Fort Collins with the Fam: Where to Go, What to Do, and Why You’ll Want to Stay All Day

Hey there, FoCo,

Got kids? Visiting nieces? Just feeling like a grown-up who deserves a go-kart ride and a snow cone? Fort Collins is bursting with family fun—from paddle boards and pony rides to raptor rehab and musical exhibits. This week’s guide is your all-in-one planner for making summer memories that don’t involve asking, “Are we there yet?”

🧠 Fort Collins Trivia Time

👉 Tap to vote—we’ll reveal the answer in the outro!

👨‍👩‍👧 Fort Fun for All: Your Ultimate Family Adventure Guide

Looking to entertain the kids, impress visiting relatives, or just unleash your inner big kid? Fort Collins has enough playgrounds, paddleboards, ponies, and plesiosaurs to fill your entire summer. This week’s lineup is stacked with family-friendly activities—some classic, some a little wild, all totally memory-making.

☀️ Classic Summer Hits

Spend the day at City Park Pool, featuring slides, a lazy river, and a zero-depth entry wading pool for tiny swimmers. While you’re there, hop aboard Car 21, the only original restored city streetcar still operating west of the Mississippi. It’s a charming, breezy ride straight through Old Town.

🐐 The Farm Life

Swing by The Farm at Lee Martinez Park to meet goats, chickens, and horses up close. In the summer, pony rides are a hit, and the barnyard charm makes this an easy yes for little animal lovers

🏊‍♀️ EPIC Adventures

Edora Pool and Ice Center (EPIC) is Fort Collins’ indoor all-star—think pools, ice skating, and drop-in hockey leagues. If your crew prefers dry land, check out the skate parks or toss a frisbee at the disc golf courses in Edora or Fossil Creek Park.

🎢 Actual Fort Fun

Mini-golf, go-karts, laser tag, paddle boats, arcade games, and pizza—Fort Fun lives up to the name. Enough said.

🔬 Discovery Time

Fort Collins Museum of Discovery blends science, history, and music into one giant, hands-on playground. Highlights? A 42-foot plesiosaur, immersive dome theater, and sound lab where kids (and adults) can create music from scratch.

🌳 Nature & Wildlife

Wander the Environmental Learning Center trails and habitats just minutes from downtown, or pay a visit to the Rocky Mountain Raptor Center and meet birds of prey up close.

🐟 Just Add Water

Fishing spots like Dixon Reservoir or the Poudre River offer relaxed, kid-friendly casts (and brag-worthy catches). For bigger adventures, paddleboard or rent a boat at Horsetooth Reservoir—or just chill at the beach and splash zone.

🚴‍♀️ Bike City, Baby

With 285+ miles of scenic bike trails, Fort Collins is basically made for cruising with the fam. Find gear, guides, and rental shops on the FC Bike Page.

🛶 Need More Thrill?

Book a whitewater rafting trip with any of Fort Collins’ outfitters for a safe, splashy thrill ride the whole family will remember.

🌻 Bonus Brain Boost

Pick up a Natural Areas Map and challenge your crew to explore as many of the 50+ nature preserves as possible. Many offer guided family-friendly activities—and your kids might even learn something (gasp!).

🗓 What’s Happenin’ in Fort Collins: Event Listings

Want more? See the full calendar → Fort Collins Event Calendar

🍻 New! Play the Fort Collins Brewery Trivia Game

Are you a true craft beer connoisseur? 🍺 Test your hop smarts with Craft Breweries of Fort Collins Trivia. From historic brewhouses to bold new flavors, see how well you know the city’s beer scene.

👉 Play Now

🎒 Pack Snacks, Sunscreen & Curiosity

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