As a college town with a bustling downtown community, it makes sense that Fort Collins would be easily traversable with or without a car. And, as a famous bike-friendly community with brand new additions like the five-mile Pitkin Bikeway, our city is especially suitable for those seeking an alternative mode of transportation.

We used Walk Score, a website that can calculate walk scores, transit scores and bike scores for any address, to find Fort Collins’ most commuter-friendly neighborhoods. You can learn more about how Walk Score works here. Predictably, we found that the highest scoring neighborhoods are centered around the education and entertainment hubs: Old Town and Colorado State University. Then, to show off the attractions and destinations within walking distance of these ‘hoods, we shared a few of our favorite local spots. Enjoy!

 

1. Downtown + Old Town  

Walk score: 78 | Bike score: 100

Walk Score separates downtown Fort Collins and Old Town into two side-by-side neighborhoods. Because they’re the top two in the city according to Walk Score, and both have a 100 Bike Score, we combined them and averaged their Walk Scores. As the hub for food, drinks, culture and tourism in Fort Collins, there is plenty to do in the area. And because many of these destinations are concentrated along College Ave. or around Old Town Square, they’re all within walking distance of each other!

Eat + Drink

Rio Grande Mexican | This Fort Collins icon originally opened in 1986 and has since grown to six Colorado locations!

Mainline Ale House | This bi-level tavern is located right on College Ave. with a gorgeous patio, an impressive list of craft brews and cocktails alongside gourmet comfort food.

Social | Social is an underground, speakeasy-style cocktail bar serving outstanding cocktails alongside must-try tapas and snacks.

Coopersmith’s Pub & Grill | This must-visit Old Town Square brewpub has two patios, beers brewed in-house, and some of the best, family-friendly food in town.

Equinox Brewing | This neighborhood brewery features a stunning beer garden and some of FoCo’s best brews.

Ace Gillett’s | Ace Gillett’s is the Fort Collins destination for live jazz — and it’s located in the basement of the beautiful Armstrong Hotel!

 

Attractions

Downtown Artery | Serving as a venue, an art gallery, a retail shop, a cafe and a studio, this FoCo institution is as quirky as it is fun.

Old Town Square | Serving as the cultural center of Downtown Fort Collins, you’ll find free concerts throughout the summer, year-round businesses and eateries, and an ice rink during the winter!

Hodi’s Half Note | Hodi’s is one of the city’s favorite live music venues. With two bars, a calendar full of local acts, and a free open funk jam every Monday night.

Museum of Art Fort Collins | This museum is located inside a Renaissance-revival building and features contemporary art exhibits with hands-on kids’ activities.

The Armory | Housed inside one of Fort Collins’ most historic buildings, this music venue has just a 200 person audience capacity for amazing, intimate shows.

 

 

2. University Park

Walk score: 75 | Bike score: 99

Located just south of Old Town and just east of Colorado State University, University Park is a prime Fort Collins neighborhood. The fact that it has a high walk score and an almost perfect bike score make it even better! From here, you have easy access to the restaurants and attractions in Downtown Fort Collins and University North, as well as the suburban amenities closer to Springer and Williams Natural Areas. Centennial High School is located at the heart of the neighborhood and just down the road, you’ll find both Laurel Elementary and Harris Bilingual Elementary.

 

Eat +  Drink

The Colorado Room | Focused on local Colorado everything, this eatery also serves as a beer bar, a local art space and an outdoor dining destination.

Los Tarascos | This festive, family-owned restaurant serves some of the city’s best Mexican food.

Big City Burrito | A true Fort Collins original, this build-your-own burrito spot features handmade ingredients made with the freshest ingredients.

Fat Shack | This small chain restaurant is a great late-night dining option!

Bann Thai Restaurant | Offering dine-in and delivery, you’ll love having this authentic Thai restaurant right next door.

The R Bar and Lounge | Featuring weekly events like Sunday Brunch, Karaoke Wednesday and Tacos N’ Tequila Tuesday, this LGBTQ-friendly bar is a popular late-night spot.

 

Attractions

Brave New Wheel | This full-service bike shop is locally-owned and is likely one of the most fun bike shops in FoCo.

Eastside Park | Directly across the street from Laurel Elementary School, this small neighborhood park offers a playground for the kids!

Springer Natural Area | This forested natural area offers 0.3 miles of the paved Poudre River Trail.

 

3. University North

Walk score: 68 | Bike score: 99

Named for its proximity to CSU, University North is home to some of Fort Collins most beloved destinations — and City Park, The Oval and Old Town Square are all within walking distance, too. It’s far enough away to offer a more quiet neighborhood atmosphere and it’s filled with amenities that will give you plenty to do and plenty to eat!

 

Eat + Drink

Rainbow | Famous for its garden patio, this spot also serves delicious gluten-free and vegan options.

