Fort Collins for Newbies: Secrets, Cool Stuff, Must-Knows, Hot Tips

[davemess10]

Seems like yelp is really hit or miss. People are either gushing about a place or have an axe to grind, so you see either 4-5 stars or 1 stars. This makes sense to me though, the only people who feel strongly enough about a place to leave a review are the people who have had either great or horrible experiences there. I take most online reviews with a grain of salt because of this.

I'll second Harbor Freight, it's a great place to get tools. I will not second Country Buffet, but there is a Big Lots right next to it. They have lots of awesome deals, and even carry dry groceries. They have a lot of Organic/natural stuff as well (which I know seems weird), like Kashi etc. It's a good way to afford that type of food.

Overall I found the King Soopers on Taft and Prospect to have the best "deals" on foods. They usually had a lot of high end stuff on managers specials (esp. meats). SunFlower also has good prices on some things (mainly produce), and I've heard good things about Sprouts (again mainly produce).

[StealthRabbit]

Biking is great and quite cheap. For a short trip, I would often take a route over Horsetooth and Carter lake and back through Berthoud. The longer days (august) would allow time to bike on up to Estes Park, then Allenspark to Lyons and Boulder. For a hundred miler you won't forget, bike from Ft Collins to Estes, and over trail ridge road and camp in Grand Lake.

My more favorite motorcycle trips (after work on HOT August summer evenings) were up the Poudre to Encampment and over to Saratoga for a free dip in the Hobo Hot Springs pool. Back over Snowy Range. Then up to Vedauwoo to lay on the rocks and watch the meteor showers all night (plenty of free camping just outside the state park). Rock Climbing at Vedauwoo, Wyoming. Your resource for climbing, hiking and camping at Vedauwoo. Vedauwoo Recreation - Wyoming Articles & Tips - Wyoming Travel and Tourism. You might be a bit tired the next day at work, but you will in reality be very recharged from the adventure and beauty.

Hopefully you will get to go to this. Loveland High Plains Arts Council (not free, but Benson Park is worth a visit (as is a walk around the Lake and downtown).

As mentioned, the regional (and city) parks are great. I can't imagine having to pay for Horsetooth and such (I grew up on a Masonville Ranch). I was there last month, The whole area is now hopping with houses, mtn bikes, and hobby farms. I could never return to the home of my youth, but glad the vast and numerous immigrants are able to enjoy it. I have been gone for over 30 yrs, but come back several times / yr to enjoy a taste of sunshine. Most of my schoolmates moved their ranches to WY and SD back in the 1970's and 80's. It was great to roam the hills as a kid via horseback and hiking.

[somedaysomeway]

This is a wonderful thread! We hope to be in our new home in FC within a month and I am so darn excited.

[Wbevil]

Thanks again to everyone for posting their tips and "secret" spots in Fort Collins. I can't wait to explore the town (and these spots) further. After I've been there a little while, I'll be sure to post some of my own!
Best,
~William

[docwatson]

Avogadros - live music in the evenings and the patio in the daytime.

Rainbow for a nice breakfast/brunch on the patio.

The swimming hole just up from the entrance to the Poudre canyon - get there before noon on a weekend to avoid the crowds.

Never been, but there's a jazz place in the basement of the Armstrong hotel.

Red Feather Lakes.

[davemess10]

Avogadro's number is a great suggestion! They do lots of 2 for 1 during the week. They will do tempeh too (if you're into vegetarian eatting, or not (it's still pretty good)). One day is Burgers and another is cheesesteaks (which are delicious). It's surely a great place to go for a cheap eats, and a cool location with a lot going on, in general.