Celebrate the beginning of spring at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science! Dive into a world of wonder and discovery with our captivating exhibitions on space, ancient Egypt, dinosaurs, gems & minerals, wildlife dioramas, fossils, orcas and so much more.
Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring giant screen movies in the Infinity Theater, embark on cosmic journeys with our planetarium shows and let your little ones explore and learn in our play-friendly Discovery Zone. With a wide range of activities and experiences awaiting you, there's no better place to make lasting memories this spring break than at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
There's so much to do and to see at the Museum, here are just a few must-sees!
Plan your visit to the Museum, here.
Things to do at the Museum:
Giant Screen Experience
Orcas: Return of the Giants 3D now playing at the Infinity Theater
The Museum's state-of-the-art giant screen Infinity Theater includes a new lobby entrance with beautiful finishes, an impressive new laser projector and sound system, new audio and visual accessibility features, enhanced programming, 2D and 3D capabilities and much more.
- Check out these 8 fun facts about the Giant Screen Infinity Theater.
NOW SHOWING:
Blue Whales: Return of the Giants 3D
Blue Whales: Return of the Giants 3D
Take part in a breathtaking journey with “Blue Whales: Return of the Giants 3D.” In this giant screen film narrated by English actor Andy Serkis, you will explore the world of the magnificent blue whale, a species rebounding from the brink of extinction. Following two scientific expeditions — one to find a missing population of blue whales off the exotic Seychelles Islands, the other to chronicle whale families in Mexico’s stunning Gulf of California — this is an inspirational story that transforms our understanding of the largest animal ever to have lived. Joined by a cast of supporting characters, from dolphins and sperm whales to sea lions and orcas, don’t miss your opportunity to see the blue whale’s star moment on the giant screen!
Cities of the Future
“Cities of the Future” invites you to step into an exciting new world of innovation and exploration to address the challenges of a rapidly changing planet. Discover the thrilling technological breakthroughs — electric autonomous vehicles and aerial highways, solar energy beamed down from space to power entire cities and smart buildings and greener infrastructure to keep us cool — that engineers are working on right now and meet a team of middle school students competing in the Future City Competition. Narrated by award-winning actor John Krasinski, this film will energize kids and adults of all ages to think about engineering as a meaningful way to help others and leave a positive mark on the world.
Exhibitions:
Orcas: Our Shared Future
Unleash the magic of the sea with "Orcas: Our Shared Future." Trace the evolution of our beliefs about orcas, from fear to admiration and awe, as we discover their stunning intelligence and complex social structures. Meet a life-sized replica of an orca family as you listen to their soothing harmonies in an immersive underwater environment. Deepen your appreciation for the art of the Indigenous peoples of North America’s Northwest Coast. Discover stories that reveal a profound respect for orcas, highlighting the deep connection between humans and these powerful beings. Examine the global movement to protect our ocean ecosystems, reflect on the consequences of captivity and celebrate the future we share with the fascinating and awe-inspiring orca.
Get tickets here!
Space Odyssey
In the Denver Museum of Nature & Science “Space Odyssey” exhibition, future astronauts and inquisitive humans now have a place to discover answers to out of this world questions like: “How do we know how many stars are in our galaxy when we can’t see them all?” “How do you put the brakes on in space?” And, “How do we know what the far side of the Moon looks like if it never faces Earth?”
"Space Odyssey" is all about answering the how, catapulting you into a place where you can touch, see, hear and, yes, even smell what it’s like to be “out there.” You determine how to engage with the world beyond us, in a wildly creative environment that encourages free-range space science and no-boundaries adventure.
Prehistoric Journey
A journey through the eons allows you to trace the evolution of life on Earth, from single-celled organisms to lumbering dinosaurs to the inhabitants of today's world.
Travel through time-starting 3.5 billion years ago. Your journey begins beneath ancient seas. Life diversifies as you move through the millennia, surrounded by fearsome fish and waving sea lilies. Soon you're out of the water and the air is filled with huge dragonflies. Foot-long centipedes crawl around you. Then the dinosaurs appear!
Planetarium Shows:
Here are just a few of our many wonderful and inspiring Planetarium shows. See the full list, here.
- Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd's legendary album, "The Dark Side Of The Moon," in a mind-bending Planetarium experience like no other. Step into a mesmerizing world of music and visuals as you journey through the solar system and beyond.
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Discover the mystery of the cosmos! “Dark Universe” will whisk you out of the Milky Way Galaxy, drop you alongside a parachute descending through Jupiter’s atmosphere and bring you all the way to the afterglow of the Big Bang.
- "Black Holes" presents a place from which nothing escapes, not even light, where time and space literally come to end. It's at this point, inside this fantastic riddle, that black holes exert their sway over the cosmos … and our imaginations.
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Volcanoes tower 80,000 feet above a barren surface. Monstrous hurricanes rage for 400 years. And multicolored rings sit suspended in air. In "Cosmic Journey: A Solar System Adventure," you'll travel through our solar system faster than the speed of light, taking in the wonders of the planets and their moons.
- One World, One Sky is a brilliant spectacle of light and color that follows Sesame Street's Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a new friend from China. Together, they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. This cross-cultural adventure opens children's eyes to the sky, helping them see how people all over the world are connected.
- "Destination: Solar System:" This out-of-this-world tour, departing from Gates Planetarium, takes place on board the Space Express. Travel hundreds of millions of miles in just seconds with Jesse, an enthusiastic, knowledgeable—but inexperienced—tour guide, and Max, a highly advanced, fully integrated onboard computer. Tours of the hottest hot spots and the coldest, stormiest, and most spectacular sights in the solar system await curious space explorers of all ages.
Friday Evening Adult-Oriented Fun
For those looking to unwind from the week at work or school, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science's offers adult-friendly evening visits from 5p.m. to 9 p.m. on most Fridays. Whether you're seeking a unique date night, catching up with friends or flying solo, the Museum's relaxed yet stimulating Friday night atmosphere provides the perfect setting for adults to explore, socialize and ignite their sense of wonder.
And while you're here, make sure you don't miss the the Anschutz Family Sky Terrace for a beautiful panoramic view of the Denver skyline and often a chance to look at the stars through a telescope!