Pizza Casbah | This is the local choice for East Coast-style pies.

Pickle Barrel | This landmark sandwich shop serves subs alongside tasty home fries, homemade soups, and stews and microbrews on tap

The Gold Leaf Collective | Serving hyper-local eats sourced from within 400 miles of the restaurant, this restaurant is changing the way we view plant-based cuisine.

DGT | This local taco spot serves up inexpensive, a la carte tacos that are vegetarian, carnivore and foodie-friendly.

The Mayor of Old Town | With 100 beers on tap, you’re going to want this Fort Collins icon on your Instagram story.

Alleycat Coffee House | As Fort Collins’ only 24-hour coffee shop, Alleycat is a community and a campus landmark.

 

Attractions

Avogadro’s Number | This vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurant makes its own tempeh and doubles as a music venue.

The Music District | Designed to help music lovers and makers alike, The Music District is a dynamic gathering hub, workspace and creative playground for the music community.

The Lincoln Center | One of the largest venues in Fort Collins, the Lincoln Center is home to traveling and local shows in comedy, symphony, music and more.

Rams Book Store | This store is the choice for all things CSU.

The Oval | Likely the most photographed location on campus, this CSU icon is famous for its green space and its stunning elm trees.

 

4. Historic Fort Collins High School

Walk score: 65 | Bike score: 98

This neighborhood, located just south of University Park, is centered around the stunning University Center for the Arts and CSU’s Annual Flower Trial Garden. Within walking distance of the university, Lesher Middle School, Centennial High School and several parks, it’s a wonderful place for families. Especially those who are hoping to dine out at one of our favorite family-friendly restaurants, Nick’s Italian!

 

Eat + Drink

Nick’s Italian | This family-friendly restaurant serves homestyle Italian fare and New York style pizza.

Cafe Vino | Famous as Fort Collins’ coziest wine bar, this eatery also boasts a fire pit and a menu of creative tapas.

Saigon Grill | Offering delivery and dine-in, Saigon Grill has a menu of Vietnamese noodle soups, rice dishes and other authentic fare.

Music City Hot Chicken | This locally-owned spot brings Nashville hot chicken to FoCo — and we couldn’t be happier.

Wild Boar Cafe | With cozy fireplaces and an outdoor patio, this is one of the community’s favorite spots for coffee, cafe fare and craft beer.

Black Bottle Brewery | One of Fort Collins’ favorite local breweries also boasts one of the best outdoor patios!

 

Attractions

Annual Flower Trial Garden | This outdoor garden serves to educate students, community members, industry professionals and anyone else with a desire to learn.

University Center for the Arts | As a venue and a gallery space, this CSU building houses the School of Music, Theatre and Dance, the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising, and a few courses.

Gregory Allicar Museum of Art | This CSU art museum is free to both students and the community!

Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising | Covering textiles, dress and interior furnishings, this museum showcases CSU’s historic costume and textiles collection.

 

5. Old Prospect

Walk score: 64 | Bike score: 98

Surrounded on all sides by parks and green spaces, Old Prospect is within walking or biking distance to the Gardens on Spring Creek, Whole Foods, King Soopers, O’Dea Elementary School and Lesher Middle School. Within the neighborhood limits, you’ll find primarily residential properties, but just across College Ave. or just south of Spring Creek, you’ll also find plenty of places to call you home.

 

Eat + Drink

Totally 80’s Pizza & Museum | As the only 1980’s museum, this spot serves creative specialty pizzas amid vintage toys and unique memorabilia from the era.

Snack Attack Specialty Sandwiches & Brews | This locally-owned spot is a gathering place for sandwich connoisseurs and Fort Collins craft beer lovers.  

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers | This famous chain was founded in Baton Rouge and you’ll love having their signature chicken fingers close to home.

The Human Bean | This locally-owned and operated coffee shop now has seven NoCo locations — and one of them will be right down the street in Old Prospect!

Wok & Roll Teriyaki | Kids eat free on Saturdays at this Japanese-inspired casual restaurant.

 

Attractions

Lawson Cycles Ltd. | This full-service bike shop specializes in BMX, Pro Scooters, Motorized and Electric Bicycle conversions — and it’s family and rider owned.

Creekside Park | This small park is bordered by Spring Creek and Spring Creek Trail goes right through it!

Spring Park | This larger park is also bordered by Spring Creek and it offers parking, access to Spring Creek Trail, and a play area.

Mountain Kids | This family and kid-focused institution offers gymnastics, dance, academic preschool, day camps, swimming, birthday parties and a coffee shop.

Midline Yoga | At Midline Yoga, yoga is more than a physical practice; they help transform and work towards optimal, whole body and mind well-being.

 

Want to see where your neighborhood ranks?

Check out Walk Score here!