Omayra Acevedo, Fort Collins. This month we’re heading further North than usual to the city of Fort Collins, Colorado, and its surrounding areas. There are tons of free things to do in this diverse Northern gem. I’ll start you off with my favorite thing ever – the great outdoors. 

Let’s head over to Lory State Park, running between Horsetooth Reservoir and the majestic foothills of Fort Collins; with over 26 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and/or running you are sure to find yourself spending the entire day here. Prefer to escape dry land? Then hang out at Horsetooth Reservoir where you can relax by the water with a good book, fish, kayak, paddleboard, raft, canoe or do some boating. Don’t forget to pack a picnic. 

Another waterscape option is the Cache la Poudre River Canyon. The river is nationally designated as a Wild and Scenic River. Towering cliffs and rock formations canopy this beautiful hidden treasure. During the warmer months of the year, you can partake in water rafting or just enjoy watching others do it. Places to stop and have a picnic or simply relish in the beautiful sounds of the river flowing by are plentiful. I’ll leave the rest up to you to explore…

Rather spend your time soaking in the local culture differently? Perhaps, you should consider taking a free tour at the New Belgium Brewing Company. Tours run every half hour between 11:30 and 4:30. There’s also a free tour at the Odell Brewing Company. Tours at Odell last 30 minutes and are only offered at 12, 1, 2 and 3 pm. These are extremely popular attractions and spaces can fill up quickly. My advice to you? Reserve your space online in advance to guarantee yourself a spot. 

Shall we move on? My thoughts precisely. If you can plan your adventure to Fort Collins during the first Friday of the month, you should make time to let your eyes drool over local art during their First Friday Gallery Walk. Since you’ll already be appreciating some local art, head over to the Benson Sculpture Garden to view some spectacular pieces of art work on 10 acres of prestigious land.

Last, but certainly not least, is the FoCo Café. Why have I chosen to mention this café? Because it’s a Pay What You Can café. That’s right. There’s not even a cash register in sight, but you can find a donation box for guests to donate any amount. Don’t have any money to contribute? You can offer up your time and talent in exchange for a delicious meal. Way cool, if you ask me! Well, there you have it. A few free (or close to free) things to do in Fort Collins, Colorado. Enjoy!

(Originally published in the June 6, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)