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 world's first museum 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 started in 1471. America's oldest museum predates our country's founding. The Charleston Museum, a preservation of South Carolinian Lowcountry history, opened in 1773.

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 reduce depression and increase people's sense of belonging. Quiet museum environments allow people to slow down and relax, and looking at exhibits can reduce stress. Museums also foster community by hosting events, activities, and tours that encourage social interaction.

No wonder they attract nearly 900 million visits a year.

With over 30,000 museums in the country to choose from, there's something for everyone. Stacker 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.

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#30. Mines Museum of Earth Science

- Rating: 4.7/5 (306 reviews)
- City: Golden
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#29. Clyfford Still Museum

- Rating: 4.5/5 (424 reviews)
- City: Denver
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#28. Rosemount Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (214 reviews)
- City: Pueblo
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#27. Miramont Castle Museum

- Rating: 4.0/5 (463 reviews)
- City: Manitou Springs El Paso County
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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5 / 30

#26. Museum of the Mountain West

- Rating: 4.8/5 (421 reviews)
- City: Montrose
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#25. History Colorado Center

- Rating: 4.2/5 (644 reviews)
- City: Denver
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#24. National Center for Atmospheric Research - NCAR

- Rating: 4.4/5 (318 reviews)
- City: Boulder
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#23. Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

- Rating: 4.5/5 (371 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#22. Last Chance Mine

- Rating: 4.8/5 (343 reviews)
- City: Creede
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#21. Colorado Railroad Museum

- Rating: 4.2/5 (615 reviews)
- City: Golden
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#20. U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (374 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#19. National Ballpark Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (214 reviews)
- City: Denver
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#18. Benson Park Sculpture Garden

- Rating: 4.8/5 (634 reviews)
- City: Loveland
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#17. South Park City Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (323 reviews)
- City: Fairplay
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#16. Ouray Alchemist Museum

- Rating: 4.9/5 (381 reviews)
- City: Ouray
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

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#15. The Kirkland at the Denver Art Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (410 reviews)
- City: Denver
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#14. Butterfly Pavilion

- Rating: 4.5/5 (737 reviews)
- City: Westminster
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#13. Totally 80's Pizza & Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (177 reviews)
- City: Fort Collins
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#12. Museum of Illusions Denver

- Rating: 4.6/5 (89 reviews)
- City: Denver
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#11. Buffalo Bill Museum And Grave

- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,308 reviews)
- City: Golden
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#10. Forney Museum of Transportation

- Rating: 4.5/5 (561 reviews)
- City: Denver
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#9. Manitou Cliff Dwellings

- Rating: 3.8/5 (2,046 reviews)
- City: Manitou Springs El Paso County
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#8. Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

- Rating: 4.3/5 (785 reviews)
- City: Denver
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#7. Meow Wolf's Convergence Station

- Rating: 4.0/5 (518 reviews)
- City: Denver
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#6. Argo Mill and Tunnel

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,775 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#5. Denver Art Museum

- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,519 reviews)
- City: Denver
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#4. Molly Brown House Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,527 reviews)
- City: Denver
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#3. National Museum of World War II Aviation

- Rating: 4.9/5 (2,130 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#2. Denver Museum Of Nature & Science

- Rating: 4.6/5 (4,135 reviews)
- City: Denver
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#1. Denver Botanic Gardens

- Rating: 4.7/5 (5,876 reviews)
- City: Denver
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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