colorado college self guided tour

College of Business

Self-guided tours, csu campus self-guided tour, main campus ramtrax self-guided tour (pdf).

Our Campus Self-Guided Tour lets you experience CSU at your own pace. This self-guided walking tour will give you the opportunity to experience the ram community first hand. The combination of outstanding academic programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and enthusiastic student involvement is why many call CSU home. Discover CSU’s eight colleges, dine at one of our award-winning dining centers, and get to know the lively academic community that is Colorado State University.

CSU in Bloom

Annual Flower Trial Gardens 1400 Remington Street http://www.flowertrials.colostate.edu/

The outdoor display and test areas at the Annual Flower Trial Gardens were established to allow students, researchers, industry representatives, homeowners and extension personnel to learn, teach and evaluate through horticultural research and demonstration projects conducted in the unique environmental conditions of the Rocky Mountain/High Plains region. The entire garden is planted with annuals from late May through October. Pansies are planted in the fall and are on display through early spring. The perennial trials are displayed year round across the street in front of the University Center for the Arts.

CSU Scavenger Hunt

Main campus ramtrax scavenger hunt (pdf).

This self-guided campus Scavenger Hunt encompasses four regions of campus: Tradition, Learning, Living, and Spirit. The tour takes participants across campus through the historic portions of campus, to where academics take place, where students live and dine, and to where student cheer on the RAMS! The Scavenger Hunt also gives groups an opportunity to break into groups and compete against each other to complete the tasks first.

Mystery of CSU History

This tour was created to provide insight into the University’s history. The tour will circle the Oval, the heart of campus, highlight the unique history of timeless, well-preserved sites. Each destination serves as a reminder of where we have been and provides a foundation to further develop our prestige as a landmark university. We want you to enjoy the scenic walk back in time and hope it strengthens your connection to the university, our community of Fort Collins, and the state of Colorado.

History Tour (map)

Take a Walk on the Green Side

Main Campus Green Campus Tour

Colorado State is internationally known for its clean-energy research including alternative fuels, clean engines, photovoltaics, “smart” grid technology, water resources, and satellite-based atmospheric monitoring and tracking system. It’s also known for its sustainability efforts on campus and abroad. Use the Virtual Green Tour to guide you on an informative tour of CSU’s sustainability efforts.

University Center for the Arts

1400 Remington Street

Self-guided tour request a tour.

Go backstage at CSU’s newest arts facility located in the old Fort Collins High school. View our three museums: University Art Museum, Avenir Museum of Design & Merchandising, and Hatton Gallery. Get an inside look at our music, theater, and dance programs by touring through rehearsal areas, costuming department, and performance facilities.

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CU Boulder Admissions Visit Policies & Guidelines

In-person visit opportunities are available! Please acknowledge and abide by the following policies and guidelines to maintain the safety of our campus during your tour or visit program:

• CU Boulder is currently mask-optional. We recognize that members of our community, as well as guests to campus, have different comfort levels in public spaces and that some people have personal circumstances that would counsel in favor of continued masking. While wearing masks is optional on campus, we encourage those who prefer to do so to continue wearing them, and we support their decision. 
• We recognize that new variants could cause future COVID-19 surges that could require that we reassess our protocols. CU Boulder will continue to track the evolution of this disease and work with campus, local and state health officials to ensure we are making the decisions that best protect our community. 
• Prior to arrival, if the student or guest(s) is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or other illness, they should cancel their reservation for the visit, and are encouraged to reschedule.
• The student and guest(s) understand that the building access may be limited during weekends or holiday break periods when classes are not in session.
• If you and your guest(s) are late for a campus tour, it is not guaranteed that a guided tour will be offered. In this case, you will be given a self-guided tour map and can tour campus independently while following campus guidelines.

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Self guided tours are available..

Please request any group tours at least 14 days in advance.

K-12 Youth Tours

Contact Jean Truty at [email protected] or (719) 477-4379.

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Contact Blair Huff at [email protected] or (719) 477-4312.

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Contact [email protected] or (719) 634-5581.

