Denver Museum of Nature and Science Museum
Large science museum in Denver with natural history
Museum in Denver's City Park with exhibits on dinosaurs, Colorado geology, anthropology and space science, plus IMAX and planetarium programming; popular with families, school groups and visitors interested in natural history.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science at a Glance#
Address: 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205, United States
Website: https://www.dmns.org
Hours: Daily 9am-5pm
Admission: Adult general admission $20 (IMAX and planetarium extra; memberships available)
About Denver Museum of Nature and Science#
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is a major natural history and science museum in Denver, Colorado, occupying a complex on the western edge of City Park. It houses extensive collections and public science exhibits covering paleontology, anthropology, space science, and natural history.
The institution developed from Denver-based natural history collections and has expanded its exhibition space and research programs over the 20th and 21st centuries. The complex has undergone multiple building and exhibition upgrades to add modern galleries, theaters, and visitor amenities.
Situated in City Park just east of downtown Denver, the museum sits beside the park’s lakes and is immediately west of the Denver Zoo; downtown Denver is about 3 to 4 kilometers to the west.
- Location note: Located on the western edge of City Park, adjacent to the Denver Zoo and offering park views and skyline vistas.
- Booking: Timed-entry exhibits, planetarium shows, and large-format films often sell out on weekends and school holidays, so booking in advance is recommended.
What to See#
- Gates Planetarium: A planetarium and domed theater used for astronomy shows and fulldome films; sessions run on a schedule and often require separate tickets.
- Prehistoric Journey: A long-running permanent exhibition that presents dinosaur skeletons, other fossils, and life reconstructions across multiple halls.
- IMAX / Large-format Theater: A large-format film theater showing science and nature documentaries on an IMAX or similar screen; programs and schedules vary seasonally.
How to Get to Denver Museum of Nature and Science#
The museum sits in City Park, about 3 miles northeast of downtown Denver. From downtown, take Colorado Boulevard (US-287) north to 23rd Avenue, then turn east into City Park for museum parking. Public transit: RTD bus routes 15 and 10 stop nearby; from Union Station transfer to the 15 bus heading east to Colorado Blvd & 17th Ave and walk ~10 minutes.
Tips for Visiting Denver Museum of Nature and Science#
- Arrive before 10am on weekends to avoid school-group crowds in the dinosaur and space halls.
- Buy IMAX or planetarium tickets in advance; separate-line entry can save 20-30 minutes.
- Head to the 3rd-floor Gates Planetarium for the quieter geology exhibits during lunchtime.
- If weather allows, combine a visit with a stroll in nearby City Park and the nearby Denver Zoo.
Best Time to Visit Denver Museum of Nature and Science#
Best visited on weekday mornings for fewer crowds; weekends and school holidays are busiest, and IMAX/planetarium shows fill fast.
Weather & Climate near Denver Museum of Nature and Science#
Denver Museum of Nature and Science's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -8° - 7° | -5° | 14 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -6° - 9° | -2° | 14 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -3° - 12° | 2° | 34 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 1° - 17° | 7° | 49 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 7° - 22° | 14° | 64 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 12° - 28° | 20° | 45 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 15° - 32° | 23° | 50 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 14° - 30° | 22° | 42 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 9° - 25° | 17° | 34 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 2° - 19° | 11° | 28 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -4° - 11° | 1° | 27 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -7° - 7° | -4° | 17 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
