As Colorado's political, commercial, and cultural capitol, Denver boasts a wealth of historical and educational attractions. Its museums are regionally and nationally acclaimed, and offer something for virtually anyone. From history to science, art to children's activities, visitors are sure to find a Denver museum to satisfy any curiosity. Don't leave Denver without checking these off your list.

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science, in beautiful City Park, is everything one would expect of a museum that blends natural history and scientific discovery. Dinosaur bones? Check. Mummies? Check. Exotic animal dioramas? Check. The museum's collections are ever-changing. In fact, a team of museum scientists is in the process of excavating an ice-age fossil site near Snowmass Village, CO, complete with mastodon remains. Visitors to the museum can also learn about the universe in the Planetarium, or catch a film on the giant IMAX screen. The museum's Expedition Health exhibit is personalized to each visitor and fully interactive - perfect for the whole family. 

Located at the heart of the city, the Denver Art Museum houses first-class collections of art through the ages, including an exceptional collection of American Indian art comprised of more than 18,000 objects. Its collection of pieces from the American West by artists like Bierstadt and Remington preserves the romantic, and realistic, perspectives of early Coloradans and western settlers. The Denver Art Museum's two main buildings are interesting pieces of architecture in and of themselves. 

If the thought of dragging the little ones through adult-oriented museums is unappealing, don't worry. The Children's Museum of Denver might be the most fun kids can have while learning. Not only are the museum's exhibits fun and interactive, they're designed with age-appropriate educational development in mind. 

Denver may be a relatively young city, but the area's history is still rich and diverse. American Indians lived in and around present-day Denver long before the first Europeans arrived. African Americans played a major role in settling the West, but their stories are often underrepresented in museums and history books. The Black American West Museum celebrates the western heritage of Black cowboys, Buffalo Soldiers, and homesteaders through exhibits, artifacts, old books, and photographs. 

As Denver gained prominence in the late 19th Century it attracted people who'd made fortunes in the gold rushes west of town. The Byers-Evans House and Molly Brown House museums are both famous residences that have been preserved and turned into Denver history museums. The Denver Firefighters Museum, located in historic Station One, traces the development of Denver's fire department and the evolution of firefighting through history.