Whether you like art museums, sports, historic attractions, a lively music scene, unique hotels, family attractions, breakfast, romantic restaurants, free activities, or green parks, you will find it all in Denver. How do you spend 48 hours in Denver? The city has a beautiful downtown area perfect for a romantic stroll, shopping, and great restaurants. Here are the best things to do in Denver, Colorado.
1. Denver Mountain Parks and Red Rocks Amphitheater
The Denver Mountain Parks system is a unique complex of more than 14,000 acres in the nearby foothills of the Rocky Mountains, owned and maintained by the city of Denver. Established in 1914 by the U.S. Congress to protect and preserve scenic land around the city for future generations, these parks spread out for up to 60 miles from the city and include famous attractions like Buffalo Bill’s grave on the top of Lookout Mountain, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Winter Park Ski Resort and Summit Lake.
The park system offers visitors a fantastic array of things to see and do, outdoor adventures and fun activities, from camping, climbing, hiking and mountain biking, to seeing huge herds of buffalo and elk in Genesee Park.
2. Denver Art Museum (DAM)
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Opened in 1922, the Denver Art Museum (DAM) is one of the largest art museums in the West and is renowned for its magnificent collection of American Indian Art, as well as permanent and evolving collections of over 68,000 unique works from around the globe.
Located in the Civic Center in Denver in an award-winning building designed by Frederic C. Hamilton, the museum’s collections are spread over nine curatorial sections, ranging from architecture, design and graphics to Asian, New World, European and Modern art.
The museum holds a number of programs and workshops throughout the year, including ‘Meet the Artist’ where visitors get to meet the artists of various exhibitions, as well many interactive events for the whole family. The Denver Art Museum is one of the top Denver, Colorado attractions. General admission to the museum is free for children every day. Details & Photos
100 W 14th Avenue Pkwy, Denver, Colorado 80204, Phone: 720-865-5000
3. Larimer Square, Denver, CO
No visit to Denver would be complete without spending some time at Larimer Square, where some of the city’s best dining, entertainment and shopping destinations come together. Larimer Square is located in the historic downtown quarter where it occupies several historic buildings which once housed Denver’s first commercial district. Visitors can spend some time browsing a variety of unusual boutique shops and enjoy a coffee at Starbucks or a specialty tea at Bao Brewhouse. After a fun day exploring Denver, settle in for dinner at one of several popular eateries. You can round off your evening with great entertainment at Comedy Works or with drinks and dancing at Disco Pig.
1430 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 720-805-1973
4. Denver Botanic Gardens
Nestled in the Cheesman Park neighborhood, the Denver Botanic Gardens boasts a variety of themed gardens, a glass-enclosed conservatory and a sunken amphitheater that hosts open-air concerts during the summer.
The gardens are made up of three locations, namely the formal garden on York Street in East Denver, the natural meadows and riparian areas of the Chatfield gardens, and the alpine wildflower gardens of Mt. Goliath.
The York Street gardens feature seven themed gardens that include plants endemic to Colorado and the neighboring states, as well as the largest collection of plants from cold temperate climates around the world.
In 1986, the gardens introduced the world's first Xeriscape Demonstration Garden (later named the Dryland Mesa), which is home to drought-tolerant plants from the arid West and Mediterranean regions. The gardens also feature a Japanese Garden called Shofu-en and the fun Mordecai Children’s Garden, which offers a wonderful oasis for families and children to play. Details & Photos
1007 York Street, Denver, Colorado 80206, Phone: 720-865-3501
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5. Denver Zoo
Located in the City Park, Denver Zoo is home to over 4,000 animals from 600 species which live in a variety of natural habitats across 80 acres of zoo land. Founded in 1896, the zoo was started with an orphaned black bear cub called Billy Ryan and has since grown into one of Denver’s most popular attractions.
Boasting species from all over the world, ranging from primates, pachyderms and carnivores to reptiles, birds and fish, the zoo is designed in a circlular loop, which covers a variety of habitats and animal enclosures, including Bear Mountain, Primate Panorama, Predator Ridge, Giraffe House, Toyota Elephant Passage, and Bird World. If you are wondering what to do in Denver with kids on a beautiful sunny day, the zoo is a great choice. Other facilities at the zoo include the Endangered Species Carousel, showcasing some of the many endangered species, the Pioneer Train, which offers an exciting trip around the zoo’s carousel meadow and flamingo lake, and the Wild Encounters outdoor amphitheater, which is designed for wildlife presentations and educational programs.
