Fort Collins named one of America's best towns to visit in 2026

Driving the news: Now in its third year, CNN's annual ranking looks beyond the top tourist towns to spotlight lesser-known communities where "unexpected histories and curiosities have been obscured by splashier attractions."

Zoom in: Fort Collins earned praise for its historic downtown, thriving beverage scene (we're looking at you, New Belgium Brewing), and easy outdoor access.

• "Home to a nationally famous brewery, a totally awesome '80s cafe, the coolest of indie movie theaters and great coffee shops — all while retaining its historical roots, Fort Collins feels like a theme park," CNN wrote.

The intrigue: There's good reason for that. Fort Collins native Harper Goff, the art director who helped design Disneyland's Main Street, USA, modeled parts of the boulevard and several buildings after his hometown's Old Town.

The big picture: Other towns in CNN's top five places to visit this year are:

• Sarasota, Florida (No. 1)
• New Haven, Connecticut (2)
• Greenville, South Carolina (3)
• Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (4)