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The museum belongs to everyone. There are a few tips on how best to enjoy the art, respect the art and show courtesy to other visitors. Call the Fine Arts Center front desk with questions: (719) 634-5581.  More

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Articles & Advice > Campus Visits > Blog

How to Have a Successful Self-Guided Campus Visit

Signing up for an official tour isn't the only way to visit colleges! Use these tips and tricks if you feel like exploring campus on your own schedule.

by Jordanne Nichols CollegeXpress Student Writer

Last Updated: May 3, 2024

Originally Posted: Jun 28, 2021

In the age of the pandemic, it’s been hard for many people to get back into the swing of normal life. Many actions that were once easily accessible have been taken for granted, eliminated, or changed to fit the new pace of society. For many students, the college process has been limited and may seem almost impossible to truly get an understanding of with virtual tours, opportunities, and experiences. With more campuses re-opening and life getting slowly back to normal every day, virtual tours and digital experiences aren’t the only modern and pandemic-friendly way to experience college campuses. If you want to experience what a campus is really like but aren’t quite ready to join a big group tour, self-guided campus visits are a cost-effective, accessible, and safe way to interact with a college in a personal and direct manner. Here’s how taking control of your own visit experience can benefit your college search, plus tips to help you make the most of your time on campus.

Tailor your own experience

Self-guided tours are a great way for students to experience aspects on campus directly that may be removed or glossed over on an official tour led by a student representative. Walking through campus alone with no set schedule for exploration allows for a fuller understanding of the college environment and ambiance. It allows visitors to experience classroom settings, walkability, and a focused major environment at their own pace. Oftentimes on a guided visit or in a virtual setting, the tour encompasses all the big aspects of campus—but a singular tour led by yourself allows you to see exactly what it is that interests you . It also allows you to see more schools in a cost-effective way and interact with as many people as you want. 

Interact on a deeper level

Another great aspect of self-guided college tours is the flexibility and lack of constraints. If the school has campus-led or volunteer activities going on that day, you can join them and have a more informal experience while on your own personal tour alone with no guidance. This can be especially helpful later in the process when you’re trying to make your final college decision . At the beginning of the college process, it’s valuable and almost necessary to attend the school-led information sessions, but as you progress and understand what suits your interests and needs, it’s best to interact with the college at a more personal level.

Related: What Should I Be Looking for During My Campus Visits?

Tour according to your lifestyle

Whether you have time to leisurely walk around campus or only have enough time to drive through, a self-guided tour is accommodating and insightful for both situations. The college process can be costly, timely, and demand a lot of attention, which can be difficult to manage for a lot of people, seeming almost incomprehensible. Adding self-guided tours to your college search process can allow you to see more universities and plan an easy and adaptable encounter.

Final tips for self-guided college tours

While self-guided tours prioritize being able to experience a school in an individualized manner, there are lots of ways to prepare and engage with campus opportunities. Try going into classrooms to experience a class firsthand or visit an academic and admission office to ask questions . To best prepare, be sure to research the campus before visiting, and choose a time that will allow you to experience the whole campus environment. Printing out a campus map beforehand will ensure you know exactly where to go; maps can also found in the admission office if you want to make that your first stop. Finally, visiting the student center is a great way to see active clubs and visualize student participation and interaction outside of academic hours. This is your tour, so take the time to plan and customize it to your interests!

Related: Smart Questions to Ask Before, During, and After College Visits  

The pandemic stopped many facets of our lives, but the college visit experience doesn’t have to be negatively affected anymore. And remember: whether on campus or online, school-organized or self-guided, any type of college tour is a great way to understand what type of school will fit you best.

Find a lot more questions to ask and advice to take with you on your next college tour in our Campus Visits section.  

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About Jordanne Nichols

Jordanne Nichols is a high school student from Chicago with a passion for activism, feminism , and climate change.

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SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOUR

Welcome to golden.

Thank you for choosing our self-guided walking tour to explore the Colorado School of Mines campus! We’re excited for you to discover what makes our campus here in Golden so special.

This one-mile walking tour begins at the Starzer Welcome Center , home to the Admissions Office, and takes approximately one hour to complete. The route follows the same path as our regular guided tours.

If buildings are open, please feel free to go inside and take a look around! Please be mindful and considerate of classes that may be in session while you are exploring.

You can find a copy of the tour map below, along with more detailed information for each stop!

Self-Guided Tour Map

Printed maps can be found in the Starzer Welcome Center , located at 1812 Illinois St. in Golden. You can also access a PDF version of the map using the link below. Each tour stop also includes a companion mini map!

View the Map

Download the Self-Guided Tour Map

Tour Stops & Info

You can follow along on the campus tour with each stop below. To learn more about each location, tap the “explore this stop” expander. You can also explore inside certain buildings using our virtual tour!