2300 Steele Street, Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: 720-337-1400
6. Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, Denver, Colorado
The Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art houses one of the largest collections of international decorative art in the United States, as well as the works of over 80 internationally renowned architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright. Works at the museum cover a range of genres, from Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts and Aesthetic, to Bauhaus, Art Deco, Pop Art and Post-Modern Art, and feature 700 works by more than 230 Colorado and regional artists.
The museum also contains the original studio and school of artist Vance Kirkland (1904 – 1981) and features the Decorative Art Collection showcasing an additional 3,500 pieces. The museum is well known for its unusual and quirky exhibition styles, where works are arranged in a ‘salon style’, akin to a home, where artworks are accompanied by pieces of furniture and décor, as well as sculptures, handicrafts, and artifacts. Due to the fragile nature of the collection, children under age 13 are not admitted.
1201 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80204, Phone: 303-832-8576
7. Things to Do in Denver: Colorado Symphony
The Colorado Symphony is the city’s professional symphony orchestra, performing at the Boettcher Concert Hall, located in the Denver Performing Arts Center. Led by music director Andrew Litton, the orchestra presents a variety of concert series, symphonies, solo performances, and events throughout the year, as well as educational and community-based outreach programs.
Performances are held at the magnificent Boettcher Concert Hall. Built in 1978, the hall is the country’s first 360-degree concert hall and boasts more than 2,700 seats arranged in five seating areas, which allow for no audience member to be more than 85 feet from the stage. If you are looking for best romantic things to do in Denver at night, watch a performance by the Colorado Symphony.
1000 14th Street #15, Denver, Colorado 80202, Phone: 303-292-5566
8. Forney Museum of Transportation, Denver, CO
Cars, bikes, trains, and planes – the Forney Museum of Transportation is home to them all. Boasting an unrivaled collection of over 600 artifacts relating to transportation throughout history, the unique museum offers an unforgettable journey for the whole family. The museum’s slogan “Anything on wheels” rings true with a broad range of vehicles and modes of transport through the ages, including an ‘amphicar’, A Stutz fire engine, a ‘Big Boy’ locomotive and Amelia Earhart’s 1923 Kissel called ‘Gold Bug’.
The museum features a number of exhibitions throughout the year, and has interesting and informative displays about everything and anything transport-related, such as cars, bikes, buggies and motorcycles, as well as steam locomotives, sleighs, fire carriages, toy models and more.
4303 Brighton Blvd, Denver, Colorado 80216, Phone: 303-297-1113
9. ChoLon, Denver, CO
ChoLon is an award-winning Asian restaurant in Denver’s Lodo District. Owned by acclaimed Chef Lon Symensma, ChoLon, meaning “big market,” is named after the largest Chinese-influenced market in Saigon, Vietnam, and serves a mouthwatering menu of traditional Asian cuisine from this region.
ChoLon serves an inventive menu of Asian-influenced classics with a twist in a range of dishes, from dim sum and ‘small plates’ to large family-style platters. The bistro’s elegant lounge boasts an impressive list of fine wines, craft beers, and artisanal cocktails to complement the outstanding cuisine. The bistro serves lunch and dinner throughout the week and offers a traditional happy hour with a small bites menu.
1555 Blake Street Suite 101, Denver, Colorado 80202, Phone: 303-353-5223
10. Washington Park
Washington Park is a green urban park in the heart of Denver that serves as an outdoor space for recreational and outdoor activities, as well as showcasing the city’s heritage through beautifully preserved examples of historic architecture.
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Denver, the park features 155 acres of pristine grounds, which boast two magnificent flower gardens, one of which is a replica of George Washington's Mount Vernon gardens, two lakes, and an array of facilities, such as tennis courts, lawns, picnic spots and a recreation center.
Popular amongst locals of Denver, who use the park for walking, jogging, biking and other activities, the park also serves as a center for a variety of community programs and social events. The park is close to Old South Gaylord Street, which is lined with boutiques, stores, restaurants and cafés for shopping and dining.
