Information
Landmark: Fort Collins Museum of DiscoveryCity: Fort Collins
Country: USA Colorado
Continent: North America
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, Fort Collins, USA Colorado, North America
The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (FCMoD) is a uniquely interdisciplinary museum located in Fort Collins, Colorado.
It blends science, culture, history, and technology into an innovative, interactive experience for visitors of all ages.
Rather than following the format of a traditional museum, FCMoD focuses on immersive learning, where guests can engage with exhibits through hands-on exploration, storytelling, and sensory-rich displays.
LOCATION AND ARCHITECTUREAddress: 408 Mason Court, Fort Collins, Colorado, just north of downtown and Old Town.
Opened: November 2012, following a merger of the historic Fort Collins Museum and the Discovery Science Center.
Building: LEED Platinum certified, symbolizing high sustainability standards.
Size: Approximately 45,000 square feet with about 16,000 square feet of exhibit space.
The building itself is an exhibit, constructed with recycled materials and equipped with passive solar heating, energy-efficient lighting, and natural ventilation.
Its open, flowing design encourages discovery and exploration across different exhibit areas without hard divisions.
CORE THEMES AND EXPERIENCESThe museum features a variety of core exhibit zones that integrate history, nature, and science.
Below is a breakdown of each section:1.
First Peoples & Regional HistoryShowcases 13,000+ years of indigenous presence, focusing on native tribes who originally inhabited the Northern Colorado region.
Includes Folsom-era artifacts from the nearby Lindenmeier Archaeological Site, one of the most significant prehistoric sites in North America.
Touchscreen storytelling, ancient tools, and oral histories illustrate the lives of early people on the plains and foothills.2.
Wildlands & WildlifeHighlights local ecosystems from the Rocky Mountain foothills to the prairie.
Houses live native reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, including snakes, turtles, and frogs.
Interactive exhibits explain geology, climate, animal adaptations, and environmental sustainability.
A large topographic table allows visitors to simulate natural processes like erosion and river flow.3.
Music & Sound LabA fully interactive music exhibit where visitors of all skill levels can play, record, and manipulate sound.
Features include:Real instruments: drums, keyboards, guitars.
Soundproof jam rooms.
Digital audio workstations.
Mixers and synthesizers.
A working theremin for unique musical experimentation.
Also includes displays highlighting Fort Collins' rich music culture and local bands.4.
Schatz Family Exploration ZoneFocused on physics, energy, and engineering.
Children and adults can interact with experiments involving:Air pressure tubesGravity mazesMagnetic tracksGears and pulleysVisitors are encouraged to build, break down, and reconfigure components in creative ways.5.
Tot SpotA dedicated early childhood space for ages 0–5.
Features include:Sensory play areasSoft climbing structuresInteractive water tablesMiniature trains and trees to crawl throughDesigned to support motor development, sensory learning, and creative play in a safe, parent-supervised environment.6.
People on the MoveExplores Fort Collins' development from a military fort in the 1860s into a modern university town.
Includes:Historic photos and documentsDigital timelinesPersonal stories from early settlers, immigrants, and local innovatorsDetails on transportation, agriculture, and urban growth7.
Animal EncountersLive animal exhibits featuring local reptiles and amphibians, often supported with guided education.
Rotating caretaking demonstrations and feeding shows help explain wildlife behavior and conservation.
OTTERBOX DIGITAL DOME THEATEROne of the museum’s most advanced features is the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater, a 360-degree full-dome immersive theater with 360° visuals and surround sound.
It offers:Space and astronomy presentations (e.g., star tours, planet exploration)Natural science documentariesAnimated short films for childrenSpecial events like live music visualization and immersive art installationsThe dome is also used for school programs and occasionally for public night shows, where visitors can explore the stars or learn about physics on a cosmic scale.
SPECIAL EXHIBITS AND ROTATING PROGRAMSFCMoD continually rotates its temporary exhibits, which could include topics such as:Dinosaurs and prehistoric lifeArtificial intelligence and roboticsCivil rights historyRenewable energy innovationsLocal art and multimedia installationsThese exhibits refresh every few months, ensuring there’s always something new to explore.
FORT COLLINS HISTORY ARCHIVEBeyond interactive exhibits, the museum maintains the Fort Collins Local History Archive, a rich resource for researchers and historians.
It includes:Over 50,000 photographsHistoric newspapersOral history recordingsBusiness records and personal lettersMaps, building blueprints, and yearbooksThis archive is available to the public by appointment and is actively used in city planning, restoration projects, and school research.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EDUCATIONFCMoD runs year-round educational and cultural programs, such as:School field trips and curriculum supportHomeschool discovery daysSummer campsPublic maker workshops in electronics, coding, and craftsPlanetarium shows with live narratorsMonthly events like Science Cafés and Family NightsPrograms are accessible to all age groups and often bilingual, supporting both English and Spanish-speaking communities.
VISITOR DETAILSHours: Typically open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PMTickets:Adults: around $12Students, seniors, and military: discountedChildren under 2: freeDigital Dome shows: additional feeParking: Free parking onsiteAccessibility:Fully ADA compliantSensory-friendly days offered for neurodiverse guestsWheelchair-accessible dome seatingGift Shop: Offers local educational toys, science kits, books, and sustainable souvenirsOVERALL EXPERIENCEThe Fort Collins Museum of Discovery is not a passive, look-but-don’t-touch space-it’s a dynamic, community-centric experience that invites learning by doing.
Its fusion of historical storytelling, scientific experimentation, and cultural discovery makes it one of Northern Colorado’s most engaging and educational destinations.
