Highest-rated museums in Colorado by visitors
Museums are popular tourist attractions because they provide fun ways to learn about history, science, and culture. As stewards of our civilization, they collect and exhibit items of significant importance, typically based around a theme, topic, or place. Many cover areas like art, natural history, or science, but some museums dedicate themselves to highly specific topics like mustard, play, hot air balloons, and even funeral history. Ultimately, museums present a window into different eras of society so people can learn about the past.
Collecting, preserving, and displaying items is not a new idea. The dates to about 530 B.C., a project of Princess Ennigaldi-Nanna, a Babylonian who had a collection of Mesopotamian artifacts. The oldest public museums still in existence are the Capitoline Museums in Rome, a collection of art and archeology museums . America's oldest museum predates our country's founding. The Charleston Museum, a preservation of South Carolinian Lowcountry history,.
Museums are important not just because they preserve important elements of our history and culture but also because they can improve our well-being. Naturally, museums promote education and learning and can also bring joy. Researchers studying art museums found that they can. Quiet museum environments allow people to slow down and relax, and looking at exhibits. Museums also foster community by hosting events, activities, and tours that encourage social interaction.
No wonder they attract nearly.
With over in the country to choose from, there's something for everyone. compiled a list of the highest-rated museums in Colorado on Tripadvisor as of Aug. 11, 2025. Tripadvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see what museums are in your own home state.
#30. Mines Museum of Earth Science
- Rating: 4.7/5 (306 reviews)
- City: Golden
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#29. Clyfford Still Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (424 reviews)
- City: Denver
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#28. Rosemount Museum
- Rating: 4.7/5 (214 reviews)
- City: Pueblo
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#27. Miramont Castle Museum
- Rating: 4.0/5 (463 reviews)
- City: Manitou Springs El Paso County
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#26. Museum of the Mountain West
- Rating: 4.8/5 (421 reviews)
- City: Montrose
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#25. History Colorado Center
- Rating: 4.2/5 (644 reviews)
- City: Denver
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#24. National Center for Atmospheric Research - NCAR
- Rating: 4.4/5 (318 reviews)
- City: Boulder
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#23. Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (371 reviews)
- City: not available
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#22. Last Chance Mine
- Rating: 4.8/5 (343 reviews)
- City: Creede
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#21. Colorado Railroad Museum
- Rating: 4.2/5 (615 reviews)
- City: Golden
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#20. U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
- Rating: 4.7/5 (374 reviews)
- City: not available
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#19. National Ballpark Museum
- Rating: 4.8/5 (214 reviews)
- City: Denver
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#18. Benson Park Sculpture Garden
- Rating: 4.8/5 (634 reviews)
- City: Loveland
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#17. South Park City Museum
- Rating: 4.8/5 (323 reviews)
- City: Fairplay
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#16. Ouray Alchemist Museum
- Rating: 4.9/5 (381 reviews)
- City: Ouray
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#15. The Kirkland at the Denver Art Museum
- Rating: 4.8/5 (410 reviews)
- City: Denver
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#14. Butterfly Pavilion
- Rating: 4.5/5 (737 reviews)
- City: Westminster
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#13. Totally 80's Pizza & Museum
- Rating: 4.8/5 (177 reviews)
- City: Fort Collins
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#12. Museum of Illusions Denver
- Rating: 4.6/5 (89 reviews)
- City: Denver
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#11. Buffalo Bill Museum And Grave
- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,308 reviews)
- City: Golden
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#10. Forney Museum of Transportation
- Rating: 4.5/5 (561 reviews)
- City: Denver
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#9. Manitou Cliff Dwellings
- Rating: 3.8/5 (2,046 reviews)
- City: Manitou Springs El Paso County
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#8. Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
- Rating: 4.3/5 (785 reviews)
- City: Denver
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#7. Meow Wolf's Convergence Station
- Rating: 4.0/5 (518 reviews)
- City: Denver
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#6. Argo Mill and Tunnel
- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,775 reviews)
- City: not available
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#5. Denver Art Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,519 reviews)
- City: Denver
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#4. Molly Brown House Museum
- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,527 reviews)
- City: Denver
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#3. National Museum of World War II Aviation
- Rating: 4.9/5 (2,130 reviews)
- City: not available
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#2. Denver Museum Of Nature & Science
- Rating: 4.6/5 (4,135 reviews)
- City: Denver
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#1. Denver Botanic Gardens
- Rating: 4.7/5 (5,876 reviews)
- City: Denver
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.