The Essential Museums in Denver, by a Local

Museums in Denver cover a range of interests, from history and science to art and other areas of culture. This guide also includes family-friendly attractions and programming — which, as a local mom of four, I especially recommend.

In fact, an editor and the founder of Travel Lemming are also locals to the Mile High. I cover all of our favorite museums below, many of which rank among the top things to do in Denver.

17 Best Museums in Denver

Denver Art Museum

Visit one of the largest art museums between the West Coast and Chicago.

📍 Google Maps | Denver Art Museum Website | Cost: Adults $22-$30, free 18 and under | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Tuesdays, 10 am – 5 pm all other days, Closed Wednesdays

Experiencing the city’s highlights is one of our key Denver travel tips, and that includes the Denver Art Museum. It has more than 70,000 pieces of art from various time periods and countries around the world. From paintings to interactive art installations, there are lots of ways to experience art at the museum. 

If you want to grab a bite during your stay, then I recommend eating at The Ponti or Café Gio inside the museum. If you are heading to the Denver Art Museum with kids, check out the Family Central area for lots of activities.

History Colorado Center

Interactive exhibits put you in the middle of Colorado’s history.

📍 Google Maps | History Colorado Center Website | Cost: $15 Adults, Free for Children | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily

The History Colorado Center is close to the Denver Art Museum and details the area’s past. This is where many local kids eventually end up on a school trip, but there are lots of activities and exhibits for adults as well. 

Experience a Dust Bowl tornado, learn the history of Barrel Man, and check out the Makerspace to learn about urban development.

Wings Over The Rockies

Walk through the history of air and space exploration.

📍 Google Maps | Wings Over the Rockies Website | Cost: $19.95 Adults, $15.95 Seniors, $12.95 Children, free for 3 and under | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon-Sat, 12 – 5 pm Sun

Wings Over The Rockies is an air and space museum that shares historic aircraft and changing exhibits, with the virtual flight simulators being a huge draw. Denver’s Lowry area was once the site of the Lowry Air Force Base, and this museum is housed in one of the original Lowry Air Force base hangars from that time. 

National Ballpark Museum

Step into baseball history.

📍 Google Maps | National Ballpark Museum Website | Cost: $20 Adults, free 16 and under | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Mon – Sat

Just a few steps from Coors Field lies the National Ballpark Museum. This museum contains exciting artifacts from the original 14 ballparks, along with newer items from parks across the country.

The Smithsonian named this museum one of the top 20 finest private baseball collections in the world, and it’s great whether you’re an avid baseball fan or new to the sport.

Museum of Contemporary Art Denver

See and experience modern art in many forms.

📍 Google Maps | Museum of Contemporary Art Website | Cost: $14 Adults, Free 18 and under | Hours: 12 – 7 pm Tues-Fri, 10 am – 5 pm Sat & Sun, closed Mon

The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver showcases art pieces through the ages. The museum also features performances and lectures at The Holiday Theater, which I recommend checking the event schedule for if you’re looking for something creative and unique to do. 

There is an on-site cafe with drinks and small plates, often created with the artwork in mind. Be sure to set aside time to see the MCA Teens area and check out what the next generation of artists is working on.

Molly Brown House Museum

Learn about the Unsinkable Molly Brown.

📍 Google Maps | Molly Brown House Website | Cost: $14-$16 Adults, $12-$14 Seniors, $8-$10 ages 6-18, free for 5 and under | Hours: 10 am – 4:30 pm Fri-Sun & Tue-Wed, 10 am – 6:30 pm Thu, Closed Mondays

Molly Brown is one of Colorado’s most famous women. She’s probably best known for being one of the few survivors of the Titanic, but she led a colorful life as an activist and philanthropist before and after that fateful voyage. 

Learning more about Molly is also a good window into Colorado’s mining boom (and bust) and is a glimpse into a raucous, fascinating time in the state’s history.

👉 Wondering where to stay? Our comprehensive guides to where to stay in Denver and the best hotels are perfect for choosing the best accommodation for you!

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Explore scientific discoveries from dinosaurs to space travel.

📍 Google Maps | Denver Museum of Nature & Science Website | Cost: $25.95 Adults, $22.95 Seniors, $20.95 Youth (3-18) | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily, until 9 pm Thursdays

Disclosure: I received a complimentary media pass to Drink Red Wear Red

A museum that greets you with a giant dinosaur skeleton in the main lobby, The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is home to Egyptian mummies, a Mars rover model, an IMAX Theater (for an extra fee), and so much more. 

One of my favorite spots is the gems and minerals area, where you’ll see Tom’s Baby (the largest piece of gold ever found in Colorado), plus aquamarines and other native gems. Younger kids will enjoy The Discovery Zone with its hands-on activities.

The museum also features a cafe, or you can bring in your own food to eat.

👉 Pro tip: Many museums require online reservations. There’s also free admission on certain days to many museums in the city, along with other cultural attractions. You can see the free dates here.

Meow Wolf Denver – Convergence Station

A surreal, psychedelic art experience.

📍 Google Maps | Meow Wolf Denver Website | Cost: starting at $50 | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Sun, 10 am – 10 pm Mon-Tue, Thurs, 5 pm – 10 pm Wed, 10 am – 11 pm Fri & Sat

I’ve talked to tons of people about Meow Wolf Denver – Convergence Station, and not a single one has been able to really describe it. Here’s what they agree on: it’s crazy popular and perfect if you’re looking for a truly unique art experience. 

