transformer cabinet murals throughout the city.

 

Self-Guided Art Tours: Download PDFs for these tours to take on your own:

• Art in Public Places Tours – Explore the over 400 transformer cabinets, over 100 Pianos About Town, murals on public buildings, and sidewalk paver artwork underfoot.
• Art Tour for Music Lovers – Before the show, explore the musical arts scene that lines the streets and alleyways of Fort Collins. Play your own tune along the way.
• Murals Tours – From faded ghost signs on historic buildings to meaningful works of art on the walls of private businesses, Downtown Fort Collins is filled with murals by local artists, community organizations, and collaborating and international artists. Many of the Downtown murals were created by the Fort Collins Mural Project, which hosts a week-long mural painting event each summer.
• Fort Collins Art Walk – For over 20 years, the Downtown Fort Collins galleries have hosted a First Friday event. Download details and personalize your tour.
• Historic & Architecture Tours – Explore local art through Fort Collins architecture with a walking tour that includes buildings from the late 1800s, historic pioneer cabins, and architecture spanning the 20th and 21st
• Culinary Arts Tours – The FoCo Creative District is filled with passionate culinary artists who specialize in crafting, blending, distilling, fermenting, and hand-selecting a variety of artisan foods.

 

Art in Minutes: Short on time but interested in the FoCo public arts scene? Take the free 30-minute Downtown Public Art Tour. The self-guided tour highlights paver art, sculptures, murals, Pianos About Town, water quality boxes and transformer cabinet murals, all located in downtown Fort Collins.

 

Must-Visit Museums: Fort Collins is home to extraordinary museums featuring out-of-the-ordinary artwork in some unexpected locations. The collection includes: the totally rad Totally 80s Museum at Totally 80's Pizza; experiential kid-friendly exhibits at The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery; rotating and permanent exhibits at Museum of Art Fort Collins and the Global Village Museum of Arts and Culture.

 

Fishing in FoCo: Between the Cache La Poudre River and Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins offers paradise found for fishermen and fisherwomen. The Poudre is perfect for fly-fishing, though there are a few spots where you can bait fish. At Horsetooth, try your hand at catching smallmouth bass or walleye from the shore or a boat. Fort Collins also has 15 Natural Areas that allow fishing, including Riverbend Ponds, a popular fishing spot with easy access from the trailheads. It's one of two Natural Areas where gizzard shad (part of the herring family) are found.

 

FRUGAL

Biking: Fort Collins is a Platinum-rated Bicycle Friendly Community and maintains more than 200 miles of dedicated bike lanes and 50 miles of marked or signed bike routes. If you're visiting Fort Collins and need a bike for your adventure, check to see if your hotel offers cruiser or e-bikes for guest use (yes, some do!) or consider renting a bike from: 

• Recycled Cycles, which features two locations in Fort Collins
• Spin, an e-bike and e-scooter share program. 

 

Don't forget to download bike maps for your adventure.

 

Brewery Tours: If you're curious about the inner workings of the brewing process, sign up to take a brewery tour. Odell Brewing Company, New Belgium Brewing Company and several other local craft breweries offer tours. You'll learn about everything from sustainable practices to water and green energy initiatives on the tours.

 

Butterflies Abound: The Gardens on Spring Creek is a 12-acre botanical oasis in the city with nominal admission fees ($12.50 for adults, $10.50 for seniors, students and children). In addition to a variety of garden habitats, workshops, concerts and speaker series, the gardens are home to the Conservatory Butterfly House, a 1,500-square-foot glass enclosure that's the first and only permanent facility of its kind in Northern Colorado. Discover 400-600 free flying butterflies and moths, including Monarchs, Longwings, Swallowtails and more, a chrysalis window, moth and caterpillar displays and more.

Farm fun: At The Farm at Lee Martinez Park (open year-round; $5 for visitors ages 2 and up; $8 pony rides) kids can pet and feed the horses, goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens. There are pony rides on weekends from April through October, and a few indoor areas to explore (a barn, silo, and the visitor building with lots of information about farming).

 

Drive-In movies: Get nostalgic at the iconic Holiday Twin Drive-In Theater, open nightly through October. One of the few remaining drive-in theaters in Colorado (and the country), the Holiday Twin features the latest films at a reasonable cost ($12 for ages 10 and up; $9 for age 6-9 and over 65).

 

Affordable lodging options:  If you're looking for smaller, more affordable lodging options, be sure to check out the following spots:

• Remington Flats is a boutique studio hotel that also offers extended stay options, locally made snacks, and a fleet of New Belgium cruiser bikes perfect for exploring nearby Old Town.
• Riverside Colorado is a new eco-friendly lodging option in the Poudre Canyon, three miles from the Mishawaka Amphitheatre. Accommodations range from fully furnished canvas wall tents and tiny homes to cabins and VIP lodge quarters. On site, the Poudre Park Market General Store carries prepared foods and essentials and The Kind Bean, a converted Airstream, keeps guests caffeinated.

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About Fort Collins: A Community Rooted in Adventure and Innovation  

Welcome to Fort Collins, where community spirit thrives amidst stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture. Nestled at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the city blends rich history with an unpretentious, welcoming vibe. 

• Rooted & Connected: Fort Collins celebrates community, culture, and conservation. We fosterconnections through local gatherings and events, all while prioritizing sustainability to protect our beautiful surroundings. 
• Always Outside: Adventure is woven into daily life here. With over 280 miles of trails, thescenic Horsetooth Reservoir, and the Cache la Poudre (Colorado's only nationally designated “Wild & Scenic River”), outdoor activities await at every turn. 
• Good Things Are Grown Here: Innovation flourishes in Fort Collins, fueled by creativity and astrong sense of community. Home to Colorado State University and a thriving craft brewery and liquid arts scene, we embrace new ideas and local flavors.