- What's Happenin' Fort Collins
- Posts
- FoCo’s Secret Spots: Your Guide to Summer’s Hidden Gems 🌟
FoCo’s Secret Spots: Your Guide to Summer’s Hidden Gems 🌟
Sweet treats, secret gardens, and history you can taste—uncover Fort Collins’ coolest hidden spots.
What's Happenin' Team
June 04, 2025
Hey there, FoCo,
Summer’s heating up and we’re here to help you cool off—by uncovering those hidden treasures that might not make the “Top 10” lists, but absolutely deserve a spot on yours. From artisan chocolate flights and cozy cheese bistros to wildflower meadows and historic mansions, this is your all-access pass to the coolest (and quietest) corners of town. Grab a scoop, sip a brew, and let’s see what you’ve been missing!
📣 Fort Collins Trivia
What historical milestone is marked by the very first roadside historical marker in the United States, placed in Fort Collins in 1912? |
👉 Tap to vote—we’ll reveal the answer in the outro!
🌟 FoCo’s Hidden Gems: Your Guide to the Underrated and Unforgettable
Hey FoCo! Summer’s here, and if you’re feeling the itch to explore beyond the usual, we’ve got you covered. Today’s main section is all about those local gems that don’t always make the top ten lists—but totally should. Let’s dive in and see what’s waiting around those quiet corners.
If you’re in the mood for something sweet, Nuance Chocolate is a dream come true. They’re the only bean-to-bar chocolate maker in town, crafting small-batch creations that are as much art as dessert. Take a tasting flight and feel like a true cocoa connoisseur. This botanical wonderland on the CSU campus is like a living color palette. From June through early fall, it’s a riot of petunias, geraniums, and hundreds of other flowers—all thriving in Colorado’s tricky climate. A must-see for plant lovers and Instagrammers alike. A true blast from the past, the Avery House is a charming slice of Fort Collins history. Guided tours take you through the elegant rooms of this Victorian-era mansion, built by one of the city’s founding families. Cheese, wine, and cozy vibes—it doesn’t get better than this Old Town gem. Sample cheeses from around the globe or go full-on with a flight of curated pairings. Perfect for a quiet date night or a solo evening of indulgence. Need some open space therapy? Cathy Fromme Prairie is a wildflower haven with endless biking and walking trails. Keep your eyes peeled for red-tailed hawks and bald eagles cruising overhead! |
Rustic charm meets hipster energy at this converted farmstead, home to everything from coffee roasters to breweries and boutique shops. It’s basically a mini-village that’s perfect for whiling away an afternoon. Part bookstore, part coffeehouse, part community hub—Wolverine Farm is a quiet oasis for readers, writers, and thinkers. Grab a chai, browse the zines, and feel those creative juices flowing. Movies, live music, and local art—The Lyric is an indie gem that’s got a little something for everyone. From cult classics to new releases, there’s always something worth catching on screen. Tucked into Jessup Farm, Bindle serves up some of the best coffee in town. Their house-roasted beans and airy atmosphere make it the perfect spot to start your day or sneak in a quiet break. This iconic ice cream shop in Old Town serves up scoops as sweet as summer itself. Bonus points for the giant cow statue outside—because who doesn’t love a photo op with a larger-than-life bovine? |
💡 Pro Tip:
These are just a few of Fort Collins’ lesser-known treasures—so lace up those sneakers, grab your reusable cup, and get ready to see the city through a whole new lens.
🗓 What’s Happenin’ in Fort Collins: Event Listings
🎭 Wednesday, June 4 🎤 Weekly Open Mic Comedy (recurring Wednesday)📍 Slyce Pizza Co. | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎲 Bingo Night (recurring Wednesday) 📍 Horsetooth Tavern | ⏰ 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 🆓 Free 🎲 Bingo Night at the Goat (recurring Wednesday) 📍 Gilded Goat Brewing | ⏰ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎥 Wild Card Wednesdays (recurring Wednesday) 📍 The Lyric | ⏰ 8:00 PM | 🆓 Free Stodgy Euchre Tournament 📍 Stodgy Brewing | ⏰ 5:30 PM–8:30 PM | 🎟️ Free | Compete or spectate at this casual Euchre tournament. Music Trivia at The Lyric📍 The Lyric | ⏰ 6:00 PM | 🎟️ Free | Test your music IQ in a cozy cinema setting. Fort Collins Foxes Baseball Game 📍 City of Fort Collins Adaptive Recreation | ⏰ 6:05 PM–9:05 PM | 🎟️ $10 Adults, $5 Kids | Root for the Foxes at their home game! Avi Kaplan with Guthrie Brown 📍 Aggie Theatre | ⏰ 9:00 PM | 🎟️ $20+ | Soak up the sounds of Avi Kaplan live in Fort Collins. | Thursday, June 5 🧠 Thursday Night Trivia (recurring Thursday) 📍 Jessup Farm Barrel House | ⏰ 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 🆓 Free 👻 Haunted Pub Tour (recurring Thursday) 📍 Old Town Square | ⏰ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM | 🎟️ $22 🎶 The Positive Spin: Vinyl Night (recurring Thursday)📍 Mobb Mountain Distillers | ⏰ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎶 Open Bluegrass Jams (recurring Thursday) 📍 Horsetooth Tavern | ⏰ 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | 🆓 Free Story Swap at The Lyric 📍 The Lyric | ⏰ 6:30 PM | 🎟️ Free | Share your story or soak up the spoken-word magic. Pride and Prejudice - OpenStage Theatre 📍 947 Worthington Circle | ⏰ 7:00 PM–9:30 PM | 🎟️ From $15 | Experience a classic love story live on stage. |
🌈 That’s a Wrap!
Here’s to discovering the magic in the quiet corners, FoCo! Cheers to local flavors, hidden havens, and those oh-so-sweet summer memories. Trivia Answer: C) Overland Trail 🧠 Fort Collins was the site of the first roadside historical marker in the United States, commemorating the Overland Trail in 1912! See you out there! 🌻 —Your What’s Happenin’ Fort Collins crew 💛 |
Did you enjoy this post? |
Interested in other What’s Happenin’ newsletters?