Short answer: The Denver Art Museum ($22) is worth it for Native American art, Meow Wolf ($45) if you want something wild, and RiNo Art District is free with 200+ murals. Skip the Museum of Contemporary Art - it's overpriced for what you get.
Not every Denver museum deserves your money. Here's what's actually worth it, what's overpriced, and where to find great art for free.
Denver Art Museum ($22)
100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver | (720) 865-5000 | denverartmuseum.org
The Libeskind building looks like a spaceship crashed into downtown - the architecture alone is worth seeing. But the real draw is the Native American art collection on Level 3, one of the best in the country with 18,000+ pieces. The Western American art on Level 2 (O'Keeffe, Remington) is solid too. Contemporary on Level 1 is hit or miss.
Kids under 18 get in free. Your ticket includes same-day Clyfford Still entry. Start on Level 3 and work down to avoid crowds. Skip if you only like classical European art - that collection is limited.
RiNo Art District (Free)
Larimer St between 25th-38th, Denver | Start at Larimer & 29th for the best murals
This is my favorite cultural spot in Denver and it costs nothing. RiNo has over 200 murals across warehouses and alleyways that change monthly - artists literally paint over each other's work. The CRUSH Walls alley between 29th and 30th on Larimer has about 40 murals in one stretch. There's a hidden alley between 27th and 28th that most tourists miss.
First Fridays are the move - galleries open late, live music, food trucks. September brings CRUSH Walls where you watch artists paint live. Plus you can grab a beer at one of the 20+ breweries nearby and call it "art appreciation."
Meow Wolf ($45)
1338 1st St, Denver | (866) 636-9969 | meowwolf.com/visit/denver
Four floors of interactive art connected by some loose storyline about interdimensional travel. You walk through it, touch everything, crawl through weird spaces, and question reality. There's a working pizza ATM on Level 3, four hidden speakeasy bars, and the entrance portal alone takes 30 minutes to fully experience.
Worth $45 if you want something completely different. Skip if you're claustrophobic, hate strobe lights, or need things to make sense. Go Tuesday-Thursday morning to avoid crowds - you'll walk 2+ miles inside.
Clyfford Still Museum ($15)
1250 Bannock St, Denver | (720) 354-4880 | clyffordstillmuseum.org
The opposite of Meow Wolf - quiet, contemplative, focused. Nine galleries of massive abstract paintings by one artist who controlled 95% of his work and chose Denver for his museum. These paintings don't exist anywhere else. You're seeing something exclusive just by walking in.
Great if you're into abstract art or need a peaceful space. The natural light is designed for these works, and there's an outdoor terrace with city views. Skip if you need paintings explained or only like realistic art.
Museum of Contemporary Art ($14)
1485 Delgany St, Denver | (303) 298-7554 | mcadenver.org
Honestly, this one probably isn't worth your money. It's $14 to see maybe 3-4 small galleries of often confusing installations. Sometimes there's something genuinely interesting rotating through, but more often you're walking around thinking "I paid for this?"
The rooftop cafe has great views though, and you can access it without paying museum admission. If you want contemporary art that actually engages with visitors, go to RedLine Contemporary Art Center instead. It's free, more connected to the local community, and the artists actually want you to understand what you're looking at.
Colorado Symphony ($15-95)
Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St, Denver | (303) 623-7876 | coloradosymphony.org
Boettcher is America's only in-the-round symphony hall - no matter where you sit, you're within 65 feet of the stage. You see musicians' faces, not their backs. Happy hour concerts on Friday afternoons are $15. Student tickets run $10. Behind-orchestra seats ($15-30) are the best value.
And yes, they have a "Classically Cannabis" series where getting high is part of the experience. Denver is weird like that.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science ($23)
2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver | (303) 370-6000 | dmns.org
The dinosaur and fossil exhibits here are legitimately impressive. Real Egyptian mummies too, plus a Mars meteorite you can actually touch. The gems and minerals section has massive crystals and Colorado gold that'll make you briefly consider becoming a prospector.