S. Downing St. & E. Louisiana Ave., Denver, Colorado 80210, Phone: 800-233-6837
11. Coors Baseball Field Tour, Denver, CO
Home of the Colorado Rockies baseball team, the 76-acre Coors Field is situated in Denver's Ballpark neighborhood with magnificent views of the Rocky Mountains and is famous for hosting the highest home runs in history.
Combining the nostalgic feel of a 1920s urban ballpark with 21st-century technology, Coors Field is renowned for its old fashioned brick façade and famous signature clock, where fans meet before a game. Tours of Coors Field can be taken to explore the history of this famed stadium and the role it has played in the game of baseball.
Group and private tours can be arranged and take a unique behind-the-scenes look at one of the main ballparks in Major League Baseball. Lasting for about an hour and covering a mile in distance, tours include visiting the dugouts, the field, the Coors Fields' microbrewery; the Rockies merchandise store, and the Mountain Ranch Club.
2001 Blake Street, Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: 303-762-5437
12. Denver Museum of Nature and Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science focuses on educating visitors and children about the natural history of the Colorado and Rocky Mountain region, as well as the Earth and Universe through scientific study.
The museum hosts a variety of displays, exhibitions, interactive activities and educational programs for all ages that encourage curious minds to ask, explore, discover and learn, and has more than one million objects in its collections. Educational programs cover the fields of anthropology, paleontology, geology, zoology, health and space science. Permanent exhibits include ‘Discovery Zone’ – a hands-on educational center for children; ‘Egyptian Mummies’ – a journey back to the days of the Pharaohs; ‘North American Indian Culture’ – a look at the heritage of the North American Indian; and ‘Space Odyssey’ – a step into the future.
2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, Colorado 80205, Phone: 303-370-6000
13. Molly Brown House Museum, Denver, CO
Once home to "The Unsinkable Molly Brown", aka American philanthropist, activist, socialite and Titanic survivor, Margaret Brown, the Molly Brown House Museum rests at 1340 Pennsylvania Street in Denver and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Built in the 1880s by William Lang, the house and museum, also known as The House of Lions, represents a beautifully preserved example of Victorian Denver with English Baroque (Queen Anne) architecture resonating in the stone quoins, sash windows, and triangular pediment detailing over the porch. The museum offers guided tours daily, as well as a variety of workshops and events throughout the year aimed at preserving the history and heritage, not only of one of America’s most famous philanthropists, but of other pieces of history as well.
1340 Pennsylvania Street, Denver, Colorado 80203, Phone: 303-832-4092
14. Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, Denver, CO
Located on the grounds of the former Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, the Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum (WOR) was opened in 1994 with the aim of preserving the history of Lowry AFB's operations from 1938 to 1994.
The museum is housed in a historical 40,000 square foot hangar built in 1939 and features a number of collections, including the USAF’s B-1A Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress Bombers, a room of archives documenting the history of military and general aviation aircraft, and an excellent research library.
The museum runs a number of educational and hands-on learning programs, such as the Wings Aerospace Science Program (W.A.S.P), Kid Space, and the Air and Space Camp for children of all ages. The Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum is the official state air and space museum, and the site of Colorado’s Aviation Hall of Fame.
7711 East Academy Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80230, Phone: 303-360-5360
15. Things to Do in Denver: Wynkoop Brewing Company Tours
Located on the corner of 18th and Wynkoop in the Lodo district, Wynkoop Brewing Company aims to bring together the community through excellent food and beer. Founded in 1988, Wynkoop serves a menu of delicious authentic public house fare and small-batch beers on tap in a relaxed, casual alehouse-style atmosphere.
Cuisine at Wynkoop Brewing Co. is a thoughtfully prepared fusion of updated pub classics and internationally inspired dishes, such as sweetcorn fritters, watermelon and asparagus salad, and fish and chips. The restaurant also caters to private events and parties and custom-made menus can be arranged. Wynkoop offers complimentary brewery tours and a behind-the-scenes look at how Wynkoop Brewing Company became a pioneer on the American beer landscape.
Tours lead visitors through the historic J.S. Brown Mercantile building and the process of brewing, with fantastic samplings of favorites along the way. Reservations are not required, however, tour group sizes are limited to 20 guests per tour, so it’s a good idea to get there early.
1634 18th Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, Phone: 303-297-2700
16. Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium Tour
Built in honor of the original Mile High Stadium, one of the most famous stadiums in National Football League history, Sports Authority Field at Mile High is a state-of-the-art glass , aluminum and steel structure that seats over 76,000 fans and is one of the most internationally recognized sports venues in the world.