Stop 1: West Campus Housing

Spruce Hall • (view south) Residence Hall : for first-year students

Weaver Towers • (view southwest) Residence Hall : for sophomore-and-above students  

Elm Hall • (view west) Residence Hall: for first-year students

Maple Hall • (view east) Residence Hall : for first-year students

Explore This Stop

Mines has three suite-style residence halls centrally located on campus: Elm, Maple and Weaver. These halls feature single, double and triple suites with shared restroom facilities and community kitchens, lounges and laundry rooms. Elm Hall also offers gender-inclusive housing. Spruce is our newest residence hall and offers many of the same amenities in a more traditional-style configuration.

Mines also offers Signature Learning Communities where you can live with students who have similar academic or lifestyle interests. In addition to our traditional and suite-style residences, Mines also has seven fraternities and four sororities—about  17% of Mines students are involved in Greek Life. Greek Row sits above our intramural fields and is home to nine of our eleven chapters, offering another housing option for sophomores and upper-class students.

Next Stop>

Stop 2: Campus Dining

Mines Market • (view west) Student Life : dining hall  

Mines Market is our main on-campus dining facility and features seven distinctive stations for a one-stop, all-you-can-eat dining experience. Swing by the Brick Oven for pizzas and calzones, or stop at the Global Chef for cuisines from around the world.

You can also check out Blaster’s Pasture, an extensive soup and salad bar. If you are in a rush, you can grab a to-go meal or stop by one of the other fast-food options across campus, all of which accept Munch Money, included in every on-campus dining meal plan.

<Previous Stop | Next Stop>

Stop 3: Student Support & Community

Multicultural Engineering Program (view west) Student Life: support program and community for underrepresented students in STEM

Student Outreach and Support (view west) Student Life: office dedicated to helping students navigate personal and academic challenges

The Multicultural Engineering Program was established on campus in 1989 to recruit, retain, and graduate historically underrepresented students. MEP plays a significant role in promoting the ongoing commitment Mines has to create a more diverse and inclusive learning community. MEP supports cultural events, pre-collegiate programs for middle school and high school students

• The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
• The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ( oSTEM ) (LGBTQ+)
• The Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)
• The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

Stop 4: Academic Buildings

Brown Hall • (view east) Academics: home to classrooms, lab spaces, Electric, Mechanical, and Mining Engineering, and the Blaster Design Factory

Berthoud Hall • (view northeast) Academics: home to classrooms, lab spaces, and Geology and Geologic Engineering

In addition to the Design Factory, you’ll find spaces like the Outlet, a makerspace primarily for electrical engineering students; a machine shop; the Capstone Design Lab; and the Brown Garage, home to the Mines Hyperloop Team and many other student projects. On the roof of Brown is a ground station, built in support of the Mines Cube Satellite Program.

You’ll also find study spaces and Blaster’s Brew if you’re in need of some caffeine.

Stop 5: Student Recreation Center

Student Recreation Center • (view west) Student Life: Lockridge Arena, workout spaces, a swimming pool, rock wall, and the Outdoor Recreation Center can be found here

The Student Recreation Center, known as the SRC, is a major hub on the Mines campus for athletics, fitness, recreation and more. Lockridge Arena is located on the second floor and serves as the home for Mines’ basketball and volleyball teams.

Stop 6: Ben Parker Student Center

Student Center • (view north) Student Life: The Mines Bookstore, Periodic Table cafeteria, Blaster’s Pantry, and several student support offices can be found here, including Financial Aid and the Registrar

The Ben H. Parker Student Center is in the heart of campus and home to our Student Activities, Involvement and Leadership Office that oversees more than 250 student organizations and is home to many of their offices, including our student newspaper, The Oredigger, and the Mines Activities Council, the student group that organizes one our favorite annual traditions – E-Days!

The Student Center also features many other student-focused offices and resources, such as the Mines Bookstore, Career Center, Office of Financial Aid, Disability Services, our grab-and-go shop called Elements and our food court called the Periodic Table.

Stop 7: Campus Library

Arthur Lakes Library • (view north) Student Life : access materials, book a consultation with a librarian for your projects, or swing by Book and Brew for a coffee

At Arthur Lakes Library, you can find millions of print and electronic materials including books, journals, maps, and government documents. Find yourself stuck? You can book a consultation with a librarian, get reference assistance and research help with your paper, and attend workshops.

