DISCOVER
THINGS TO DO IN CHICO

I wasn't born in Chico, and I haven't really been here long enough to call it My Hometown in the strict sense of that term. But like many before me, after living here for over 10 years I would like to officially proclaim Chico as My Adopted Home Town.

Check out these very special and unique things to do in Chico and you'll begin to see why I - and so many others - feel that way! I'm sure you'll find them to your liking... and a lot of them are free!

Find the best prices on Chico hotels at HotelsCombined:

Caper Acres Pirate Ship

Other things to do in Chico for you and your kidlettes:

• Katherine's Cottage (2201 Pillsbury Rd) - thousands of dolls from antique to modern, plus bears and other toys
• Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation (Oroville, CA) - home to many exotic species and a Companion Animals program; in their new facility and open for business as of April 14, 2011! Hours are 9-5, Tuesday through Sunday
• CalSkate and Funland (2465 Carmichael Dr) - roller skating, batting cages and miniature golf
• Shubert's (178 E. 7th St) - family owned and operated ice cream and candy shop since 1938

Looking for a Chico hotel? Compare prices at HotelsCombined before you book!

Chico Art Center

Chico Art Center

You'll find the Art Center housed in Chico's historic railroad depot at W. 5th and Orange Streets.

In addition to fostering and promoting local artists in the visual arts, and offering exhibits and art classes, Chico Art Center sponsors the Open Studios Art Tour during its Artoberfest celebrations in October.

Visit the center, and be sure to stop in at Empire Coffee out front -
its in a refurbished 1947 Pullman railcar and it houses an ever-changing gallery as well as the Empire Coffee and Tea shop, which also has cookies and pastries - a nice respite from a busy day!

Additional things to do in Chico from the Arts community:

• Janet Turner Print Museum (Laxson Auditorium Mezzanine, 1st & Salem) - over 2,000 original prints from the internationally known printmaker
• Orient & Flume Art Glass (2161 Park Ave), and Satava Art Glass (819 Wall St) - these two internationally recognized glass artists have their studios in Chico

Centervile Schoolhouse

Historic Butte Creek Canyon

Take a drive along Honey Run Road (turn left off the Skyway), and you'll find yourself in a different world altogether.

Pastoral and scenic, there's something new around every corner!

Besides the picturesque drive, Honey Run's main attractions are the

• Honey Run Covered Bridge - it crosses Butte Creek and boasts that it is the only covered bridge in the United States with three distinct roof lines (stop to explore and maybe have a picnic lunch!)
• Centerville - don't blink or you'll miss it! - with it's historic schoolhouse, cemetery, and beautifully appointed...
• Colman Museum, which contains Indian artifacts, gold mining artifacts, Civil War relics, and the history and relics of Centerville's founding families.

Added things to do in Chico for the history buff:

• The Stansbury House (307 W. 5th St) - former Victorian home to Dr. Oscar Stansbury and his wife, it's now a museum
• Bidwell Mansion (525 Esplanade) - former home of John and Annie Bidwell, founders of Chico
• Chico Museum (Salem & 2nd Streets) - the former Carnegie Library building hosts over 85 exhibits celebrating Chico's past - plus they're now associated with the...
• Patrick Ranch - don't miss the Country Faire and Threshing Bee in June!
• Gateway Science Museum (625 Esplanade) - an interactive, hands-on experience for young and old alike

Sycamore Pool in Lower Bidwell Park

Bidwell Park
(Starts at Pine & Valombrosa)

Bidwell Park, at
3,670 acres and nearly 11 miles in length (with Big Chico Creek running down the middle), is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States.

It's so big, in fact, that it's divided by Manzanita Avenue into Lower Park (the more developed section) and Upper Park (the wilder portion).

Lower Park has roads, trails, picnic areas, playing fields, Chico Creek Nature Center, playgrounds, and Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area.

Sycamore Pool is a unique swimming hole created by Mother Nature, but improved upon by man: the sides and bottom under Big Chico Creek were cemented in! Sycamore Pool is the largest in-creek swimming pool in the United States.

But Lower Park also is a get-away-to-nature spot with its opportunities for creekside play and its canopy of trees - stroll, hike, ride a bike or a horse, birdwatch, discover the salmon finding their way upsteam; you'll enjoy the feeling of getting away from it all, even though One Mile is just a few blocks from downtown Chico!

Upper Park is for those who like their nature getaways a little more rugged - it's to the east of Manzanita and Centennial or Manzanita and Chico Canyon Road (Upper Park Road).

(CC) Derek Curry

At first you'll see some
developed areas (like Five Mile Recreation Area, Horseshoe Lake, and Wildwood Park - there's even a municipal golf course).

But soon you'll start to climb
into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to leave civilization behind while you climb Monkey Face Rock or follow the beautiful canyon of Big Chico Creek.

Follow the Yahi Trail -
pedestrians only - alongside Big Chico Creek and you'll discover the less well-known (read Insider Secret) attractions of the park: the series of swimming holes along the creek!

You'll come to Alligator Hole
first, followed by Bear Hole (some say the spelling should be Bare Hole for the obvious reason), the Diversion Dam (not a swimming hole, but a point of interest), Salmon Hole (usually less busy than Bear Hole), Devil's Kitchen, and Brown's Hole (highest up and the least busy of them all). On a hot summer's day it can be heavenly to take a dip into Big Chico Creek's cold, clear waters!

And, if you're real lucky while in Upper Park, you might get a peek at some of the area's indigineous wildlife - the park shelters mountain lions, several deer herds, raccoons, wild turkeys, red fox, rattlesnakes, and even bear!

More things to do in Chico for nature lovers:

• Have a pleasant walk and do a little birdwatching at the USDA Genetic Resource and Conservation Center (2741 Cramer Ln) - the path is called the Comanche Trail and it meanders along Edgar Slough among exotic species planted long ago (keep a lookout for the distinctive Lewis's Woodpecker)
• Go salmon, steelhead, or shad fishing along the Sacramento River, or float the river in an inner tube or a kayak
Try Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park (River Road) for starters, and enjoy the riverine habitat
• Take a drive up to Table Mountain - I like to go in from Cherokee Road and Highway 70 - at any time of the year for the beautiful scenery, but especially in the Spring when the wildflowers are blooming outrageously!

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

You've heard of
Sierra Nevada beer! Well, Chico is lucky enough to claim Ken Grossman, founder of the brewery, as one of its own.

He started a little brewery back in 1979 using "dairy tanks, a soft-drink bottler, and equipment salvaged from defunct breweries." Today that little brewery with the modest beginnings is considered one of the best craft breweries in the United States.

Sierra Nevada is a gorgeous facility of brick, copper, and glass that's located at 1075 E. 20th Street. It contains the brewery, a taproom and restaurant with an outdoor eating patio, an event room, and a gift shop.

Guided tours are free and offered Monday through Thursday, or you can do a self-guided tour. Then stop in for lunch or dinner and try the beer sampler! You'll be glad you did!

Additional "typically Chico" things to do in Chico:

• Catch the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series at the Silver Dollar Speedway, including the Gold Cup Race of Champions
• Visit the Kiwanis Chico Community Observatory - near Horseshoe Lake in Upper Bidwell Park - on a clear night to observe the evening skies
• Attend a Chico Outlaws Semi-pro baseball game at Nettleton Stadium

There's more, but that should get you off to a good start! You definitely won't be complaining that there's nothing to do while you're in Chico!

Want more insider info about Chico, CA? Here you go:

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