Explore this incredible feat of engineering that was built at a cost of over $400 million dollars on a private guided walking tour of the stadium, which includes visiting the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum, the Executive Suites, the NFL Visiting Team Locker Room Facilities, Thunder's Stall and Team Field Entrance Tunnel. See the field from the End Zone Area and visit the Network Television Production Compound and broadcasting facilities.
The fun, informative and insightful tours take approximately 75-90 minutes, cover a distance of around ½ mile and begin at the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame & Museum at Gate #1 on the stadium's west side.
1701 Bryant Street Suite 500, Denver, Colorado 80204, Phone: 720-258-3888
17. Things to Do in Denver: Bikealope Tours
Explore and experience Denver on two wheels with a fun-filled guided bicycle tour with Bikealope Tours. Formerly known as ‘I Bike Denver’, Bikalope Tours offer fun-filled guided tours that explore the architecture and heritage of The Mile High City via avenues, boulevards, bike lanes, and riverside pathways, discovering unusual ‘gems’ often missed on regular tours.
Bikalope Tours’ flagship tour is the Denver City Loop Tour, which takes riders past some of Denver’s best attractions and some lesser known treasures, including the home of the Denver Broncos, the Colorado State Capitol, the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Denver Art Museum and the U.S. Mint.
The 9.3-mile route journeys through some of Denver’s most contemporary and historic neighborhoods, as well as along the banks of Cherry Creek. High-quality Fuji "hybrid" bicycles are supplied, as well as helmets, water, and a nifty city guide. Winding through neighborhood streets, along riverside bike paths, and city bike lanes, the tours take about 2 - 2.5 hours and cover a distance of approximately ten miles (303-433-3676 ).
18. Things to Do in Denver for Couples: Tacos Tequila Whiskey
Tacos Tequila Whiskey has been named as one of the United States' top 50 new restaurants by Bon Appetit, offering up clever modern twists on Mexican-style comida de la calle street food. The full-service restaurant, which offers four locations in Denver's City Park, Governors Park, and Highlands districts, specializes in high-quality creative street tacos, stuffed with ingredients such as pan-roasted shrimp and scallops, sweet and sour-braised pork belly, triple-cooked Colorado beef tongue, and beer-braised short ribs. Vegetarian options are also offered, including grilled shiitake, crimini, and oyster mushrooms tacos and vegan tacos stuffed with sauteed spinach, roasted poblano chiles, and salsa abuela. True to its name, the restaurant offers an extensive liquor menu, including whiskey-infused craft cocktails and clever margaritas. Pickup taco service is also offered at the restaurant's to-go counter.
1514 York St, Denver, CO 80206, Phone: 720-475-1337
19. Modern Nomad - A Design Collective in Denver
We’re living in an age where seemingly everything is being mass produced by big brand names, and the spirit of individuality and originality seems to be fading away. Fortunately, there are still plenty of hard-working and talented creators like artists and designers making amazing and unique products, but finding audiences and platforms from which to sell and share their creations is proving increasingly difficult for many of these creators. These days, more and more people are choosing to shop online, eschewing classic brick and mortar stores in favor of the convenience and comfort that internet shopping can provide. This means that small businesses and independent creators often can’t afford the risk and financial commitment of running their own stores in city locations like Denver. Fortunately, places like Modern Nomad are giving them a new way to share their goods with the world.
Modern Nomad is located in the RiNo district of Denver at 2936 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205. The store is part of a 5,500 square foot warehouse and functions in a similar fashion to an open air market, with products all around and a vibrant, lively atmosphere for shoppers to enjoy. Phone: 303-862-5091, modernnomaddenver.com
20. Things to Do Near Me: Tamayo
Tamayo is a modern Mexican eatery and tequileria that serves traditional Mexican cuisine with a contemporary twist. Owned by renowned chef Richard Sandoval, Tamayo’s menu offers both classic Mexican dishes and introduces new concepts, such as the ‘Test Kitchen: Guadalajara’, which features dishes inspired by the culinary heritage and celebrated foods of Guadalajara.
Located in Larimer Square in Denver, Tamayo’s chic, stylish interior design complements the modern menu and impressive bar, which houses a collection of over 100 tequilas and agave-based spirits, as well as an array of handcrafted cocktails. Head there for Happy Hour, known as La Biblioteca, which offers a menu of delicious tacos and tapas accompanied by half-price margaritas, sangria, wines and, of course, plenty of tequila.