From Scholarly Communications to Gadgets to Go, the library is a resource you will find indispensable. There are a variety of study spaces for individual or group collaboration, quiet study with no distractions, and reservable study rooms.  Enjoy a cup of coffee from the student-run Book and Brew while getting help from a librarian, working in the computer lab or studying in the library. 

Stop 8: Guggenheim Hall

Guggenheim Hall • (view west) Administrative : University administration and offices

Stop 9: Karafar & Stratton Commons

Kafadar & Stratton Commons Student Life : Open green spaces used by students year-round. Also home to an interactive underground geophysics lab featuring buried items  

Stop 10: Academic Buildings

Chauvenet Hall • (view north) Academics : Classrooms and offices for Applied Mathematics and Statistics, as well as Civil and Environemental Engineering

Stratton Hall • (view north) Academics : Offices for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Division

Hill Hall • (view north) Academics : Classrooms, offices for Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, and the Mines Foundry

Chauvenet was the original building for Mining Engineering, but it now houses the Applied Mathematics and Statistics Department and half of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department.

This building also served as the campus power plant at one point, and has old – allegedly haunted – steam tunnels underneath it.

Stratton Hall

Stratton houses the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Division (HASS). Studio courses in this division average less than 20 students!

Stratton is also the home for our Humanitarian Engineering program, which offers two minors, areas of interest and a graduate degree program.

Hill Hall houses the Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Department.  Graduates from Mines in Metallurgical and Material Engineering work in a wide spectrum of manufacturing industries, including metal products, automotive and aerospace industries, and semiconductor fabrication.

Stop 11: Academic Buildings

Green Center • (view east) Academics : Classrooms, Geophysical Engineering, International Programs, and Graduate Studies

CoorsTek Center • (view west) Academics : Classrooms, research labs, student workspaces, and the Physics Department

Marquez Hall • (view southeast) Academics : Classrooms, research labs, offices for the Petroleum Engineering Department

Alderson Hall • (view southeast) Academics : Classrooms, offices and labs for the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, including the Center for Hydrate Research

The Green Center houses our Geophysical Engineering Department – one of only two ABET accredited undergraduate Geophysics programs in the country .

Green also houses our Office of International Programs (OIP) for students interested in Study Abroad. These can be arranged on an individual basis in over 40 countries around the world.

You’ll also find our International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office, which assists incoming international students with admissions and visa/immigration documentation

CoorsTek Center for Applied Science and Engineering

This building is a significant milestone in a partnership between Mines, the Coors family and CoorsTek, Inc., the world’s leading engineered ceramics manufacturer.

A $27 million donation allowed us to purchase a range of high-tech equipment, including one of the most advanced electron microscopes in the United States, and enabled Mines to establish the CoorsTek Research Fellows Program.

In addition to being home to the physics department, CoorsTek also houses the Alliance for the Development of Additive Processing Technologies (or ADAPT), the Quantum Theory Lab, the Advanced Characterization Lab and the Robotics Lab.

Marquez Hall

This building i s home to the Petroleum Engineering Department On the first floor, you’ll find a drilling rig simulator. This is a lab for junior and senior-level petroleum classes where they get to familiarize themselves with equipment.

Alderson Hall

Stop 12: Student Support Services

Campus Centers • (view west) Academics and Student Life : Resources include The Writing Center, University Honors & Scholars, the Title IX Office, and the Women in Science, Engineering and Mathematics program

WISEM is an executive office on campus, supporting students, faculty, and staff through academic and professional development, seminars, and events.

The Mines campus is about 32% women, remaining a leader in the country for female enrollment in engineering and applied science institutions.

WISEM also serves as support to the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Society of Women in Mathematics ( SWiM ), the Society of Women in Geophysics (SWIG), and the Society of Women in Physics ( SWiP ).

SWE (Society of Women Engineers) is the largest professional society on the campus, and Mines currently has the largest collegiate chapter of SWE in the nation.

Title IX Center

The Title IX Office is responsible for ensuring equity in Mines’ educational programs and activities, including Athletics and campus life.

This office also coordinates 1:1 support for anyone who has experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking.

University Honors & Scholars Program

Students in First-Year Honors explore the intersections of technology, science, and society through project-based learning in design, communication, and ethics. Thorson takes a humanities-based approach and Grandey takes a leadership-based approach.

<Previous Stop | Back to Top

Charles L. Tutt Library

Library partners.

