Denver Museum of Nature and Science

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science was originally known as “The Colorado Museum of Natural History”, then later as the “Denver Museum of Natural History” and has been part of the Denver, Colorado landscape since 1900. It sits in a historic location adjacent to the City Park, the Denver Zoo and the Gates Planetarium which shares a portion of the museum structure. The 500,000-square-foot building houses more than a million objects in its collections including natural history and anthropological materials, and archival and library resources. The Nature and Science Museum invites visitors to explore their world, both past and present in a fun and educational way, learning about the natural wonders of Colorado, planet Earth and the universe.

In addition to the exhibits, the museum provides educational opportunities through lectures, classes, hand-on learning and IMAX films. More education is provided through outreach programs and ongoing professional training workshops. The Museum also welcomes school children and teachers to visit and learn. Each year almost 180,000 students and teachers visit Denver Museum of Nature and Science as school groups. In the 110 years of its own history, the museum has housed an extensive collection of objects and because the artifacts have grown to over a million pieces, it’s considered the largest natural history museum in the western United States. Exhibits have included everything from diorama style spaces and fossil collections, to interactive space exploration and hands-on learning.

Areas in the Museum to Discover

• Childrens’ Discovery Zone – interactive educational center geared toward children and families who like fun, hands-on activities.
• Space Odyssey – all about exploration of the Universe and your place in it.
• Prehistoric Journey – takes an evolutionary path of life on Earth from single-celled organisms to the dinosaurs and the modern day world.
• Egyptian Mummies – teaching how the ancient civilization of Egypt regarded its living and preserved its dead. See real mummies on display, and the tools of embalming used to preserve them.
• Expedition Health – in the Hall of Life health center, learn about the constantly changing and adapting of the human body. Interact with exhibits to show you how your body works, which foods and life choices are healthy and much more.
• Gems & Minerals – a re-created mine for examining a host of colorful crystals and minerals found both locally and globally. See the famous gems of Colorado, and one of the largest gold mine displays anywhere.
• North American Indian Cultures – demonstrating the diversity among Native American groups and the practicality and artistry of their everyday objects.
• Wildlife Exhibits – see animals big and small come to life in their own habitat-style dioramas. Exhibits are available to touch and hear and track different animals of North America.
• Gates Planetarium – Newly remodeled, a wonderful experience for the whole family. Now showing “Cosmic Collisions” – Witness a variety of incredible celestial encounters and learn why these frequent, and often violent displays, are happening all around us.
• IMAX -  A favorite of many movie goers, the six-story screen which shows films that really put you inside the action.  Now featuring “Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure” and also “Wild Ocean”; two wet and wild adventures to take you to the ocean depths of adventure.

Visitors can also take time to sit and relax, enjoying the “best view in Denver” from the Anschutz Family Sky Terrace and Leprino Family Atrium on the west side of the building. The best views of the Front Range are yours—from Longs Peak in the north to Pikes Peak in the south. A food court is also available on the first floor and a bistro style atmosphere for enjoying a break. Many beautiful facilities are available for special occasions, including weddings, receptions and galas.

Temporary Exhibitions

Over the years, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science has hosted some spectacular events and exhibits, including:

• Terra Cotta soldiers of ancient China
• Mystery of the Incas – Machu Picchu
• King Tut: Treasures of Ancient Egypt
• Body Worlds 2: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies
• Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
• Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters
• and most recently Genghis Kahn – the Warrior of Mongolia which ended February 7, 2010.

Some of the exhibits that have been shown at this museum are only on display at a handful of museums in the entire country, and Denver is privileged to be among them. More fantastic exhibits are scheduled for the near future and are certain to draw many visitors to the museum. The museum is open daily year round, except December 25th. Hours 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science Photo Gallery

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