1400 Larimer Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, Phone: 720-946-1433
21. Things to Do in Denver with Kids: The Children's Museum of Denver
The Children’s Museum of Denver provides an interactive, educational and exciting way for children to explore, discover and learn through play. The museum’s expertly designed exhibits, specialized programs for all ages and hands-on approach to learning all aim to create a community of “kid-powered learning.”
Founded in 1973, the museum features innovative and interactive Playscapes (hands-on exhibits), including ‘The Big Backyard’, an oversized introduction to life in the backyard, ‘The Assembly Plant’, where children can build and construct to their hearts’ content, and ‘Fire Station 1’, where they can learn about the job of a firefighter on a real fire engine. The museum also hosts engaging daily workshops and programs for children, as well as exciting year-round special events.
2121 Children's Museum Drive, Denver, Colorado 80211, Phone: 303-433-7444
22. Things to Do in Denver: Nocturne
Nocturne is an elegant, two-story jazz club and restaurant in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood. The rustic, unadorned space with exposed pipes and brick walls contrasts beautifully with the sophistication of elegant cream banquettes and the baby grand piano. The food is eclectic and international. You can choose between shareable small plates, such as Cubano sliders, fresh oysters, and duck croquettes, or go for the constantly changing five-course Renditions Tasting Menu, influenced by timeless recordings of such jazz greats as the Ah Um album by Charles Mingus. The bar shares center stage with the musicians and the shakers fly while blending your cocktail of choice. The wine list is dreamy and the bar is stocked with just about any drink you can think of.
1330 27th Street, Denver, CO 80205, Phone: 303-295-3333
23. Leopold Bros
An independently owned distillery established in 1999, Leopold Bros was created by a pair of brothers: Todd and Scott Leopold. Todd earned his qualifications in malting and brewing from Chicago and Munich, as well as working as an apprentice at multiple breweries and distilleries all over Europe, while Scott earned a Masters in Environmental Engineering before pursuing a career in manufacturing. Now, Leopold Bros spirits are sold all over the country.
A tour of the Leopold Bros distillery can be an educational experience for adults of drinking age. You'll need to buy a ticket to enter and it's always wise to reserve in advance.
The Leopold Bros tasting room is situated at 5285 Joliet St (between 51st Ave and East 53rd Ave), Denver, CO 80239, Phone: 303)-307-1515, leopoldbros.com
24. Let Em Have It Salon
Dedicated to five key values - Leadership, Education, Humble, Innovative and Sustainable - the Let Em Have It Salon is one of Denver’s best hair cut and hair styling locations. It's a Certified B Corporation and was only the second salon in the entire country to achieve this status by focusing on better quality of life for workers, stronger eco-friendly and sustainable practices, a dedication to the local community, and higher standards of service. In short, the Let Em Have It Salon aims to do everything better than other hair salons and has actually received official recognition for these efforts. The Let Em Have It Salon is situated at 490 E 20th Avenue, Denver, CO 80205.
What is Denver known for? What to do. What are the top attractions to visit in Denver?
The top attractions to visit in Denver according to local experts are:
- Denver Mountain Parks and Red Rocks Amphitheater
- Denver Art Museum (DAM)
- Larimer Square, Denver, CO
- Denver Botanic Gardens
- Denver Zoo
- Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, Denver, Colorado
- Things to Do in Denver: Colorado Symphony
- Forney Museum of Transportation, Denver, CO
- ChoLon, Denver, CO
- Washington Park
- Coors Baseball Field Tour, Denver, CO
- Denver Museum of Nature and Science
- Molly Brown House Museum, Denver, CO
- Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, Denver, CO
- Things to Do in Denver: Wynkoop Brewing Company Tours
- Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium Tour
- Things to Do in Denver: Bikealope Tours
- Things to Do in Denver for Couples: Tacos Tequila Whiskey
- Modern Nomad - A Design Collective in Denver
- Things to Do Near Me: Tamayo
- Things to Do in Denver with Kids: The Children's Museum of Denver
- Things to Do in Denver: Nocturne
- Leopold Bros
- Let Em Have It Salon
More ideas:
Mount Evans Scenic Byway Corridor
Stretching 28 miles (45 km) in length and reaching over 14,130 feet (4,310 m) in elevation, the Mount Evans Scenic Byway is spectacular scenic corridor through the Mount Evans Wilderness. The Corridor, the highest paved road in America, begins near Idaho Springs and ends near the peak of the magnificent Mount Evans. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Front Range and Rocky Mountains’ beautiful alpine landscapes scattered with wildflowers and a variety of wildlife. Watch out for Colorado’s stately bighorn sheep, rock-jumping mountain goats and little furry marmots. A new extension between Echo Lake and Bergen Park takes visitors on a journey from open meadows and juniper hills into the deep verdant forests of the alpine mountain slopes.
