Denver is a city rich in art and culture, with a wide range of museums and galleries catering to all tastes. Visitors can explore the art of Clyfford Still at the Clyfford Still Museum, which showcases the abstract expressionist painter’s unique minimalist style. Meanwhile, the Denver Art Museum houses an impressive collection of artworks and artifacts from around the world, including works by Monet, Picasso, and Warhol. For something a little more immersive, Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station is a three-story art installation featuring the work of over 100 local artists and covers everything from architecture to music. Other museums in Denver include the Molly Brown House Museum, which gives visitors a glimpse into Victorian-era Denver, and the Museo de las Americas, which houses an extensive collection of pre-Columbian, folk, and contemporary Latino art. The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver rounds out the list, offering visitors a constantly changing exhibition of contemporary art, as well as a rooftop bar with weekly events.
Discover Denver’s Museum Scene: 10 Must-Visit Museums
Denver may be known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, but its impressive collection of museums is worth exploring. From historic homes to world-class art, Denver has it all. Here are ten museums to put on your must-visit list.
American Museum of Western Art – The Anschutz Collection
Local business tycoon Philip Anschutz spent 50 years collecting Western Art and has made his family’s private collection public. The museum, housed in the historic Navarre Building, features two centuries of work from American expeditionary painting, landscapes, American narrative painting, modernism, regionalism and more. Keep in mind that it’s only open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Be sure to plan in advance and tack on high tea at the iconic Brown Palace Hotel across the street.
Location: 1727 Tremont Place, Denver, CO 80202; Phone: 303-293-2000
Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
The Children’s Museum of Denver offers 20 permanent exhibits that embrace interaction and educational programming in STEM, Health, Literacy, and the Arts. Kids can climb, make art, build stuff with recycled materials, make bubbles, splash in the water, learn about nature and wildlife, be a veterinarian, shop at a market, “cook” in a kitchen, be a firefighter, and play outdoors on its 9-acre campus.
Location: 2121 Children’s Museum Drive, Denver, CO 80211; Phone: 303-433-7444
Clyfford Still Museum
The Clyfford Still Museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the renowned abstract expressionist artist Clyfford Still. The museum houses approximately 95% of Still’s lifetime output, including paintings, works on paper, and sculptures. Visitors can explore the galleries and learn about the life and work of this American master.
Location: 1250 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204; Phone: 720-354-4880
Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum is home to a vast collection of artwork from around the world, including pieces from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The museum’s collection features more than 70,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. The museum also offers a range of special exhibitions and educational programming.
Location: 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204; Phone: 720-913-0075
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a must-visit for anyone interested in science and nature. The museum features a variety of exhibits on everything from dinosaurs to space exploration. Visitors can explore the museum’s collections of fossils, minerals, and animals, as well as attend special exhibitions and educational programs.
Location: 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205; Phone: 303-370-6000
History Colorado Center
The History Colorado Center is dedicated to exploring the history and culture of Colorado. The museum features interactive exhibits that allow visitors to explore the state’s past and present. Visitors can learn about the state’s indigenous peoples, its mining and agricultural history, and its role in the development of the American West.
Location: 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203; **
Discover Denver’s Museums: Must-Visit Sites for Art, Science and Culture
Denver, Colorado, is a city that boasts a vibrant and diverse cultural scene, from abstract art to natural history and science. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Denver’s museums are definitely worth exploring. Here are some must-visit sites that cater to a wide range of interests.
Clyfford Still Museum
The Clyfford Still Museum showcases the work of one of America’s most significant abstract expressionist painters, Clyfford Still. The museum’s minimalist, concrete design provides an ideal backdrop for the artist’s large-scale abstract work and innovative style. The 3,125-piece collection of Still’s paintings, drawings, and prints is displayed in a 28,500-square-foot space. Be sure to check out “Colorfully Courageous Clyfford Still,” a children’s book inspired by the museum’s collection.
Location: 1250 Bannock St., Denver, CO 80204; Phone: 720-354-4880
Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum (DAM) is one of the largest art museums in the country and houses over 70,000 works of art and artifacts from around the world. The museum’s collections include African, Asian, and Latin American art, as well as one of the country’s most robust collections of Indigenous art and a vast collection of Western American art. Visitors can enjoy works by Monet, Renoir, Picasso, Warhol, and O’Keeffe, among others. The museum offers free admission for kids and numerous programs and activities designed to engage with and create art.