Library Partners collaborate to create a hub for research, learning, and intellectual community. With a rich array of experts, technologies, and learning spaces alongside extensive library collections, we support Colorado College's inquiry-based curriculum and the unique rhythms of the Block Plan. We invite you to:

• D evelop strategies for tackling writing projects in the Writing Center , review math and science problems in the Quantitative Reasoning Center (QRC ), or learn expert techniques for finding and citing sources at the Research Desk
• Delve into the history of Colorado College, Colorado Springs and the region in the Special Collection & Archives
• Consult with experts in geospatial data or the digital liberal arts (DLA)
• Pick up your copy of the Common Read and explore our collection of Antiracism Resources
• Learn about proposing and Independently Designed Major , crafting senior thesis , and thriving as a culturally and linguistically diverse student
• Develop your teaching and scholarship at the Crown Faculty Center
• Troubleshoot technology issues at the ITS:Solutions Center   or check out loanable technology at the Circulation Desk
• Share your discoveries by depositing your senior thesis in digitalCC or giving an end-of-the block class presentation at the Event Space or Data Viz Wall
• Gather in welcoming and inclusive spaces such as group study rooms, classrooms, reading rooms, and meeting rooms, senior carrels
• Grab a coffee or snack at Susie B's cafe with your First Year Experience mentor, classmate, or professor
• Note: The Advising Hub is now located at 1014 N. Weber

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Dr. Garcia Puente Awarded NSF Grant for Enumerative Geometry Workshop

Driscoll ’94 and Patanelli Named Outstanding Advisors of the Year

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Itineraries & Tours

Fort Collins  holds a different place in the minds of every visitor and local. How you identify with Fort Collins comes from your experience as a whole, the activities you choose to do, and the personal interests you hold. Everyone is able to have a unique experience in Fort Collins, Colo.

Fort Collins is a diverse tourist destination and offers activities for every personal interest. A huge part of the community is our rich  outdoor recreation . From  Horsetooth Reservoir  to our natural areas, to the  Poudre Canyon , you can do nearly every outdoor activity imaginable.

We have a huge  beer culture  recognized as “The Craft Beer Capital of Colorado.”  Arts and entertainment  live throughout the city and  family-friendly  events are held nearly every week.

Those who live for fine food will find plenty of places to  please their taste buds . As you walk through  downtown  you’ll hear live music by different local acts on our  hand-painted pianos .

Old Town  offers  dining ,  nightlife , and of course  blocks of shops  and unique boutiques. Enjoy a unique experience during your visit to Fort Collins with our interest-focused itineraries developed from the ideas of locals who share your passions.

Touring can be a wonderful way to learn about a city’s character. Exploring Fort Collins' history and cultural heritage through our tours weave together some of the many tales the city has to tell. Our ghosts, farms, and breweries all have stories to share with you, and engaging tours take you skillfully through each experience. There are many ways to tour Fort Collins based on your mode of transportation including on bicycle, in an art-covered bus, by a horse-drawn wagon, or on foot.

Exploring our western landscape and area’s history is easy to do when you tour Fort Collins by car and by driving the Colorado Scenic Byway up the Poudre Canyon.

Closer to the core, you can take a self-guided walking tour of Downtown’s history learning about her architecture, wild characters, and iconic historic sites. Tour companies also offer experiences guided by docents in costume or even led by experienced bicyclists.

Companies that Tour Fort Collins

Novelty tours such as those focusing on ghosts, brothels and bootleggers, desserts, gourmet foods, underground history, and farms are also offered. And seasonal tours can include haunted, Farm to Table, Valentine’s Day, and even elaborate séance themes. Whichever you chose to enjoy, all of these tours paint the picture of a city that’s history is rich, people are welcoming and innovative, and all share a love of the Colorado landscape.

Tour companies in town include  Beer & Bikes Tours , Front Range Ride Guides ,  Fort Collins Tours ,  Old Town Food Tours , Pedego Electric Bikes  and Traces of the Past History Tours . Lots of self-guided tour brochures are available at the Downtown Fort Collins Visitors Center in Old Town Square. Tours of the many acres of Colorado State University can be scheduled through the Visitors Center and RamTrax .

History Tours

History buffs will have a wonderful time exploring Fort Collins history and the picturesque downtown and Western landscape. Visitors can ride our working Birney Car Trolley between City Park and Downtown, explore the history of Annie the Railroad Dog, and take a ghost tour to explore the paranormal activity of Old Town. There is rich western history to explore as well! Take self-guided Historic Walks throughout the original Old Town area with the comprehensive Historic Explorations Map , or opt for a quicker self-guided walking tour with interesting architecture by doing the Historic Walking Tour. However, the best option is to explore the history of Fort Collins and the surrounding region with Traces of the Past History Tours . They offer guided tours and formal programs that are fun and educational for all ages.

