Maybe football games aren’t your thing, or you just don’t want to spend most of the time with your parents either sitting in a restaurant or a hotel room this homecoming weekend.
Fort Collins offers such a wide array of activities that it’s not possible to list all of them. Here are a few choice locations sure to show your parents a slice of Fort Collins culture while appealing to different interests.
Museum of Art Fort Collins
If you and your parents need a taste of culture, few things are better than a trip to the Museum of Art Fort Collins.
In the past, the museum has shown unique exhibits from masks of different cultures to awkward family photos. The museum is currently having an exhibit on artist and former CSU professor Haley Hasler going until October 14. The museum will have an exhibit titled Pigskin Peanuts, celebrating football and the legacy of cartoonist Charles M Shulz. The show will run from October 26th to January 6th.
The Lyric Cinema
If you would like to spend a more casual time with your family for homecoming, the Lyric Cinema might be the right choice.
The only independent theater in Fort Collins, The Lyric constantly shows new indie films each week while also showing a variety of cult classics like those directed by David Cronenburg. The Lyric also offers a number of different activities from a full bar, live storytelling events and cabarets.
New Belgium Brewery
With the third most breweries in Colorado, beer is a staple of Fort Collins culture.
It would be remiss not to mention one of the most popular breweries in the city, New Belgium, which is the largest locally owned brewery in the city. Along with a full tap list, the Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale and Atomic Pumpkin IPA are two brews worth trying.
New Belgium has daily tours that include sampling, a full bar area, and frequently hosts live music which makes it an ideal casual atmosphere.
The Artery
With a café, gallery, music venue, and store where you can buy prints and merchandise from local artists, there is no shortage of things to do at The Artery.
If you want your parents to get acquainted with the local art scenes in Fort Collins, this would be the place do it. During homecoming, the Artery is hosting a “PUNKTOBERFEST” (October 12th, 7:00 p.m.) featuring several punk bands from Colorado, an outdoor salsa/bachata social (October 12th, 8:00 p.m.), and a performance by magician Nate Staniforth (October 13th, 6:00 p.m.).
Horsetooth Open Area
Colorado is known for many things, not least of which its natural areas.
If your family likes to be a little more active Horsetooth Open Area provides many activities for outdoor lovers. A variety of trails- from hiking, horseback riding, and biking- are a short distance from the Horsetooth Reservoir and Horsetooth mountain, and offer views of Fort Collins unlike any other.
Ty Davis can be reached at entertainment@collegian.com or on Twitter @tydavisACW.
