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List of museums in Colorado facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Colorado is a state in the United States that has many interesting places to visit, especially museums! Museums are special places where people collect and take care of cool objects. These objects can be about art, science, history, or different cultures. They are put on display for everyone to see and learn from.

This list will tell you about some of the awesome museums you can find in Colorado. Get ready to explore history, science, art, and more!

Cool Museums in Colorado

Colorado has all sorts of museums. You can find places that show off old trains, amazing art, or even dinosaur bones! Here are some of the most exciting ones for kids and families.

Adventure and History Museums

  • American Mountaineering Museum in Golden: This museum is all about mountain climbing! You can learn about the brave people who climb mountains, the tools they use, and the spirit of adventure.
  • Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores: Discover the ancient Puebloan people and other Native American cultures from the Four Corners area. It's also a great starting point to visit Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.
  • Argo Gold Mine and Mill in Idaho Springs: Go on a tour of an old gold mine! You can see how miners worked and learn about the history of mining in Colorado.
  • Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site in La Junta: Step back in time to the 1840s at this reconstructed fur trading post. Sometimes, you can even see people dressed up and acting out history!
  • Black American West Museum in Denver: Learn about the important role of Black cowboys, miners, and pioneers in the American West.
  • Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave in Golden: Explore the life and legends of William F. Cody, also known as Buffalo Bill, a famous showman from the Old West.
  • Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden: If you love trains, this is the place! See many historic trains and learn all about railroads in Colorado.
  • Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Durango: Take a ride on a historic train through beautiful scenery. There's also a museum in the roundhouse to learn more about these old engines.
  • Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park in Georgetown: Ride a heritage railroad and even tour the Lebanon Silver Mine! It's a fun way to see how mining and trains shaped Colorado.
  • Hidee Gold Mine in Central City: Take a tour deep inside a real gold mine and imagine what it was like to search for gold.
  • Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek: Another exciting gold mine tour where you can see mining equipment and learn about minerals.
  • Old Hundred Gold Mine in Silverton: Explore this historic gold mine and discover the stories of the miners who worked there.
  • South Park City in Fairplay: This is a reconstructed mining town from the mid-1800s. It has 34 old buildings that show what life was like back then.
  • Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver: See amazing historic military and civilian aircraft. Learn about Colorado's role in aerospace history.

Science and Nature Museums

  • Dinosaur Journey Museum in Fruita: Get up close with dinosaurs! See fossils, dinosaur skeletons, and even robotic dinosaurs. You can also watch paleontologists working in their labs.
  • Dinosaur National Monument in Dinosaur: Visit a real dinosaur fossil site! The visitor center has exhibits about these ancient creatures.
  • Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison: This is a special place where you can see dinosaur fossils and footprints right in the rocks! There's also a museum to help you learn more.
  • Fiske Planetarium in Boulder: Look up at the stars and planets! Enjoy astronomy shows and exhibits about space.
  • Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Florissant: Discover ancient fossils and petrified redwood trees at this unique natural history site.
  • Morrison Natural History Museum in Morrison: This museum has a large collection of dinosaur bones and other fossils found in the area.
  • Powerhouse Science Center in Durango: Enjoy interactive science exhibits in an old power plant. It's a hands-on way to learn about how things work.
  • Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park: See incredible dinosaur and other fossils. It's a great place to learn about prehistoric life.
  • Space Foundation Discovery Center in Colorado Springs: Explore the history and science of space exploration. Learn about astronauts, rockets, and what's beyond Earth.
  • University of Colorado Museum of Natural History in Boulder: This museum has collections of fossils, dinosaurs, and exhibits about Native American cultures and anthropology.

Art and Culture Museums

Kid-Friendly Fun Museums

  • Buell Children's Museum in Pueblo: A special museum just for kids! It's part of the Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center.
  • Children's Museum of Denver in Denver: A fantastic place for younger kids to play and learn through hands-on exhibits.
  • Mountain Top Children's Museum in Breckenridge: Another fun museum designed for children to explore and discover.
  • Old Fire House No.1 Children's Museum in Trinidad: A children's museum located in an old fire station!
  • WOW! Children's Museum in Lafayette: A wonderful place for kids to engage in interactive and educational play.

Other Interesting Museums

  • American Numismatic Association Money Museum in Colorado Springs: Learn all about money! See coins and currency from ancient times to today.
  • Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising in Fort Collins: This museum is all about clothes, textiles, and how people decorate their homes. It's part of Colorado State University.
  • Forney Transportation Museum in Denver: See all kinds of vehicles, from antique cars and locomotives to buggies, bicycles, and motorcycles. If it has wheels, it might be here!
  • Colorado Music Hall of Fame in Morrison: Discover the history of music in Colorado. It's located at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
  • ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs: Learn about the exciting sport of rodeo and its legendary cowboys and cowgirls.
  • World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs: Explore the history of figure skating, see costumes, and learn about famous skaters and the Olympics.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Sometimes museums close or change. Here are a few museums that used to be in Colorado but are not open anymore:

  • Air Services Museum, Colorado Springs
  • Climbing Tree Children's Museum, Montrose (closed in 2011)
  • Colorado History Museum, Denver (closed in 2010, its exhibits moved to the History Colorado Center)
  • Dinosaur Depot Museum, Cañon City (closed in 2013, exhibits moved to the Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center)
  • International Bell Museum, Evergreen (closed in 2006)
  • Kit Carson Museum, Las Animas (collections are now at the John W. Rawlings Heritage Center)
  • The Laboratory of Art and Ideas at Belmar, Lakewood (closed in 2009)
  • Morrison Heritage Museum (closed in 2004)
  • Mountain Bike Hall of Fame (moved to California in 2014)
  • Museum of Western Art, Denver
  • Trianon Museum and Art Gallery, Denver (closed in 2004)
  • Vintage Motos Museum, Denver
  • World's Wonder View Tower, Genoa (closed in 2013)

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