Downtown’s historic buildings showcase innovative architecture, tell the pioneering story of Colorado’s west and have faint shadows of the military encampment. Fort Collins even has a tie to Disneyland USA, the historic strip on Walnut Street and the old Firehouse served as inspiration for Disneyland’s Main Street.  Take part in the self-guided walking tour of Downtown’s historical highlights; click here for the Historic Walking Tour map . And tour companies offer many guided history tours including one via horse-drawn wagon! The Poudre Landmarks Foundation also runs regular events and tours of 1883 Water Works and of the Avery House , and an annual historic homes tour each September.

Ghost Tours

Spirits, aberrations, and specters are all about as you walk through the historic streets of Old Town Fort Collins. The original location for the town’s earliest residents, Native American tribes before them, and the home to the civil war military encampment, Old Town is the keeper of many secrets. There are underground tunnels, a secret river, and a seedy underworld that lead to many haunted stories from Fort Collins’ past.

If you love to be frightened or just intrigued by auras, Fort Collins Tours  is just the ticket. Knowledgeable actors and guides take guests through the area’s history and ghost stories as you walk or ride through the enchanting Western streets of Old Town.

Located near the Burlington Northern and the Santa Fe Railroad, the original parade grounds for the Fort and the city’s jail, Old Town has over a century of characters, villains, and strange occurrences that create its haunted past. Sharing legends and ghostly recounts are the forte of the costumed guides whose stories will make your heart pound.

Strange sightings and energies have been noticed in the area for well over 100 years. You can experience ghosts, séances, haunted tours, and stories of historical criminal behavior by bus, foot, or horse-drawn wagon year around.

Want to know more? A wide variety of brochures are available at both the Colorado Welcome Center (Prospect and I-25) and at our Downtown Visitors Center (1 Old Town Square, Suite 107). You can also pick up one of the many Fort Collins history books about all our stories, characters, and buildings at our Downtown bookstore. Or read from our online Fort Collins Historic Connection or visit our official archives at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery.

Delicious beer and innovative brewing techniques bring people from around the world to tour Fort Collins’ award-winning breweries each year. More than 20 breweries offer beer-tasting tours with trays of dark, light, hoppy and seasonal beers. Ales, Hefeweizens and IPAs are easy to appreciate while sitting in the causal settings of the outdoor patios, listening to live music, and meeting friendly people in the taprooms. Many breweries offer tours of their manufacturing operations as well as special features like New Belgium Brewing’s innovative energy and sustainability practices and Anheuser-Busch’s famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses. If you're looking for a safe and fun way to get around to each brewery while experiencing the great tours we suggest hopping on a bike and partaking in an adventure with  Beer and Bike Tours . For those who prefer a taste of spirits, brew, and wine,  Fort Collins Tours, LLC offers a local distillery, brewery, and winery tour all in one!

Throughout most of the year, Fort Collins is best explored from the saddle of a bike. It’s a fast and fun way to get around the city and visit nearby areas – the foothills, mountains, lakes, etc. You can take it upon yourself to plan your own tour of the city or check out our suggested routes. There are also several companies in town that specialize in bike tours. You can find a list of these companies below as well as maps and more information about touring Fort Collins on two wheels. 

View the Fort Collins Bike System Map here . Use the Bikeway Bingo as a fun way to explore and learn about Fort Collins’ family-friendly bikeways, parks, natural areas, neighborhoods, and public art.  The series of five Fort Collins Bikeway Bingo Challenges include themed bingo cards to fill out along the way. Complete all 5 and you’ll be able to expertly navigate Fort Collins’ extensive bikeway network! For tips, route maps, and bicycling resources before your roll, check out the rest of our website.

Check out Colorado State University, Old Town, and a few Breweries on an electric bike tour offered by Pedego ! On this 2 hour tour you'll see some of what makes Fort Collins unique, from the CSU campus to Old Town (which actually helped inspire Disneyland's Main Street USA). You'll also get to visit some of our local breweries since Fort Collins is known as the Napa Valley of Beer. Book your spots today!

