Group Visits

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 of $10. Group admission may include admission to a regularly scheduled show in the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater (pending availability).

The OtterBox Digital Dome Theater at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery is the only one of its kind in Northern Colorado. Featuring a massive 39-foot diameter overhead dome screen, your group will be wowed by the Dome’s state-of-the-art visuals featuring ultra-high-definition imagery and a booming spatial audio system.  

Your group rate may include access to one of our scheduled dome shows (pending availability) and is a special way to enhance your visit with an immersive experience. The following shows are recommended based on age/grade-level appropriateness with content ranging from space to astrology, astronomy, simple machines, technology, and more. 

Pre-K-1st Grade

One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventures*

Join Big Bird, Elmo, and their friend, Hu Hu Zhu, for a look at the stars. Take an imaginary trip to our Moon, learn how to find the Big Dipper and North Star, and see how we all share the same sky. Runtime: 23 minutes. Trailer

Un Cielo, Un Mundo. La Aventura de big Bird*

Explora las estrellas, la Luna y el Sol en compañía de los personajes de Sesame Street. Con la ayuda de Big Bird, Elmo y Hu Hu Zhu descubre cómo todas las personas del mundo están conectadas. Duración: 23 minutos. Remolque

Accidental Astronauts*

Explore the Earth, Sun and Moon system with a wise-cracking spaceship computer. See an asteroid crash into the Moon. Bounce along with them on the lunar surface. Get up close and personal with a solar storm. And gain a new appreciation of our home planet with Cy, Annie and their dog, Armstrong. Runtime: 32 minutes. Trailer

2nd-4th Grade

NEW SHOW! MARS: The Ultimate Voyage​

This new, animated planetarium production highlights NASA research and training initiatives that are preparing the next generation of astronauts who will head to Mars. Learn how creativity, collaboration, communication, and expertise in a diverse number of fields are key for the success and safety of deep space travel—while also inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals! Runtime: 25 minutes. Trailer

CAPCOM GO! The Apollo Story*

What did it take to get humans to the surface of the Moon? What challenges did the engineers, scientists, and astronauts who worked to achieve that goal face? From award-winning producer NSC Creative comes their latest show, an immersive historical documentary that showcases the achievements of the Apollo program and what it took to put the first human on the Moon. Runtime: 25 minutes. Trailer

¡CAPCOM GO! La Historia Apolo*

¿Cómo llegaron los seres humanos a la superficie de la Luna? ¿Qué desafíos se enfrentaron los ingenieros, científicos y astronautas que trabajaron para lograr ese objetivo? Del premiado productor NSC Creative llega su última película, un documentario histórico inmersivo que muestra los logros del Programa Apolo y lo que ocurrió para poner al primer ser humano en la Luna. Duración: 25 minutos. Remolque

Two Small Pieces of Glass

Follow two students as they interact with a female astronomer at a local star party. Along the way,  learn the history of the telescope from Galileo’s modifications to a child’s spyglass — using two small pieces of glass — to the launch of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and the future of astronomy. Runtime: 23 minutes. Trailer

Dream To Fly

Take flight on a poetic and touching story of aviation development through the ages. It presents the significant milestones on our route to conquering the skies – both in terms of technological breakthroughs, as well as our perceptions of flying itself. Runtime: 35 minutes. Trailer

5th-8th Grade

Stars of the Pharaohs 

Travel to ancient Egypt to see how science was used to tell time, make a workable calendar, and align huge buildings. You’ll learn about the connection the ancient Egyptians felt with the stars and various astronomical phenomena, and experience some of the most spectacular temples and tombs of the ancient world recreated in all of their original splendor. Runtime: 36 minutes. Trailer

Dream To Fly

Take flight on a poetic and touching story of aviation development through the ages. It presents the significant milestones on our route to conquering the skies – both in terms of technological breakthroughs, as well as our perceptions of flying itself. Runtime: 35 minutes. Trailer

Explore

Learn the story of humanity’s fascination with the stars — from ancient stargazers and astrologers to the breakthrough discoveries of Nicolaus Copernicus and Johannes Kepler. In particular, today’s explorers depend on Kepler’s genius for their work in space. Enjoy a beautifully visualized trip through the history of astronomy. Runtime: 27 minutes. Trailer

Forward To The Moon! 

Take a look into NASA’s Artemis program, the next step in our mission to explore the universe and land the first woman and person of color on the surface of the Moon. Kari Byron from Crash Test World and MythBusters narrates. Runtime: 30 minutes. Trailer

High School/College/Adult

NEW SHOW! Out There: The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds

Did you know most stars have planets? That the Sun is just one ordinary star among hundreds of billions in our galaxy? For thousands of years, mankind thought that the Earth was the center of the Universe, but what we’ve found has surpassed scientists’ wildest expectations. Learn how our curiosity, imagination and urge to explore have revealed a huge diversity of different worlds out there, just waiting to be discovered. ​Runtime: 30 minutes. Trailer

NEW SHOW! Big Astronomy

Big Astronomy is a multifaceted research and outreach project and show that transports viewers to Chile, where the dark skies and dry, remote settings create ideal conditions for observing the Universe. Learn about diverse people who push the limits of technology, enable scientific discovery and expand what we know about the Universe using state-of-the-art telescopes. Runtime: 28 minutes.

IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System

Join scientists who are investigating the boundary between our Solar System and the rest of our galaxy. Follow the creation of NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX), get an in-depth look at the mission and learn how IBEX is collecting high-speed atoms to create a map of our Solar System’s boundary. Runtime: 27 minutes. Trailer

Ice Worlds

In travels to the Arctic and Antarctic regions of our planet, we’ll examine the ecosystems that exist and thrive there and learn how their survival is connected with our own. Beyond Earth, we’ll see how the existence of ice shapes the landscape and the natural systems on other planets and moons in our Solar System. Runtime: 30 minutes. Trailer

Phantom of the Universe

“Phantom of the Universe” is a new planetarium show that showcases an exciting exploration of dark matter, from the Big Bang to its anticipated discovery at the Large Hadron Collider. Learn how scientists around the world are collaborating to track down the constituents of dark matter. Runtime: 25 minutes. Trailer

The Sun Our Living Star 

The Sun has shone on our world for four and a half billion years. The light that warms our skin today has been felt by every person who has ever lived. It is our nearest star and our planet’s powerhouse, the source of the energy that drives our winds, our weather and all life. Immerse yourself in the secrets of our star with never-before-seen images of the Sun’s violent surface. Runtime: 25 minutes. Trailer

Violent Universe

Comets, asteroids, and meteors hurtling through space. Stars collapsing under their own gravity. Infernos of nuclear energy releasing their deadly radiation across the universe. Witness the raw power of the cosmos in this thrilling show that gives you a front-row seat to watch as worlds collide! Runtime: 25 minutes. Trailer

*Available in English/Disponible en español

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.

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.

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

• • 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.
  • 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 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.