List of museums in Colorado facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This list of museums in Colorado helps you discover amazing places where you can learn about history, art, science, and more! Museums are special places that collect and take care of interesting objects. They share these collections with everyone. In Colorado, you can find all sorts of museums, from big art galleries to cool places about dinosaurs or old trains.

Awesome Museums to Explore
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Awesome Museums to Explore

Colorado has many fantastic museums. Here's a look at some of them, grouped by what you can discover there.

History and Culture Museums

These museums help you travel back in time and learn about how people lived long ago.

Adams County Museum in Brighton: This is an open-air museum, like a village from the past!
Agricultural Heritage Center in Longmont: See what a farm was like in the early 1900s.
Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores: Learn about the ancient Pueblo people and other Native American cultures in the Four Corners area. It's also a great starting point for visiting Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.
A.R. Mitchell Western Art Museum in Trinidad: Discover vintage American illustrations, paintings, and photos, including Western, Native American, and Hispanic art.
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities in Arvada: This center has both art galleries and the Arvada History Museum.
Aurora History Museum in Aurora: Explore local history and beautiful decorative arts. You can also tour the Centennial House.
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site in La Junta: Step into a reconstructed 1840s adobe fur trading post. Sometimes, you can even see living history demonstrations!
Black American West Museum in Denver: Learn about the important roles of Black Americans in the Old West, including buffalo soldiers, cowboys, and pioneers.
Boggsville Historic Site in Las Animas: Visit a 19th-century ghost town with two restored adobe historic houses.
Museum of Boulder in Boulder: This museum shares the history of Boulder and has a fun "Playzeum" for kids.
Byers-Evans House Museum in Denver: See what a house looked like in the 1910s and 1920s.
Centennial Village Museum in Greeley: Explore over 20 historic buildings on 8 acres, showing what life was like long ago.
Clear Creek History Park in Golden: Experience a late 19th-century mountain ranch with demonstrations from the past.
Colorado Governor's Mansion in Denver: Take a tour of the official home of Colorado's governor.
Colorado State Capitol in Denver: Learn about Colorado's early history and the beautiful state capitol building.
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum in Colorado Springs: Discover Colorado's history and culture, including art, Native American artifacts, and military history.
Comanche Crossing Museum in Strasburg: This open-air museum has period artifacts in old schools, a homestead house, a depot, and more.
Cortez Cultural Center in Cortez: Find an art gallery and a local history museum here.
Cripple Creek District Museum in Cripple Creek: Learn about the gold rush history and see pioneer artifacts and Victorian rooms.
El Pueblo History Museum in Pueblo: Explore an 1840s-style adobe trading post and plaza.
Estes Park Museum in Estes Park: Discover the local history of Estes Park.
Fort Garland Museum in Fort Garland: This reconstructed fort has exhibits about Kit Carson and the Buffalo Soldiers.
Fort Vasquez Museum in Platteville: Learn about an early 19th-century fur trading post.
Four Mile Historic Park in Glendale: Visit a mid-19th-century pioneer house.
Francisco Fort Museum in La Veta: Explore adobe pioneer fort buildings and local history displays.
Frisco Historic Park in Frisco: This open-air park includes the Frisco Schoolhouse museum and historic cabins.
Frontier Historical Museum in Glenwood Springs: Learn about the history of Glenwood Springs.
Gilpin History Museum in Central City: Discover the local history of Gilpin County.
Golden History Center in Golden: Explore the history of Golden.
Greeley History Museum in Greeley: Learn about the history of Greeley.
Gunnison Pioneer Museum in Gunnison: This open-air museum has a post office, schoolhouse, period house, and even a narrow-gauge train!
Hamill House Museum in Georgetown: See the Victorian home of a wealthy mining entrepreneur.
Hayden Heritage Center in Hayden: Located in a historic depot, this museum shares local history.
History Colorado Center in Denver: This is a big museum about all of Colorado's history.
Hiwan Homestead Museum in Evergreen: Explore a 17-room log lodge with rooms from 1890-1930, Native American artifacts, and local history.
