Colorado is packed with world-class museums, cultural attractions, and outdoor destinations—and in 2026, many of them are opening their doors for free. From hands-on children’s museums to historic sites and art-filled escapes, free days make it easy for families to explore more without stretching the budget.

Whether you’re planning a spontaneous weekday outing or a weekend adventure, these no-cost days are the perfect excuse to discover something new right in your own backyard.

Denver Zoo

The Denver Zoo free days operate on a lottery system. See website for details and to register.
denverzoo.org/free-days
2300 Steele St., Denver
720-337-1400

  • Jan 9
  • Jan 25
  • Feb 22
  • Apr 19
  • Nov 11
  • Nov 14
  • Nov 22

Denver Botanic Gardens

botanicgardens.org
1007 York St., Denver
8500 W Deer Creek Cyn Rd., Littleton
720-865-3500

  • Jan 19
  • Feb 12
  • Mar 9
  • Apr 22
  • Jun 9
  • Jul 1
  • Aug 25
  • Nov 27

 

Brighton Music Choir + Orchestra

brightonmusic.org
510 S 27th Ave., Brighton303-659-2192

  • Feb 22
  • Apr 26

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

dmns.org
2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver
303-370-6000

  • Jan 11
  • Feb 1
  • Feb 9
  • Mar 6
  • Apr 13
  • Apr 26
  • Jun 19
  • Aug 24
  • Sept 1
  • Oct 11
  • Nov 7
  • Nov 16

 

Denver Botanic Gardens @ Plains Conservation Center

botanicgardens.org
21901 E Hampden Ave., Aurora
303-326-8380

  • Jan 15
  • Feb 19
  • Mar 21
  • Jun 11
  • Jul 11
  • Aug 20
  • Nov 14
  • Dec 10

 

Denver Art Museum

denverartmuseum.org
100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver
720-865-5000

  • Jan 13
  • Feb 10
  • Mar 10
  • Apr 26
  • May 12
  • Jun 9
  • Jul 14
  • Aug 1
  • Sept 12
  • Oct 13
  • Nov 7
  • Dec 8

 

Clyfford Still Museum

clyffordstillmuseum.org
1250 Bannock St., Denver
720-354-4880

  • Apr 26
  • Jun 14
  • Jul 26
  • Sep 19
  • Nov 7

 

ALWAYS FREE

Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs
usafa.edu/facilities/visitor-center

Broomfield Veterans Museum
Broomfield
broomfieldveterans.org

Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum
Denver-Empower Field at Mile High
coloradosports.org/museum

Foothills Art Center
Golden
foothillsartcenter.org

Lookout Mountain Nature Center
Golden
jeffco.us

Louisville Historical Museum
City of Louisville
louisvilleco.gov

Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge
Commerce City
fws.gov/reefuge/rocky-mountain-arsenal

Aurora History Museum
Aurora
auroragov.org

Colorado Music Hall of Fame
Denver
cmhof.org

Hudson Gardens
Littelton
hudsongardens.org

Pikes Peak Museum
Woodland Park
utepasshs.org

Loveland Museum
Loveland
thelovelandmuseum.org