Jake FosterWhen I was younger, one of my core memories was visiting museums with my parents or cousins. That’s probably why I’m so fascinated by them. It’s also why I keep visiting museums even now, usually with my close friends.
In fact, I go to museums so frequently that I’m pretty sure I’ve checked out all the museums in Denver. Biases aside, I can confidently say that my beloved city has some great museums worth your while.
With that, I’ve compiled a list of the museums I’m sure you’ll love. This list has something for history buffs, art lovers, sports fans, and more.
- 1. Denver Art Museum
- 2. Denver Museum of Nature and Science
- 3. Museum of Contemporary Art
- 4. Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys
- 5. History Colorado Center
- 6. Museo de Las Americas
- 7. Forney Museum of Transportation
- 8. Center for Colorado Women’s History
- 9. Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum
- 10. Denver Firefighters Museum
1. Denver Art Museum
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Website: https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en
Location: 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy
Contact: +1 720-865-5000
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Price: $$
I’m a bit of an artist myself, so the Denver Art Museum holds a special place in my heart.
What I love most about this museum is that it has the most extensive art collection in Denver and the entire state of Colorado. It has art pieces from six continents, starting with North and South America. It also has art from Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania.
This comprehensive collection spans different eras. In fact, some European and American masterpieces here date back to the 1800s, while a few trace back to ancient times. But it also has art pieces made by contemporary artists worldwide.
Pro Tip:
It’s not heavily advertised, but the Denver Art Museum is available on the arts and culture app Bloomberg Connects. Download the app here to get more ways to view and explore the museum’s extensive art collection. The best part is it’s free!
2. Denver Museum of Nature and Science
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Website: https://www.dmns.org/
Location: 2001 Colorado Blvd
Contact: +1 303-370-6000
Hours: Saturday to Thursday: 9 AM – 5 PM | Friday: 9 AM – 9 PM
Price: $$
My curious mind keeps bringing me back to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science—and for good reason. It tells the rich history of Colorado, the world itself, and human beings. It also highlights the vastness of the universe and Earth’s place in it.
Needless to say, I’m a big fan of the museum’s permanent exhibits. But my favorite is “Prehistoric Journey,” which traces how life on Earth evolved in the earliest times. The skeletons of dinosaurs, in particular, fascinate me, especially that of a T Rex.
The “Ancient Denver” exhibit is also a favorite of mine because it highlights artworks done by Denver’s local artists through the years.
Pro Tip:
This four-story museum has the Sky Terrace on the top floor. After visiting the exhibits, make it your final stop. It gives the best view of Denver’s breathtaking skyline, which is marked by city lights on one side and mountain ranges on the other.
3. Museum of Contemporary Art
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Website: https://mcadenver.org/
Location: 1485 Delgany St
Contact: +1 303-298-7554
Hours: Saturday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM | Tuesday to Friday: 12 PM – 7 PM | Monday: Closed
Price: $
The Museum of Contemporary Art is the hub of Denver’s thriving art scene. It features the world’s best modern art installations, including Clark Richert and Kim Dickey. It also mounts exhibits by the city’s finest artists, whether established or up-and-coming.
More than the exhibits, I like the different events the art center holds regularly. It could be a visual discussion about life and death today, a fashion show tomorrow, and a musical performance next week.
The museum also offers free admission for teens, a great way to get the younger generation into art. The Octopus Initiative also lets guests “borrow” art pieces from a Denver-based artist for 10 months, for free.
Pro Tip:
Don’t forget to visit the museum’s rooftop cafe. It’s got nice treats, good coffee, and an even greater view of the city. While you’re at it, try the house-made shrub soda, a blend of vinegar soda, fruit, and herbs that’s tangy and refreshing.
4. Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys
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Website: https://www.dmmdt.org/
Location: 830 Kipling St, Lakewood
Contact: +1 303-322-1053
Hours: Friday to Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM | Sunday: 1 PM – 4 PM | Monday to Thursday: Closed
Price: $$
I love taking my nephews and nieces to nice places. The Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys is one of those—and they absolutely love it.
The different toy exhibits range from vintage Star Wars action figures to toy soldiers. My nieces especially love the artisan dollhouses and antique dolls that are always on display.
The museum’s toy collections tell about the culture of toys and games. It highlights how kids’ tastes in toys have evolved through the years, up until the advent of television and the dawn of the digital age.
Pro Tip:
Bring a macro lens or smartphone clip-on to take better, clearer, and more detailed pictures of the miniature pieces. Might as well bring along a magnifying lens too.
5. History Colorado Center
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Website: https://www.historycolorado.org/history-colorado-center
Location: 1200 Broadway
Contact: +1 303-447-8679
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Price: $$
The History Colorado Center is among my favorite museums. It certainly helps that it showcases my beloved state’s long, rich heritage that started way before Colorado became the 38th state of the US in 1876.
