Bidwell Park offers hiking opportunities and swimming spots in Chico; the museums focus on very different subjects—from the history of the Bidwells to aircraft and space artifacts. When searching for hotels in Chico, you can plan your stay around the topics that interest you most: nature, local history or unique collections.
Experience nature: Bidwell Park
Bidwell Park offers hiking opportunities and swimming spots. The Chico Creek Nature Center is the park’s official visitor center. For over 30 years, it has offered educational programs about Bidwell Park’s natural systems for elementary school students. The nature theme therefore includes both activities in the park and long-running educational work specifically aimed at elementary school students.
Bidwell Mansion and local history
Bidwell Mansion is a three-story Victorian house with 26 rooms in the center of Chico. It served as a memorial to influential pioneers John and Annie Bidwell. In December 2024, the building was severely damaged by arson; it remains closed following the fire on December 11, 2024. The Bidwell Mansion SHP visitor center has an exhibition hall and a gift shop. When planning your visit, distinguish between the visitor center and the historic building, which remains closed.
The Chico History Museum presents exhibitions and hosts special events about Chico’s distinctive history and its sphere of influence. Its permanent exhibitions include The Mechoopda, The Chico Chinese Temple, Bidwell Park and Chico’s natural wonders. The museum’s exhibition also changes over the course of the year. This brings clearly identified permanent themes together with an exhibition whose content changes throughout the year.
Aviation and unique collections
The exhibitions at the Chico Air Museum focus on classic uniforms, flight logs from historic flights, and NASA and space artifacts. The museum houses 19 aircraft and more than a dozen permanent exhibitions. Individual displays may change, and the numbers may also change as aircraft or exhibitions are added. Aviation enthusiasts will find a different focus here than in the exhibitions about Chico’s history.
Gardens, markets and brewery tours
Gateway Gardens in the center of Chico feature native and edible plants, student projects and wildlife habitats. The garden displays are permanent, while plantings and programs may evolve. The Gardens thus complement the museum and park themes with a garden focused on nature and projects.
The Chico Certified Farmers’ Market operates two year-round markets in Chico, on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Check the schedule again before your trip. Chico Brewery Tours share the history of Sierra Nevada, offer insights into hops and copper kettles, and conclude with the opportunity to sample freshly brewed beers. As booking details may change, check them in advance. The market and brewery tour offer different ways to take part: the market follows set days of the week, while the tour combines history, insights into the brewing process and an opportunity to sample the beer.
Discover more destinations: Gridley, Oroville, Forest Ranch.
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