Check the museum websites for current hours and unexpected closures.
Library passes are offered in limited quantities by participating institutions. Many also offer free days and other low cost options for community access. Reservations may be booked 2 weeks in advance.
American Museum of Western Art
The American Museum of Western Art – The Anschutz Collection, provides access to one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of Western art in one of the most unique settings in the country, the historic Navarre Building.
- Reserve a library museum pass on the date you would like to attend
- Print or display your pass for entry
- Admission is valid for a party of up to 4, no children under 8 years old will be admitted to the museum
- Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Last entry is at 4 p.m.
Butterfly Pavilion
At Butterfly Pavilion you can frolic with 1,600 free-flying tropical butterflies in Wings of the Tropics, hold the famous Rosie the tarantula in the Crawl-A-See-Em, dive into the wonder of the coral reefs and other ocean invertebrates in Water's Edge, and explore the unique and diverse invertebrate habitats that exist here in Colorado.
- Reserve a library museum pass for the day of your visit. Check email for confirmation, the library pass is only valid for the date listed
- Library pass holders must present the printed or electronic copy of the pass with the correct date at the front desk to redeem for general admission tickets
- Admission valid for ONE free entry, $5 entry for each additional person, children under two free, up to 4 total in the party. Valid from 9 a.m.– 4:15 p.m. Exhibits close at 5 p.m.
- General admission will close at 3 p.m. with last admission at 2:15 p.m. the following dates: April 27th, May 24th, August 30th, September 27th, October 25th, November 29th, December 27th
Clyfford Still Museum
Explore your imagination at the Clyfford Still Museum, located in the heart of Denver’s Golden Triangle Creative District. Young children are experts in abstract art, which is what Clyfford Still is best known for creating. The Museum offers a variety of family-friendly events including art making activities in our hands-on creation studio, tours, concerts, and more!
- Reserve a library museum pass for the day of your visit
- After reserving your library pass visit Hours and Tickets - Clyfford Still Museum to book your museum tickets
- Select the day of your library pass reservation, book up to two adult tickets, and up to 7 children/youth free tickets
- Use the code: DenverLibrary2023 at checkout for free admission
- Admission is valid for 2 adults per pass and up to 7 children/youth. Children and youth 17 and under are always free but require a ticket for access.
- Bring your library pass and museum ticket for entry.
If you'd like to register for a Museum program on the day of your pass, visit the Clyfford Still events page and use the code DenverLibrary2023 at checkout for up to two free adult program attendees. Kids 17 and under are invited to Museum programming, but still require advance ticketing.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street is a dynamic 24-acre urban oasis in the heart of the city where visitors of all ages flourish with unique garden experiences. Chatfield Farms, a 700-acre native plant refuge and working farm located along the banks of Deer Creek in southern Jefferson County, offers 2.5 miles of nature trails and numerous wildflower gardens.
- Reserve a library museum pass on the date you would like to attend. The pass is valid at York Street or Chatfield Farms
- Print or display your pass for entry
- Admission is valid for a party up to 6. Special events not included. See calendar for early closings
- Plains Conservation Center is free to visit without a reservation. Check the website for more information, then come explore the visitor center and hike the trails!
Denver Firefighters Museum
Housed in the original Firehouse Number 1 since 1909, the Denver Firefighters Museum offers outstanding exhibits on the history of firefighting in Denver, focusing on the Denver Fire Department.
- Reserve a library museum pass on the date you would like to attend
- Print or display your pass at Visitor Services for admission
- Admission is valid for a party of up to 4
Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys
Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys showcases a collection of miniature doll houses, dolls, and toys both as visual art and markers of cultural history. The museum also offers programs and activities ranging from tutorial workshops to game nights. Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- Reserve a library museum pass on the date you would like to attend
- Print or display your pass for admission
- Admission is valid for a party of up to 4
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science offers natural history exhibitions, planetarium shows, activities, and lectures that explore the wonders of science, Colorado, Earth, and the universe.
- After you book your pass through the library, you do not need to contact the museum to set up your visit. On the day of your reservation, simply visit the Ticketing Desk upon arrival at the Museum and present your print or digital confirmation.
- The Museum encourages the purchase of separate Gates Planetarium, Infinity Theater or Temporary Exhibition (when applicable) tickets in advance. Please call 303-370-6306 to make reservations. Members receive discounted Infinity Theater tickets.
- Visit the website for the latest updates. All tickets are subject to sell out.
- Admission is valid for a party up to 7
Denver Trolley (Closed for the Season)
Denver Zoo
The Denver Zoo has transitioned to its own free admission programs. See the Zoo website for ticket information for SNAP/EBT program participants, Five by Five, My Denver Card, Ronald McDonald House families and free day lotteries.
Dinosaur Ridge
Dinosaur Ridge is an iconic scientific site and outdoor museum located in Morrison, Colorado. Featuring 100-million-year-old dinosaur and crocodile bones, tracks, and fossils, Dinosaur Ridge has been ranked by a panel of leading paleontologists as the #1 dinosaur track site in the nation.
