While visiting the area we decided on the History Colorado Center mainly because the museum was closed and I am glad we did. I have been to Colorado a handful of times but I did not know much about the history of the state. The Center is a great place to get the background you need. There are 4 floors of artifacts,exhibits, artwork, and displays. My favorite exhibit was ZOOM IN: 100 objects that represent the state. There is a cafe for onsite dining and a gift shop as well. read more

History Colorado Center - Museums Near Me - Denver, Colorado

We finally made it in on the last weekend of the 90s exhibit. As a 90s baby, it brought me back to a time of my childhood I don't have much memories of cause I was in fact a Y2K child but it was still crazy to see a similar office desk setup of my childhood in a museum. Signs of being "old". The exhibit was so thought out taking you through major historical events but also plenty of Colorado history intertwined as well. While Colorado is a great state to live in, it definitely has a dark history and I think it's important to take time to learn about the past and how this state was established on blood and tears. The exhibits are interesting because it'll go from one to another. Also appreciate the mini Little Saigon exhibit. Overall, it's a nice way to pass time and get your steps in. It's pretty affordable too at $15. It is located in downtown which can be a bummer cause parking can be difficult. read more

See all

We originally came for the 90's exhibit. And what a cool place. I was impressed with the exhibit in itself. It transported me to my childhood. I am so sad that this wasn't around when I was a kid when we learned about the state history. It would have been such a fun field trip place. We didn't make it super far into the museum. We got there a little late. But we will be back. There's still so much to explore. I know there are dark parts of Colorado history. And I appreciate what we saw. I can't wait to go back and learn more and see what is highlighted in the museum. read more

History Colorado Center - Museums Near Me - Denver, Colorado

It's a very well done, well curated museum that encompasses the 150 years of Colorado. Great exhibits on the first Coloradans as well as "Zoomed in" --100 artifacts of the Centennial State. The Denver A to Z exhibit was interesting but left something to be desired in terms of signage and set up. The 90s exhibit was also a fun blast from the past. Head down there soon since the exhibit is in its last months of being open. It's a worth-your-while museum! read more

See all

I have always wanted to go here and finally did last weekend. I love watching the collaborative episodes on PBS. This museum did not disappoint and it truly brought the history to life. The Sandcreek Massacre is a must see, the significance of the brutality and broken treaties from the US government must never be forgotten. I know my grandparents would be so proud to see their culture celebrated and shown in a public domain. They spoke Spanish but were afraid to teach my dad so this being highlighted in the museum felt like a healing moment as well. Staff are so friendly and knowledgeable. I am hoping to volunteer here sometime in the near future. read more

History Colorado Center - Museums Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Fun for the whole family. Air conditioning. Quiet spaces. Open spaces. History Colorado galore. I love it here. There is a diverse, multicultural and more feel here. From exhibits, artifacts, photography and artwork, Colorado history comes alive. I seriously plead for you to visit. You'll be glad you did. Support local museums. This is right in the city. read more

See all

What a beautiful place!! Learning more about the history of how the white man came and killed the Native Americans to steal their land. Incredibly sad and heartbreaking to see/read how this happened. The Sand Creek Massacre truly establishes the tragic devastation of the Arapahoe and Cherokee peoples in the early 1700's. This place was wonderfully educational and entertaining for all ages. read more

See all

I think the History Colorado Center is one of my favorite museums I've been to. There's so much to learn here, time and time again, from the regular exhibits and the rotating ones alike. I've been many times and I learn something new from the permanent displays each time. I have not been at all disappointed with the periodically swapped out exhibits either. They're relevant and interesting, and give me something to research further into in the future. There are a lot of interactive displays and opportunities to think and share unique ideas as well. I love museums that offer the opportunity to use what you're learning and apply it in the moment. Learning is not just for school trips, us older folks can do it too! They even have windows to peer through to see how they work on exhibit items and restore/preserve them. I've not been there during active work hours yet, but hopefully one day! The museum is pretty large and very clean and organized. I love the building itself, it's spacious and fun to just meander around in. There are plenty of bathrooms, some on each floor. There is lots and lots of seating for breaks if needed. The staff is friendly and the gift shop has lots of cool items. read more

I haven't been to the History Colorado Center since it moved, and when I took my students to the old location many years ago. It was a fun way to spend a Sunday morning. The docent at the ticket counter suggested we start on the top floor and work our way down. This was a good idea since many heavier topics were on the fourth floor with permanent exhibits such as the Sand Creek Massacre. The third floor had an excellent Zoom In exhibit with 100 Objects representing the Centennial State. Denver A-Z was interesting...might confuse the young ones since some of the topics selected didn't necessarily start with the letter (ie, Q is for Quality Air--Tuberculosis. I think that belongs with T.) Overall, very well done with a nice representation of diverse people, time periods of Colorado, with permanent and temporary exhibits. read more