Denver Public Library
Located in downtown Denver, the Denver Public Library is the city’s central library, which consists of 23 branches, and a mobile book-lending program that offers communities all over the joy of reading. Opened in 2003, the library houses a full-service lending department, which serves as an excellent educational and cultural resource for art, music, history, and politics.
The library has an impressive Western history collection, which includes thousands of photographs, catalogued books, atlases, and manuscript archives, as well as a beautiful array of Western fine art and prints and the Otto Perry Collection of old railroad images. The library hosts a number of events, workshops, and programs for children and adults throughout the year, as well as the Blair-Caldwell African Research Library, the Western Legacies Museum and African American Leadership Gallery.
10 West Fourteenth Ave Pkwy, Denver, Colorado 80204, Phone: 720-865-1111
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Attraction Spotlight: Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum
Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum located in Denver occupies the former Lowery Air Force Base. Historic Hagar #1 is where the museum is housed. This hangar was built in 1939 with the museum opening in 1994. The museum's mission is to preserve the history of Lowery Air Force Base from 1938 to 1994. The exhibits, archives and research library all focus on this period of history and the military during this time.
In 1997, Colorado legislature made the WOR Air and Space Museum the official air and space museum for the state of Colorado and added Colorado Aviation Historical Society and the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame.
The impressive 1930's style 150,000 square foot Air Force Hangar is one of the main attraction of the WOR Air and Space Museum. Nearly 50 air and space vehicles line the hangar where visitors can go in and out of the cockpits and enjoy a hands on approach to museum experiences and education.
There are many fighter bombers on display in the hangar. The 1955 RF-84K Thunderflash was an excellent long range bomber that also had cameras mounted and flew in the Korean War.
The 1965 F105-D Thunderchief is a well-known craft that was the bomber of choice in the Vietnam War. The plane was designed to be a tactical nuclear bomber. The plane that is in the museum shot down 28 enemy planes in the campaign against Vietnam.
1944 trainer was a World War II flight simulator used to teach new pilots how to fly their aircraft without any interference from the outside.
1966 F-4E Phantom II was used by both the Navy and Marines and shattered several records in aircraft performance.
1939 J-3-65 Piper Cub is a smaller sized craft originally manufactured in the 1930's and phased out in the mid 70's. This aircraft can still be purchased today, but with an upgraded engine and the new name of Super Cub. This plane was also typically used in civilian pilot training programs.
1958 F-86H Sabre Jet was the very first jet to exceed the speed of sound on April 26th, 1948 while performing a dive. It also features a swept wing, the first for America, and was made infamous in the Korean War.
1975 F14-A Tomcat can achieve a 2 Mach speed and extended wings that are able to form right angles. This jet is used to launch missiles and locate enemy aircraft.
1938 B-18A Bolo was the aircraft manufactured to replace the Martin B-10 for the U.S. Army Corps.
1968 FB-111A Aardvark was a strike fighter used as a Fleet Defense Interceptor for the U.S. Navy. This fighter plane was also the first to use geometric wing technology.
X-Wing Starfighter is an aircraft built or the Star Wards Movies. This exhibit is one of the most popular attractions at the museum and was built as a promotional item in 1996 to announce the unveiling of the completed trilogy. The craft is taken care of by a special team of volunteers.
1972 Corsair II was first flown in 1965 and is a single seater with remarkable target kill capacity. This aircraft also has subsonic close air support.
1926 Eaglerock is also known as "longwing" because the lower wings are longer than the top wings. This plane was designed to perform at high altitudes, but was dropped shortly after being manufactured.
1970 B1-A Lancer featured an ejectable crew feature and geometry wings. Only four of these bombers were built before the program was cancelled in the late 1970's.