If it’s mountain biking you’re after, we have lots of great trails minutes from downtown. Visit the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas for information on riding the foothills trails or check out Lory State Park, or Horsetooth Mountain Park for prime mountain biking action.

In Fort Collins, there is public art basically everywhere you look. Whether it is statues, painting, or even music, Fort Collins is overflowing with big art pieces, and hidden art for those that are paying attention. The City of Fort Collins runs the Art in Public Places program; free art tours focused on their programs are available on the city's website . Additionally, Downtown Fort Collins has been a certified creative district since 2016, boasting a high concentration of public art. The Downtown Creative District created free, self-guided tours for history and art lovers.

Last but certainly not least is the Fort Collins Mural Project (FCMP). Founded in 2015, the Fort Collins Mural Project exists to promote local art through the transformation of alleys and business walls. Their murals can be found all throughout town and are used to empower artists and tell stories of the diverse groups of people that make Fort Collins special. Check out their interactive mural map on the FCMP website so you don't miss out on any of Fort Collins' murals.

Fort Collins is proud to be the home to Colorado State University, and the campus is a wonderful exploration of agricultural heritage, collegiate sports, and beautiful architecture. Explore the old historic Oval, the buildings of the original Colorado Agricultural College born in 1870, and early 20th century buildings surrounding the Victorian lawn. Tours explore the newer construction, stadiums, dining halls, the CSU Trial Flower Gardens, and the University Center of the Arts. RamTrax offers engaging visitor tours sharing the university’s outstanding academic programs and rich heritage of innovation and research.

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Your one-stop shop for truly local Colorado experiences.

If you’re the kind of person who wants to celebrate Colorado’s bustling cities, hidden gems and interesting history as much as our state’s magnificent outdoors, you’ve found the right Denver tour company. In our available tours (each planned for limited dates), you’ll see a mix of laid-back hikes and national park visits and restaurant experiences, neighborhood explorations, museum days, luxury getaways, plus tour deep-dives into questions like, “How does Denver recycle its water?” For us, these are the things worth (treasure) hunting for; they are the X on the map.

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Go with a group

We offer a lineup of guided group tours each year, especially designed for active 55-and-up travelers, but all are welcome! These range from small walking and bus tours to multiday trips. While we tour Denver (our home) and Colorado most of the time, we regularly head out of state and even out of the country, too.

Go on your own

To explore and experience all there is to love about Colorado at your own pace, what you need is a Treasure Box. Our Treasure Boxes are Colorado tours that come with most everything you need to go out without a guide, all within one box. This includes: content-rich tour packets with turn-by-turn directions and curated Spotify playlists, plus snacks from local companies.

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WE CURATE & PLAN

We create self-guided tours across Colorado and handpick items from Colorado businesses to accompany you on each journey.

YOU PURCHASE

Pick the self-guided tour you would like to take.

WE PACK & SHIP

The selected box, filled with your self-guided tour packet and all those goodies, gets shipped to your door.

YOU EXPLORE

Get out there and have some fun! Then, share your trip with us on Facebook & Instagram: @treasureboxtours .

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Design a custom getaway or experience with our Personalized Adventures, which are private tours we create just for you. Give us a little information on where you would like to go, and we’ll help you design the ideal trip. Once you contact us, we’ll start the process of building your grand adventure — you’ll even have the choice of taking one of our guides along for in-person expertise and assistance.

Treasure Box Tours is a Denver-based tour and travel company that creates interesting, fun experiences by looking beyond popular tourist spots and, instead, designing outings around local expertise and recommendations. Our team of tour guides had been doing this for more than two decades through partnerships with other tour and travel agencies when Covid-19 hit. Then, we saw that something was missing: self-guided tour options that were just as enjoyable as traditional group outings. Treasure Box Tours is here to offer you both: self-guided, private excursions and group journeys that promise to give you a unique look at every destination. In other words, we’re here to get you to X.

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Self-guided tours of boulder.

Looking to get out, do some sightseeing and have an adventure with your family or go solo? We've uncovered a number of self-guided tours that let you explore and discover fascinating aspects of Boulder at your own pace.

Many of these have places to stop for snacks, coffee and beverages along the way in famously foodie Boulder. If you're headed out on a trail , be sure to bring some snacks, a bottle of water and sunscreen.  

Downtown Public Art Walking Tour

Self-guided bike tours.

• Weather Trail at NCAR

Historic Self-Guided Tours

• Shopping Tour for Gear Heads

CU Self-Guided Tour

Tea tour of boulder.