See all

Super cool and interesting museum to visit! It was interesting to see the history of Colorado represented at this museum. But it was especially cool to see the exhibit on the Denver Chinatown and the exhibit on pop culture. Because not that many people know that Denver had a Chinatown, to see exhibits on the history was really eye opening. To see how Chinatown evolved really emphasizes the importance of preserving history. The pop culture exhibit was great as well. It was like a throwback to all of our childhoods. From exhibits on the music of Snoop Dogg and 2pac to the creation of the DVD, you can see that the world has changed a lot in the last 50 years. Really great museum to visit :) read more

See all

Stepping into the History Colorado Center in Denver felt like jumping into a time-traveling playground. The first thing I saw was a giant floor map of the state--yes, a map you can walk on--and I pushed around a time machine cart that lit up stories from Colorado's past. Before I knew it, I was standing in a recreated pioneer town, then flying off a ski jump in a simulator, and dodging a Dust Bowl storm in a windswept room that actually shook. My kids were obsessed with the hands-on maker space, while I lingered over Jack Swigert's Apollo 13 suit and a guitar once strummed by John Denver. Every corner of the museum had something surprising--one moment we were learning about ancient cliff dwellings, the next, exploring Japanese internment camps or grooving through a nostalgic '90s exhibit. We laughed, we learned, and we left feeling like we'd seen Colorado through a thousand different lenses. History never felt this alive--or this fun. read more

A quiet, amazing place to visit in Denver. There are fabulous artifacts from all over Colorado and the printed materials were very helpful. It has a small but fun gift shop. read more

See all

I really loved my time spent here, I think you will too. I researched things I wanted to see while visiting Denver, and decided I needed to make a stop here. Me and a friend ended up staying here a couple of hours, but really one could spend the day. While it's called a center, it's really a huge multi level museum. With some longer term and some shorter term exhibits. They even have events, film screenings, and lectures in various subjects. If I lived here, I would imagine I would visit often. It was nice to explore multi levels of exhibits with various intertwinings to Denver. The exhibits I visited were the Sandcreek Massacare, Artist SeeWalker, Through the Lens Photography of Frank Muramoto, Denver A to Z, Living West, De la Tierra, and Colorado stories with Chicano activism. The Sandcreek Massacare was a tragedy of American history. I was fascinated to learn "On November 29, 1864, roughly 700 federal troops attacked a village of 500 Cheyenne and Arapaho on Sand Creek in Colorado. An unprovoked attack on men, women, and children, the massacre at Sand Creek marked a turning point in the relationship between American Indian tribes and the Federal Government." The most important part of this exhibit to me, is that it was told from the perspective of the Indigenous people of the ancestors affected. On a brighter side, it talked about the 4 hills of life, which I thought was beautiful. And how they worked hard to keep there language & traditions alive. The Artist Danielle SeeWalker exhibit was wonderful, mixing the old world and the new. "Danielle SeeWalker is Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta and citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota. She is a fine artist, muralist, writer, activist, and boymom of two, based in Denver, Colorado. Her visual artwork often incorporates the use of mixed media and experimentation while incorporating traditional Native American materials, scenes, and messaging. Her artwork pays homage to her identity as a Lakȟóta wíŋyaŋ (woman) and her passion to redirect the narrative to an accurate and insightful representation of contemporary Native America while still acknowledging historical events.". The exhibit Denver A to Z had interesting facts to learn. And about Five Points, and Lincoln Hills, a large resort and safe haven for blacks families to be able to escape relentless racism and segregation and to thrive in beautiful scenery peacefully. They even purchased land and built communities, which was not easy. Overall, it was great to learn about the history & culture both past and present of Denver and the west. read more

See all

Not the best historical museum I've been to, for a building as big on the outsideI was ssurprised that there was a lot of open space and closed areas. What was very cool was the 100 historical items, in order which depicts the most historical items over the time that Colorado was a state. Some later ones were a little cringy, but overall a good time. read more

See all

We joined as members. This was our first visit. I wanted to see the John Fielder exhibit but they were only displaying twelve of his photographs. I was disappointed. I hope they can do more with the six thousand photos that he willed to them when he died. We enjoyed the rest of the museum and the cafe. We hope to go back soon. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. They directed to an online exhibit that displays more of John Fielder's work. Like the other museums in the area; this is a peaceful place to cool off and learn about Colorado. read more

