Denver Museum of Nature and Science: What to Know Before You Go

The museum’s roots reach back to Edwin Carter, who began assembling a collection of Rocky Mountain birds and mammals in Breckenridge in 1868.

The Colorado Museum of Natural History was incorporated on December 6, 1900, and opened to the public on July 1, 1908. It became the Denver Museum of Natural History in 1948 and adopted its current name, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, in 2000.

Its work extends beyond display galleries: the museum describes itself as a nonprofit, collections-based educational, scientific and cultural organization. Its mission is to ignite the community’s passion for nature and science through collecting, preserving, researching, publishing, education and exhibitions.

A notable moment in its history came in 1926, when stone projectile points were found alongside extinct bison bones in Folsom, New Mexico. The discovery showed that humans lived in North America more than 10,000 years ago.

The museum’s halls also include wildlife and habitat scenes: its history page refers to 89 wildlife dioramas, while its permanent-exhibitions page describes more than 90 scenes.

For a visit centered on fossils, head to the third-floor Prehistoric Journey. The gallery includes an 80-foot-long Diplodocus, a T. rex skull and fossil teeth.

At the end of the exhibition, the Schlessman Family Laboratory of Earth Sciences lets you observe fossil preparation. The lab opened in April 1990, and about 75 percent of fossils displayed at the museum have come through it.

Space Odyssey, on the first floor, takes a hands-on approach to space science. Its activities include a launch simulator and an interactive spaceship containing more than 11,000 “stars.” On the third floor, Egyptian Mummies presents the remains of two ancient Egyptian women alongside a skull reconstruction, tomb artifacts, a model of an Egyptian temple and animal mummies.

For younger children, the second-floor Discovery Zone is designed for ages 0–8 with accompanying adults. Activities include a Colorado-themed Water Way and a Science Kitchen. The Discovery Zone was part of the Morgridge Family Exploration Center, which opened in 2014 and added education studios and a second temporary-exhibition gallery. The adjacent Avenir Collections Center occupies two underground levels.

The Gates Planetarium and Sturm Theater offer additional programming, but they require separate timed tickets as well as a paid or free museum admission ticket. Some temporary exhibitions also require their own timed ticket. If you’re comparing different kinds of outings, see this guide to visiting the Denver Zoo or read how to choose among Denver’s art museums.

General-public visitors are strongly encouraged to buy tickets online in advance; you can scan a ticket from your phone. General admission is $25.16 for adults, $18.86 for youth ages 3–18, and $21.56 for seniors ages 65+ and college visitors.

Children ages 0–2 do not need a museum admission ticket. Remember that admission alone does not cover the separate timed ticket required for the planetarium or theater.

General hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, with extended hours until 9 p.m. on most Fridays. Thanksgiving hours are 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; the museum is closed on December 25 and August 26. It says it is open 363 days a year. Check the official site before you go for current hours, ticket details and closures.

RTD bus routes 20 and 40 stop near the museum at Colorado and Montview Boulevards. If you’re driving, the main entrance is on the north side, and the museum directs drivers to enter from 22nd or 23rd Avenue.

The north main parking lot faces City Park’s ball fields. Free parking is also available in the underground garage, which has 550 spaces on two levels.

Accessible parking spaces are available in the north main lot, underground garage and on the museum’s east side outside the Giant Screen Theater. If you’re using a wheelchair, you may borrow one at no charge from the Information Desk; availability is first come, first served.

Service animals are allowed throughout the museum, but pets and emotional support animals are not. The museum prohibits firearms, weapons and concealed carry. Smoking of any kind is also prohibited.

Start by choosing the galleries you want to see, then decide if you’ll add the Gates Planetarium, Sturm Theater or a temporary exhibition.

Check the ticket requirements for each before buying, since general admission and timed-entry tickets are separate where required. If the Discovery Zone is part of your plan, note that it is intended for children ages 0–8 with accompanying adults.

For your arrival, choose between the nearby bus stops and the museum’s free parking. Drivers should approach from 22nd or 23rd Avenue for the north-side entrance. Once inside, grouping galleries by floor can help you plan: Space Odyssey is on the first floor, the Discovery Zone on the second, and Prehistoric Journey and Egyptian Mummies on the third.