Photo by Caley Kurchinski
Museums are a perfect way to explore the rich history and artwork of Colorado, while keeping kids happy and giving you the answers when they ask endless questions. (Of course you probably could just make up a few too. But we won’t endorse that ).
Don’t worry, visiting museums in and around Rocky Mountain National Park is easy to do. Each one of the Park’s visitor centers has wildlife and historical exhibits, while Estes Park and Grand Lake also have local history museums and several art galleries. One museum in particular is a great place to see what it was like to live during the first few years in Estes Park. The MacGregor Ranch Historic Trust and Museum is an original 1896 ranch house. If you time it right make sure to stop by for their annual chuckwagon dinner with live music, wagon rides and some darn good food to boot.
Outside of Estes Park and Grand Lake are some of the West’s best museums. Located in Denver just an hour and a half south of Rocky Mountain National Park, are several world-renowned museums perfect for families, art enthusiasts, historian, weather geeks, and just about every one else. One of our favorite places to visit in Denver is the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The museum boasts a planetarium, IMAX theater, kids zone, rooftop terrace and countless exhibits from around the world. Four stories high, each floor is a different theme. Kids can interact with rotating exhibits on level two, while the museum’s newest exhibit on human health will wow with stunning exhibits and information on the human body and keeping healthy.
Another key museum to visit in Denver is the Denver Art Museum or otherwise known as the DAM. Art classes, exhibits, a kid’s zone and lectures are all part of the experience. The museum was originally the Denver Artists’ Club and in 1949 opened it’s door as for the first time. Other key museums in the Denver area include, The Molloy Brown House Museum, Denver Firefighter Museum, and Denver Museum of Miniatures.
Further south in Colorado Springs, aviation enthusiasts will fall in love with Peterson Air & Space Museum. At any given time the museum is home to 16 aircraft, 5 missiles, (if you have young boys this will surely be a hit), and a suburb exhibit on World War II. Two other museums in the Springs include the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum and Western Museum of Mining and Industry.
Traveling throughout the state of Colorado keep in mind that just about every small town has a museum of some sorts. Usually these museums can be found in historic buildings, old school houses, churches, and music halls. A few to check out are, Fort Vasquez Museum in Platteville, Overland trail Museum in Sterling, and Gunnison Pioneer and Train Museum in Gunnison.
Finally, if trains are your thing make sure to scope out one of Colorado’s dedicated train museums. One of the best, the Colorado Railroad Museum, can be found in Golden just an hour or so south of Rocky Mountain National Park. The museum sits on a 15-acre railway yard and includes a massive library featuring over 10,000 books specific to railroads.
Don’t miss the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum– the nation’s first and only museum dedicated to the heroism, technology, culture and spirit of mountaineering.
The premier natural history resource in the Rocky Mountains, the Museum of Natural History at the University of Colorado includes geology, archaeology, paleontology and zoology specimens, changing exhibits and a not-to-be-missed triceratops display.
