Denver is home to big and iconic museums like the Denver Art Museum, which recently merged with the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Arts. But if you look around, there are a lot of small museums to enjoy. These are some of the best independent museums around Denver.
Black American West Museum & Heritage Center (Five Points)
Founded by Paul W. Stuart in 1971 after someone told him there was “no such thing as a Black cowboy,” this organization is focused on spotlighting the role of Black residents in western history.
National Ballpark Museum (LoDo)
Arguably the best place for diehard baseball fans in Denver to visit (since the Rockies have been struggling), this spot houses a collection recognized by Smithsonian Books as one of the best in the world. One of my favorites is a lightbulb from the very first game at Ebbets Field in 1938.
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum (Englewood)
Whether you’re an aspiring pilot like me or you just want to learn more about aviation, this place offers more than 100,000 square-feet of iconic planes, military garb, and even space vehicles.
Forney Museum of Transportation (Elyria-Swansea)
For a more broad study of transportation, explore the more than 800 artifacts at this museum. There are bikes, planes, locomotives, sleighs, and one of Amelia Earhart’s gorgeous cars.
Museo de las Americas (Art District on Santa Fe)
Founded in 1991, this gem has rotating exhibitions from artists across Latin America and of Latin American descent. The small space punches well above its weight, often featuring art media beyond paintings and sculptures.
Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave (Golden)
This one is a favorite of Westword editor-in-chief and longtime City Cast Denver guest Patricia Calhoun, and for good reason. It’s got wild west history, cowboy lore, and an Instagram-friendly fake horse.
Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys (Lakewood)
The organization relocated to Lakewood in 2020 and is continuously making upgrades to its new home. I go for the miniatures alone, but there’s plenty of intrigue for kids, toy nerds, and perhaps folks that have not seen “The Conjuring” movie franchise.
I want to hear about all the cool museums I missed in this list.