Hotel de Paris Museum in Georgetown: Visit a beautifully restored Victorian-era hotel.
John W Rawlings Heritage Center in Las Animas: Learn about local history and see art exhibits.
Kauffman House in Grand Lake: This Victorian residence was once a tourist hotel.
Lakewood Heritage Center in Lakewood: Explore over 10 historic buildings in this open-air museum.
Littleton Museum in Littleton: This living history museum has 1860s and 1890s farms with costumed interpreters.
Longmont Museum & Cultural Center in Longmont: Discover local history, art, and culture.
Louisville Historical Museum in Louisville: Learn about local history, including a coal miner's home.
Loveland Museum & Gallery in Loveland: Explore local history, art, and culture.
MacGregor Ranch in Estes Park: This cattle ranch museum has a milkhouse, smokehouse, blacksmith shop, and horse-drawn machinery.
Meeker Home in Greeley: Visit the 1870 adobe home of journalist Nathan Meeker.
Montrose County Historical Museum in Montrose: Learn about area railroads, mining, farming, and ranching.
Museum of Northwest Colorado in Craig: Includes a Cowboy and Gunfighter Museum, with mining, pioneer, and railroad artifacts.
Museum of the West in Grand Junction: See pioneer displays, Native American artifacts, and firearms.
Old Town Museum and Emporium in Burlington: Explore 21 restored buildings with authentic artifacts from the turn of the century.
Overland Trail Museum in Sterling: Learn about local history in Sterling.
Pioneer Town Museum in Cedaredge: This open-air museum features buildings from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.
Pioneer Village Museum in Hot Sulphur Springs: Another open-air museum with historic buildings.
Plains Conservation Center in Aurora: Visit a nature center with animals, a pioneer homestead farm, and a Cheyenne camp.
Pueblo Heritage Center in Pueblo: Discover the local history of Pueblo.
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site in Colorado Springs: A living history farm that shows what life was like in different time periods, from 1775 Native American life to a 1907 country estate.
Rosemount Museum in Pueblo: Explore a beautiful 37-room mansion built in 1893.
Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center in Cañon City: Learn about local, cultural, and natural history.
Saguache County Museum in Saguache: See an old jail house, learn about Alferd Packer, and discover pioneer history.
Salida Museum in Salida: Explore the local history of Salida.
San Juan County Historical Society Museum in Silverton: Housed in the local jail, with mining and period room displays.
San Juan Historical Society Museum in Pagosa Springs: Learn about the local history of Pagosa Springs.
San Luis Valley Museum in Alamosa: Discover the history of pioneers, German settlers, Japanese settlers, and Native Americans in the San Luis Valley.
South Park City in Fairplay: A reconstructed mid-19th-century mining town with 34 historic buildings.
Steelworks Museum of Industry and Culture in Pueblo: Learn about the steel industry, mining, railroads, and labor history.
Telluride Historical Museum in Telluride: Explore the local history of Telluride.
Trinidad History Museum in Trinidad: Features the Santa Fe Trail Museum, Baca House, and the Bloom Mansion.
Tread of Pioneers Museum in Steamboat Springs: Includes a Victorian home with turn-of-the-century furnishings, and exhibits on Native Americans, skiing, and pioneer settlement.
Ute Indian Museum in Montrose: Learn about the history and culture of the Ute tribe.
Ute Mountain Tribal Park in Towaoc: Visit the museum of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and take a tour of the park to learn about its history.
Ute Pass History Park in Woodland Park: This open-air park includes a museum center, cabins, and a jailhouse.
Victor Lowell Thomas Museum in Victor: Learn about ranching, mining, and railroads, and the broadcaster Lowell Thomas.
Walsenburg Mining Museum in Walsenburg: Located in an 1896 jail, with exhibits on coal mining and mining camps.
Wheat Ridge Historical Park in Wheat Ridge: An open-air park with historic houses, a sod house, and a local history museum.
Wheeler / Stallard Museum in Aspen: A Victorian period home with changing exhibits on local history.
White Mountain Trading Post Museum in Fort Garland: Experience living history enactments of the Old West.
White River Museum in Meeker: Learn about the local history of Meeker.
Wise Homestead Museum in Erie: Visit a late 19th-century homestead house.
Wyman Living History Museum in Craig: See personal collections including chain saws, Colorado license plates, and antique vehicles.