This museum features hundreds of artists who have created fantastical installations, many of which are interactive. Their goal is to fully immerse you into new realms that will inspire your own creativity. And it’s a wild ride, man.

For more, see our full guide to Meow Wolf Denver.

Denver Firefighters Museum

Check out old engines and gear.

📍 Google Maps | Denver Firefighters Museum Website | Cost: $9 Adults, $8 Seniors, $7 ages 3-12, free for 2 and under | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tues – Sat, closed Sun & Mon

Trace the history of local firefighting and see the trucks and gear that have been used over the years at the Denver Firefighters Museum. Along with seeing the equipment, guests can ring an old alarm in the museum, which is located in a former fire station. 

Forney Museum of Transportation

See vintage ways to get around.

📍 Google Maps | Forney Museum of Transportation Website | Cost: $17 Adults, $14 Seniors, $9 ages 3-12, free for 2 and under | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Thurs-Mon, closed Tues & Wed

The Forney Museum of Transportation has more than 800 transportation-related artifacts. You’ll see everything from buggies to locomotives to aircraft to sleighs, plus many more ways to get around. 

Vintage vehicles include Amelia Earhart’s 1923 Kissel “Gold Bug”, an 1888 Denver cable car, and a Stutz Fire Engine.

Clyfford Still Museum

Experience one artist’s work, all in one spot.

📍 Google Maps | Clyfford Still Museum Website | Cost: $15-$18 Adults, $13-$15 Seniors, free for 17 and under | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tues – Sun, Closed Mon

The Clyfford Still Museum is dedicated to the exceptional artist of the same name. He is credited with helping start the Expressionist movement. Still wanted all of his works — and only his works — to be presented in one museum. As you walk through the displays, you’ll be able to see how his art changed and evolved over time. 

Museum of Illusions

Learn all about illusions at this interactive museum that’s full of playful exhibits and photo ops. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum of Illusions Website | 🎫 Cost: $29.68 Adults, $27.56 Seniors, $25.44 Children ages 5-12, free for 4 and under | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 9 pm Sun – Thurs, 10 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat

The Museum of Illusions is an Instagram-worthy attraction you won’t want to miss! It opened along 16th Street Mall just last year and is popular with visitors of all ages. 

There are several mind-bending exhibits, most of which are interactive. Snap photos in reversed rooms that challenge your perspective. Pose with mirrors that clone you and seemingly lift you from the ground! Your eyes will definitely play tricks on you as you gaze into optical illusions, a spinning vortex tunnel, and more.

Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art

Admire the work of a Colorado painter.

📍 Google Maps | Kirkland Museum Website | Cost: $12 Adults, $10 Seniors | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Thu-Mon, 10 am – 8 pm Tue, Closed Wed

The Kirkland Museum in Denver’s Golden Triangle creative district displays about 150 years of art, with three main collections shown in a salon-style setting. You’ll see art from the 1870s until the present-day, and you can learn more about Colorado painter Vance Kirkland while viewing his paintings.

There is a paid parking lot behind the museum and you can get a discount if you get your ticket validated while visiting. Also, given the fragile nature of the exhibits, note that this museum is reserved for visitors ages 13 and up.

Museo de las Americas

Check out the premier spot for Latin American art in the Rocky Mountain area.

📍 Google Maps | Museo de las Americas Website | Cost: $8 Adults, $5 Seniors, free for children under 14 | Hours: 12 – 6 pm Tue – Fri, 12 – 5 pm Sat-Sun, closed Mon

Museo de las Americas celebrates the art and culture of Latinos and is part of Denver’s vibrant Arts District on Santa Fe Dr. Here you can view works from ancient through modern times, including art from contemporary artists who are still creating. 

Children’s Museum of Denver

A great place for kids to learn and burn some energy.

📍 Google Maps | Children’s Museum Website | Cost: $19.75 Adults and Children 2+, $17.75 Seniors, $17.75 for 1-year-olds, free under 1 | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily

The Children’s Museum of Denver features climbing, running, creating, bubble fun, and much more! Different areas of the museum are dedicated to water play, outdoor adventures, imagination activities, and art. 

This place is great for younger children, but those older than 10 will generally have less interest. Regardless, visiting is absolutely one of the best things to do in Denver with kids!

Four Mile Historic Park

Live like an 1800s family.

📍 Google Maps | Four Mile Historic Park Website | Cost: $8 Adults, $7 Seniors, $6 Children ages 7-17, children under 7 free | Jan-May Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Fri-Sun, closed Mon-Thurs | June-Dec Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Wed-Sun, closed Mon & Tues

Four Mile Historic Park is a unique, outdoor living history museum that includes a working farm and the Four Mile House Museum. While here you can tour the Four Mile House, learn about the history of the area (which begins well before the main house was built), and watch a blacksmith demonstration.

This museum is perfect for anyone interested in learning more about life in the 1800s in an interactive way.

American Museum of Western Art – The Anschutz Collection

See a variety of ways the American West was depicted by artists.

📍 Google Maps | American Museum of Western Art Website | Cost: $5 per person | Hours: 10 am – 4:30 pm Mon, Wed & Fri; closed all other days

The American Museum of Western Art features 600 art pieces of Western art from the early 19th century through today.

The museum is home to pieces by artists from the Hudson River School, as well as art from expressionists, cubists, and more – all depicting their interpretations of life in the American West.  

***

Thanks for reading! Make trip planning easy with my Denver itinerary guide, and consider reading my Denver restaurants article next.

–Abigail Bliss contributed to this list