See all

As a native Coloradoan, I found the museum fascinating and informative. I was fortunate enough to get the behind the scenes tour and found the museum within the museum captivating. The staff place a ton of care and research on the artifacts in their procession. The artifacts range from military, Indian, dolls, clothing, newspapers maps and toys. The museum has agreements with other museums around the world and constantly loaning them for a particular exhibition. The research center in the museum is free for anyone who is researching a particular Colorado topic. They have staff and thousands of artifacts at their fingertips. Their website has a catalog of photographed artifacts and hundreds of thousands awaiting cataloging. Friendly staff will help point you in the right direction or put the missing artifact on the catalog fast-track. Most of their artifacts come from donations. The history of Colorado Indian is being revisited and signs around the displays acknowledge the mission to fix the narrative. I would like to go back and spend time in the exhibits since they have great videos and print to help tell the story. I spent most of my time behind the scenes and would like to go back as take a full tour. Lots of displays for kids and families but I would go back to spend time learning about our history. read more

History Colorado Center - Museums Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Great space with excellent exhibits. I have been to this place for a couple of events and it's always a great location. Bright and well lit with natural lighting. The main room for the event is large and can accommodate a big crowd. Parking is the one challenge. I parked in the street to avoid parking fees. And being a Sunday, street parking is free. read more

See all

Wonderful interactive museum making learning about "the old days" fun for all ages. The opportunity to design posters and promotional materials for current causes promotes creativity, action, and involvement. read more

Building is modern and nice staff friendly and interesting exhibit. They should have a time line display would be nice. Most exhibits have a political left leaning message, when discussing history I read the word racist over 20x so any uncomfortable history rather then explaining that 1800s - early 1900s the prevailing belief was "Manifest Destiny"--the idea that expansion was inevitable and divinely ordained. This wasn't necessarily seen as "hate" by those living then; it was seen as "progress." Native Americans were often viewed as "noble savages" or "impediments to civilization." The goal of the era--which we now see as destructive--was often assimilation (trying to turn Indians into "European-style" farmers). People in 1830 didn't have the internet, modern anthropology, or a global understanding of human rights. They lived in a world of constant territorial warfare and scarce resources. The museum needs to review and give a better perspective on history and not just throw,out the 2025 woke terms describing it. read more

Beautiful and friendly place ! Excellent staff. There is a map of the place, plenty of bathrooms water fountains etc. and a great place to pop in on a hot day! We enjoyed all the sites all 5 floors of this museum. Great for people of all ages! read more

History Colorado Center - Museums Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Amazing place! I applaud this institution's BRAVERY and HONESTY as well as their RESEARCH and CREATIVITY in producing exhibits that inform and educate visitors about the complex but dynamic history of Colorado. From the Dust Bowl (don't miss the 9-minute reenactment show) to mining tools to skiing gears... all the way to the drag queen costumes and the dismounted Civil War monument (On Guard) you get a glimpse of the hardship, determination, and perseverance of people who made the state what it is today. There are, however, evidences of conflicts, bloodshed, racism, and heartbreaks. The Sand Creek Massacre exhibit is very powerful but can be painful to go through; so come with some courage and be prepared to learn. Overall this is a great place to spend a day or half a day. Some exhibits deal with heart wrenching past but some exhibits show science & engineering and yet others show remarkable human spirit. Many were designed to engage children. A must-do to complete the Colorado experience for tourists. read more

History Colorado Center - Front view - Museums Near Me - Denver, Colorado

This is a museum in downtown Denver that represents the history of Colorado from beginning to fairly current times. It is housed on five floors of exhibitis very well done. There are some interactive terminals and a lot of information. They also have a cafe, gift store and makers space for kids and adults to create and learn. They also have tours and school class tours which need pre planning. The admission is reasonable with senior and children discount and membership options. Very cool place read more

See all

All I can say is that everyone needs to go to History Colorado Center just to take in the "The Sand Creek Massacre: The Betrayal that Changed Cheyenne and Arapaho People Forever" exhibit. Incredibly eye opening and informative, detailing the horrible day in Colorado History! read more

As someone who is a teenager in the '90s, I jumped at the chance to check this place out and look at their '90s exhibit which did not disappoint. I also happen to be there at the right time because they had an entire exhibit about the Sand Creek Massacre so I made a point of going up to see that as well. I did not know this museum existed, but I will definitely be going back. read more

