Fort Collins Museum of Discovery — Attraction in Fort Collins

I took my two-year-old daughter to the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery on a Saturday morning, trying to get there as early as I could to beat the crowd. That was entirely the wrong strategy. Had I known better, I would have arrived at about 10:30 am, no earlier, which was when it started to clear out. It was almost a ghost town by noon.

The last time I was there was a couple years ago with my 7-year-old step daughter, which I think is close to their targeted demographic. I was very happily surprised to see that, since then, they have added a sizeable section aimed to please toddlers and the shorter crowd.

The rest of the museum wasn't irrelevant for my two-year-old, I just had to hold her at the right height sometimes so that she could interact with some of the exhibits outside of the toddler area. They have an abundance of two-foot stools for kids to use also, which is extremely helpful.

Some examples of the mainstay exhibits: tornado chamber that generates a wind from overhead up to about 75mph, a Reactable digital music creation interface (really a unique experience in its own right), lots of musical options (both guided and free for all), a leverage demonstrator with which a person can lift a piano, a giant wooden railroad to play with, a rubber duck race with water gates and waterfalls, and more. This one really weird/cool stationary bike was the highlight for my daughter; there is a bike that you ride which is facing and paired with another bike that has a skeleton riding it at the same pace as you with a heart that illuminates with its pulse. Hard to explain but my little girl couldn't get enough of it.

I would most definitely go again even though I would have to hold my daughter for some of it. Oh yeah, the place is surprisingly clean for having hundreds of little kids per wrek...

A great museum in the heart of Fort Collins.

The museum of discovery is a wonderful adventure for kids of all ages. They’ve taken a somewhat unassuming space and turned it into a series of little discoveries that will keep your family entertained for at least a couple of hours.

Discover Music. They have a variety of instruments, interactive stations and other hands on activities that will get your kids closer to the beautiful sounds of music. From DJ booths, drum kits, sound wave machines and more your kids will go into sonic bliss trying and testing all sorts of audio experiments.

Discover Play. The toddler area has train tracks, building blocks, a tree fort, coloring stations, costumes and a small water play area that will keep little ones engaged in fun playful activities.

Discover Wildlife. There are a few areas where you can interactive with the different wildlife that surrounds the Fort Collins area. Touch Buffalo hide, look at fish and even pose for pictures in front of a bear.

Discover Systems and Machines. They have a few interactive stations that allow your kids to experiment with engineering. From testing velocities to building ramps with balls your older more scientific centric children will love testing and experimenting with these exhibits.

Discover Fort Collins. In the back they have a nice little Fort Collins history session where your kids can learn the roots of Fort Collins and what it was before it become the craft brew capital of the world.

We’ve been coming here for years and even as our kids get older we always have a fun and memorable time at the Fort Collins Museum...

The Discovery Museum is an incredible place for kids to learn, explore, and let their curiosity run wild. With a wide range of interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, it creates an engaging environment where learning feels like play. From science experiments and creative art stations to fascinating displays about nature and technology, there’s something for every young mind to dive into. The museum does a fantastic job of blending education with fun, encouraging kids to ask questions, solve problems, and explore new ideas in a way that feels exciting and accessible. What truly sets the Discovery Museum apart is its thoughtful design and dedication to fostering curiosity in children of all ages. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always eager to guide little explorers through different activities, making the experience both informative and memorable. Whether it’s building structures, experimenting with physics, or exploring the wonders of nature, the museum offers endless opportunities for discovery and growth. It’s the perfect place for families looking to combine fun with meaningful learning experiences, and it’s definitely a spot we’ll be...