Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) 1750 13th St. (next to Dushanbe Teahouse) Boulder 303-443-2122 bmoca.org
With its displays of innovative contemporary art, the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art is sure to satisfy the desire for visual appeal. See the website for museum events like lectures, demonstrations and classes. Admission is just $1 for adults, seniors, students and educators, and free for members and children under the age of 12.
Boulder History Museum 1206 Euclid Ave. Boulder 303-449-3464 boulderhistory.org
Founded in 1944, this private, nonprofit museum brings the history of Boulder alive with its collection of more than 45,000 objects donated by Boulder families and a variety of programs and community events.
Free admission for members as well as children under the age of 5.
Carnegie Branch Library for Local History 1125 Pine St. Boulder 303-441-3110 boulderlibrary.org/carnegie
A great place to study and research local history, Boulder’s first library building holds historic Boulder County photographs and manuscripts for community use. More than 200,000 photographs and 700,000 historic documents are housed at the Carnegie Library for Local History.
Children’s Museum of Denver 2121 Children’s Museum Drive Denver 303-433-7444 mychildsmuseum.org
The Children’s Museum of Denver started in 1973 in a converted school bus. Now, the museum’s exhibits include a real fire truck. Its interactive playscapes, daily programming, story times and special events are geared toward children up to age 8.
CU Art Museum Visual Arts Complex 1085 18th St. Boulder 303-492-8300 cuartmuseum.colorado.edu
Galleries feature both changing and permanent exhibitions. The museum also offers a collection study center. The building itself is an environmentally sustainable design created by Kallman, McKinnell & Wood and OZ Architecture in Denver featuring watersaving and energy-efficiency strategies. The museum itself is closed for remodeling until February 2016 but will continue to offer programming and exhibitions through the CU Museum of Natural History and the Department of Classics. Call the gallery for details.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science 2001 Colorado Blvd. Denver 303-322-7009 www.dmns.org
The Ice Age, butterflies, Egyptian mummies, the human body and space — the Denver Museum of Nature and Science offers plentiful galleries for people of all ages to explore the past, present and future. Get up close to gems and think big at the IMAX theater, or even bigger in the Gates Planetarium.
Denver Zoo 2300 Steele St. Denver 720-337-1400 www.denverzoo.org
Leopards and rhinos and zebras, oh my! The Denver Zoo is home to nearly 3,500 animals representing 650 species from around the world. Through naturalistic habitats and conservation programming, the zoo is working to keep the world’s animal inhabitants happy here and in their wild homes.
Lafayette Miners’ Museum 108 E. Simpson St. Lafayette 303-665-7030 www.cityoflafayette.com
The Lafayette Miners’ Museum is housed in the former home of coal miner William E. Lewis, who offered his house up as a meeting place for miners during a strike. The museum now preserves the pioneer heritage of Lafayette, including a “school room” with pictures, trophies and memorabilia of the town’s schools. Open 2-4 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays and by appointment.
Leanin’ Tree Museum of Western Art 6055 Longbow Drive (near Diagonal Highway and Jay Road) Boulder 303-530-1442, ext. 4299 www.leanintreemuseum.com
This museum holds more than 250 paintings and 150 bronze sculptures, making it one of the world’s largest private collections of contemporary Western American art. The museum is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends.
Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum 224 Mountain Ave. Berthoud 970-532-2147 berthoudhistoricalsociety.org/pioneermuseum. htm
Relics of Berthoud’s beginnings — and history as a booming agricultural town — are on display in the Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum, located in a historic blacksmith shop. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 1-4 p.m., or by appointment. Louisville Historical Museum 1001 Main St. Louisville 303-665-9048
The four buildings of the Louisville Historical Museum are home to artifacts and photographs of the history of settlers and miners in Louisville. Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays 3-8 p.m.
Lyons Redstone Museum 340 High St. Lyons 303-823-6692 www.lyonsredstonemuseum.com
Located in the former Lyons schoolhouse, built in 1881, the Lyons Redstone Museum has displays on local history and genealogy. The museum is open daily, May 1 through Sept. 30.
Nederland Mining Museum At the traffic circle in Nederland (Highways 119 and 72) 303-258-0567
Ore samples, machines and tools used in hard rock mining and the tungsten boom are on display at the Nederland Mining Museum. Open Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June through October.
Niwot Old Firehouse Museum 195 Second Ave. Niwot 303-682-0468
This tiny museum is the original 1910 fire shed where the town kept its chemical firecart. Open to the public during Fourth of July, the annual Nostalgia Day (in September) and special community events.
University of Colorado Museum of Natural History 1030 Broadway Boulder 303-492-6892 cumuseum.colorado.edu
In total, the museum houses a collection of more than 4 million objects used for researching and studying anthropology, archaeology, botany, entomology, paleontology and zoology. Check out their website for more information on K-12 and adult educational programs and activities, including lectures, family days and guided tours. The exhibition galleries are open to the public seven days a week, free of charge.
University of Colorado Heritage Center 1600 Pleasant St. Boulder 303-492-6329 cuheritage.org
Located on the third floor of the University of Colorado’s Old Main and operated by the CU-Boulder Alumni Association, the CU Heritage Center features exhibits exploring the history of the university. Attractions include the President’s Room, Distinguished Alumni Gallery and the Athletics Room, which showcases trophies from CU’s many victories. Open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Walker Ranch 303-678-6200
Located off of Flagstaff Road about 7.5 miles west of Boulder, Walker Ranch offers visitors a plethora of outdoor opportunities, including fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Purchased by James and Phoebe Walker in 1882, Walker Ranch is home to the restored homestead of the Walker family. While the homestead is closed to the public most of the year, visitors can tour the site and watch costumed volunteers demonstrate the daily life of a pioneer ranch during special events. For information, contact Boulder County Parks and Open Space.
WOW! (World Of Wonder) Museum 110 N. Harrison Ave. Lafayette 303-604-2424 wowchildrensmuseum.org
This nonprofit children’s museum features interactive science and art exhibits, classes, performances and workshops for children 12 and under.
