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🏙️ Your Guide to Old Town Fort Collins: Where to Eat, Shop & Explore!
Old Town Fort Collins is the city’s heartbeat, packed with great food, unique shops, and fun things to do. From hidden gems to local favorites, here’s your guide to making the most of it!
What's Happenin' Team
March 21, 2025
🏙️ Old Town Fort Collins: Your Guide to the Heart of the City
Hey FoCo foodies, this one’s for you! 🍽️
Old Town Fort Collins isn’t just a historic district—it’s the soul of the city. With its charming blend of restored buildings, vibrant local businesses, and pedestrian-friendly streets, it’s the perfect place to spend a day (or an entire weekend!). Whether you’re hunting for the best brunch, a new favorite boutique, or a fun night out, Old Town has something for everyone. Let’s dive into the best spots to eat, shop, and explore! 🚶♂️🍽️🛍️
🏙️ Old Town Fort Collins: Your Guide to the Heart of the City
Old Town Fort Collins is more than just a historic district—it’s the city’s heartbeat. Originally built in 1983-84, this lively plaza was transformed into a pedestrian-friendly hub, bringing together historic charm, modern entertainment, and some of the best local spots for dining, shopping, and exploring.
Whether you’re a longtime local or visiting for the first time, here’s your go-to guide for making the most of Old Town Square.
🍽️ Nearby Eats & Drinks • The Yeti Bar & Grill – Known for hearty pub food and a great atmosphere. • CooperSmith’s Old Town Brewpub – One of the best local breweries with delicious bites. • Lucky Joe’s Sidewalk Saloon – A classic Irish pub with live music. • Rec Room – A lively bar with great drinks and music. | 🛍️ Where to Shop • CIRA LTD. – A boutique for stylish finds. • Thamel Import Gift Shop – A collection of global treasures. • Rocky Mountain Goldworks – Unique, handcrafted jewelry. • burn. Candle Bar – Create your own custom candle scent! • Harms Sound Labs – For music lovers and audiophiles. | 🎭 Things to Do in Old Town • Trimble Court Artisans – A co-op gallery featuring local artists. • Fort Collins Tours – Explore local ghost stories, history, and more. • The Birdie Lab – Improve your golf game with high-tech training. • South Broadway Country Club – A golf simulator lounge for a fun night out. • Pinball Jones – A classic arcade with pinball and retro games. |
🚗 Parking Tips for Old Town
Parking can be a challenge, but here’s how to make it easier:
• 2-Hour Spots: Park after 4 PM (Monday-Thursday), and you’re good until 10 AM the next morning—perfect for a night out!
• Weekend Parking: Park Friday at 4 PM, and your car is safe until 10 AM Monday.
• Taking a Risk? Some have managed to stay past the 2-hour limit without a ticket, but enforcement is unpredictable.
• Safe Alternatives: Park near Library Park for a short walk and stress-free parking.
💬 What Locals Love in Old Town
When it comes to must-visit spots, locals have their go-to favorites:
🍻 The Forge, Salt Road, and Equinox – Great breweries with outdoor patios, perfect for a sunny afternoon.
🍕 Postcard Pizza at Equinox – A local favorite, 10/10 recommended.
🍹 The Pump – A must-visit for their famous cherry and jello shot.
🍽️ Yellow Crunch at The Exchange – Considered one of the best restaurants in NoCo.
🎶 The Lyric, 415, Young’s, and The Mishawaka – Perfect spots for live music and laid-back vibes.
🍸 Social & Elliott’s Martini Bar – Speakeasy-style bars with craft cocktails.
🍦 Walrus Ice Cream & Churn – Iconic spots for a sweet treat.
Got a favorite spot in Old Town? Hit reply and let us know!
