Living, working, and thriving in downtown Denver has its perks -- one of them being the fact that there are so many local artists, historical landmarks, and museums just down the block!

 

Denver is known for its amazing museums, some even recognized on the national level. Whether you’re just passing by or work in the heart of downtown, check out our list of the top six best museums to visit in Denver.

1. Denver Museum of Nature & Science

This multi-level museum is one of Denver’s biggest and brightest since it was incorporated on December, 6 1900. This museum offers you and your loved ones a huge venue to walk around and pick up newfound knowledge. You can easily spend 5-6 hours here just looking around and reading the exhibits.

 

The exhibits they offer are good for the whole family, able to entertain the most mature and the most infantile of crowds. View beautiful gems in the mineral exhibit, discover prehistoric dinosaur bones in ‘Prehistoric Journey’, and blast off to the stars in ‘Space Odyssey’. While this museum can be a little pricier than the rest, it’s well worth it for the amount of quality you receive in return.

 

Day Pass Price: Adults - $17 | Kids - $12

Website: https://www.dmns.org/

 

2. Denver Art Museum

If you’ve been to Denver and haven’t been to the Denver Art Museum yet, you’ll soon notice why people say the building itself is a piece of art. This museum is another high-end and huge venue that offers winding levels and multiple exhibits that can range both inside and out of the building’s walls. While there are some fun and interactive exhibits for children to play with, this museum is generally geared more towards those the age of 10+.

 

If you’re an out of town visitor, you should absolutely check out the Hamilton Building which offers a large collection of Western American Art from around Colorado and other surrounding areas. Looking for something a bit more modern? A highlight for many visitors is the Star Wars Exhibit which shows facts and details on your favorite characters, new and old.

 

Day Pass Price: Adults - $10 | Kids - Free

Website: https://denverartmuseum.org/

 

3. Clyfford Still Museum

Looking for something a little more off-the-wall and interesting? Look no further than the Clyfford Still Museum. Clyfford Still is considered one of the most important painters of the 20th century. His style focuses on Abstract Expressionism style that surfaced immediately after the events of World War II. The Museum was opened in 2011 to rave reviews from curious individuals interested about Clyfford’s mysterious life.

 

View the works of Clyfford Still as they are displayed in chronological order and you really get the feel of the man’s full life told by paintings. The more serious undertones can sometimes get boring for the younger crowd, however, those who have a deep appreciation for art, World War II, or Abstract Expressionism will love this Museum and come to see why it made it so high on our list.

 

Day Pass Price: Adults - $10 | Kids - Free

Website: https://clyffordstillmuseum.org/

4. National Ballpark Museum

Recognized as one of the top finest private baseball collections in the entire Worlds, Denver’s National Ballpark museum is a must-stop for any one remotely interested in baseball who is passing through. The museum was started by local Bruce Hellerstein who went from simply collecting baseball cards to creating a world-class museum recognized by the Smithsonian. Because it is owned and operated by locals, you can really feel the love and passion for the pieces of work.

 

While the original purpose of the museum was to concentrate strictly on ballpark memorabilia, with the decades it’s been open and raging success, it has since expanded to include bricks, postcards, jerseys, books, pictures, and more meticulously acquired artifacts. Whether you’ll love this museum or not really depends on your love for America’s greatest pastime.

 

Day Pass Price: Adults - $10 | Kids - Free

Website: https://www.ballparkmuseum.com/

5. Forney Museum of Transportation

The Forney Museum of Transportation sets its sights on displaying classic automobiles, motorcycles, trains, and other modes of transport like bicycles, tractors, or even small helicopters. The best part about this Museum is that it regularly rotates it’s huge collection of vehicles every three months with different themed exhibits. Some themes it’s pursued in the past include vehicles for camping, American cars of the 70s, and various Cadillacs.

 

The other main draw of the museum is the fact that it owns one of the remaining Locomotive #4005s, more lovingly known as “Big Boy”.  When they were developed 25 “Big Boy”s were created, now there are only 8 left of that we know of in the world. It’s easy to spend a few hours here and is great for anyone who is a car, vehicle, or history buff!

 

Day Pass Price: Adults - $11 | Kids - Free

Website: https://www.forneymuseum.org/

 

6. Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver

The Museum of Contemporary art has a little something for everyone. They aren’t your average museum as they bring in pieces from student, up and coming, and veteran artists. They have displayed one-of-a-kind pieces including abstracts, photography, pottery, and even blacksmithing in their ever-evolving exhibits -- you can easily spend a whole afternoon here. After you’ve seen it all be sure to head to their rooftop cafe. One of our favorite hiding spots in Denver besides Modworks to view the beautiful skyline.

 

While entry is already nominal during weekdays, Denver residents can take advantage of the Contemporary Art Museum’s ‘Penny Saturday’. Every first Saturday of the month, with valid Denver ID, residents can enter the museum for just a single Penny. If you’re looking for something fun, interesting, and frugal to do on an upcoming Saturday the Museum of Contemporary Art is a great choice!

 

Day Pass Price: Adults - $8 | Kids (up to 18) - Free

Website: https://mcadenver.org/