Denver Art Museum, Denver (must see)

The Denver Art Museum, originally established in 1893 as the Denver Artists' Club, has evolved into one of the most prominent art institutions between Chicago and the West Coast. Renowned for its extensive global art collections, the museum showcases works that span diverse cultures from around the world, alongside pieces by artists from Denver and the broader Rocky Mountain region. Among its most celebrated collections are the Indigenous Arts of North America, which has earned international acclaim, as well as a distinguished collection of Latin American Art and Art of the Ancient Americas.

The museum's architectural legacy is equally significant. When the North Building opened, it was recognized as a pioneering shift away from traditional temple-style museum architecture toward more innovative and surprising designs. This forward-thinking approach was further exemplified in 2000 when the museum selected architect Daniel Libeskind to design a bold expansion of the campus. The resulting Frederic C. Hamilton Building, which opened in 2006, features major exhibition spaces dedicated to special presentations and traveling art shows.

The museum's most recent addition, the Martin Building, houses the museum's encyclopedic collections and the new Learning & Engagement Center, which centralizes the museum's acclaimed education programs. Together, these spaces reflect the Denver Art Museum's ongoing commitment to innovation in both art and education, making it a cultural cornerstone in the region.