Travel Guide: Fort Collins, CO

September 20, 2019

The Studio Brunstrum Travel Guide to Fort Collins, Colorado!

Accommodations: The Elizabeth Hotel, Autograph Collection
A handcrafted adventure in the heart of downtown Ft. Collins, this hotel was a treasure. Although I did not have time to relax with some classic vinyl on my in-room record player, I enjoyed the accommodations, the uber friendly staff and the outdoor animal and landscape oil paintings by Denver artist, Kevin Sloan scattered throughout the elevators, hallways and behind the front desk.

I arrived on an early morning flight to attend a bridal shower for my niece, Torrey. I had only a moment to get my bearings in quaint Ft. Collins before changing clothes and whisking over to Torrey’s adorable home laden with all things bride-to-be! Kudos to my sister Betsey, the yellow and white theme, Gerber daisies and iris flower arrangements, healthy luncheon and the He Said She Said and Do You Know Me? Games made for a memorable afternoon.

The next morning my sister and I took a hot yoga class taught by my niece Torrey. Hot yoga is tougher than I thought and much sweatier than my regular, weekly boxing! Hey, we didn’t pass out and I was the oldest in the room by quite a few years! If only I had the time for a nap before we were off on our next adventure – brunch at The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm followed by sightseeing.

Some fun facts about Fort Collins I learned from our day out and about:

1. Disneyland’s Main Street USA was inspired by the Historic Old Town of Ft. Collins as Harper Goff, one of the Walt Disney artists was originally from Ft Collins and used his hometown when creating.
2. 70% of Colorado’s craft beer is made in 20 small breweries in Ft. Collins. Get a taste of your favorite lager, ale and pilsner or take a brewery tour and tasting or two. This is a town for beer lovers – forget about wine, whiskey, gin or rum, unless of course you want an extraordinary craft cocktail from THE underground speakeasy, Social. I tried a few and the Lavender Sour was my favorite (along with a late-night cheese and charcuterie board).
3. Remember Chicago’s Cows on Parade in 1999 (can it be that was 20 years ago!)? Fort Collins may not have painted cows, instead they have 20 pianos painted by local artists each year that are placed throughout the town for budding and seasoned musicians to play! Everywhere we went people were tickling the ivories.

I spent the next day with my niece Kim and her husband Brad and their two children, Olivia and Camden enjoying Horsetooth Reservoir, a walk along the Poudre River (oh, I wish we had time to river raft) and playing family board games! Now I know why so many people fall in love with charming and historic Fort Collins. For me, it was the allure of the great outdoors, the mountain scenery and the college town feel. I just wish it were a bit closer to the Denver Airport!