Fort Collins offers different perspectives on culture and nature: a Victorian home tells the story of the Avery family, while an interactive museum, gardens, and protected natural areas offer other highlights. If you’re looking for a hotel in Fort Collins, considering which of these sides you want to shape your stay can help with planning.
History and Exhibitions
The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery is an interactive, immersive museum with hands-on and collection-based exhibitions about Northern Colorado and beyond. Its permanent exhibitions cover science, music, agriculture, astronomy, Indigenous peoples, and wilderness areas. The combination of hands-on and collection-based formats brings together practical and object-focused perspectives.
The museum is also home to the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater, the only 360° dome theater in Northern Colorado. Its dome-shaped projection screen measures 39 feet in diameter. This gives the theater its own distinctive appeal alongside the exhibitions’ wide range of themes.
The Avery House focuses on one family and a specific period: volunteer guides lead visitors through the large Victorian home, built in 1879. The house brings the story of the Avery family in the late 19th century to life. This family history stands alongside the museum’s broader range of subjects.
Gardens and Natural Areas
Fort Collins manages more than 50 protected natural areas and more than 100 miles of trails. These natural areas include distinctive habitats such as prairies, foothills, waterways, and forests. They are preserved to protect wildlife and people. The range extends from open landscapes to habitats shaped by water and forests.
The Gardens on Spring Creek covers 12 acres of gardens along the scenic Spring Creek corridor. The Children’s Garden offers numerous areas where children can explore, discover, and grow. The self-guided Notable Tree Tour also starts at The Gardens on Spring Creek. The gardens and tree tour offer different ways to engage with plants and trees.
The Butterfly House is home to 400 to 600 free-flying North American butterflies and moths. Surrounded by nectar-rich plants, the tropical oasis offers a close-up look at butterflies. Unlike an outdoor natural area, it focuses on these animals and their surroundings.
The Annual Flower Trial Garden is planted with annuals from late May through October. This timeframe offers a specific seasonal guide for visiting the garden.
Trails Through Fort Collins
Fort Collins has 200 miles of bike lanes and bike paths. One specific route is the Poudre Trail, which follows the Poudre River from North Overland Trail to East Drake Road. This distinguishes the citywide figure for bike lanes and paths from the specific description of this trail.
Discover more destinations: Timnath, Loveland, Berthoud, Kelim, Estes Park.
Return to the regional travel overview: Larimer.
