I Tried Every Denver Museum’s Free Day – Here’s the Real Schedule

Everyone talks about Denver’s free museum days. “Just go on the free day!” they say.

I tried them all. Some are worth the crowds. Some are disasters. Here’s what actually happens on free days and which ones to bother with.

How Free Days Actually Work

SCFD (Scientific & Cultural Facilities District) funds these. Your taxes paying for culture. Nice idea.

Each museum picks different days. Some first Tuesdays, some random Saturdays. No real pattern.

They don’t advertise much because they don’t want MORE crowds.

Denver Art Museum Free Days

When: First Saturday of every month for Colorado residents

Reality: Absolute zoo after 11am

Crowd level: 10/10

Get there at 10am opening or don’t bother. By noon, you’re shuffling through galleries like a concert crowd.

Kids under 18 always free anyway, so families don’t need to wait for free days.

Verdict: Skip unless you can go at opening

Museum of Nature & Science Free Days

When: About 12 days per year, varies

Reality: Worse than DAM

Crowd level: 11/10

Parking lots full by 9:30am. Every family in Denver shows up. Planetarium sells out. IMAX lines forever.

The gems and minerals section becomes a mosh pit. Dinosaurs surrounded by screaming kids.

Verdict: Never worth it. Just pay the $20.

Denver Botanic Gardens Free Days

When: Several dates throughout the year

Reality: Busy but tolerable

Crowd level: 7/10

Gardens are huge so crowds spread out. Morning is perfect. Afternoon gets busier but still okay.

The Japanese Garden gets crowded but other areas stay reasonable.

Verdict: Worth it if weather’s nice

History Colorado Center Free Days

When: First Friday of every month, plus other dates

Reality: Hidden gem of free days

Crowd level: 5/10

Nobody knows about these. Museum is interactive so handles crowds better. Kids spread across different activities.

First Fridays are 5-8pm. Perfect for after work/school.

Verdict: Absolutely do this one

Clyfford Still Museum Free Days

When: Last Friday of every month, 5-8pm

Reality: Civilized and pleasant

Crowd level: 4/10

Abstract art keeps crowds smaller. People who come actually want to see art. Evening timing is perfect.

You can actually look at paintings without someone breathing on you.

Verdict: Best free day experience

Denver Zoo Free Days

When: About 12 days per year

Reality: Prepare for war

Crowd level: 15/10

This is the worst one. Every family within 50 miles shows up. Parking impossible. Animals hide from crowds.

Food lines are 45 minutes. Bathrooms have lines. Carousel has hour wait.

Verdict: Never. Pay the $20 or get membership.

Children’s Museum Free Days

When: First Tuesday, 4-8pm

Reality: Controlled chaos

Crowd level: 8/10

Evening timing helps. Still busy but kids are tired so slightly calmer. Target members get extra free days.

Some exhibits close early on free nights. Check ahead.

Verdict: Okay if you have patient kids

The Lesser-Known Free Days

Kirkland Museum

When: First Saturday for Colorado residents

Crowd level: 3/10

Nobody knows about this. Museum is small so can’t get too crowded anyway.

MCA Denver

When: Every day for under 18

Crowd level: 2/10

Contemporary art isn’t for everyone. Usually empty.

Museo de las Americas

When: First Friday

Crowd level: 4/10

Combined with Santa Fe Art Walk. Good combo.

The Free Day Survival Guide

Arrive 30 minutes before opening or don’t go

Bring snacks – cafe lines will be insane

Have backup plans – might be too crowded

Check websites – dates change, weather cancellations happen

Consider memberships – often same price as 3-4 visits

The Library Pass Secret

Denver Public Library has museum passes. Free or discounted admission.

Reserve online. Pick up at library. Not on free days but way less crowded.

Works for most museums plus zoo, gardens, everything.

This is the actual hack. Free days are for people who don’t know about library passes.

My Actual Strategy Now

Never go to: DAM, DMNS, Zoo free days

Always go to: History Colorado, Clyfford Still free days

Sometimes: Botanic Gardens if weather’s perfect

Instead do: Library passes on random Wednesdays

Or: Just pay admission for peace

The Membership Math

DAM: $95/year = 5 visits

DMNS: $99/year = 4 visits plus IMAX

Zoo: $110/year = 5 visits plus parking

Gardens: $125/year = 4 visits plus concerts

If you’ll go twice, get membership. Skip free day chaos forever.

The Truth About Free Days

They’re great in theory. Everyone deserves access to culture.

But the popular ones are miserable experiences. You’ll hate museums after.

Better to pay $20 for actual enjoyment than suffer through free day crowds.

Or use the library passes. Or go to the lesser-known museums.

Just don’t do Denver Zoo on a free Saturday in July. Trust me.

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Have you survived a Denver free museum day? Which one scarred you the most?

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