Destination guide for Denver’s Art Museum.
The Denver Art Museum, established in 1893, is one of the largest art museums between Chicago and the West Coast. The museum’s 12 collections are global in nature and feature 70,000 paintings, textiles, furniture, and other fine items. The Denver Art Museum is housed in the Hamilton and Martin buildings, and the institution recently welcomed the Kirkland Museum to its campus.
Visiting the Denver Art Museum
Given my strong passion for art and museums, the Denver Art Museum was a must-see during my trip. This cultural gem, situated just south of Civic Center Park, offers visitors the chance to explore art from all corners of the globe and spanning diverse time periods. The broad scope of art on display makes the Denver Art Museum universally appealing. Whether you love the European classic masterpieces or prefer contemporary works from American artists, this museum truly has something to captivate everyone.
The Denver Art Museum’s collections span two buildings, the Hamilton Building and the Martin Building, which are connected by a pedestrian bridge. Each building itself is a work of art featuring unique architectural designs: the Hamilton Building, designed by Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind, and the Martin Building, designed by Italian architect Giò Ponti. When guests arrive at the museum, they are given a guide that indicates the locations of the various collections, as well as the eateries, shops, and guest services. A handy resource for planning your visit!
I visited the museum the afternoon of Labor Day (a U.S. holiday), and the crowds were minimal. Since I had only about 3 hours to spend at the museum, I first visited the European and American Art collection in the Hamilton Building, the collection I was most interested in. I then crossed over to the Martin Building for lunch at Café Gio and explored the galleries on the 2nd through 6th floors. I suggest planning at least two to three hours at the Denver Art Museum, though art enthusiasts can easily spend half a day there.
by Antoine Vollon
by Vincent van Gogh
by Pietro Fabris
Overall, I was impressed with the Denver Art Museum. It is a very well-curated museum with easy-to-navigate galleries. I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to experience such a wide range of art styles and time periods. It is so interesting to view European paintings alongside works of art from Asia and Latin America. And the woodwork from Alaska and the Northwest Coast was fascinating!
The Denver Art Museum has two pricing rates: one for Colorado residents and one for non-residents. Discounts are available for specific age groups and those who meet certain criteria, such as active-duty military personnel.
The museum charges a higher rate, named peak pricing, on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
The Denver Art Museum is one of the sites included in the Denver City Pass. If you plan to visit several attractions during your trip to Denver, I recommend this pass as a way to save money.
The museum offers a comprehensive list of services for individuals requiring special accommodations. Visit their accessibility page for more information.
Travel Tip
When visiting the Denver Art Museum, be sure to see the Big Sweep sculpture or Wheel, a symbolic art installation that pays tribute to Native American sites and beliefs. Both are located on the east side of the Hamilton building.
Resources
For additional information, visit the Denver Art Museum’s website.
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