Colorado welcomed 96.8 million visitors in 2025, a record number in a record-setting decade. Growth is slowing, though, and communities now shift to attract one group that can’t stop traveling: families.
Family travel demand remains strong despite economic headwinds. Priceline reports that while families are not backing off their travel plans, they make trade-offs to keep costs down. In the lead-up to summer, survey results show parents were 34% more likely than non-parents to have cut everyday expenses, like alcohol or dining out, to pay for a vacation.
Variety close at hand
Priceline’s State of Summer Travel Report shows 89% of families still planned to travel over the summer school break. That’s despite more than half of the respondents noting travel costs more this year than last. Fort Collins, Colorado, hopes to combat the state’s slower-than-desired tourism growth by appealing to families with tighter purse strings.
Being located near Denver makes Fort Collins a quick flight from much of the country, keeping airfare down. Visitors will want a rental car to explore the area, but that expense can open up days of free or low-cost exploration in the area’s parks and preserves.
Colorado State University infuses this otherwise quaint city with hip energy. Vintage stores, a martini bar and a whimsical build-your-own charcuterie board restaurant are just some of the options competing for attention in Fort Collins.
Visitors in summer should stop by the campus’s Trial Garden, where the university tests breeds of flowers to see what grows well in Colorado’s climate. The result is verdant, colorful flowerbeds perfect for a quick stroll.
An inclusive restaurant scene
Travelers with food allergies can rest easy in Fort Collins. Not only is the food delicious, but most restaurants also offer menus with allergens labeled or dedicated gluten-free menus. Wait staff also demonstrate an impressive knowledge of the intricacies of traveling with food allergies.
Some restaurants forego allergens altogether. Explorado Market is a dedicated gluten-free bakery known for its focaccia. Menu items are also free from peanut, soy and seed oils. Right around the corner, Edison’s Ice Cream uses no gluten in its products either.
While in town, save room for Union Bar and Soda Fountain, a family-friendly dining spot with fanciful milkshakes. Nearby, The Exchange offers no compromises. It’s a central courtyard with picnic tables that abut multiple restaurants, where you can choose between dishes from Mexico, Italy, Colombia and more.
From downtown to Disneyland
If you have visited Disneyland, Old Town Fort Collins may look vaguely familiar. Fort Collins and Marceline, Missouri served as inspiration for Walt’s Main Street, U.S.A. The brick streets and brightly painted storefronts of Fort Collins largely survive from the 1880s and transport visitors to an era when life moved a little slower.
A grassroots movement in the 1970s saved the historic Victorians from demolition. The Old Town Square, opened in 1985, reimagined downtown as a European-style pedestrian zone. Today’s Old Town offers a splash pad for kids, sculptures and abundant seating, inviting visitors to spend time rather than just their money.
Those who do want to shop should stop by Trimble Court Artisans. The co-op offers handicrafts from more than 50 Colorado artists, with plenty of packable items for gifts and souvenirs.
Families benefit from several kid-focused activities within easy reach of downtown. These include Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and Fort Fun, a family entertainment center. These attractions, along with family-friendly theater and music options, earn Fort Collins a space on the list of family vacation ideas with teenagers.
When it’s time to wind down, check into The Elizabeth Hotel, which charms music lovers with in-room record players and a guitar lending library. Connecting rooms and suite configurations make the hotel a comfortable place for families to rest after a busy day. The hotel’s location right in Old Town means you’re back in the room in minutes; no car ride and no waiting required.
Nature within reach
Families could easily spend a long weekend without ever leaving Old Town Fort Collins, but to do so would mean missing the area’s considerable natural beauty. Just 15 minutes from town is Poudre River Picnic Rock Natural Area, which offers easy river access. In summer, visitors and locals swim, kayak, tube and fish in the water.
The river was a big hit for Michelle Goth’s active family trip. The owner of Blackberry Babe shares, “My teenage son still talks about our white water rafting trips on the Cache la Poudre River. We used Fort Collins as our base and rafted several sections of the river over a few days. The combination of scenery and rapids is unbeatable!”
Other parks nearby welcome hikers, bikers and boaters. Horsetooth Reservoir sits 15 minutes from downtown in the opposite direction. The iconic Rocky Mountain National Park is an easy 45-mile drive away.
A welcome respite
Fort Collins is a bright spot for Colorado tourism and for families. The city strikes a perfect balance between outdoor adventure and university-town charm. Families find plenty to do for all ages, with activities, restaurants and public spaces that invite connection and cement memories.
Ashley Wali is a Seattle-based travel journalist and owner of Wanderlux, writing about luxury, family, culinary and wellness travel. Her work has appeared in The Seattle Times, Boston Herald, San Francisco Weekly, Sun Sentinel and more. Recent assignments have had her exploring small-town Croatia and hiking Utah’s national parks.
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