Top Picks of Things To Do
|
#83 Discover a Nugget or Two Gold Nugget Museum502 Pearson Rd. 530-872-8722 www.goldnuggetmuseum.com Hours: Wed-Sun Noon-4 If you want to learn more of this area’s history, the Gold Nugget should be your first stop. This museum was built from profits of the local Gold Nugget Days celebration held each April commemorating the discovery of the 54-pound nugget found in 1859, the largest ever found in North America, and Days of Living History in September. A new Maidu exhibit, an animated assay office, an old country store, a one-room schoolhouse, and a walk-through “mine” are just a few of the things to see. The museum also has rotating exhibits which can include most anything, even iron toys. The museum grounds feature farm and mining equipment, a replication of an old West mining town, “Nuggetville,” a working blacksmith shop, gold panning sluices, an in-ground Maidu grinding rock, a covered bridge over the creek, a barbecue pit and a picnic area.Read More » 
#84 It’s a Blooming Sight! Iris Spring122 Valley View DriveParadise, CA 95969 530-872-7771 Seven hundred varieties of tall, bearded iris—every color of the rainbow, plus black and bi colors—can be seen at Iris Spring. This award-winning garden features a year-round stream, tall trees and seating areas to enjoy the picturesque setting. The peak bloom at this lovely hobby garden is around Mother’s Day. Also featured here are three dozen peonies. This is proof that it is possible to garden with beautiful deer-resistant plants in spite of a deer herd numbering 28 or more.Read More » 
#85 Try for a Birdie Paradise Pines Golf Course 13917 South Park Dr., Magalia 530-873-1111 9 Holes, 5,200 yards, Par 68 Lava Creek Golf Course 5325 Clark Rd., Paradise 530-872-GOLF (4653) 9 Holes, 4,400 yards, Par 34 If you’re looking for the coolest place in Butte County in which to golf in the summer, you’ll want to head to Paradise. Located at a higher elevation, these courses are always cooler than any in the valley. You’ll have a setting among the pine trees in which to play, and that’s an atmosphere that’s hard to beat. Both courses have a driving range, and Paradise Pines has a pro shop and a restaurant, if you work up an appetite while on the course.Read More » 
#86 Behold! Beautiful Butte Creek Canyon Driving into Paradise on the Skyway from Chico offers some great views of Butte Creek Canyon, sometimes called the “Little Grand Canyon” by folks who’ve seen both. Or take Honey Run Road out of Paradise for views from another angle. It’s a beautiful drive, and we suggest that you bring along a camera since there’s one photo-op after another along this route.Read More » 
#87 Archery, Hiking & Swimming Paradise Parks & Recreation 6626 Skyway • 530-872-6393 www.paradiseprpd.com Paradise has many beautiful parks, most featuring lovely picnic areas. Coutolenc Park also offers an archery range, and Paul Byrne Park features a public pool and a duck pond. For magnificent canyon views, try Bille Park—a favorite of hikers. The brand new Community Park is a popular venue for large activities and events, and features an interesting old railroad car. Call the park district for a schedule.Read More » 
#88 Collectibles, Period Antiques & Crafts “I’ve died and gone to Paradise,” is what many antique collectors say when visiting Paradise’s antique shops. From jewelry to glassware, lighting fixtures to furniture, and paintings to photographs—just about everything from yesterday’s collectibles to fine period furniture is here. Some of the shops carry quality crafts. Have a heavenly good time browsing and buying.Read More » 
#89 Enjoy our Visual Arts Fir Street Gallery & Gifts 6256 Skyway 530-872-8889 Made in Paradise Gift Shop & Gallery 7323 Skyway 530-872-3296 Paradise Art Center 5564 Almond St. 877-9356, 877-7402 (Saturdays) www.paradiseartwalk.com Stan McEtchin Metal Sculpture 70 Wayland Road, just off Neal 530-877-2695 More than just an art galley, Fir Street Gallery & Gifts features jewelry, specialty gifts, and home furnishings as well. Made in Paradise Gift Shop & Gallery is an integrated artist’s studio, gift shop and gallery. It is a great place to admire local artwork and unique handmade treasures. Made in Paradise is also part of a non-profit agency that serves adults with developmental disabilities, and all profits go to support this cause. As a teenager, Stan McEtchin worked in the shipyards as a welder and pipe fitter in Vancouver, British Columbia. He liked welding leftover metal into gizmos, and other people seemed to like the results. Stan moved to Paradise 20 years ago, after a stint in Seattle, Washington. At 80+ years young, Stan McEtchin is still making metal sculptures and gizmos. In fact, his property is lined with these fun creations. There are outer-space characters, flowers, animals, train engines, etc., and all are created with leftover metal in ingenious ways. In…Read More » 
