Locals Never Go to These Denver Museums (But You Should)

Here’s something funny about living in Denver – everyone knows about the Denver Art Museum and Museum of Nature & Science.

But there are these other museums that locals just… ignore. Maybe because we think they’re “too touristy” or we just forget they exist.

I started checking them out when friends visited. And honestly? Some of them are actually incredible.

Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art

Why locals skip it: Right next to the DAM, so it gets overshadowed

Why you shouldn’t: It’s absolutely bonkers inside

This place is like your eccentric aunt’s house if she was a millionaire art collector. There’s SO MUCH STUFF. Chairs hanging from walls, entire room setups from different decades, random ceramics everywhere.

It’s organized chaos. You’ll see a Bauhaus chair next to a 1970s lamp next to medieval pottery. Somehow it works.

Takes about 90 minutes to see everything. No kids under 13 allowed, which honestly makes sense – you’d destroy everything.

History Colorado Center

Why locals skip it: Sounds boring, like a school field trip

Why you shouldn’t: It’s actually super interactive

I avoided this place for YEARS thinking it was just dusty Colorado history. Wrong.

They have this ski jump simulator. A time machine thing where you “travel” to different eras of Denver. You can “mine” for silver. It’s way more hands-on than expected.

The Denver diorama showing how the city grew is fascinating. You can see your neighborhood being built over time.

Museo de las Americas

Why locals skip it: It’s in the Santa Fe Art District, off the beaten path

Why you shouldn’t: Incredible Latin American art you won’t see anywhere else

This museum is small but mighty. Ancient artifacts next to contemporary pieces. The Day of the Dead exhibition they do is incredible.

It’s in an old school building, which adds to the vibe. Plus you’re in Santa Fe district, so hit up First Friday art walks after.

Clyfford Still Museum

Why locals skip it: “It’s just one artist, how interesting can it be?”

Why you shouldn’t: The scale of his work is mind-blowing

Okay, abstract art isn’t for everyone. But these paintings are HUGE. Like, entire-wall huge. The colors are insane.

The museum owns 95% of his life’s work. You’re seeing stuff that literally doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.

There’s also a room where you can paint your own abstract art. I’m terrible at art but it was weirdly therapeutic.

Black American West Museum

Why locals skip it: Small, in Five Points, not well advertised

Why you shouldn’t: Eye-opening history you didn’t learn in school

Did you know 1 in 4 cowboys was Black? I didn’t.

This museum is in the former home of Colorado’s first Black woman doctor. It’s small but packed with stories about Black pioneers, cowboys, and settlers.

The personal stories are what get you. Real letters, photographs, belongings. It reframes the whole “Wild West” narrative.

Molly Brown House Museum

Why locals skip it: Seems like a tourist trap

Why you shouldn’t: The house is genuinely fascinating

Yes, the Titanic connection is cool. But the house itself is wild. Completely restored Victorian mansion with all original features.

The guided tour is actually good – they tell you about Denver society in the 1900s, not just Molly Brown. The stories about parties thrown here are insane.

October they do ghost tours. Haven’t done it yet but heard it’s legit creepy.

Forney Museum of Transportation

Why locals skip it: “Transportation museum” sounds boring

Why you shouldn’t: It’s full of weird vehicles you’ve never seen

This place has Amelia Earhart’s car. A bunch of old trains. Vintage motorcycles. Even old bicycles that look like death traps.

It’s in this huge warehouse. Kids love it because they can get close to everything. Adults love it because… honestly, old cars are cool.

Morrison Natural History Museum

Why locals skip it: Everyone goes to the big Museum of Nature & Science instead

Why you shouldn’t: They have actual baby dinosaur fossils

This tiny museum in Morrison has real fossils discovered right in the area. The baby T-Rex tracks are incredible.

It’s small – like an hour to see everything. But the volunteers are paleontologists who actually find this stuff. They’ll talk your ear off if you let them (in a good way).

Wings Over the Rockies

Why locals skip it: It’s in a weird location in Lowry

Why you shouldn’t: You can climb into actual fighter jets

This museum is in an old Air Force hangar. Full of military planes, space stuff, even a Star Wars X-Wing.

They let you climb into some of the cockpits. The B-52 bomber is absolutely massive. Way bigger than you’d expect.

The Money Museum

Why locals skip it: It’s at the Federal Reserve, sounds boring

Why you shouldn’t: You can hold a gold bar worth $700,000

Free admission. You see how money is made, destroyed, processed. They have a bag with $1 million in shredded bills.

The gold bar thing is wild. It’s behind glass but you can stick your hand in and try to lift it. It’s impossibly heavy.

When to Actually Visit

Free days: Check SCFD free days – most museums have them monthly

Best time: Weekday mornings. Empty museums are the best museums

Rainy days: Perfect museum weather. Everyone else has the same idea though

First Fridays: Some stay open late with special events

The Real Talk

I think locals avoid these because we’re museum snobs. We’ve been to MoMA or the Smithsonian and think Denver’s smaller museums don’t compare.

But that’s the wrong way to look at it. These museums are specific to Denver and Colorado. You can’t see this stuff anywhere else.

Plus they’re never crowded. Unlike DAM on free days, which is a zoo.

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Which Denver museum surprised you the most? I’m always looking for hidden gems.

Next: I Go to Denver Art Museum Monthly – Here’s How to Skip the Crowds