Whether you're exploring ancient artifacts, jamming in a sound booth, watching stars in the dome, or just enjoying water play with a toddler, the museum offers something uniquely enriching for every visitor.
It blends science, culture, history, and technology into an innovative, interactive experience for visitors of all ages.
Rather than following the format of a traditional museum, FCMoD focuses on immersive learning, where guests can engage with exhibits through hands-on exploration, storytelling, and sensory-rich displays.
LOCATION AND ARCHITECTUREAddress: 408 Mason Court, Fort Collins, Colorado, just north of downtown and Old Town.
Opened: November 2012, following a merger of the historic Fort Collins Museum and the Discovery Science Center.
Building: LEED Platinum certified, symbolizing high sustainability standards.
Size: Approximately 45,000 square feet with about 16,000 square feet of exhibit space.
The building itself is an exhibit, constructed with recycled materials and equipped with passive solar heating, energy-efficient lighting, and natural ventilation.
Its open, flowing design encourages discovery and exploration across different exhibit areas without hard divisions.
CORE THEMES AND EXPERIENCESThe museum features a variety of core exhibit zones that integrate history, nature, and science.
Below is a breakdown of each section:1.
First Peoples & Regional HistoryShowcases 13,000+ years of indigenous presence, focusing on native tribes who originally inhabited the Northern Colorado region.
Includes Folsom-era artifacts from the nearby Lindenmeier Archaeological Site, one of the most significant prehistoric sites in North America.
Touchscreen storytelling, ancient tools, and oral histories illustrate the lives of early people on the plains and foothills.2.
Wildlands & WildlifeHighlights local ecosystems from the Rocky Mountain foothills to the prairie.
Houses live native reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, including snakes, turtles, and frogs.
Interactive exhibits explain geology, climate, animal adaptations, and environmental sustainability.
A large topographic table allows visitors to simulate natural processes like erosion and river flow.3.
Music & Sound LabA fully interactive music exhibit where visitors of all skill levels can play, record, and manipulate sound.
Features include:Real instruments: drums, keyboards, guitars.
Soundproof jam rooms.
Digital audio workstations.
Mixers and synthesizers.
A working theremin for unique musical experimentation.
Also includes displays highlighting Fort Collins' rich music culture and local bands.4.
Schatz Family Exploration ZoneFocused on physics, energy, and engineering.
Children and adults can interact with experiments involving:Air pressure tubesGravity mazesMagnetic tracksGears and pulleysVisitors are encouraged to build, break down, and reconfigure components in creative ways.5.
Tot SpotA dedicated early childhood space for ages 0–5.
Features include:Sensory play areasSoft climbing structuresInteractive water tablesMiniature trains and trees to crawl throughDesigned to support motor development, sensory learning, and creative play in a safe, parent-supervised environment.6.
People on the MoveExplores Fort Collins' development from a military fort in the 1860s into a modern university town.
Includes:Historic photos and documentsDigital timelinesPersonal stories from early settlers, immigrants, and local innovatorsDetails on transportation, agriculture, and urban growth7.
Animal EncountersLive animal exhibits featuring local reptiles and amphibians, often supported with guided education.
Rotating caretaking demonstrations and feeding shows help explain wildlife behavior and conservation.
OTTERBOX DIGITAL DOME THEATEROne of the museum’s most advanced features is the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater, a 360-degree full-dome immersive theater with 360° visuals and surround sound.
It offers:Space and astronomy presentations (e.g., star tours, planet exploration)Natural science documentariesAnimated short films for childrenSpecial events like live music visualization and immersive art installationsThe dome is also used for school programs and occasionally for public night shows, where visitors can explore the stars or learn about physics on a cosmic scale.
SPECIAL EXHIBITS AND ROTATING PROGRAMSFCMoD continually rotates its temporary exhibits, which could include topics such as:Dinosaurs and prehistoric lifeArtificial intelligence and roboticsCivil rights historyRenewable energy innovationsLocal art and multimedia installationsThese exhibits refresh every few months, ensuring there’s always something new to explore.
FORT COLLINS HISTORY ARCHIVEBeyond interactive exhibits, the museum maintains the Fort Collins Local History Archive, a rich resource for researchers and historians.
It includes:Over 50,000 photographsHistoric newspapersOral history recordingsBusiness records and personal lettersMaps, building blueprints, and yearbooksThis archive is available to the public by appointment and is actively used in city planning, restoration projects, and school research.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EDUCATIONFCMoD runs year-round educational and cultural programs, such as:School field trips and curriculum supportHomeschool discovery daysSummer campsPublic maker workshops in electronics, coding, and craftsPlanetarium shows with live narratorsMonthly events like Science Cafés and Family NightsPrograms are accessible to all age groups and often bilingual, supporting both English and Spanish-speaking communities.
VISITOR DETAILSHours: Typically open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PMTickets:Adults: around $12Students, seniors, and military: discountedChildren under 2: freeDigital Dome shows: additional feeParking: Free parking onsiteAccessibility:Fully ADA compliantSensory-friendly days offered for neurodiverse guestsWheelchair-accessible dome seatingGift Shop: Offers local educational toys, science kits, books, and sustainable souvenirsOVERALL EXPERIENCEThe Fort Collins Museum of Discovery is not a passive, look-but-don’t-touch space-it’s a dynamic, community-centric experience that invites learning by doing.
Its fusion of historical storytelling, scientific experimentation, and cultural discovery makes it one of Northern Colorado’s most engaging and educational destinations.
Whether you're exploring ancient artifacts, jamming in a sound booth, watching stars in the dome, or just enjoying water play with a toddler, the museum offers something uniquely enriching for every visitor.