See all

My first time in and I loved this museum! As a CO native, I thought I knew the history of our beautiful state but I learned so much! Each display or exhibit was informative and well written. There were multiple interactive activities and while they are geared mostly to children, I enjoyed participating as well. I would recommend visiting! read more

History Colorado Center - Museums Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Bottom Line: Colorado's history told with Smithsonian-quality and in a captivating way. I loved this museum and really enjoyed learning more about Colorado. Here is are my favorite exhibits: 1. The 100 Objects exhibit which displays 100 artifacts that summarize the history of Colorado. This exhibit is located on the third floor and I wish I had started there because other exhibits in the museum expand upon the objects displayed here. 2. The 1920s Keota exhibit made learning about a small town on Colorado's eastern plains very interesting. I loved walking through the general store, school and barn and the multimedia "first person" accounts added to the exhibit. This exhibit is located on teh first floor. 3. The Colorado stories exhibit shares diverse stories, including the ugly and lovely, about Colorado. This exhibit covers Bent's Old Fort, the Santa Fe Trail, mining, skiing, the African American-established resort town of Lincoln Hills and World War II era Japanese American interment camps. My husband and I spent about two hours at the museum but could have stayed longer. We left to get some lunch and although re-entry was an option, we decided to go check out some of Denver's other wonderful cultural sites. History Colorado is a Smithson Affiliate and is curated with Smithsonian quality. read more

See all

Kids are free and the museum is hands on - not hands off. We attended a school field trip with our fourth grade granddaughter. It's was si much fun! Especially with 21 fourth graders!!! read more

History Colorado Center - You can email a composite picture of yourself to your email - Museums Near Me - Denver, Colorado

See all

Recommend! We had never been here before and it was great to see some more history that we hadn't seen before at some of the other local museums. We always love seeing new places and History Colorado Center was great! read more

All my life living in Colorado I have never been to the History Colorado Center. Well, folks, I've finally made it! Free day called for a family outing and it was well worth it. There are several different exhibits over four levels and each of them are unique and interesting. I enjoyed how there were some interactive aspects as well. I would say the main floor is a great place for children, but the other floors are more information based, so not as fun. Every staff member we ran into were knowledgeable and excited about sharing information and teaching about Colorado's history. I could spend all day in the research center. Incredibly informative and cool to browse the endless amounts of microfilm. If you're not too keen on going, there are several free days throughout the year along with other celebrations at the History Colorado Center. read more

See all

There is a ton of information here! Walking in you will see a gift shop and a main entry which I think is typically filled with kid activities (and there's another kid activity area off the gift shop, too). They cleared out the main area for performances the day I went. Pro Tip: there are several free days throughout the year here if you're on a budget. Just look up when those are. There were 4 floors of information, it was a lot and I didn't get through all of it, but a good amount. Next visit I'll maybe start at the top and work down. I really like the Ute exhibit, the true Colorado "natives"! The A though Z about Denver was interesting, as well -- I just don't get the design, the lack of flow from A to Z, but anywho. Fun place to spend a day inside! read more

See all

It's so wonderful to find a museum-like institution doing it right. Excellent exhibit on the Sand Creek Massacre. Loved Revolt. Thought the civil war statue that was taken down from the capitol and now housed here was handled really well. The 100 objects exhibit was just really cool. Wish every museum could handle this country's difficult history this well. I even really enjoyed some of the hands on things like making cording that may have been intended for younger audiences. Oh, just FYI, there is a surprise taxidermy rattle snake. If you happen to be a hiker and live in a rattlesnake rich environment, consider yourself warned so you too don't jump across the gallery. read more

Visited the center with a relative who was in town for a few days. It was quite interesting. I definitely recommend you go at least once if you live here or visit Colorado. read more

Haven't really spent much time inside since its opening quite some years and was amazed with the depth and breadth of the information presented and the interactive format here. Not only history buffs would certainly enjoy their time here, the unassuming visitors would also find this place entertaining while learning a whole bunch about Colorado. Great destination for the whole family. Highly recommended. read more

