Free Museum Days in Denver For 2020

Visiting museums can get expensive, especially for families. However, many local museums and attractions offer FREE admission every month — some even offer special activities on those days. The free days are funded, in part, by taxes collected through the Science and Cultural Facilities District and/or donations from generous sponsors. Because free days are so popular, expect large crowds and plan accordingly. Arrive early to secure a parking spot or consider carpooling, rideshare or using public transportation.

While admission is FREE, special exhibitions or other add-on activities may incur a fee. Dates and times may change, so always double-check before you visit.

Free Museum Days 2020

Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus

January 7, February 4, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, October 6, November 3, December 1. FREE days are on the first Tuesday of every month from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
2121 Children’s Museum Dr., Denver, 303-433-7444.

Clyfford Still Museum

January 23, February 15, March 24, April 2 & 26, May 20, June 16, July 26, August 12, October 13, November 19, December 9. 1250 Bannock St., Denver, 720-354-4880.

Colorado Railroad Museum

March 12, May 7, October 8. 17155 W. 44th Ave., Golden, 303-279-4591.

Denver Art Museum

January 4, February 1, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, June 9, July 7, August 4, September 1, September 12, October 6, November 3, November 7, December 1. General admission is FREE for kids 18 and younger every day. 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver, 720-913-0130.

Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street

January 20, February 17, March 22, April 19, June 23, July 13, August 11, November 11. 1007 York St., Denver, 720-865-3500.

Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms

January 7, February 4, March 3, April 7, June 2, July 7, August 4, November 3. 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton, 720-865-3500.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

January 6 & 26, February 10 & 23, April 26, May 31, July 1 (free only from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.), August 12 (free only from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.), September 2 (free only from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.) & 21, October 11,  December 6. Check here for more information on programming. (Note: FREE admission does not include IMAX or Planetarium.) 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, 303-370-6000.

Denver Zoo

January 10 & 18, February 2, April 9, October 20 and November 10 & 14. 2900 E. 23rd Ave., Denver, 720-337-1400.

Four Mile Historic Park

January 10, February 14, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 09, November 13, December 11. FREE days are the second Friday of every month (except holidays) from noon to 4 p.m. 715S. Forest St., Denver, 720-865-0800.

Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Denver

January 4, February 1, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7, December 5. Admission is 1¢ for Colorado residents. 1485 Delgany St., Denver, 303-298-7554.

Museum of Boulder

January 5, February 2, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, July 5, August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1, December 6. 2205 Broadway, Boulder, 303-449-3464.

Plains Conservation Center

January 16, February 20, March 19, June 18, July 16, August 20, November 19, December 3. Free Day hours 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora, 303-326-8380.

Here’s a FREE copy of the 2020 schedule to download and print. Post it at your workplace, school or community organization.

In addition, smaller museums, including strictly local ones, tend to have more free days (some are always free):

Aurora History Museum is FREE every day (closed on Monday). 15051 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora, 303-739-6660.

Broomfield Veterans Memorial Museum is FREE Thursday & Saturday. 12 Garden Center, Broomfield, 303-460-6801.

Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum features minerals, fossils, gemstones, meteorites and historic mining artifacts. Always FREE. General Research Lab (GRL) Building, 1310 Maple St., Golden, 303-273-3815.

Golden History Museum is FREE every day (closed on Tuesday) from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 923 10th St., 303-278-3557.

Hudson Gardens is FREE every day. Hours vary by season. 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton, 303-797-8565.

Longmont Museum and Cultural Center is FREE on the second Saturday of each month. 400 Quail Rd., Longmont, 303-651-8374. 

The Money Museum is FREE Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1020 16th St., Denver, 303-572-2300.

Museum of Outdoor Arts
MOA’s outdoor collections are always FREE to visit. Indoor exhibitions incur a charge. 1000 Englewood Pkwy., Englewood, 303-806-0444.

Nederland Mining Museum. Celebrates hard-rock mining in Boulder County in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. FREE. Open from early June through late October. 200 N. Bridge St. (at the traffic circle), Nederland.

University of Colorado Museum of Natural History is open to the public and FREE seven days a week. Programs for adults and family activities are FREE too. 15th and Broadway, Boulder, 303-492-6892.