Chico offers travelers a great escapade with culture, history, and community.
Nicknamed the City of Roses, this place offers a variety of rose varieties within its nature parks and gardens.
It’s also a collegiate city—home to California State University—and the enormous state park, Bidwell Park.
Within Butte County in northern California, this city thrives in the economic and tourism sector with its immersive museums and science centers.
But to fully experience the city’s charm, it’s best to travel back to the past.
Founded in 1860, Chico brought together the first settlers, the Maidu Indians, whose primary source of living was gathering and hunting.
The city became a massive agricultural hub in the upper Sacramental Valley, drawing travelers and soon-to-be residents.
If you’ve got your eyes on this city as your next travel destination, you will do well by knowing the free things to do in Chico, California.
Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you want to wander around while having nature surround you, you’d probably like Chico Seed Orchard.
This 209-acre preserve offers a plethora of vegetation and foliage lined along a trail.
Once labeled as the Plant Introduction Field Station, it housed collected plants from around the world for breeding research and introduction.
Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
To make your trip more educational, the orchard has interpretive signs and markers you can rely on for more information about the greenery.
Among the popular activities are picnicking, wildlife viewing, and dog walking.
Find Chico Seed Orchard in Mendocino National Forest on Cramer Lane.
Situated on Leora Court, DeGarmo Park is a family-friendly community center that prepares everyone for an afternoon of fun.
As part of the Chico Area Recreation and Park District, this 36-acre community park is home to various sports courts and fields.
This is why many come by to play a few rounds of softball and tag.
Within its playground area, your little ones can experience maximum entertainment with diverse play equipment.
The property also has a dog park, perfect for your furry loved ones.
Make more unforgettable memories with your family and friends at DeGarmo Park!
Ryanx7, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Get your phenomenal waterfront walking experience at One Mile Recreation Area.
This hiking area on Lower Bidwell Park is a local and tourist favorite because of its serene atmosphere and forested trail.
One of its eye-catching amenities is the Sycamore Pool which invites many for a summer swim.
Don’t miss out, and join the summer crowd!
Unlike most swimming pools, this pool doesn’t have a mild temperate feel because of the creek’s constant flow along its waters.
Ryanx7, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
When you prefer a dry summer activity, go for a leisure walk or jog around the paved trails and enjoy the picturesque scenery.
Who knows?
The occasional bird or butterfly might just come by to say hello.
One Mile Recreation Area is on South Park Drive, ready to make your summer adventure dreams come true.
Do you have an eye for fine arts?
Then, free up your schedule for the Second Saturday Studio Visits at Chico Art Center.
Established in 1955, Chico Art Center was once the Northern California Creative Arts Center.
This center aimed to bring forth the relevance of creative arts within the community and its culture.
In 1992, the museum relocated to its current location on Orange Street.
Though regular museum hours require a fee, you don’t have to pay anything to enjoy art demonstrations every second Saturday or Sunday of the month.
Talk to artists in their studios, learn about the story behind their pieces, and get insight into art through another perspective.
Second Saturday Studio Visits is an art affair for the books!
Bsudicky, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Check out the Chico Air Museum if you have an eye for aircraft.
This free public museum on Ryan Avenue gathers a variety of historical planes and air engines within an outdoor and indoor setting.
Founded in 2004, this museum officially opened with two major aircraft, the Russian Antonov AN-2 Colt and the Lockheed P-2V Neptune Navy anti-submarine aircraft.
Rob Hodgkins, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Over time, this collection of aircraft amassed over 19 planes, with added exhibits related to the museum’s theme.
Browse classic uniforms and NASA artifacts that you won’t find anywhere else in the world!
Come by Chico Air Museum and find your world changed.
One of Chico’s most-sought after festivals is its annual Farm City Celebration Harvest Festival every November.
In 1979, Farm City Week in Chico started, which became a popular way to bring local food to the market.
Held at Bidwell Mansion on Esplanade, this festival features family-focused programs.
From arts shows to animal displays, you can be sure your little one will have a grand time at the site.
Bee demonstrations and horse carriage rides are also a staple at Farm City Celebration Harvest Festival.
You might want to jot down this annual event on your must-experience list in Chico.
Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Have you ever wondered what the world’s largest yo-yos look like and where you might find them?
You don’t have to look further than the National Yo-Yo Museum.
As the name suggests, this historical museum is home to various yo-yo memorabilia.
Check out colorful yo-yos, limited edition toys, and mandala-designed, fully functional ones.
Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Perhaps the biggest head-turner in this museum is the Big-Yo, the {“World’s Biggest Working Wooden Yo-Yo,” according to the 1982 Guinness Book of World Records.
Weighing 256 pounds, this yo-yo is a bigger version of the iconic No-Jive 3-in-1.
Start your self-guided tour within the National Yo-Yo Museum on Broadway Street on your trip to Chico!
Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Art inspiration is never lacking in Chico.
A stroll along Downtown Chico can get you free access to the city’s numerous public art displays.
One of Chico’s outstanding public art pieces is the Luminary Benches, which were a tribute to the various communities and their contribution to Chico’s history.
You can find one on Wall Street, one at the corner of Second and Main Street, and another on Broadway Street.
Get a glimpse of the old Chico townspeople’s tradition of gathering at the city’s well when you visit the Dancing Trout Fountain in front of the City Hall.
On Main Street, the terrazzo Our Hands sculpture is another art sighting that tells of Chico’s rich art past.
Explore the historic downtown for other art projects in the city.
The Valene L. Smith, Museum Of Anthropology, is a wholesome and uniquely alluring art museum focused on human behavior and cultural diversity.
As part of California State University, this museum hosts three annual exhibits by anthropology students.
Some of its previous displays include a closer study of Japan’s internment camps and the Arctic people and their way of living.
Situated in the Meriam Library of the university on West 1st Street, the museum holds various cultural artifacts and relics in glass cases.
Will you add the Valene L. Smith Museum Of Anthropology to your itinerary?
Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Along River Road, Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park is a famous boat ramp site in Chico.
This state park ensures the preservation of one of the dying natural resources all over the country, the riverine habitat.
Within its cottonwood and oak trees, many riparian animals continue to thrive on their survival.
Why not canoe or kayak through the preserved habitat for a thrilling adventure?
Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fishing and hiking are also common among first-time and returning travelers.
One of its more prominent trails is the Indian Fishery Nature Trail, which boasts marshes on native soil.
Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park is only available for day use.
Visit the park during spring and see the beauty of the flowers and blossoms during its peak season!
Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Adventure awaits your child at Caper Acres.
This free outdoor playground isn’t just your regular play site.
Its design resembles a fairytale, a sure-fire hit among your little princes and princesses.
From its crooked castle-like slides to its famed Humpty Dumpty wall, there’s a lot of room for your kid to exercise their creativity and play with their peers.
Caper Acres—and its elaborate play equipment—is on South Park Drive near the Sycamore Pool.
Derek Curry, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Chico Community Observatory may help you develop a love for astronomy with its prepared programs.
Operated by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Chico, this place is volunteer-run and open throughout the year.
Keep your eyes peeled for planets and stars when you take your turn at the telescope.
When there are upcoming celestial events, you bet this observatory can get you a closer look at them.
The best part is that you don’t have to pay anything to enjoy the amenities!
You can find Chico Community Observatory within Upper Bidwell Park on Observatory Way.
Do you have enough energy for another adventure outside of Chico?
Read on for more free activities nearby!
The Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve stands as a beacon of nature exploration in the nearby city of Forest Ranch, California.
Spanning over 7,000 acres of canyon and ridge habitats, this site is home to many plant and wildlife species.
Not only that, but the site is also a historical landmark.
A long time ago, the Mechoopda Indian Tribe lived in the area, where they had food and shelter.
The lands have become a natural hiking ground for explorers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Bring your binoculars, journal, or camera to capture the preserve’s unique wildlife and flower variety.
Drive for about 19 minutes northeast of Chico to reach Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve on Mile House Road.
Take a 19-minute drive from Chico to see one unique sculpture in Paradise, California.
The Resilient Ridge Key Phoenix Sculpture is one of Paradise’s well-loved public art installations.
This sculpture commemorates one of the deadliest wildfires in California.
It pays tribute to the homes lost during the tragedy by compiling keys belonging to the destroyed houses.
Moved by the stories of her neighbors, Jessie Mercer collected keys from the community to create this 800-pound depiction of the rising phoenix.
This sculpture now stands at the Building Resiliency Center, free for everyone to admire and reflect on.
If you’ve got the time, drop by the center on Skyway to get a glimpse of the Resilient Ridge Key Phoenix Sculpture.
For scenic sightseeing outside Chico, Feather River Nature Center & Native Plant Park is the best place.
Home to a bathhouse museum, this seasonal recreation site contained the history of the Maidu fishing village within its grounds.
The site provided a steady source of giant Chinook salmon, and Blue Oaks harvested acorns.
In 1926, this site became a city park with dwindling trails that boast a variety of plants, animals, and habitats.
With the Feather River guiding you on your journey, the place has also become an ideal spot for picnics and dates.
The Bath House Museum, on the other hand, provides educational excursions and displayed paintings for your ultimate nature adventure.
Find Feather River Nature Center & Native Plant Park in Oroville, California, approximately 26 minutes from Chico.
Chico is a city unlike any other because of its long list of attractions and awe-inspiring public spaces.
From unusual museums to artistic endeavors in the streets, this city has proven its worth as a diverse city that meets every traveler’s trip preferences.
Staying on budget while traveling is much easier with these free things to do in Chico, California!
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