Step into a science day in Denver. This entry ticket gets you into the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, where I like the combo of fossils and space mission artifacts, plus hands-on family play areas. One thing to plan for: the planetarium and the Sturm Infinity Theater giant-screen show aren’t included in the entry ticket.

I also like the way the museum mixes big themes—ancient civilizations, dinosaurs, Colorado ecosystems, and the cosmos—without making it feel like a lecture. The current temporary exhibits include Animals of the Rainforest and Power of Poison, and Animals of the Rainforest is free with museum entry.

For logistics, your ticket is valid for one day, and you must plan around the museum’s last entry time (60 minutes before close). The ticket also helps you move faster at the door, and the museum is wheelchair accessible.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• Temporary exhibits with real-world science: Animals of the Rainforest and Power of Poison
• Cosmos viewing options: planetarium shows plus the Sturm Infinity Theater film (extra tickets)
• Real space mission artifacts and fossils: the museum’s credibility factor
• Family-friendly interactive play: kids can do more than just look
• Gems and minerals: fun if you like rocks, crystals, or hands-on learning
• A long, satisfying visit: plan for several hours of reading and exploring

How the $26 Ticket Value Really Works

At about $26 per person, this is an entry ticket that’s priced for a full museum day, not a quick hit. What makes it good value is that you get access to the museum’s core galleries (fossils, cosmic science, gems and minerals, and more), plus the temporary exhibit Animals of the Rainforest at no extra charge.

The only “catch” is that two of the most immersive ways to watch space content cost extra onsite:

• Planetarium tickets (sold separately)
• Sturm Infinity Theater giant-screen tickets (sold separately)

So, if you’re the kind of person who wants the full show lineup—planetarium plus the giant-screen film—budget for add-ons. If you’re happy exploring exhibits at your own pace, the entry ticket alone can still feel like a solid deal.

Your best game plan for a one-day museum visit

This museum is family-friendly, but it’s also packed with enough detail to reward slow browsing. I’d treat your ticket as permission to spend time, not a checklist.

Here’s a practical flow that tends to work:

1) Start with the areas that are easiest to miss or that you’ll want to linger in—especially the temporary exhibits.

2) Move into fossils and ancient worlds next, while you still have energy for the longer galleries.

3) Save the space-focused shows for later in the day, since timed seating matters and you may want to pick based on what’s available.

And keep one strict rule in mind: last entry is 60 minutes before close. That means you should schedule your final big activity with time buffer, not at the last minute.

Temporary exhibits: Animals of the Rainforest and Power of Poison

Temporary exhibits are often the reason people come back, and this museum is using the right formula: science that’s clear, visual, and family-friendly.

Animals of the Rainforest

This one is included with museum admission. That’s a big deal because it means you’re not forced into extra purchases to see the newest feature. Expect an animal-and-ecosystem focus, and use it as your warm-up to the rest of the museum’s natural science collections.

I like this exhibit category because it sets context. Once you’ve seen how rainforest ecosystems work, the museum’s broader themes—food webs, habitats, adaptation—land more quickly.

Power of Poison

This temporary stop leans into chemical defense and survival strategies. Even if you don’t have a science background, it’s the kind of exhibit that turns a scary concept into a memorable explanation. It’s also a nice counterpoint to the “wow factor” of fossils and space: different branch of science, same underlying logic—how the natural world solves problems.

Fossils and ancient worlds you’ll actually want to read

One of the museum’s strongest draws is that it doesn’t treat fossils as an afterthought. You’ll see dinosaur-related displays (the museum explicitly highlights dinosaurs that walked Earth) and you’ll also find exhibits connected to ancient civilizations.

What I like here is the variety of timescales. When your visit includes both ancient life and the human story of early civilizations, the day feels like a journey rather than a single-theme stop.

A practical tip: give yourself permission to slow down. Fossil and artifact displays typically reward careful reading. The museum is set up so that parents and kids can split attention—one person reads a panel while another points at a specimen—without everyone getting bored at the same moment.

Gems, minerals, and the cosmic connection

The museum highlights dazzling gems and minerals as part of its science and earth science offerings. That matters because it gives you a bridge between worlds:

• Rocks and minerals are tangible.
• Space science often starts with understanding what we’re made of and what we observe far away.

If you like anything hands-on—crystals, rock textures, mineral colors—this part of the museum is usually a crowd-pleaser. Even if you’re not a geology person, it’s the kind of exhibit where kids can spot details fast.

