What could be better than experiencing world-class fine art, fascinating Colorado history and live music in majestic theaters in the same day? Here’s a rundown on how to see museums in the Golden Triangle Creative District and music venues on East Colfax.

 

Know Before You Go

Bear in mind, this is an ambitious tour and while these attractions are close together, they do have different hours and some are closed on certain days. If you have flexibility in your schedule, Tuesday would be a good day to spend extra time at Denver Art Museum, since they have extended hours, or possibly work in more attractions to your tour by seeing history museums in the morning and art museums in the afternoon. Weekends are also good, but you’d have to skip the Colorado State Capitol tour.

 

Breakfast

You’ve got a big day ahead and the major museums don't open until 10 a.m., so you have plenty of time to get a bite to eat in and around the Golden Triangle Creative District. Head to Leven Deli Co. for breakfast biscuits, burritos and sandwiches. Or try the corned beef hash and the waffles smothered in sautéed fruit at Syrup or the famed Denver omelet at The Delectable Egg.

 

Art in the Morning

Denver Art Museum

This is the big one. See the famous collections of Indigenous and Latin American art, along with a variety of contemporary art. You could spend all day or multiple days in this one museum. The architecture along is worth the trip. The Frederic C. Hamilton building was designed by world-famous architect Daniel Libeskind and the renovated Martin Building, with stunning skyline and mountain views, was designed by Italian architect Gio Ponti and Denver-based James Sudler Associates. The museum is free for children under 18. Note: The museum is open six days a week but is closed on Wednesdays. They offer extended hours until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays.

 

Clyfford Still Museum

 

This museum showcases the work of Clyfford Still, considered one of the most important painters of the 20th century and among the first generation of abstract expressionist artists. The Clyfford Still Museum was founded to promote the late artist's work and legacy. Still's estate—more than 3,100 artworks—had been sealed off from the public since 1980. Note: The museum is closed on Mondays but offers extended hours until 7 p.m. on Fridays.

 

Kirkland Institute of Fine & Decorative Art at the Denver Art Museum 

The Kirkland, now part of Denver Art Museum, houses three major collections: paintings by namesake artist Vance Kirkland, fine and decorative art by other Colorado and regional artists, and international decorative art. The artwork is displayed salon-style, so you can see the furnishings along with the paintings in various rooms. Note: The museum is open six days a week but is closed on Wednesdays. They offer extended hours until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays.

 

Lunch

Let’s combine efficiency with good eats. Take a lunch break at DAM's Café Gio, a more casual experience, or The Ponti, an upscale experience. Both dining spots have indoor and outdoor seating. 

 

History in the Afternoon

History Colorado Center 

 

Denver's History Colorado Center includes exhibits and programs that tell the stories of Colorado and engage visitors in the past, present and future of our state. Enjoy interactive exhibits like a virtual ride in a real Model T; testing your skills on a ski jump simulator and setting off dynamite in an 1880s hard-rock mine. Note: The museum is open every day. 

 

Colorado State Capitol 

Modeled after the U.S. Capitol, the magnificent Colorado State Capitol is topped by a dome containing more than 200 ounces of real gold. The 13th step on the west side is exactly one mile (5,280 feet) above sea level. The Colorado State Capitol building is open to the public Monday through Friday. Tours are available. Note: Free guided tours are available between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

 

Center for Colorado Women’s History at Byers-Evans House Museum  

Learn all about Colorado’s pioneering women in this museum located inside an 1880s Italianate-style historic home. You can take a stroll through the house on a 45-minute tour. Note: The museum closes at 4 p.m. every day; however, it offers extended hours until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays during the summer.

 

Molly Brown House Museum 

Margaret Tobin Brown, popularly known as Molly Brown, was famous for surviving the Titanic disaster. But that’s only scratching the surface. Her life story is complex. She was a humanitarian and she fought for women’s suffrage, miners’ rights and juvenile justice reform. She ran for the U.S. Senate. And she helped establish the Denver Dumb Friends League, Denver’s first animal shelter, which is still in operation today, bringing joy to countless Denver homes in the form of dogs and cats. Note: The museum is closed on Mondays but offers extended hours until 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

 

Dinner

You have your choice of some cool restaurants like Champagne Tiger (close to History Colorado Center), where a French bistro meets an American diner with a lush patio. Craving Italian? Trattoria Stella (close to Bluebird Theatre) is the place for scratch-made risotto cakes and prosciutto pizza. If you’re looking for comfort food, Pete’s Kitchen, with American fare and along with Greek specialties, has you covered 24/7. 

 

Music in the Evening

These historic theaters are local icons. Their event calendars vary, but you can catch live music at one of them on most nights. 

 

Bluebird Theater

 

Built in 1913, this intimate concert venue was named one of the best clubs in America by Rolling Stone magazine. 

 

Ogden Theatre

The Ogden Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and once hosted magician Harry Houdini. Today, it’s one of Denver's premier concert venues for contemporary rock shows. 

 

Fillmore Auditorium

The historic Fillmore Auditorium debuted as a roller skating rink, but now it packs nearly 4,000 music lovers a night as Colorado’s largest indoor venue for general admission seating.

 

Lost Lake Lounge

Looking for a dive bar with a little something extra? Located across the street from the Bluebird Theater, Lost Lake Lounge is a great spot to grab a post-show drink and enjoy more live music from local musicians.