#90 Wacky & Wild, Sentimental & Sad Paradise Performing Arts Center 777 Nunneley Rd. Schedule: www.paradiseperformingarts.com Theatre on the Ridge P.O. Box 13 • 3735 Neal Rd. Schedule/Tickets: 530-877-5760 www.totr.org Paradise Performing Arts Center offers both local and national performances featuring a wide variety of entertainment. From rib-tickling comedies to more serious drama, Theatre on the Ridge features a wealth of talent with performances year-round.Read More » 
#91 Cast Off and Out Paradise Lake Info, call Paradise Irrigation District, 530-877-4971 Whether you want to cast offshore in a boat or cast out your fishing line, Paradise Lake is a good place to do it. Hiking and picnicking are also available at this gorgeous and popular north ridge lake. The only boats allowed here are kayaks, canoes, inflatable boats, or rowboats with trolling motors only; so be prepared for a relaxing, peaceful time.Read More » 
#92 Traverse a Nature Trail Trail Listings Available at the Paradise Visitor Bureau 5550 Skyway, Suite A 530-877-9356 A good way to stay in shape and enjoy the flora and fauna at the same time is to take a walk along a nature trail. There are several hiking trails in and around Paradise that afford communion with nature and some outstanding scenery. If you need help identifying the birds you’ll see, stop in at the Paradise Public Library on Clark Road before you begin, and get a book to assist you. Butte Creek Trail is a favorite with many because of the fine views of the creek that it offers. Turn onto Doe Mill Road just past De Sabla Reservoir. The trailhead is on the left just after you cross the bridge. Spectacular!Read More » 
#93 In Memory of a Mother Clotilde Merlo Park Stirling City 530-873-1658 This 20-acre park was dedicated in 1987 by Harry A. Merlo in memory of his mother, whose personal traits of common sense, courage, and strength of purpose represent the working principles and philosophy he incorporated while Executive Vice-President of Georgia-Pacific and CEO and President of Louisiana-Pacific. Blacktail deer, grey squirrels, and many kinds of birds live among the ponderosa, sugar pine, incense cedar, white and Doug fir, black oak, quaking aspen, and manzanita found here. There are three large ponds, group and individual picnic areas, nature trails, horseshoe pits, a bocce court, and restrooms. A historical museum is planned for the future. This park was built to dignify the foreigners and pioneers who built the Diamond Match Lumber Co.Read More » 
#94 Step Back in Time Inskip Inn Inskip, CA 95978 Stirling City Hotel 16975 Skyway • 530-873-0858 At 3,500 feet elevation, folks enjoy Stirling City year round. It’s cool in the summer, and has snow in winter, which is fun for snowmobiling. We prefer visiting in the Spring to view the many waterfalls, or in the summer to escape the valley heat, but the area has become very popular with snowmobilers in the winter. In 1857 the first stage coach to travel over the Sierras took this route, and within a year there were 10 stores, 9 hotels, 7 saloons, and a few other businesses and homes. One of the original hotels, Kelly & Co., was destroyed by fire in 1868, and was rebuilt as Inskip, sitting at an elevation of 4,800 feet. One of the oldest buildings in the county, it’s on National Register of Historic Places. It is not currently open to the public. Built in 1904, the Stirling City Hotel became a Bed & Breakfast in 1986. It has a fascinating history, and visitors especially enjoy the country store and great food. Their recipes are featured in the Best of the Best State Cookbook series, or you can purchase the cookbooks (the…Read More » 
#95 A Little History with Your Apples Noble Orchards 7050 Pentz Rd. 530-877-4784 Open to the public July through late Winter At one time Paradise was known as California’s apple center, and the first apple celebration here was in 1880 and was called the Harvest Home Festival. Through the years, the festival had many names and in 1968 it became Johnny Appleseed Days. You can still visit an apple orchard that has producing trees that date back to the late 1800’s. Since 1921 the Noble Orchards have been producing apples. It’s still family run, and is the last of such farms on the Ridge. Seventeen varieties of apples are harvested from the now 30 acres and 20 acres of peaches and nectarines. Pies for the Johnny Appleseed Festival are made from Noble Orchard apples. History buffs will appreciate the 1932 fruit packing shed still in use today, and collectors will appreciate the original fruit labels (ones that were never put on those old wooden boxes). So whether you just want to purchase some quality apples or experience a little of the Ridge history, you’ll enjoy a visit to Noble Orchards.Read More »