Whether you’re exploring Old Town, sipping a local craft beer, shopping a small boutique, eating on the patio at a local restaurant, or adventuring through Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, you’ll find plenty of excuses to snap a photo in Fort Collins. We rounded up the places in all those categories that offer the perfect backdrops for your selfies and your adventures—from colorful public art and indoor exhibitions to views that overlook the entire city.
Use our map below to locate each stop on our Instagram tour of Fort Collins.
White space
White space
Arthur’s Rock Trail
Just 3.4 miles out and back, the Arthur’s Rock trail climbs to the height of Lory State Park so you can enjoy one of Fort Collins’ most breathtaking views. Along the way, you’ll also pass through open grass fields, rocky climbs and other surprise views.
Cache la Poudre River
Affectionately called The Poudre, this river runs through Northern Colorado and has become one of the best destinations for whitewater adventure. It’s also the only Colorado river to be designated “wild and scenic”, meaning it’s free-flowing and jaw-dropping.
Colorado State University Oval
Probably the most photographed location in Fort Collins (especially on graduation day), the CSU Oval is a nationally recognized landmark. The wide open green space is surrounded by neoclassical academic buildings and its walkways are lined with beautiful and iconic elm trees.
CSU Annual Flower Trial Garden
Established as an educational facility for university students, researchers, industry representatives, homeowners and extension personnel to learn, teach and evaluate, the CSU Annual Flower Trial Garden is a beautiful sight to see in Fort Collins. The garden is open daily to the public, free of charge, and it’s planted with annuals from late May through October. Then, pansies are planted in the fall and are on display through early spring.
Equinox Brewing
In addition to being one of Fort Collins’ best local craft breweries, Equinox Brewing is the home of one of our favorite beer gardens. Before you head inside, snap an Instagram photo of the Fort Collins Mural Project mural on the side of their building! The photographed mural was painted by local artist Allie Ogg. And if you walk around to the other side of the building, you’ll find even more art!
The Exchange
This open-air market in downtown Fort Collins is canopied with string lights, lined with community-style picnic tables, and serves as the Fort Collins headquarters for some of the city’s and the state’s best eateries and businesses. That means you can snap photos of Instagram-worthy donuts and you can take selfies in front of beautifully painted murals, the giant ice cream churn that is Old Town Churn, the flowers at bloom and more.
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park
Open since 1985 and operating year-round, The Farm at Lee Martinez Park provides hands-on animal interactions and farm education. Attractions include farm animals, a museum and farm store, hayrides, and pony rides. For more farm fun and to view upcoming programs, click here.
Fort Collins Mural Project
This local nonprofit organization collaborates with local businesses and artists to create and promote public art in Fort Collins. You can find several of their projects around town, and they’re all worth a photo (or a selfie)! To learn more about Fort Collins Mural Projects projects, follow the team on Facebook here.
Our personal favorite? You can find one of the team’s newest projects in Montezuma Fuller Alley right behind Equinox Brewing. Photographed above, this mural was painted by Travis Gillan and Abram ALEO.
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
Offering thought-provoking fun for all ages, the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery is a hands-on history and science museum. The 16,000-square-foot main gallery combines interactive and artifact-based exhibits that cover everything from music to fossils to bicycles. Exploring the Northern Colorado region via its history, science and technology has never been so fun!
The Gardens on Spring Creek
The Gardens on Spring Creek is one of Fort Collins’ largest cultural venues, offering 18 acres of horticulture education, gardens, sculpture, art and more. After their grand reopening in April 2019, the facility will be completely renovated with an improved Visitor’s Center, a brand new Conservatory Butterfly House, a small concession café and more.
Ginger and Baker
Besides all the Instagram-worthy meals, pies, coffees, goods and decor inside, we recommend stopping outside and snapping a photo with the vintage Ginger and Baker pickup truck. Then, head inside for a meal, a cocktail and a slice of pie at The Café. Bonus points if you sign up for a cooking class in The Teaching Kitchen!
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art
Part of the University Center for the Arts, Gregory Allicar Museum of Art houses five different galleries which host both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Free and open to the public, you can explore on your own or schedule a guided tour.
Horsetooth Reservoir
The local destination for swimming, boating, rock climbing, hiking, biking and all other outdoor adventures, Horsetooth Reservoir and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space are just minutes from Downtown Fort Collins. And adventuring around the water will show you some of the best views in Northern Colorado!
Jazz Alley
This small, nondescript alley between the Fort Collins Food Co-Op and the Mitchell Block (AKA the headquarters of the Bohemian Foundation) is home to one of Fort Collins’ most impressive murals. It was painted by artist Terry McNerney and depicts music legends from Fort Collins history and global history side by side.
New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing is Fort Collins’ landmark brewery and the largest craft brewery in town. They’re one of many reasons our community has been celebrated for its environmentally-friendly efforts and they’ve created a perfect place to celebrate local, craft beer culture in town. When you visit the taproom, you can spend time on the amazing patio, snap photos with some of Fort Collins’ beloved dogs, take a free tour, and taste some of Colorado’s best craft beers.
Old Firehouse Alley
Old Firehouse Alley is a landmark in downtown Fort Collins thanks to its history and its murals courtesy of Fort Collins Mural Project. The alley cuts through the heart of Old Town and connects some of our favorite local businesses. Stop under the string lights and snap a photo!
Old Town Square
Decked in string lights, decorated with colorful tables and pianos, and the home of the iconic fountain and stage, Old Town Square is the heart of downtown Fort Collins. It’s also the headquarters for some of our favorite annual events and summer series. During the winter, you can snap a photo on the ice rink. Or, take a photo with the bear any time of year!
Pianos About Town
A collaborative project between the City of Fort Collins Art In Public Places Program, Bohemian Foundation and the Downtown Development Authority, Pianos About Town began in 2010 and welcomed its 100th painted piano in 2018. You can hunt down the colorful pianos in 20 locations during the summer and six locations during the winter. Then, sit down and play a tune!
To start your search, you can usually find one year-round in the Civic Center Parking Structure. That’s where we photographed the piano above in January 2019.
While you’re on Instagram
Follow @thegrouprealestate on Instagram for more inspiring shots of Fort Collins, beautiful properties and the latest from our community blog, Northern Colorado Speaks.
And don’t forget to tag #NoCoSpeaks for a chance to be featured in our feed!
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