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1950 B-57 Canberra was highly useful in the Vietnam War and was modeled after the "English Electric Canberra." This bomber in particular, attacked the Ho Chi Minh Trail and Mekong Delta.
1943 UC-45 Expeditor was a light bomber during World War II. Over 5,000 were delivered to the US Army and Navy and this model was manufactured for 32 years.
1961 F100D Super Sabre was the first bomber to break the sound barrier during level flight.
Primary Glider is a German made glider that does not use power to fly.
1962 F101B Voodoo was a single seater escort plane for the B-36 bomber. There were made obsolete however by the B-52 bomber jet and re-designed into other types of fighter bombers.
1963 F102A Delta Dagger features a flying surface that is a perfect triangle. This aircraft was used in the U.S. Air Force for roughly 20 years in the 1950's through the 1970's.
1952 T-33A T-Bird was the first jet to ever enter service with the U.S. Air Force. Almost 6.000 of these were built and heavily relied up on in the USAF from 1949-1959.
1964 F-104C Starfighter was the first plane to be able to sustain a Mach 2 speed. The plane on display flew in two deployments in the early 1960's and was retired in 1975.
Visitors to this section of the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum will be taken through time and space in the Space and Rocketry Exhibit. From the first time The United States entered space through the possibility that lies in the future, visitors will explore space and missile technology through interactive exhibits where everyone can be an astronaut.
The Space Station Module that is on display in the Space and Rocketry exhibit was a proto-type by Martin-Marietta called "Freedom." This design called for the station being American only and was rejected to include Russia and the European Space Agency.
There are also several replicas of major space mission technology including Apollo Command Module boilerplate. This was used to develop and experiment with retrieval processes for capsules and astronaut training for the Moon Missions.
Visitors will also be excited to sit in and try out flight simulators and see life size replicas of space vehicles and probes.
The WOR Air and Space Museum employs a special department for upkeep on all of the artifacts on display in the museum. This department, the Restoration Department, is tasked with not only preserving the current artifacts in the various collects, but restoring new and donated artifacts as well. Many of the aircraft, although never expected to be fully operational again, are in original condition.
Educational Programs at WOR Air and Space Museum
Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum features several educational programs for children and adults. From series of classes to summer camp programs, there are educational opportunities for almost everyone in the family.
There are several workshops offered throughout the year that allow adults to take part in class series that teach many different aspects of flight and aeronautics. There are programs that assist in building and flying remote control aircraft as well.
The Air and Space Summer Camp offers summer programs for children age 8-12 and takes place inside the World War II Hangar. Students get to take part in flight mission simulators, builds their own prototypes, watch planetarium shows, and launch missiles. Kids get to be an aerospace engineer for a day. There is also robotics activities and space stations modules. The museum offers scholarships for this program and pre-registration is required.
Wings Aerospace Academy is a tuition free charter school for grades five through nine that immerses students in science and aerospace technology. This charter school will expand little by little each year until 2020 when the WAA will be able to accept students in grades five through twelve. Courses taught through the academy are described as Hybrid-online learning and classroom learning combined.
The Research Library at WOR Air and Space Museum is staffed by volunteers with a passion for aviation, rocketry, and outer space. There are more than 10,000 titles on aviation and 700 periodicals that cover topics from hot air balloons to astronomy and are published in several languages. There are even newspaper clippings, instructional and operational manuals for some of military Aircraft that can be seen in the museum and more.
There is also aviation art on display in the Library and blueprints on display for many different typs of air and space craft. Anything related to something that can fly can be found in the research library with many of the artifacts being one of a kind items that cannot be seen anywhere else.
The library is only available by appointment to both visitors and researchers including teachers. Visitors to the library are expected to leave a donation in appreciation for being allowed to use the library. There are several rules to be abided by while doing research including photocopying must be done by staff and gloves must be worn when reviewing certain artifacts.
Special Events
WOR Air and Space Museum hosts many special events throughout the year including a Halloween Party, A Gala for fundraising and many community events. Services for private events such as wedding and corporate events, and birthday parties can also be arranged on a case by case basis when available. There are often times art exhibitions and lectures that are hosted by the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum but are not sponsored by the museum.
7711 East Academy Boulevard , Denver, Colorado 80230, Phone: 303-360-5360
