This post was updated on February 4, 2019 to include up-to-date information and recommendations.
As winter settles in here in Northern Colorado, outdoor adventures can feel a little more intimidating (though they’re certainly not out of the question). If you and your date are looking for warmer options in Fort Collins, you’ve come to the right place.
We rounded up our favorite local date ideas for cold winter nights. You can stay warm, laugh and make memories with every single one. See how many you and your partner can check off before the warmer weather rolls around!
1. Cook with Ginger and Baker.
Learning to cook a meal together will offer the perfect bonding opportunities. And you’ll get to take home new skills to show off during stay-at-home dinner dates! The Teaching Kitchen at Ginger and Baker is as picturesque as it is educational. Inside their River District building, they offer classes in mixology, pie-ology, pizza-ology and more.
2. Escape together.
Photo courtesy of Enigma Escape Rooms
Fort Collins escape rooms offer opportunities for both adrenaline-pumping adventure and teamwork. Somewhere Secret, ConTRAPtions, Enigma and Fort Collins Escape Room are all great, local choices.
3. Play arcade games at Pinball Jones
Pinball Jones, a Fort Collins institution since 2011, offers rows and rows of classic pinball and arcade games at two Fort Collins locations. Bring your quarters, grab drinks at the bar, and challenge each other to a game!
4. Tour Fort Collins’ best local breweries.
When you follow our map, The Ultimate Guide to Fort Collins Craft Breweries, you get to embark on your own Fort Collins brewery crawl. You and your date will get to sample some of the best beers in the country and get a taste of local culture.
Or, you can buy a few local winter seasonals at Wilbur’s Total Beverage and enjoy a date night in.
5. Share a cider flight at Scrumpy’s.
Cider isn’t just a fall drink—especially at Scrumpy’s! Share a flight (or two) and discover your favorite local blend.
6. Take a pairing class at The Fox and the Crow.
Photo courtesy of Alan Mooney via The Fox and the Crow
The Fox and the Crow is a local cheese and charcuterie shop. In their cozy shop, you can sample gourmet treats, buy your favorites, and take classes in specific styles, food and drink pairings, and so much more. Check out the upcoming events here.
7. Buy provisions at The Welsh Rabbit and enjoy an evening in.
The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop in Old Town offers artisan-crafted cheeses, charcuteries, chocolate, crackers and cheese accessories. They have everything you need to create your own cheese board and enjoy a cozy night in.
If you want to hit the town, we recommend heading to The Welsh Rabbit Bistro for one of the best dinners in Fort Collins.
8. Shop at the Winter Farmers’ Market.
The only winter market in Northern Colorado can be found right here in Fort Collins. On Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can buy local snacks, treats or ingredients for a meal. Take it all home and cook dinner together!
9. Ride a carriage through Old Town.
When you make a reservation with Colorado Carriage and Wagon, you and your date can enjoy one of the most enchanting winter activities in town. Bundle up and schedule your horse-drawn carriage on a snowy night for the most romantic results.
10. Road trip to a Colorado hot spring.
Photos courtesy of The Springs Resort & Spa
Our guide, 18 Colorado Hot Springs You Need to Visit this Year, explores some of the state’s most impressive hot spring resorts as well as a few rustic, hike-in springs. Many of the resorts have hotels and spas as well! Spend the night and get a couples massage so you can return to Fort Collins completely rejuvenated.
11. Learn something new at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery.
For a $12.50 adult admission ticket, you and your date can spend all day learning about science, music, history and more at the Museum of Discovery. You can even make music together in the Music & Sound Lab!
12. Catch a movie at The Lyric.
With a movie lineup that features both Hollywood hits and indie flicks, and a theater complete with comfy couches and a full bar and restaurant, The Lyric doesn’t offer typical movie date experiences.
13. Enjoy live theater.
Bas Bleu Theatre Co., Lincoln Center and University Center for the Arts all offer regular theater shows. From comedies and improvisations to dramas and mysteries, every couple can find the perfect show to fit their tastes.
14. Rock out at a show.
Fort Collins isn’t famous for beers, bands and bikes for no reason. Our little town is filled with local musical talent. To get the low-down on local music venues, check out The Ultimate Guide to Fort Collins’ Most Popular Music Venues where you can find more information on local venues and links to their event calendars.
15. Venture outdoors.
We mentioned outdoor adventures weren’t completely ruled out during the Northern Colorado winter. If you and your date are feeling adventurous, check out our seasonal outdoor guides: The 12 Best Snowshoe Trails in Northern Colorado, The Best Sledding Hills in Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley, and Things to Do in the Fort Collins Area This Winter | Sledding, Snowshoeing + More!
Share your favorite winter date ideas!
Do you have a go-to date when the snow is falling in Fort Collins? Let us know in the comments below.
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