Father’s Day is just around the corner! But don’t panic — if you don’t have a plan yet, there are several ways to celebrate the holiday, all while supporting local Fort Collins businesses.
While Father’s Day might look a little different this year, as the city hasn’t quite reopened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we can still celebrate the fathers in our lives. And they are sure worth celebrating!
From active outdoor adventures to quiet at-home ventures, plus a number of gift ideas from local businesses, this list is packed with dad-approved activities and ideas. And if you yourself are a dad — in any shape or form — we appreciate you!
ACTIVITIES
Play a Round of Golf
The picturesque landscapes and magnificent weather in Northern Colorado make it the ideal destination for golfers to challenge themselves in a beautiful setting, and fortunately, there are plenty of well-maintained courses to choose from in the area. All of them are great in their own right, but there are some that stand apart from the rest — one might say they’re “better than par.” Check out some of our favorite golf courses in Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park and surrounding areas. Play a round of golf with dad — or send him on his way for a relaxing day on the course with friends!
Go on a Bike Ride
Fort Collins — and the entire region of Northern Colorado — is known for its exceptional biking trails and overall bike-friendly nature. Hit the road on two wheels this Father’s Day weekend to experience our beautiful natural surroundings and get some exercise while you’re at it. Head to one of the best beginner biking trails in Northern Colorado for an afternoon bike adventure with dad!
Play Board Games
Sometimes the simple act of playing a board game at home is the best way to spend time as a family. And if you’ve run out of board games after quarantine, you’re in luck! Fort Collins has several board game cafes, many of which sell board games to be played at home. The Haunted Game Cafe is open to in-store shopping and also offers curbside pickup and free shipping for orders over $99!
Go Camping
Spend the holiday amidst the great outdoors! As of June 1, all campgrounds and methods of camping are open in Larimer County, excluding cabins and tipis. All group picnic areas/pavilions, shower houses and swim beaches are closed to public access.
All campgrounds are open in the county, including Horsetooth Reservoir, Carter Lake, Pinewood Reservoir, Flatiron Reservoir and Hermit Park Open Space. All campground restrooms are open. Same-day reservations are allowed during regular business hours but after-hours or walk-up camping is not allowed. Carter Lake Area and Horsetooth allow a maximum of 8 people per site and Hermit Park allows a maximum of 6 people per site. Click here for a complete list of rules and regulations related to camping in Larimer County before you make your reservation.
Spend the Day at Horsetooth Reservoir
June brings tons of summer fun and sun to Northern Colorado, which makes it the perfect time to spend the day on the water at Horsetooth Reservoir. Surrounded by 1,900 acres of public lands, the reservoir itself offers 6.5 miles of water, perfect for fishing, swimming, boating and water skiing. For all the details on visiting, click here.
Participate in the Father’s Day Virtual 5K
The Father’s Day 5K in Fort Collins has been a Father’s Day tradition for 23 years. And the tradition lives on this year — despite the pandemic. The race is going virtual, which means you can complete the 3.1 miles wherever and whenever you’d like to! To participate, register for the race, plan your route, download your bib, run on Father’s Day weekend, track your race and upload your results. You may even win an award! Proceeds from the Father’s Day 5K support reduced and no-fee youth programming and the Adaptive Recreation Opportunities (ARO) program within the City of Fort Collins Recreation Department.
Order a Steak Dinner To-Go From The Still Whiskey Steaks
Photo Courtesy of The Still Whiskey Steaks
Nothing says “Father’s Day” quite like a steak dinner. And The Still Whiskey Steaks is providing all of your steak needs this year, in carry-out form. Order online from their selection of family meals, including the Filet Pack, the NY Strip Pack, Pot Roast and more, which will feed the whole family for a reasonable price. Don’t forget to add in a barrel-aged Manhattan or another cocktail to-go!
See a Drive-In Movie at Holiday Twin
Did you hear? Holiday Twin Drive-In is open for the summer! This historic theater has been serving Fort Collins and the surrounding communities for more than 30 years, and is one of only six drive-ins currently operating in Colorado. It hosts two giant screens, which play a double feature of current movies every night during the spring and summer — and summer 2020 is no different! Well, it’s a little different. Check out the many safety precautions in place for this season, including online ticket and concession purchases, spaced out cars, and more, here.
