10 Best Museums in Denver

The Black American West Museum & Heritage Centre is a unique museum in the charming Curtis Park residential area, just north of Denver’s central business district. Shedding light on the often-overlooked history of Black Americans in the American West, this is a fascinating small museum in a well-preserved Victorian home.

Through exhibits and artefacts, you can learn about the significant contributions made by Black cowboys, pioneers, and settlers to the development of the West. The museum also provides insights into the challenges faced by Black Americans during this time, including discrimination and segregation. It's a must-visit for anyone interested in the largely unheard stories of Black history in the West.

The Centre for Colorado Women's History is housed in a beautiful Victorian home, just around the corner from the Civic Centre Park and State Capitol. As the first state in the US to grant women the right to vote, Colorado has a storied history of women's suffrage and women's rights.

The Centre for Colorado Women's History, located in Denver, celebrates the achievements and showcases the struggles of women in Colorado and beyond. With thought-provoking exhibits, interactive displays, and engaging programmes, this inspiring museum highlights the contributions of women in various fields, including politics, arts, science, and activism.

The Children's Museum of Denver is based at the Marisco Campus at MSU Denver, and if you’re travelling with kids this is a must-visit destination. This interactive museum offers hands-on exhibits that encourage imagination, creativity, and learning, and although it’s designed for newborns through to 8-year-olds, older kids and adults are likely to find plenty to enjoy too.

Learn the science of bubbles through play with foam in the bubble lab, explore an old fire lorry and slide down the fireman’s pole, then head to the teaching kitchen to learn about nutrition, cooking, and gardening.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver is the city’s first museum devoted exclusively to contemporary art, and it’s just around the corner from Union Station. Art fans will be captivated by the cutting-edge exhibits and thought-provoking contemporary artworks from local, national, and international artists.

With rotating exhibits and engaging programmes, visitors can experience an ever-changing display of contemporary art in various media, including painting, sculpture, photography, and multimedia installations. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the vibrant contemporary art scene in Denver, it’s a must-visit!

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is in the park which also houses the zoo, golf course, and tennis courts, making it a great destination for a family outing. Science enthusiasts of all ages will be thrilled by the museum’s hands-on activities and interactive exhibits from exploring the mysteries of space in the planetarium to discovering the wonders of the natural world.

Explore the permanent exhibits where you can learn about dinosaurs, wildlife, geology, and human history. The museum also hosts special exhibitions on topics ranging from ancient civilisations to current scientific research.

The Molly Brown House Museum is in Brown’s former home in the prestigious Capitol Hill area close to the State Capitol building. This fascinating museum gives a glimpse into the life of one of Denver's most famous residents, "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" who survived the sinking of the Titanic and went on to become a prominent socialite, philanthropist, and activist.

The museum is housed in a painstakingly restored opulent Victorian-era mansion and you can book a guided tour and learn more about the fascinating life of Molly Brown and Denver history through the eyes of one of its most famous women.

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum is east of Denver’s city centre core, close to the Lowry Sports Complex Park at the former site of Lowry Air Force Base. Fans of aviation and space will be fascinated by this museum in a former aircraft hangar with an impressive collection of aircraft and space artefacts, including vintage planes, military jets, and space-related exhibits.

Explore the evolution of flight and learn about the history of aerospace technology through interactive exhibits and displays. Get hands-on with a flight simulator or snap a selfie with the F-14 Tomcat plane from Top Gun.

The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame is at Empower Field at Mile High, the home stadium for the Denver Broncos, a 10-minute drive from city centre. Through exhibits, memorabilia, and multimedia presentations, visitors can learn about the state’s rich sports history, including the accomplishments of athletes, coaches, and sports figures in basketball, football, skiing, and more.

The museum showcases the stories of remarkable athletes who have made a lasting impact on the sports culture of Colorado and beyond. Take the full stadium tour for a fantastic behind-the-scenes look at this state-of-the-art stadium.

The Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys is in Lakewood, around 20 minutes’ drive from city centre Denver and offering up a wonderfully whimsical experience for visitors of all ages. The museum features a vast collection of miniatures, dolls, and toys from different eras and cultures.

Marvel at intricately crafted dollhouses, miniature dioramas, and exquisite dolls, and explore the evolution of toys through history. Check the website for regular workshops where you can get hands-on and learn to make everything from miniature mosaics to tiny castles.

The National Ballpark Museum is just a 4-minute walk from Coors Field in Denver's historic LoDo area and pays homage to the history of baseball, through the American ballpark experience. A true treasure trove of baseball memorabilia, you’ll find vintage photographs, autographed baseballs, and other artefacts that celebrate the spirit of baseball.

The museum also features exhibits on baseball legends, stadiums, and the evolution of the game. Don’t miss the ‘Ballpark Wall of Fame’ which has seats, bricks, and even models of all the original 14 classic American ballparks.