What To Do
What To Do in Downtown Chico!
In addition to the many businesses and venues to visit, Downtown Chico has events going on all year. Check the list to find out some of what’s on the way. Keep your eye's open in for our printed Downtown Directory in downtown stores, or swing by the DCBA Office at 330 Salem Street or the Chico Chamber of Commerce at 200 Salem Street.
Downtown Art
Chico has been named the No. 10 Art Town in America by Author John Villani in his book The 100 Best Art Towns in America.
Public Art & Murals
The City of Chico has sponsored the Artoberfest celebration of regional art and culture. View a listing of public art in the Artoberfest Cultural Directory.
City of Chico
411 Main Street
Website
From functional mosaic benches to whimsical murals and grand sculptures, Downtown Chico is rich in arts and culture.
Galleries, Studios & Art Events
Downtown boasts many fine art galleries and artist studios – not to mention our unique art events. For more information on local art events visit these web sites:
Satava Art Glass
819 Wall Street
(530) 345-7985
Website
Studios are open Mon-Sat 9am-4pm. Hand-blown art glass and studio demos available.
Museums
Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park
525 The Esplanade
(530) 895-6144
Website
The Bidwell Mansion, a three-story Italianate villa, was completed in 1868 and was the home of Chico founders, John and Annie Bidwell. Guided tours are available daily.
Chico Museum
141 Salem Street
(530) 891-4366
Website
The museum is located in the beautiful Arts and Crafts Carnegie Library building. The history of Chico is featured as a permanent exhibition.
Gateway Science Museum
625 Esplanade
(near Bidwell Mansion)
(530) 898-4121
Website
The mission of the Gateway Science Museum is to create a life-long learning environment that enables people to explore, interpret, and celebrate the magnificent natural heritage of our region through science, research, and education.
National Yo-Yo Museum at Bird In Hand
320 Broadway
(530) 893-1414
Website
The largest public display of old and antique yo-yos in the country features yo-yo memorabilia from the 1920's to the current day. The world’s largest wood yo-yo can also be found here. The museum hosts the National Yo-Yo Contest annually here in downtown Chico on the first Saturday of every October.
Stansbury House
307 W. 5th Street
(530) 895-3848
A guided tour is available of the 1883 former home of Dr. Oscar Stansbury. The Victorian home is beautifully preserved. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Museums
Theatre & Entertainment
The Blue Room
139 West First St.
(530) 895-3749
Website
The Blue Room theatre is an independent theatre group dedicated to plays of depth and vibrancy in an intimate environment.
CSU, Chico Performing Arts
CSU, Chico Campus
(530) 898-4296
Website
Chico Performing Arts offers a wide variety of live performances from musicals to drama and dance.
El Rey Theatre
230 West 2nd Street
(530) 898-1497
Website
Chico's historic El Rey Theatre has been revitalized by JMAX Productions, who promotes musical shows and revives classic, older movies on the big screen. Along with standard concessions, the El Rey Theatre also has beer and wine on sale. The tickets are affordable, the venue is beautiful, and the shows are great!
Senator Theatre
517 Main Street
(530) 891-1809
Website
Once a United Artist movie house the Senator Theatre is now a venue for live music.
The Pageant Theatre
351 E. 6th Street
(530) 343-0663
Website
Locally owned and operated, the Pageant Theatre features independent and foreign films at reasonable rates.
Parks
Chico City Plaza
Between Main & Broadway, 4th & 5th Streets
(530) 895-6144
Website
The newly renovated City Plaza is a popular attraction in the heart of Downtown Chico.
Children’s Playground
Between Main & Broadway, 1st Street
(530) 895-6144
Website
On the north side of Downtown, The land was granted to the Chico’s children by Annie Bidwell.