Art Museums

These museums showcase beautiful artworks from different times and places.

A.R. Mitchell Western Art Museum in Trinidad: Features vintage American illustrations, paintings, and photographs, including Western, Native American, and Hispanic artifacts.
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities in Arvada: Includes art galleries.
Aspen Art Museum in Aspen: See contemporary art like drawings, paintings, sculptures, and multimedia installations.
Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising in Fort Collins: Part of Colorado State University, this museum displays textiles, dress, and interior furnishings.
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art in Boulder: Explore modern art.
Clara Hatton Gallery in Fort Collins: Located at Colorado State University, this gallery features art.
Clyfford Still Museum in Denver: Dedicated to the artwork of Abstract Expressionist painter Clyfford Still.
Colorado State University Art Galleries in Fort Collins: Includes the Hatton Gallery, Glass Box Gallery, and Mini Gallery.
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs: A center for art.
Creamery Arts Center in Hotchkiss: A place for art.
CU Art Museum in Boulder: Part of the University of Colorado at Boulder, featuring art.
Denver Art Museum in Denver: A large and famous art museum.
Dikeou Collection in Denver: A private art collection open to the public.
Firehouse Art Center in Longmont: A community art center in a historic firehouse.
Foothills Art Center in Golden: An art center with various exhibits.
Fred Harman Art Museum in Pagosa Springs: Features Western art, rodeo, movie, and Western memorabilia.
Fort Collins Museum of Art in Fort Collins: Focuses on modern and contemporary art.
Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures in Fort Collins: Displays international history and folk art.
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art in Fort Collins: Located at Colorado State University, this museum features art.
Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art in Denver: Collections include international decorative arts, Colorado art, and works by Vance Kirkland.
Lakewood Cultural Center in Lakewood: Includes several art galleries.
Leanin' Tree Museum of Western Art in Boulder: Showcases art of the American West.
Madden Museum of Art in Greenwood Village: Features paintings by 19th-century Italian artists, Robert Rauschenberg, and more.
Mizel Arts and Culture Center in Denver: A Jewish cultural center with a contemporary art gallery.
Museo de las Americas in Denver: Explores the art and culture of Latino people from ancient times to today.
Museum of Contemporary Art Denver in Denver: Also known as MCA Denver, it features contemporary art.
Museum of Friends in Walsenburg: A museum dedicated to contemporary art.
Museum of Outdoor Arts in Englewood: An outdoor sculpture garden.
Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center in Pueblo: Includes art and the Buell Children's Museum.
Steamboat Art Museum in Steamboat Springs: An art museum in Steamboat Springs.
Western Colorado Center for the Arts in Grand Junction: A collection of mostly regional Western art.

Science and Nature Museums

These museums are perfect for learning about the natural world, from dinosaurs to space!

American Numismatic Association Money Museum in Colorado Springs: Learn about the history of money, from its earliest invention to modern times.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science in Denver: Explore exhibits on Ancient Egypt, health, gems and minerals, Native Americans, evolution, space, and wildlife.
Dinosaur Journey Museum in Fruita: See fossils, cast skeletons, robotic dinosaurs, and working paleontological labs.
Dinosaur National Monument in Dinosaur: A dinosaur fossil site with exhibits at the visitor center.
Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison: A dinosaur fossil and track site with its own museum.
Fiske Planetarium in Boulder: Enjoy astronomy shows and exhibits about space.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Florissant: Discover dinosaur fossils and petrified redwood trees.
Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center in Colorado Springs: Learn about the unique geology and nature of Garden of the Gods.
May Natural History Museum in Colorado Springs: A private collection of over 7,000 insects and butterflies.
Mesa Verde National Park in Cortez: Explore ancient Anasazi cliff dwellings and Native American exhibits.
Mines Museum of Earth Science in Golden: Part of the Colorado School of Mines, with minerals, fossils, gemstones, and meteorites.
Moraine Park Museum and Amphitheater in Rocky Mountain National Park: Interactive exhibits on geology, glaciers, weather, ecosystems, and human impact.
Morrison Natural History Museum in Morrison: Features a large dinosaur collection and fossils.
Paleo Pelagica Museum in Walsenburg: Displays seashells and fossils.
Powerhouse Science Center in Durango: Interactive science exhibits in a historic power plant.
Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park: See dinosaur and other fossils.
Ryan Geological Museum in Alamosa: Learn about geology.
Space Foundation Discovery Center in Colorado Springs: Explore the history and science of space exploration.
University of Colorado Museum of Natural History in Boulder: Features fossils, dinosaurs, Native Americans, and anthropology.
The Wildlife Experience in Parker: A museum focused on natural history.

Transportation and Industry Museums

If you love cars, trains, or learning how things are made, these museums are for you!