Location: 100 West 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver, CO 80204; Phone: 720-865-5000
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is a hub for natural history and science enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the museum’s one million-plus objects that include dinosaur skeletons, dioramas featuring animals and their habitats, anthropological displays of Egyptian mummies and Indigenous cultures, and more. There are also interactive exhibits about space and the human body. Don’t forget to feed the iconic saber-tooth tiger at the entrance!
Location: 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205; Phone: 303-370-6000
These museums are just a few of Denver’s cultural treasures. Visitors can also check out the History Colorado Center, the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, and the American Museum of Western Art – The Anschutz Collection. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder Denver’s museums attract nearly one million visitors a year.
Denver, Colorado, is known for its thriving art scene and diverse cultural attractions, with something to offer everyone. In addition to the more well-known museums, there are several hidden gems worth exploring. Here are some unique museums that are sure to capture your imagination.
Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
The Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art is a tribute to the legacy of Vance Kirkland, a Denver artist, professor, and collector. The museum features a collection of international decorative arts and works by Colorado artists, along with Kirkland’s own works, displayed salon-style. The museum is housed in a blend of Kirkland’s historic studio and new modern construction. Visitors can explore works from 1875-1990, as well as more than 7,000 works by Colorado artists from 1820-1990.
Location: 1201 Bannock St., Denver, CO 80204; Phone: 303-832-8576
Meow Wolf: Convergence Station
Meow Wolf: Convergence Station is the Denver outpost of the weird and wacky immersive art collective known as Meow Wolf. The 90,000-square-foot, three-story behemoth features the work of 100 local artists, covering architecture, sculpture, photography, painting, video, music, costumes, and performance. The exhibits embrace the theme of being an interdimensional transport hub, linking Earth to the Convergence of Worlds. Visitors can experience artscapes that can only be described as psychedelic and mind-bending.
Location: 1338 1st St., Denver, CO 80204; Phone: 866-636-9969
Molly Brown House Museum
The Molly Brown House Museum is the former residence of Margaret Brown, better known as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” Brown was a socialite and philanthropist who survived the wreck of the Titanic and went on to support fellow survivors. The museum not only provides a glimpse into Brown’s fascinating life but also showcases the customs and traditions of Victorian-era Denver. Visitors can also enjoy special events, such as holiday teas, Halloween programming, and speakeasy-style cocktail hours.
Location: 1340 Pennsylvania St., Denver, CO 80203; Phone: 303-832-4092
These unique museums are just a few examples of Denver’s cultural diversity. Other notable mentions include the Clyfford Still Museum, the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys, and the Museo de las Americas. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Denver’s museums are a must-visit for anyone interested in art, history, and culture.
Museums in Denver
Denver, Colorado is known for its rich cultural scene, which includes numerous museums showcasing art, science, history, and much more. Here are two of the most popular museums in Denver.
Museo de las Americas
The Museo de las Americas is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Latino art and culture. Housed in a bright pink building, the museum features a permanent collection of over 3,000 objects of pre-Columbian, folk, and contemporary Latino art. The museum also hosts rotating exhibitions showcasing the work of international and regional artists. Since 1994, it has been one of the Southwest’s premier institutions of Latino art, dedicated to educating the community about the arts and cultures of the Americas through its programs and exhibitions. First Fridays are especially lively, with neighboring galleries open late, food trucks, and interactive activities like tarot card readings and art projects.
Find it: Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204; 303-571-4401
Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
Founded in 1996, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA) is Denver’s home for contemporary art. The museum’s exhibitions change every few months, so no two visits are quite the same. In 2007, it opened a 27,000-square-foot environmentally sustainable building as its home in the Platte Valley. The museum’s rooftop bar is home to its weekly series, Black Sheep Fridays, where trivia meets art, and Mixed Taste, a lecture series that’s a mashup of unrelated things. MCA’s satellite is the historic 400-seat Holiday Theater on 32nd, where films and other creative happenings take place.
Find it: Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, 1485 Delgany St., Denver, CO 80202; 303-298-7554
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