See all

I passed by this museum recently on the way to a nearby restaurant recently and was determined to return for a visit. Overall, I enjoyed my visit to the museum. Admission fee isn't too bad. They offer a discount to active duty military, retired military and veterans. With the discount, admission fee was about $13. Be prepared to show proof of military or veteran status. They will ask to see it. The museum has four floors. You can easily spend the day here or the afternoon. There is so much to see here and learn about. I loved the Native American exhibit on the 4th floor. I was impressed learning about the history of the Ute tribe in Colorado. It inspired me to want to visit the Ute Museum in Western Colorado. Now it's all a matter of talking myself into making the trip! Overall, there is a lot to see in this museum. I also enjoyed learning about the history of Asians in Colorado. Also, there is a cafe that serves food and refreshments. I recommend checking their hours of operation before exploring the museum so as to plan for a beverage or bite to eat later. Unfortunately, I didn't catch them before closing. They have a gift shop in the main lobby of the museum. I didn't have an opportunity to see it because they were setting up for an event after hours. However, they had a nice display of books on a wall next to the Café entrance. I was impressed with the broad display of books. Surprisingly, nothing caught my eye to purchase. I would love to return here sometime and experience more. Also, staff is generally helpful and friendly. When I asked a staff member about the gift shop I felt his attention was still stuck in his cell phone. Companies need to have better policies about cell phone usage while at work. Fortunately a nice young male staff member stepped in to assist me with a question about the gift shop. Hope that you enjoy your visit! It's a wonderful experience for tourists and locals. read more

See all

A big Squat 4 story Building. Built with a lot of stone. For me the 1st floor was a bust. There was a clothes exhibit, pass. Then I went up to the 4th floor and the exhibits got much better. I did enjoy floors 2-4. My only real issue was I thought the # of artifacts was lacking. The Denver Art Museum had 4 times the artifacts, and I'm not talking paintings and sculptures. This museum in my opinion had too many video exhibits vs real objects exhibits. That being said I did spend almost 2 hours viewing the exhibits. Overall for me this was a 3 1/2 star review. Due to I have to round it ends up a 3 for me. If you like video exhibits I could easily see it gain a star for you. Would I return? No, I much preferred the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science! read more

See all

As a Colorado transplant, the History Colorado Center has immersed me directly into the backbone of Colorado's unique Western history. Like any great museum, the exhibits are relevant, poignant and educational. As far as the space is concerned, it's a 5-star stunner. The views from the atrium looking up or even from the 4th floor looking down to the atrium are quite beautiful. Elevators and stairs allow quick access, with bathrooms and water fountains on each floor, make it convenient to explore comfortably. Sometimes we forget museums like these are non profit organizations. I can't imagine what it's been like for them during COVID. As a community gathering place, centered around knowledge and history, keeping the museum up and running must be a challenge. I recently visited about a month ago and I enjoyed browsing through new exhibits like Apron Chronicles, Black in Denver and Merciless Indian Savages. Visually there are impressive artistic pieces to gaze over. While many of the exhibits are just downright eye opening and insanely informative. Whenever I leave places like the History Colorado Center, I'm enlightened and rejuvenated. If you're looking for a wide open space to explore, whether alone or with a friend or a child, I'd encourage anyone to learn more about Colorado's noteworthy history! read more

See all

PROS: one of the best history museums I've ever been to. 4 floors of Colorado history-- native Americans, women's, natural history, and more. There were a lot of interactive exhibits as well, including one full section for kids. This was even priced well CONS: no parking around the area except for scarce paid street parking OVERALL: you. Must. See. This. Place. I don't care if you don't like history, you'll enjoy this-- and one thing I admire is that they're very clean read more

See all

History Colorado Center is a museum with a collection of mostly unrelated exhibits. They are I suppose mostly related to Colorado, and they mostly deal with history, but it doesn't feel like there's a common theme. There are 5 total floors. They said I should start at the top then move downward. I did do that, but I don't see a point: like the words in their name, the exhibits are in no particular order. There are some good bits though. There's a diorama of downtown Denver about a hundred years ago. There's a working and interactive model of how water moves from rivers on both sides of the Rocky Mountains, through tunnels, dams, and reservoirs, to cities, towns, and farms. There's an exhibit about the 10th Mountain Division and its efforts in Italy during WWII. There's a mistake on their map--two of the exhibits are swapped. Most exhibits prohibit food and water. I think one also prohibited flash photography. Seeing everything would probably take a full day. I doubt most people would be interested in everything there. Personally, I'd say there's about 3-4 hours of good content. read more

See all

Learned so much information here. Very interactive I highly, highly recommend! Here you will learn about the past, the present, and the future! read more

See all

I have been a member of History Colorado for several years. Their permanent exhibits like Zoom In: The Centennial State in 100 Objects is comphrensive and thought provoking. They also have "Denver A to Z", "Living West" about water resources and "Written on the Land: Ute Voices. Ute History". This time I came to see the special exhibit on "The Sand Creek Massacre" and view selected pages of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that ended the Spanish-American war and moved the border with Mexico well to the south. Both well presented. I plan to visit the Sand Creek Massacre site east of Eads, Colorado this summer. read more

See all