What historic feature inspired the look of Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A.? |
🗓 What’s Happenin’ in Fort Collins: Event Listings
Friday, March 21 🆓 Free Events 🎭 Dramatime: Improv Workshop with The Comedy Brewers – Discover the fun and excitement of comedic improv in this engaging workshop. @ Old Town Library, 9:30-10:30 AM 💵 Ticketed Events 🍷 Date Night: Cooking with Wine – A hands-on cooking class for adults filled with learning, cooking, and eating. @ Farm Fusion, 5-7:30 PM 🧘♀️ Happy Hour Flow with Maxline Brewing – A vinyasa-style yoga class followed by a BOGO drink coupon at Maxline Brewing. @ The Movement Apothecary, 4:30 PM ($10 cash minimum, $15 card minimum, Recurring Fridays) 🎨 Creative Collective of Colorado – A celebration of local artists featuring live art and performances. @ The Coast, 7 PM-12 AM ($7.21) 🎤 Kathleen Madigan – Stand-up comedy from one of the best in the business. @ The Lincoln Center, 7 PM ($20+) 🎶 A Brother’s Fountain – Colorado-based folk-inspired band bringing a fresh, unique sound. @ Aggie Theatre, 8 PM | Saturday, March 22 🆓 Free Events 🧘♀️ Community Yoga – A donation-based yoga class focused on movement foundations. Stay after for coffee or tea! @ The Movement Apothecary, 9-9:55 AM (Recurring Saturdays) 🌿 Fort Collins Winter Farmers Market – Explore 100+ vendors offering locally made food and artisan goods, plus family-friendly activities. @ 215 E Foothills Pkwy, 10 AM-2 PM (Recurring Saturdays) 🎨 Orange Pulp – A fusion of bottomless mimosas, live music, and art & vintage clothing vendors. @ The Coast, 12-4 PM (Recurring Saturdays) 💃 Zumba – A high-energy, interval-style dance fitness class. @ The Movement Apothecary, 12-12:55 PM (Recurring Saturdays) 🍺 Old Town Breweries and Distilleries Tour – Go “back of house” at a brewery, a winery, and a distillery to learn the craft. @ Fort Collins Tours, 2-4 PM (Recurring Saturdays) 🎶 Live Music Saturdays – Enjoy free live music at Breckenridge Brewery’s taproom. @ Breckenridge Brewery, 4-6 PM (Recurring Saturdays) 🎶 Christine Alice Live at The Tavern! – Enjoy an evening of live music from Christine Alice in a warm and inviting setting. @ The Tavern at Red Feather Lakes, 7-9 PM 💵 Ticketed Events 🎭 Jourdain Fisher – The Tonight Show comedian brings his stand-up to Fort Collins! @ The Comedy Fort, 6 PM ($$) 🎣 Signature Fly Fishing School – A hands-on workshop to learn fly fishing techniques. @ St. Peter’s Fly Shop - South, 9 AM-4 PM ($175) 🌸 Orchid Centerpiece Class – Learn how to craft beautiful orchid arrangements. @ Bath Garden Center, 10-11 AM ($100) 🌮 Taco Tuesday & Saturday Initial Run – Indulge in an authentic taco tour with a special promo code. @ Love 4 Food Tours, 1:30-3:30 PM (Recurring Tuesdays & Saturdays, 30% off with promo code ‘Love4Food’) 🎭 Drag Pop: Rihanna Edition – A drag night dedicated to the one and only Rihanna! @ The Coast, 7 PM-12 AM ($12.43) 🎶 Taylor Fest – A Swiftie celebration where everyone is the main character. @ 204 S. College Ave, 8-11:59 PM ($25) |
Sunday, March 23
🆓 Free Events
🎤 Open Mic @ The Atrium – Show off your talent or enjoy local performers. Sign-up starts at 5 PM, music at 6 PM. @ The Atrium, 5-9 PM (Recurring Sundays)
🃏 Poker Night – Play for a chance to win Peculier merch and gift cards. Come early to grab a pint and secure a seat! @ Peculier Ales, 4-8 PM (Recurring Sundays)
🎨 FoCo Vintage Market – Shop vintage, art, and local finds at this community market. @ Foothills Shopping Center, 12-4 PM (Also on 4/6 & 4/20)
💵 Ticketed Events
🎭 Comedy Brewers at The Comedy Fort – A high-energy, audience-interactive improv show in the style of Whose Line Is It Anyway? @ The Comedy Fort, 7-8:30 PM ($10)
🎣 Spey School on the Miracle Mile – Learn the science and technique behind swinging flies on the river. @ St. Peter’s Fly Shop, 9 AM-3 PM ($250)
🌤 Fort Collins Weather Outlook
Friday, March 21 – 💨 Partly Cloudy & Windy | High: 56°F | Low: 32°F | Wind: WNW 22 mph | 0% chance of rain
Saturday, March 22 – 💨 Partly Cloudy & Windy | High: 61°F | Low: 36°F | Wind: W 24 mph | 1% chance of rain
Sunday, March 23 – ⛅ Partly Cloudy | High: 60°F | Low: 41°F | Wind: W 18 mph | 0% chance of rain
Monday, March 24 – ⛅ Partly Cloudy | High: 72°F | Low: 44°F | Wind: WNW 16 mph | 0% chance of rain
💡 Weekend Tip: Saturday might be a bit windy, so hold onto your hats! But by Monday, it’s looking like a perfect day for a patio brunch or a springtime hike. ☀️🥂🚶♂️
🏔 That’s a Wrap!
Old Town Square is the perfect place to soak in the Fort Collins vibe—whether you’re grabbing a drink, browsing local shops, or just people-watching in the plaza. Where’s your favorite spot in Old Town? Hit reply and let us know! 🚀 The correct answer is Old Town Fort Collins! 🏙️ Walt Disney’s childhood friend and illustrator, Harper Goff, was from Fort Collins and used Old Town as inspiration for the look of Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland. Many of the storefronts and architectural details in Old Town closely resemble those in the famous theme park! 🎠✨ |
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