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
I love art and museums, so naturally, the Denver Art Museum became one of the must-see sites while visiting the city. I visited on a Monday afternoon (Labor Day holiday), and the museum had some visitors, but none of the galleries were crowded. After redeeming my admission voucher, I was provided a helpful guide that listed which collections were found in each building plus the location of the gift shop and eateries. I highly recommend developing a plan of what you wish to see, especially if you have limited time. During my visit, I stopped by the collection of European paintings in the Hamilton Building, and in the Martin Building, I explored most of the galleries on the 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th floors. Altogether, my visit took about 3 hours, and that included a 30-minute lunch break at Café Gio.
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 was also 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 museum has a rooftop terrace, but unlike the Denver Museum of Nature and Science panoramic terrace, this one doesn’t provide nice views.
The Denver Art Museum has two pricing rates: one for Colorado residents and one for non-residents. Discounts are available for certain 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. I recommend this pass to save money if you plan to visit several major attractions.
The museum provides a comprehensive list of services for those needing special accommodations. Visit their accessibility page for more information.
Travel Tip
When visiting the Denver Art Museum, don’t miss 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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