Group Visits
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery encourages discovery for all ages and abilities seeking a hands-on, interactive museum experience.
Reservations are required for groups of 15 people or more visiting FCMoD.
Availability is limited, and booked on a first-come, first-served basis.
Our team will respond to reservation requests within 4 business days.
We are now accepting reservations for Spring season.
Learn more about our upcoming special exhibits!
To learn more about group visits at FCMoD, click through each section below:
Group Rates
Groups with 15 people or more visitors are eligible for our special group rates.
Memberships, Gift Cards, Guest Passes, etc. cannot be used to waive group visit admission.
Free & Reduced Lunch Eligibility
FCMoD offers group visit discounts to schools with 40% or greater Free & Reduced Lunch eligibility (as cited by the Colorado Department of Education or the Wyoming State Board of Education). These additional discounts are commensurate with a school’s overall Free & Reduced rate and apply across the full school group visit experience.
Free & Reduced discount rates will be provided during the booking process for your reference.
Ability Pass
Visitors with intellectual, physical and/or developmental disabilities who are accompanied by a caregiver receive discounted general admission, and discounted admission for the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater, and free admission for their caregiver. Groups smaller than 15 people are welcome to purchase tickets at the front desk.
Group Admission
Groups of 15 or more can reserve a visit at a reduced admission rate. Group admission may include admission to a regularly scheduled show in the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater (pending availability).
Archive & Collections
FCMoD houses and cares for approximately 38,000 objects – only a small percentage of which are on display at any given time. Prominent among the Museum’s collections are stone objects from the Folsom-era Lindenmeier site and Clovis cultural complex; locally focused historic clothing and textiles; and household and personal artifacts dating from the mid-19th century.
Group visits can express interest and request availability for an Archive & Collections Tour when submitting their reservation form.
Appointments are appreciated so we can best prepare for your visit, but are not necessary during our walk-in hours for groups smaller than 5 people. Group sizes are limited to 25 people at one time in Archive & Collections.
To request a visit to FCMoD’s Archive & Collections, click here.
To learn more about FCMoD’s Archive & Collections, visit The Fort Collins History Connection, an online collaboration between the Poudre River Public Library District and FCMoD.
Accommodations
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery welcomes all visitors and is committed to making the museum a rich and rewarding experience for all. To support your visit, we offer a variety of accommodations detailed on our accessibility page.
Discovery Visit Expectations
FCMoD embraces science, history, culture, and limitless Discovery. We look forward to supporting your group as they engage in creative learning throughout the museum! To ensure the best experience for all, please follow these simple guidelines:
- No running, jumping, swinging or climbing
- Be gentle with each other and all museum spaces/displays
- Use inside voices, share, and take turns
- No food or drink allowed in the museum or theater. Food should be eaten in the Learning Labs and Café area only. Please keep areas clean after use.
- Stay with chaperones, teachers, and groups
- Tornado Chamber/Wind Tunnel: take turns and be respectful of each other’s experience
- Only children 5 years of age and younger allowed in the Tot Spot
- During Dome Shows please silence devices and be respectful of other viewers
- When visiting Archive & Collections or participating in special programs, please enter quietly and follow instructions
FAQ
-
- How can my group visit the museum?
- If your group consists of 15 or more individuals, please complete our online group reservation request form. Your visit is not booked until you’ve received a contract and final confirmation from our team.
- How far in advance should I book my group visit?
- Fall & Winter requests will be accepted after August 1
- Winter & Spring requests will be accepted after December 1
- Summer visit requests will be accepted after April 1
- Reservation requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance of your preferred visit date(s). Our team will respond to reservation requests within (4) business days.
- What if my group has to make changes to their visit?
- We will do our best to accommodate visit changes, pending availability. Our team will respond to requests for visit changes within (4) business days.
- What will my group do during their visit?
- After receiving your group reservation request, our team will contact you to learn more about the purpose and plans for your trip and develop an itinerary to make the most of your experience.
- Upon arrival, your group will check-in with a member of our staff who will provide a brief orientation (if applicable). Then your group is ready to experience self-guided exploration in our gallery, a show in our Dome Theater, snack/lunch in our Learning Labs or Big Backyard, and so much more.
- How long should my group visit for?
- Depending on the size of your group, show availability, and your reason for visiting, typical visits range from 1-3 hours. After receiving your group reservation request, our team will confirm the recommended length of your visit. Groups should communicate arrival and departure times to chaperones and transportation services.
- Do you have any special activities or programs during museum visits?
- FCMoD occasionally offers rotating programs and activities on the gallery floor, opportunities to tour Archive & Collections, and even engagement with museum staff as well as regional partner organizations based in education, wildlife conservancy, and technology. To express interest and confirm availability, visit our calendar and ask our team at the time of your reservation.
- FCMoD offers regular Special Exhibits – visit our Exhibits page to learn more about upcoming exhibits.
- Do you offer lunch and/or a lunch space?
- While FCMoD doesn’t offer lunch, lunch spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Our Learning Labs are indoor lunch and gathering spaces for groups.
- The Museum Café offers a variety of local snacks and beverages – with every purchase supporting FCMoD’s mission.
- The Big Backyard is an outdoor space that can be used for lunch.
- Lee Martinez Park, a short trail walk from the museum, is a popular outdoor lunch space.
- Groups are kindly expected to clean lunch spaces after use.
- While FCMoD doesn’t offer lunch, lunch spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- How do we get to the museum, and where do we park?
- The museum is located at 408 Mason Court, Fort Collins, CO 80524, at the intersection of Cherry and Mason Streets in Downtown Fort Collins. Groups arriving via bus, shuttle, or van should unload near the West entrance labeled “School Group Entrance”, near the electric vehicle charging port. Buses, shuttles and vans are welcome to park in the dirt lot on the north-eastside of FCMoD’s parking lot.
- Other vehicles can enjoy free parking in our general visitor lot. Overflow parking is available along Cherry Street. The Civic Center Parking Structure is just a short walk south at the corner of Laporte and Mason Streets.
- How can my group visit the museum?
- How many chaperones should we bring?
- To help ensure the best and safest experience for your group, FCMoD expects that groups meet a 5:1 youth/student-to-chaperone ratio. Chaperones receive free gallery admission if they meet the 5:1 student-to-chaperone ratio.
- When and how do I pay for my group’s visit?
- Payment for your trip is due in-full at least two weeks prior to your visit date. Memberships, gift cards and/or complimentary guest passes cannot be used to waive group visit fees. To process your payment, please contact FCMoD at 970-221-6738 during regular business hours (Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-5pm).
To learn more about group visits, please contact our Events Team at info@fcmod.org.