Fall in love with these must-do activities in Fort Collins this autumn
There's nothing quite like fall in Fort Collins.
With seasonal drinks returning to local coffee shops, farm stands piled high with pumpkins and the air rich with the scent of warm spices, this town truly comes alive in autumn. It's the perfect season for a day trip or a relaxed fall date.
Maybe you're still lingering in that end-of-summer mindset or eagerly awaiting Halloween. Whatever the case, this guide will help you shift into full-on festive mode, with everything you need to plan a day that feels straight out of a fall postcard — no pumpkin spice required.
Start your day surrounded by fall colors
Fall colors are just beginning to show near Fort Collins, especially at higher elevations like Cameron Pass and parts of Rocky Mountain National Park.
If you're up for a short drive, this week would be a great time to catch the aspen, with peak color expected around Sept. 20-27 in those northern mountain areas, according to Dan West, an entomologist with the Colorado State Forest Service.
For more on peak viewing times and the best scenic drives in Northern Colorado and beyond, check out Coloradoan reporter Miles Blumhardt’s full report.
If a mountain drive isn't on your agenda, don't worry — fall's beauty is unfolding closer to home, too. A couple great spots for a gentle hike are Red Fox Meadows Natural Area and Devil's Backbone Nature Trail, as well as Coyote Ridge Natural Area.
Both Red Fox Meadows and Devil's Backbone welcome leashed dogs, so feel free to bring your pup to soak up the scenery alongside you.
People hang out in Old Town Square in Fort Collins, Colo., on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
Go on a spooky ghost tour
Looking to add some chills to your fall? Fort Collins Tours has been offering guided walks since 2011, and its Fort Collins Ghost Tour is a standout.
This hour-and-15-minute tour leads you through some of the town's most historic — and allegedly haunted — spots in and under Old Town.
Tours run year-round and are open to ages 12 and up. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $25 per person and can be reserved online.
Raise a stein at one of these Fort Collins Oktoberfests
Fall in Fort Collins isn’t complete without a few Oktoberfest celebrations — and there are a couple worth adding to your calendar.
Oktoberfest Bar Crawl
PubCrawls is bringing its Oktoberfest-themed bar crawl to Fort Collins on Sept. 27.
The 21-and-older event starts at 4 p.m. at Yeti Bar & Grill and includes stops at at least four local bars, each offering exclusive drink specials and waived cover charges. A digital map will guide participants throughout the evening. Tickets can be purchased online.
Ginger and Baker Rooftop Oktoberfest Party
Ginger and Baker will host its first-ever Rooftop Oktoberfest Party on Oct. 5, from noon to 5 p.m.
Enjoy beer from Zwei Brewing, live music from Denver polka band Polka Folka, and a Bavarian-inspired menu featuring pretzels with beer cheese, bratwurst, schnitzel, spaetzle, apple strudel and more.
Paint at Pinot's Palette
Ideal for a date night or birthday celebration, Pinot's Palette in Fort Collins offers a relaxed and creative way to embrace the fall season. The studio hosts paint-and-sip sessions where guests can enjoy cocktails while following step-by-step instructions to create fall-themed artwork running through Nov. 2.
Pinot's Palette is open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
The Fort Collins Coloradoan will continue to cover fall-themed actvities and events throughout the season. Check back for updates as autumn unfolds.
Abigail Flores-Johnson covers food, beer and entertainment for the Coloradoan. You can reach her by email at [email protected]