Go to the Father’s Day Farmers’ Market
The Fort Collins Farmers’ Market is one of the more popular markets in the region, drawing people from all over to visit with local farmers, artisans and small business owners and enjoy the warm afternoon sun in the parking lot of Ace Hardware on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This year, the market will have signage encouraging shoppers to shop quickly, use hand sanitizer (provided at each booth), and practice social distancing. Shoppers older than 2 are asked to wear a mask and all vendors and market clerks will wear masks and gloves (or wash hands between each transaction). No dogs are allowed at the market this year. Space between each booth will be expanded to 6 feet, with 16-foot aisles. Food cannot be consumed at the market and must be taken to-go. Customers must not handle products and vendor staff will be responsible for bagging products.
GIFT IDEAS
OtterBox Coolers
Chances are if you’ve ever had a cell phone, you’ve had an OtterBox. The company began in a NoCo garage back in 1998 and over the years, this Fort Collins company has become famous as the maker of the industry’s best and most protective cases. Inspired by the Colorado lifestyle, their LifeProof products are waterproof, dirt proof, snow proof and drop proof. Pick up a phone case or peruse their selection of coolers for the outdoorsy dad in your life. These high-quality coolers are perfect for the sunny summer ahead in Northern Colorado!
Outdoor Gear from JAX
Speaking of the outdoors, look no further than JAX for all your outdoorsy gift needs. This massive store is packed with apparel, footwear, outdoor gear and more — providing a wide range of products to match his hobbies (and your budget!).
Growler from Local Brewery
Although business protocol has changed in response to COVID-19, Fort Collins’ love for craft beer has remained strong. In fact, many — if not most — of the breweries in Fort Collins and throughout Northern Colorado have provided to-go beer in cans and growlers throughout the pandemic. Peruse our guide to craft breweries in Fort Collins, pick your dad’s favorite, and see if they’re offering growlers to-go!
Books From Old Firehouse Books
Help your dad keep his to-be-read pile stocked by picking up a new book or two from Old Firehouse Books, an independent bookstore with a wide variety of books in all genres. While the shop is closed at the moment, they are reinstating curbside pickup and local deliveries and are still processing web orders at this time. Enjoy free shipping on orders over $20! Consider organizing a family book club as another way to bond during this time. And if you’d rather let him pick out his book(s), consider a gift card or electronic gift card instead!
CSU Gear
We sure love our CSU Rams in Fort Collins. And if your dad does too, make sure he is properly outfitted in Rams apparel! As the official store of the Colorado State Rams, the on-campus CSU Bookstore and off-campus CSU Ram Zone stores are the perfect places to get CSU gear. While both locations are closed, you can shop the same gear online from home! Pick up shirts, sweatshirts, hats, keychains, home decor, gear and more.
Pack of Local Beer or Bottle of Liquor from Wilbur’s Total Beverage
Pick up a six-pack of your favorite local beer at Wilbur’s Total Beverage, the number one liquor store for wine and spirits in Fort Collins. Wilbur’s offers an outstanding selection of fine wines, spirits and beers, including plenty of choices for beers brewed right here in Northern Colorado. If you’re overwhelmed by all the options, ask their expert staff to help you narrow down the selection.
Sauces from Old Town Spice Shop
Photo Courtesy of Old Town Spice Shop
Got a grill master in your life? Peruse the selection of hot sauces, mustards and BBQ sauces at Old Town Spice Shop to add some spice to his life. Their Brewhouse Sauces come in a variety of flavors, like Jake Slade’s Revenge crafted with Bock from Gilded Goat Brewing Company or their unique NoCo Beer Jelly, perfect for the beer lover. Add in some spices or steak seasoning to complete the gift!
Beard Products From Colorado Beard Co.
Keep dad’s beard healthy and happy with some products from Colorado Beard Company, an independently owned company based in Fort Collins. They specialize in all-natural men’s grooming products, including beard oil, beard balm, mustache wax and more. Right now, you can get free shipping on all orders over $50!
Happy Father’s Day!
How do you plan to spoil dad this year? Let us know what you have planned in the comments below!
Comments