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What do bears, buffalo, doves, Southern Arapaho Chief Niwot and Persian teahouses have in common? They’re all part of our self-guided public art walking tour. Some of Boulder’s best public art is included on this easy, downtown walking tour, every step of which is detailed here . And you’ll find plenty of spots to stop for beverages and snacks along the way.

Beyond Boulder Bike Adventures offers two clever self-guided tours that you can do by bike (either on yours or rent one through them). Their Mystery and History Scavenger Hunt guides you safely through Boulder while imparting little-known fun facts as you check out some of Boulder's top sights and historic and artistic features around town. The Brews Cruise lets you pedal at your own pace along mostly flat bike paths beside babbling brooks and prairie dog towns, checking out Boulder's growing craft beverage scene and enjoying special discounts along the way. Both come with detailed maps and instructions and trivia games with prizes.  

Walter Orr Roberts Weather Trail

Named after the pioneering astronomer and atmospheric scientist who founded the National Center for Atmosphere Research (NCAR) in Boulder, this mini-hike is a 0.4-mile loop in one of Boulder’s prettiest locations — on a piney hilltop in NCAR's backyard. Excellent signage will guide you through the landscape, encouraging you to learn about the area’s weather and ecosystems along the way. Here's more info on the Walter Orr Roberts Weather Trail .

Have a penchant for the past? Dive deep into Boulder’s history on a detailed Boulder Historic Neighborhoods Walking Tour . Highlights include an outdoor theater named after one of America’s first female professors, a historic crown-jewel hotel and a cemetery where many of Boulder’s earliest prominent figures are buried. For a more adventurous outing, you can purchase a " History Hunt " guide created by a local eighth grader that will lead you on an educational scavenger hunt through some of Boulder's most interesting historic sites.

Photo: City of Boulder

Thanks to several city-supported art programs, Boulder has seen a recent explosion of murals, with over 135 scattered across town. On our murals page , you’ll find a map, so you can visit clusters of murals in neighborhoods across Boulder.

Shopping Tour for Gearheads

If you’re gear-obsessed and love to shop outdoor adventure retailers, then Boulder will be like heaven to you. We’ve got a page about Boulder’s gear shops , but the easiest way to take a self-guided tour of them would be to start at Front Range Anglers on Pearl Street’s east end and make your way down to the far west end of Pearl Street to University Cycles . Along the way, there are at least 20 outdoor retailers at last count, including a Patagonia flagship, Montbell, prAna and many more.

The University of Colorado Boulder campus is rich with architectural marvels, spectacular views and photo ops that are well worth your time. Follow CU’s own recommended self-guided tour .

Boulder is certifiably tea obsessed. If you are, too, you can make a self-guided tour out of visiting these tea hot spots: Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse , a dazzling, hand-carved and hand-painted Persian teahouse;  Ku Cha House of Tea ;  Rebecca’s Herbal Apothecary ;  Pekoe Sip House ; and A Cup of Peace . A tad unconventional but oh-so Boulder, you can also try unique experiences like The Root Kava Bar , which offers ethnobotanical teas, or try kombucha (a fermented, bubbly and cold tea full of probiotics) at bars and breweries across town. Kombucha brewer  Rowdy Mermaid even has its own tasting booth at Rayback Collective . 

Boulder Scavenger Hunt

Turn Boulder into a giant game board with this scavenger hunt adventure. Combine the excitement of the Amazing Race with a three-hour city tour .  Guided by any smartphone, teams make their way among well-known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. Available anytime. Save 20% with the promo code BoulderCVB .  Sign up online .

Boulder Creek Path

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Fun Field Trips

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All About the Flatirons

A guide to Boulder's iconic formations

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Ultimate Grand Circle Tour: Self-Guided Driving Bundle (10+ Tours)

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Mesa Verde National Park Tour: Self-Guided Drive

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Million Dollar Highway Audio Tour: Self-Guided Drive

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A Ram’s Life is a vlog series for Rams by Rams, and showcases everything from the daily life of a CSU Ram to advice videos, DIY tutorials, tips and tricks for navigating college life, and even excursions into Fort Collins and beyond Colorado State.

Colorado State University student and vlogger, Tiaira, gives you college advice on what you need to succeed as a student … before you even get here! Watch her tips on how to set yourself up for success before you come to campus, when you’re getting ready to join us at Colorado State, and during your first weeks as a student.

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