Argo Gold Mine and Mill in Idaho Springs: Take a tunnel and mine tour, and visit the mining museum.
Arvada Flour Mill Museum in Arvada: Learn about the history of flour milling.
CAF Rocky Mountain Wing Museum in Grand Junction: See historic aircraft at the Grand Junction Regional Airport.
Cable Center in Denver: Learn about the history of the cable telecommunications industry.
Colorado Model Railroad Museum in Greeley: See amazing model railroad layouts.
Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden: Explore the history of railways.
Colorado Springs and Interurban Railway in Colorado Springs: Learn about historic trolleys and railroads.
Colorado Springs Historical Military Museum in Colorado Springs: Features military vehicles, guns, equipment, and uniforms from World War I to today.
Cussler Museum in Arvada: See a collection of classic cars.
Denver Firefighters Museum in Denver: Learn about firefighting history.
Dougherty Museum in Longmont: Discover restored antique automobiles, including steam, electric, and early gas-powered models.
Dr. Lester L. Williams Fire Museum in Colorado Springs: A museum dedicated to firefighting history.
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Durango: Ride a heritage railroad and visit the museum in the roundhouse.
Emily Warner Field Aviation Museum in Granby: Located at the Granby/Grand County Airport, this museum focuses on aviation history.
Forney Transportation Museum in Denver: See antique cars, locomotives, buggies, bicycles, motorcycles, and other unique vehicles.
Galloping Goose Historical Society Museum in Dolores: Learn about railroads.
Gateway Automobile Museum in Gateway: A museum dedicated to automobiles.
Georgetown Energy Museum in Georgetown: Learn about electricity generation and antique appliances.
Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park in Georgetown: Ride a heritage railroad and tour the Lebanon Silver Mine.
Hidee Gold Mine in Central City: Take a tour of a former gold mine.
Limon Heritage Museum and Railroad Park in Limon: Exhibits on local history, a historic depot with railroad artifacts, and a park with windmills and a caboose.
Lomax Placer Mine in Breckenridge: Learn about 19th-century surface gold mining.
Moffat Road Railroad Museum in Granby: A museum about the Moffat Road Railroad.
Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek: Take a gold mine tour and see equipment and mineral displays.
Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Museum in Cheyenne Wells: Learn about the history of the first radio wave telephone system.
National Mining Hall of Fame in Leadville: Celebrates mining and the people who work with natural resources.
National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado Springs: Features military aircraft and artifacts from World War II.
Nederland Mining Museum in Nederland: See gold, silver, and tungsten mining equipment and tools.
Old Hundred Gold Mine in Silverton: Take a tour of this historic gold mine.
Penrose Heritage Museum in Colorado Springs: Displays horse-drawn and motorized carriages collected by Spencer Penrose.
Peterson Air and Space Museum in Colorado Springs: Learn about the history of Peterson Air Force Base and military aircraft.
Pikes Peak Radio & Electronics Museum in Colorado Springs: See radio equipment and memorabilia.
Pueblo Railway Museum in Pueblo: A museum about railroads.
Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum in Pueblo: Features military aircraft and the history of Pueblo Army Air Base.
Rangely Automotive Museum in Rangely: See antique cars and motorcycles.
Red, White and Blue Fire Museum in Breckenridge: Displays antique fire equipment.
Ridgway Railroad Museum in Ridgway: A museum about railroads.
Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum in Colorado Springs: A museum dedicated to motorcycles.
Shelby American Collection in Boulder: Features Shelby American vehicles.
Spirit of Flight Center in Lafayette: An aviation museum.
Stanley Steamcar Museum in Estes Park: Exhibits Stanley steam cars, art, and photographs.
Transportation of the West Museum in Monte Vista: See wagons, planes, and stagecoaches.
Underhill Museum in Idaho Springs: Learn about local history.
Victor's Gold Camp Ag & Mining Museum in Victor: A working garage with tractors, vehicles, and old mining equipment.
Vintage Aero Flying Museum in Hudson: Focuses on the history of World War I aviation.
Washington Gold & Silver Mine in Breckenridge: Take a mine tour and try gold panning.
Western Museum of Mining & Industry in Colorado Springs: Displays mining equipment, steam engines, tools, and artifacts, showing what a miner's life was like.
Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver: Features historic military and civilian aircraft and the history of Lowry Air Force Base.

Children's Museums

These museums are specially designed for kids to learn and play!

Buell Children's Museum in Pueblo: Part of the Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center, with exhibits for kids.
Children's Museum of Denver in Denver: A fun and interactive museum for children.
Mountain Top Children's Museum in Breckenridge: A museum for kids.
Old Fire House No.1 Children's Museum in Trinidad: A children's museum in an old firehouse.
WOW! Children's Museum in Lafayette: Another great children's museum.

Other Interesting Museums

American Mountaineering Museum in Golden: Learn about the heroism, technology, culture, and spirit of mountain climbing.
Barney Ford Victorian House in Breckenridge: The restored home of a civil rights pioneer, teaching about the role of people of color in Colorado history.
Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys in Denver: Located in the historic Pearce-McAllister Cottage, this museum has miniatures, dolls, and toys.
Inspection Museum in Gunbarrel: Features equipment and books used by house inspectors.
Jack Dempsey Museum and Park in Manassa: Learn about the famous boxing champion, Jack Dempsey.
Koshare Indian Museum in La Junta: Part of Otero College, this museum focuses on American Indian culture, art, and traditional dances.
Lee Maxwell Washing Machine Museum in Eaton: See a collection of antique washing machines.
Mizel Museum in Denver: Explores Jewish life, culture, and art.
ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs: Celebrates the sport of rodeo.
Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden: Displays historic and contemporary quilts.
World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs: The international center for the sport of figure skating.