- Reserve a library museum pass for the day of your visit
- Print or display your pass for entry
- Admission is valid for up to 4 including 4 Audio Tours and entry into Trek Through Time Exhibit Hall. Guests can purchase bus tours at a discount of 10%.
Forney Museum of Transportation.
The Forney Museum of Transportation collects, preserves and displays artifacts related to historical transportation. Our collection highlights include the Union Pacific "Big Boy" locomotive and Amelia Earhart's 1923 Kissel "Gold Bug."
- Reserve a library museum pass on the date you would like to attend
- Print or display your pass for entry
- Admission is valid for a party of up to 3, dependent on availability during the desired time slot. Children under 3 do not count towards the reservation.
Four Mile Historic Park
Four Mile Historic Park is a portal to Denver’s Western heritage, with historically accurate replicas, a working farm with horses, goats, chickens, and pigs, and the site of Denver’s oldest standing structure, the Four Mile House Museum. Hours: January-May, Friday through Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; June-December, Wednesday through Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Reserve a library museum pass for the day of your visit
- Print or display your pass for entry
- Admission is valid for up to 2 adults and 2 children (age 7-17), children 6 years and younger are free and unlimited.
History Colorado Center
Designed to ignite imaginations of all ages about Colorado history, the History Colorado Center is a hub for civic engagement and creates a rich experience for visitors through exhibits and programs that blend technology, media, environments and artifacts.
- Reserve a library museum pass for the day of your visit. Check email for confirmation
- Tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis for all members and guests. Time slots may be sold out.
- Library pass holders must print or display your pass at the front desk during check-in.
- Admission is valid for 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 18
Library passes are not available on the following dates: 3/27/22-4/2/22, 5/30/22-9/5/22, 11/20/22-11/26/22, 12/18/22 - 1/1/23. History Colorado offers a free year-long membership to all fourth grade students in the state, and free days throughout the year.
Molly Brown House Museum
Historic Denver’s Molly Brown House Museum enhances Denver’s unique identity by telling the story of Margaret “Molly” Brown’s activism, philanthropy and passion through educational programs, exhibits, and stewardship.
Winter Hours: January 20th – March 20th, Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., last entry at 3:20 p.m.
Regular Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., last entry at 4 p.m.
Summer Hours: June 5th – August 21st, Monday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., last entry at 4:20 p.m.
- Reserve a library museum pass on the date you would like to attend
- Print or display your pass for entry
- The Library Pass can be redeemed for up to 4 "Explore the Museum on Your Own!" tickets.
- Each pass admits up to 4.
Museo de las Americas
Located in the heart of the Art District on Santa Fe, Museo de las Americas is the premier Latin American art museum in the Rocky Mountain region. Check Museo de las Americas for current hours. The museum will be closed for installation from February 26th to March 17th, July 24th to August 5. and September 24th to October 13th.
- Reserve a library museum pass for the day of your visit
- After reserving your pass visit www.museo.org to book your tickets. Select the day of your library pass reservation, choose a time, then use the code: DenverLibrary at checkout for your free admission. Questions? Call 303-571-4401
- Each pass admits up to 4 adults.
Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA Denver) explores the art and culture of our time through rotating exhibitions and public educational programs.
Check the MCA website for seasonal hours of operation.
- Reserve a library museum pass for the day of your visit
- Call 303-298-7554 to reserve timed entry tickets for a specific time slot
- Each pass admits up to 4 adults. (Free admission for ages 0-18.)
Newman Center Music and Theater Tickets
The Newman Center has partnered with the Denver Public Library to provide library customers with tickets for select music and theater performances! Enter the Lottery to Win.
Wings Over the Rockies
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum is located in Hangar #1 of the former Lowry Air Force Base in eastern Denver, Colorado. Today, the museum boasts more than 182,000 square feet of hangar space full of iconic aircraft, space vehicles, artifacts, military uniforms and much more.
The Lowry location will be closed on the following: 9/26, 10/12, 10/20, 11/14, 11/23, 12/1, 12/24, 12/25; closing at 3 p.m., 9/25, 10/11
The Exploration of Flight will be closed 8/19, 9/4, 9/8 closing at 2 p.m.,
Visit the Wings Over the Rockies website or the latest hours and updates.
- Reserve a library museum pass for the day of your visit
- Print or display your pass for entry
- Each pass allows 4 visitors admission to the main institution at Lowry (open 7 days a week) and to the Exploration of Flight, (closed Tuesday - Thursday).
Always check website for unexpected closures.
A permanent DPL library card in good standing is required to make a reservation to all cultural institutions (educators must use their personal card); the card holder may be asked to present a valid ID and library card at the museum. Each cardholder may reserve a pass once every 182 days at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, all other passes may be reserved every 30 days. Check the museum or cultural institution's website prior to your visit for unexpected closures or special events.
Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP--food stamp--benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 850 participating museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their SNAP EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer) card. Learn more about Museums for All.