I particularly like how each floor tells of Colorado’s history. It starts at the fourth floor, which is devoted to the state’s longest-running inhabitants—the Ute. My favorite floor is the third, where 100 artifacts related to the state’s founding are displayed prominently.
The regular programs are equally fascinating. I especially love the Hands-On History Camps for school children, which provide a safe space to engage in history. I’m also a fan of the Bold Women series, underscoring the critical role of women in society.
Pro Tip:
Try the center’s night at the museum events—after-hours socials that feature live music, craft beer, and interactive storytelling. These events aren’t usually publicized heavily, but you can stay updated by subscribing to the History Colorado newsletter.
6. Museo de Las Americas
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Website: https://museo.org/
Location: 861 Santa Fe Drive
Contact: +1 303-571-4401
Hours: Monday: Closed | Tuesday to Friday: 12 PM – 6 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM
Price: $
Museo de Las Americas highlights Latin American culture.
The main galleries, usually five at a time per year, feature artworks and other mementos that tell the stories of Latin Americans in different parts of the world. These showcase their people’s achievements as well as their struggles.
You can also check out the two smaller but permanent exhibitions—Tragen Folk Art Collection and Gallery of the Ancient Americas. These private collections date back decades and are carefully curated.
Pro Tip:
Only repeat visitors know Museo de Las Americas has a small outdoor courtyard. This is where the museum holds pop-up events like poetry readings and indigenous dancing.
7. Forney Museum of Transportation
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Website: https://www.forneymuseum.org/
Location: 4303 Brighton Blvd
Contact: +1 303-297-1113
Hours: Thursday to Monday: 10 AM – 5 PM | Tuesday to Wednesday: Closed
Price: $$
Forney is a unique museum that chronicles the history of something people take for granted nowadays: transportation.
I’m particularly fond of the locomotives—the Big Boy is the best for me—on display due to their sheer size. I also like looking at all the vintage cars, like a 1927 Rolls-Royce and Amelia Earhart’s Gold Bug Kissel.
They also organize special events here. Automotive shows are my favorite, as they usually mean more vehicles to admire. Depending on the theme, guests can see tricked-out cars, vintage models, or even replicas of old steam engines.
Pro Tip:
Try to adopt a piece of transportation history. It’s a program where you pay $100/year to have your name recognized on the attraction of your choice.
8. Center for Colorado Women’s History
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Website: https://www.historycolorado.org/center-colorado-womens-history
Location: 1310 Bannock St
Contact: +1 303-620-4933
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM | Sunday: 12 PM – 4 PM
Price: $
As a woman, the Center for Colorado Women’s History has my full support.
The center tells the stories of Colorado’s women movers, who helped shape the state’s rich history and heritage. It does so with a comprehensive collection of mementos, domestic objects, and art that trace back decades.
My favorites are the many audio stories of Colorado’s most influential women and well-preserved letters, diaries, and keepsakes. In fact, there are listening stations in the center where guests can hear accounts of these women’s achievements and struggles.
I also like the rotating exhibits that highlight the contributions of Colorado women in literature, politics, and more.
Pro Tip:
To fully appreciate the primordial role of women in shaping Colorado’s heritage, opt to take the center’s 45-minute Women’s History Tour. It’s led by an expertly trained volunteer who will brief you on the experiences of the state’s female residents.
9. Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum
Website: https://www.coloradosports.org/
Location: 1701 Mile High Stadium Cir Unit 500
Contact: +1 720-258-3888
Hours: Sunday to Wednesday: Closed | Thursday to Saturday: 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Price: $$$
Located at Empower Field at Mile High, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum honors over 200 athletes and coaches who have uplifted Colorado’s sports landscape.
It also houses countless sports memorabilia, like signed baseballs and Olympic medals, that showcase the state’s rich sporting history.
But what I like the most about this museum is that it pays homage to all sports at every level. It has sections for high school and college sports and exhibits for less popular sporting events such as lacrosse and rodeo.
Pro Tip:
If the Denver Broncos aren’t playing, then you might as well go for the Empower Field at Mile High Tour. It’ll get you a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of one of the world’s best stadiums and free entry to the museum.
10. Denver Firefighters Museum
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Website: https://denverfirefightersmuseum.org/
Location: 1326 Tremont PI
Contact: +1 303-892-1436
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM | Sunday to Monday: Closed
Price: $
If unique museums are your thing, the Denver Firefighters Museum is exactly that.
Housed in a refurbished century-old firehouse, this museum blends history and heroism with various galleries and interactive exhibits. Visiting here is like walking through years of firefighting history sprinkled with real-life stories of bravery and sacrifice.
But what I like the most about the museum is that there are a couple of hands-on exhibits. These let guests try on firefighter gear and step inside a fire truck. It also offers tutorials on how to escape from a burning building.
Pro Tip:
If you have kids, sign them up for Fun at the Firehouse, which takes place on the first and third Saturday of every month. It’s essentially craft time with a twist, as all activities have some connection to fire.
