Whether you’re a Denver local or visiting from out-of-state, the Denver Art Museum is one of the Mile High City’s top attractions — and for good reason!
One of the best parts about this museum is its extensive and diverse collections, the museum is a must-visit for both art lovers and casual visitors alike. I recently visited this museum and was pleasantly surprised with how much there was to see and do!
So, if you’re visiting Denver and wondering if you should make a trip to the Denver Art Museum, this honest Denver Art Museum review is for you!
This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. There are only products included that I truly love. I APPRECIATE your support!
Table of Contents
Where is the Denver Art Museum Located?
The museum is located at 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy Denver, CO 80204. Read below to determine how to get there based on your preferred mode of transportation!
Visiting By Car
From I-25 North or South: Take exit 210A for US-40/Colfax Avenue. Head east on Colfax Avenue, then turn right onto Broadway. Follow Broadway and turn left onto W 13th Avenue. The museum will be on your right.
In terms of parking, the museum offers several options. The Cultural Center Complex Garage, located at 12th Avenue and Broadway, is the closest parking structure. Additional parking is available at nearby lots and metered spaces on surrounding streets — which is where I ended up parking! I was able to snag a spot even on a busy Saturday afternoon.
Using Public Transit (RTD Light Rail)
The RTD light rail has stops near the museum. The closest stations are the Theatre District/Convention Center Station and the Civic Center Station, both within walking distance.
From the Theatre District/Convention Center Station, walk south on 14th Street to reach the museum. From the Civic Center Station, head south on Broadway to 14th Avenue Parkway.
Things to Know Before You Go to the Denver Art Museum
Here are some top tips to keep in mind before you plan your day at the museum!
- Hours: Opened every day 10 AM – 5 PM, except on Tuesdays they’re open 10 AM – 8 PM
- Admission: Prices vary. Visitors 18 and under enjoy free general admission, while non-residents can expect to pay ~$22, CO residents can expect to pay ~$18
- Photography: You’re allowed to take photos in many areas, but flash and tripods are generally prohibited
- Denver City Pass: The museum is included with the Denver City Pass. Be sure to check it out before your visit as it could save you a lot of money!
Check out the Denver City Pass details here!
Denver Art Museum History
The museum was established in 1893 as the Denver Artists’ Club. By 1918, it had evolved into the Denver Art Association, which began to establish a permanent home for art exhibitions. The museum saw a pretty big milestone in 1949 with the opening of its first purpose-built structure, designed by Burnham Hoyt.
When The North Building was built in 1971, it truly put the Denver Art Museum on the map. In 2006, the museum expanded again with the addition of the Frederic C. Hamilton Building and now stands as one of the pillar museums in the Denver art community.
My Favorite Stops in the Denver Art Museum
I visited the Denver Art Museum back in January during one of their Free Days at the DAM, and spoiler alert, plan on going again to see even more of the exhibits.
Candidly, the day that I went was pretty busy due to the free admission event, so if you plan on going during the weekend just know that some of the more popular exhibits like the European art will be pretty busy.
If you’re wondering just exactly how long you can spend in this museum, it’s hard to say! If you’re a true art fan, you can easily spend upwards of 2 to 2.5 hours in this museum.
However, if you’re looking for some of the best highlights, here are some of my favorite parts of the museum so you know which exhibits to hit during your trip.
1. European Art before 1800
According to the Denver Art Museum website, this collection covers over 7,000 feet and has around 65 pieces. What I loved most about this collection is that it really offers a diverse collection of pieces from different eras.
So whether you’re looking for pieces from the 1300s and 1400s, or maybe some dramatic portraits of the 1600s this exhibit has a little bit of everything!
2. Indigenous Arts of North America Galleries
Step into a world of vibrant colors, intricate designs, and rich stories at Indigenous Arts of North America Galleries. This collection showcases the cultural heritage of Native American peoples.
What I enjoyed looking at the most was the intricate pottery and stunning textiles and even some of the more contemporary pieces like the one shown above, Rick Bartow’s (Wiyot), Crow Dance, 2014.
3. Latin American Art
You can easily spend a large portion of your day in this exhibit, with over 3,000 pieces from Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the Southwestern United States, the Latin American Art collection was another one of my favorites. I also found it fascinating that this collection is home to over 1,000 rare pieces!
Other Denver Art Museum Highlights
If those exhibits are neat enough, here are even more Denver Art Museum highlights that you can’t miss during your visit!
- Grab a bite to eat at the museum’s restaurant, Ponti. Ponti offers a locally sourced and inspired menu. It’s open for lunch, drinks, and small bites every day and dinner on Tuesdays.
- If you’re looking for more of a quick service option, check out Café Gio — pictured above!
- As every museum typically does, the Denver Art Museum offers a gift shop at the end of the experience. And if you’re like me and get home and regret not grabbing a souvenir at the shop check out the gift shop’s website.
- As I mentioned earlier, the Denver Art Museum is free for those under 18. They also offer a wide range of family and kid-friendly activities, since they change so often it’s best to check the museum’s event calendar!
Is the Denver Art Museum Worth Visiting?
There’s a reason why this museum is so well-loved around Denver and has out-of-town visitors buzzing when they visit! With over 3,000 reviews on TripAdvisor, it’s easy to see why folks love this museum. As a Denver resident, even I can’t wait to go again!
With a wide variety of contemporary and modern art as well as Free Days and a delicious in-house restaurant, what’s not to love? To me, a perfect day would be spent at the Denver Art Museum and Denver Botanic Gardens, art and nature, what’s better than that?!
AND they are BOTH included in the Denver City Pass! Be sure to check it out before visiting to see if it can save you moolah!
More Things to Do in Denver
If you’re looking for even more Denver fun, check out more travel guides listed below! Happy planning!
- One Weekend in Denver, CO
- Denver Date Nights
- 24 hours in Denver
- Weekend Trips from Denver, CO
- Denver Bachelorette Party
Recent Posts
Your Ultimate Guide to visiting Garden of the Gods in the Winter (2024)
Looking for a winter wonderland while visiting Colorado? Look no further than Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs! After you've explored all the fun things to see and do in the charming town...
With Halloween approaching, now is the perfect time to plan a ghost tour. The US has numerous haunted cities, and ghost tours are the ideal way to peek into our country’s spooky past. Let’s take...