Go after 4 PM when tickets drop to $10. You get 90 minutes, which is enough for the highlights. Park free in City Park and walk 5 minutes instead of paying for the museum lot. The IMAX and planetarium add-ons ($8-10 each) usually aren't worth it unless something exceptional is playing.
History Colorado Center ($18)
1200 Broadway, Denver | (303) 447-8679 | historycolorado.org
This museum is designed for kids. Interactive exhibits everywhere, a ski jump simulator, some time machine thing that children go absolutely wild for. If you're an adult without kids, you're going to feel like you're on a field trip you didn't sign up for.
It's $18 for adults, which is fine if you've got little ones. If you want actual adult history content, the Molly Brown House Museum is more interesting - it's an actual historic home with better stories about real Denver characters.
Hidden Gems Worth Knowing About
Kirkland Museum ($15) feels like walking through an eccentric millionaire's house. Colorado art, international design pieces, decorative arts arranged somewhat chaotically in the best possible way. No kids under 13 allowed, which means it stays blessedly quiet.
National Ballpark Museum (free) sits right across from Coors Field. Exhibits from all 30 MLB stadiums, historic baseball artifacts, and a rooftop deck with stadium views. Perfect before or after a Rockies game.
RedLine Contemporary Art Center (free) hosts artist talks, changes exhibitions every 10 weeks, and actually explains the art in ways that make you care about it. This is what MCA should be but isn't.
Denver Botanic Gardens ($18)
1007 York St, Denver | (720) 865-3500 | botanicgardens.org
Feels pricey until you see it in May or June when everything's blooming. The Japanese Garden is one of the most authentic outside Japan. The holiday light show in December is magical but costs extra.
Free alternatives: Washington Park has lovely smaller gardens, and Hudson Gardens in Littleton gives you 30 acres of free wandering. The Botanic Gardens also offers 6-8 free days per year for Colorado residents - check their website.
Free Culture Day Itinerary
You can do a full day of culture for zero dollars:
- Morning: Colorado State Capitol tour (free)
- Late morning: RedLine Contemporary Art Center (free)
- Afternoon: RiNo murals with a lunch stop at Denver Central Market
- Late afternoon: National Ballpark Museum (free)
- Evening: Browse Tattered Cover at Union Station
Thursday nights in summer, catch a free performance at DPAC Galleria.
What Makes Denver Culture Different
Denver's art scene doesn't take itself too seriously. Cowboys and cannabis, symphony halls and street artists, world-class museums next to warehouses of weird immersive installations. This isn't New York trying to be important. It's just Denver being Denver.
The mistake most visitors make is hitting only the big museums. The real culture happens in RiNo alleys, at Red Rocks when music echoes off ancient geology, at preview nights when tickets are 40% off. Skip what you could see in any city. Focus on what's uniquely Mile High.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best museum in Denver?
The Denver Art Museum is the best overall, especially for its Native American art collection with 18,000+ pieces. For science, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science has excellent dinosaur exhibits. For something different, Meow Wolf offers an immersive experience unlike anything else.
Are Denver museums free?
Most charge $14-$45, but free options exist. RiNo Art District has 200+ murals, RedLine Contemporary Art Center is always free, and the National Ballpark Museum near Coors Field is free. Kids under 18 get free admission at the Denver Art Museum.
What is the best free art in Denver?
RiNo Art District. Walk along Larimer Street between 25th-38th to see over 200 murals. The CRUSH Walls alley between 29th and 30th has about 40 murals in one stretch. First Fridays bring gallery openings, live music, and food trucks.
Is Meow Wolf worth $45?
Yes, if you want an immersive, interactive experience you can't get anywhere else. Four floors of installations where you touch everything and crawl through spaces. Plan 3-4 hours. Skip if you're claustrophobic or need art to make sense.
What is the cheapest museum in Denver?
Clyfford Still Museum ($15) and Museum of Contemporary Art ($14). Better value: Denver Museum of Nature & Science after 4 PM when tickets drop to $10. Or stick to free options like RiNo, RedLine, and the National Ballpark Museum.