Group Visits
FCMoD is built for group visits and exploration! From films in the Otterbox Digital Dome Theater to field trips through time at the Heritage Courtyard, we can host groups of up to 180. School groups, youth groups, soccer teams and more – all will find plenty to discover and explore!
Reservations are required for groups of 15 people or more visiting FCMoD.
Availability is limited, and booked on a first-come, first-served basis.
We are now accepting reservations for the Fall 2025 season.
Reservation requests for Spring 2026 will begin on December 1st for PSD Title I schools only. All other requests for Spring 2026 will begin on December 14th.
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.
School Group Visit Prices:
- Students: $10.00 each (includes access to Gallery and Dome Show)
- Chaperones: Free (with a 5:1 student-to-chaperone ratio; otherwise, general adult admission will apply)
- Extra Adults (over 5:1 ratio): $10.00 each (includes access to Gallery and Dome Show)
- Learning Lab: Included for school field trip admissions (lunch room access)
Other Group Prices:
- Kids Under 2: Free
- Youth (Ages 2-18): $10
- Adults (Over 18): $12
- Otterbox Digital Dome Theater: $3
Memberships, 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.
Additional Experiences
Archives and 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.
Otterbox Digital Dome Theater
Northern Colorado’s only 360° Dome theater: the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. Featuring a massive 39-foot diameter overhead dome screen, adventurers of all ages will be wowed by the Dome’s state-of-the-art laser projection featuring ultra high-definition imagery and booming spatial audio system.
Black Footed Ferrets
Come see our very own wild black-footed ferrets, the most endangered mammal in North America!
Join us in the Natural Areas Exhibit to learn about the conservation work being done to return black-footed ferrets to the wild, from the national captive breeding program to new advances in cloning from our partners at US Fish and Wildlife. They will also feed the black-footed ferrets their weekend meal during this presentation. Parental discretion is advised.
Heritage Courtyard
Located just outside the Center for Creativity at the Carnegie building in Old Town, the Heritage Courtyard provides hands-on exploration into what life was like in northern Colorado life during the 1800s. FCMoD provides guided group tours of the four iconic buildings onsite: the 1858 First Elk Woman & Antoine Janis Cabin, the 1864 Auntie Elizabeth Stone House, the 1882 Franz-Smith Home, and the 1905 Upper Boxelder Creek Schoolhouse.
Courtyard Group Visit Prices (groups of 15 or more):
Thursday mornings only for Fall 2025. Spring 2026 details coming soon.
- Students: $4.00 each
- Chaperones: Free (with a 5:1 student-to-chaperone ratio)
- Extra Adults (over 5:1 ratio): $4.00 each
- Free & Reduced Lunch: Schools that have Free & Reduced Lunch of 40% or greater are eligible for a discount on their entire trip.
Includes a group host who will do a guided tour of Auntie Stone cabin, Upper Box Elder Schoolhouse, Joseph Antoine Janis cabin, and Franz-Smith cabin
FAQ
Groups of 15 or more are eligible for our group rate and reservations. We recommend booking at least one month in advance, as dates fill up quickly. Submit a request through our online form or by contacting our Group Host team at booking@fcmod.org. Reservations are confirmed once you receive a contract.
Yes. Groups of 15 or more receive a discounted admission. Schools with 40% or greater Free & Reduced lunch eligibility qualify for additional discounts. Visitors with intellectual, physical, or developmental disabilities receive discounted admission to both the museum and the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater, with free admission for their caregiver.
Most groups spend about 90 minutes exploring the gallery. If you add an Otterbox Digital Dome Theater show and a lunch break to your itinerary, plan for 2.5–3 hours depending on your group size.
Groups may reserve a Learning Lab (based on availability) or use the Café seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Outdoor options include our museum’s Big Backyard or offsite at Lee Martinez Park for sack lunches. Food and drink are not permitted inside the gallery.
No. Memberships and guest passes cannot be used towards a group visit admission. A payment should be made at least two weeks in advance by credit card, check, FCMoD gift card, or on the day of your visit with your Group Host.
Looking for something to do in the classroom or at home? Check out our virtual resources hub, we have great activities for schools, summer camps, and even adult groups!