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Fort Collins on a Budget? Here’s 8 Free & Fun Adventures
From bison spotting to outdoor movies, here’s how to explore Fort Collins without breaking the bank.
What's Happenin' Team
August 04, 2025
💸8 Free & Fun Fort Collins Adventures
Hey FoCo,
Big memories, tiny budget—let’s go.
You don’t need deep pockets to have a good time in FoCo. Whether you’re entertaining family, planning a spontaneous staycation, or just looking for something fun and free to do, we’ve rounded up eight wallet-friendly activities that make the most of summer in the city. Think bison herds, butterfly houses, and double features under the stars—all for under $15 (or totally free).
Let’s dive in!
🍻Fort Collins Trivia
How big is Colorado State University’s campus in Fort Collins? |
This brewery is known for its creative seasonal brews.
🦬 Go Wild for Wildlife
Soapstone Prairie
Soapstone Prairie & the Bison Herd — Spot the iconic Laramie Foothills bison herd in their natural habitat from March through November.
Fishing Spots Galore — Cast a line at the Poudre River or Riverbend Ponds. Access is free, and the views are priceless.
🌼 Nature Fix, Achieved
Natural Areas Hikes — With 50+ natural areas and 100+ miles of trails, there’s always a new trail to try.
Poudre Whitewater Park — Picnic, wade in the water, or just relax by the river, right downtown.
🎶 Live Music, All Week Long
Enjoy free concerts nearly every day of the week—from The Mish to Old Town Square. Tuesday’s Food Truck Rally and Thursday Night Live are local faves.
🎨 Free Art & Gardens
Roam CSU’s Gregory Allicar Museum, explore the Avenir fashion archive, and wander the blooming Trial Gardens—all within a few walkable blocks.
🍿 Movies on a Budget
The Lyric — Catch outdoor movies with a drink in hand.
Holiday Twin Drive-In — $9 gets you a double feature and all the nostalgia.
🦋 The Butterfly House
Not free, but magical. For $11, walk through a tropical room full of 400+ fluttering butterflies at The Gardens on Spring Creek.
🍺 Local Sips on a Dime
Stodgy Brewing Co. — A shaded patio, great beer, food trucks, and free WiFi. Bonus: it’s dog-friendly, too!
🗓 What’s Happenin’ in Fort Collins: Event Listings
📅 Monday, August 4 🎙️ New Material Night! (recurring Monday) 📍 The Comedy Fort | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎶 Open Mic at The Lyric (recurring Monday) 📍 The Lyric | ⏰ 6:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎲 Beer & Bingo (recurring Monday) 📍 Maxline Brewing | ⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🧠 Weekly Trivia with Geeks Who Drink (recurring Monday) 📍 Slyce Pizza Co. | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎵 Karaoke Club📍 1209 N College Ave | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed🎵 Odyssiad® Piano Competition: Solo Division Semifinal Round - Level C📍 1400 Remington Street, University Center for the Arts | ⏰ 9:00 AM | 🎟️ Ticketed 🎵 Chamber Music Concert: Violinist Yi-Jia Susanne Hou, Cellist Zuill Bailey, and Pianist Bryan Wallick📍 1400 Remington Street, University Center for the Arts | ⏰ 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed | 📅 Tuesday, August 5 🎤 Open Mic Night (recurring Tuesday) 📍 Horsetooth Tavern | ⏰ 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎲 Bingo with Jason (recurring Tuesday) 📍 Peculier Brewing | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎲 Weekly Bingo (recurring Tuesday) 📍 Slyce Pizza Co. | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free 📅 Line Dancing on the Lawn📍 215 E. Foothills Parkway, Outdoor Plaza | ⏰ 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed ⚡ Fort Collins Foxes Baseball Game📍 211 S Bryan Ave | ⏰ 6:05 PM to 9:05 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed 📅 Bard Night!📍 7 Old Town Square, Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80524 | ⏰ Time TBD | 🎟️ Ticketed📅 Odyssiad® Piano Competition: Final Round Solo Division Level C📍 1400 Remington Street, University Center for the Arts | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed 🧠 Lord of the Rings Trivia📍 1020 E Lincoln Ave. | ⏰ 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed |
Want more? See the full calendar → Fort Collins Event Calendar
🍽 Not sure where to eat tonight?Our Restaurant Finder takes the guesswork out of dining by showing you the best local restaurants based on real reviews and vibes, not just ratings. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a date-night spot, we’ve got you. No endless scrolling, no decision fatigue...just solid recs. | 🧠 Need a brain break? Play trivia, crosswords, and word searches built just for locals. These games aren’t just fun...they’ll test how well you actually know your city. Great for killing time, learning something new, or proving you’re the true local legend. | 🌮 Who’s Got the Best Tacos in FoCo?We’re on a mission to crown FoCo’s top taco spot—from OG taquerías to bold fusion joints. Vote for your favorite and help settle the salsa-fueled debate once and for all. 🌶️ |
🎉 Budget-Friendly, Memory-Filled
Turns out you don’t have to splurge to have a good time in Fort Collins. From art and music to trails and tacos, this city’s packed with fun that’s low-cost and high-reward.
🎃Trivia Answer: B) ✅ 4,773 acres
💡Got a go-to frugal tip or hidden gem? Hit reply and share it—we just might feature it in a future issue!
—Your What’s Happenin’ Crew ☀️🍹
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