If you’re short on time, don’t rush it. Spend enough minutes here to notice what makes each specimen distinct. That’s when it stops being just pretty objects and starts being science.

Cosmos time: planetarium vs Sturm Infinity Theater

This is where your ticket becomes a decision point.

Planetarium shows (extra tickets)

The museum offers planetarium programming, and the entry ticket does not include those tickets. The upside is that planetariums are built for focus: you’re in the dark, you’re watching a guided view of space, and you can learn without constantly scanning labels.

If your group includes kids who love stars, this is often the best “time investment” choice because it turns a big concept into something you can actually see.

Sturm Infinity Theater giant-screen film (extra tickets)

The Sturm Infinity Theater is another separate-ticket option. It uses a giant screen format, and it’s a good fit if you want a cinematic feel—big visuals, strong wow factor.

Here’s the consideration: since both planetarium and Infinity Theater require extra tickets, you may not have room to do both. If you have limited time, pick based on your audience:

• Choose planetarium if you want guided sky science.
• Choose Infinity Theater if you want a film-style presentation with huge visuals.

Interactive play experiences for families (and why they matter)

A lot of science museums have hands-on areas, but not all of them work well for mixed ages. This one explicitly includes interactive play experiences for the entire family.

Why that matters: it keeps younger kids engaged while older kids (and adults) still get learning value from the surrounding exhibits. You’re not stuck supervising a long hallway of reading labels with nothing to do.

I’d treat the interactive areas as anchors. After you’ve spent time in fossils or earth science, pause for play. Then you’ll be ready to return to the exhibits with better energy and patience.

Building a realistic itinerary around closing time

Because last entry is 60 minutes before close, your best strategy is to avoid a late-day trap where you still want “one more thing,” but you can’t reach it.

A safe plan:

• Aim to arrive early enough that you can still enjoy the temporary exhibits and at least one major gallery block.
• Plan your final big section as your “must-see,” then treat everything else as bonus time.

Also, since the planetarium and Infinity Theater are sold separately onsite, you’ll want flexibility. Decide what you’d regret not doing, then check what’s available when you’re there.

What’s included, what isn’t, and what to bring

Included with your entry ticket

• Denver Museum of Nature and Science admission
• Skip the ticket line
• Animals of the Rainforest (free with museum entry)

Not included (but available)

• Planetarium tickets
• Sturm Infinity Theater giant-screen tickets
• Food and drinks
• Shopping purchases

So, plan to handle meals on your own. If you’re traveling with kids, this is one more reason to start early: you don’t want hunger to steal your best exhibit time.

Quick comfort notes

The museum is wheelchair accessible, and the host or greeter speaks English. The ticket is valid for 1 day, and you’ll see starting times based on availability.

Dates to note if you’re booking around free admission

The museum has specific days that are free and therefore not bookable through this kind of ticket listing. The dates given are:

• January 8
• January 28
• February 25
• April 28
• June 19
• September 30
• October 20
• November 18
• December 8

If your trip lines up with one of those, you might be able to visit without purchasing this entry ticket type. If you’re not sure, check your travel dates early so you don’t end up paying when the museum is offering free admission.

Who this museum ticket is best for

This is a strong fit if you want:

• A science-forward day that includes fossils, earth science, and space themes
• A family visit where kids can do more than look
• A museum day you can stretch into several hours without feeling rushed

It’s especially good for mixed-age groups because you can split attention: someone can focus on exhibits, and someone else can chase hands-on areas. That balance helps adults relax and helps kids stay curious.

If you only want one or two things—like just a single show—you may decide you’d rather buy only the show ticket(s). But if you want value from a full day inside the museum, the entry ticket is the correct foundation.

Should you book this Denver Museum of Nature and Science entry ticket?

Book it if you want an easy, flexible way to get into a top Denver museum for a full day of fossils, gems and minerals, and space-themed exhibits. The skip-the-ticket-line setup and the fact that Animals of the Rainforest is included make it feel efficient right away.

Consider passing or adjusting your plan if you know your top priorities are only the planetarium or only the Sturm Infinity Theater. Those are separate purchases, so your total cost can climb if you try to do everything.

My simple decision rule: if you’ll spend real time wandering galleries—reading, looking, and letting kids play—this ticket is worth it. If you want a short, tightly scheduled event, plan your show tickets first and treat the entry ticket as optional.

FAQ

Is planetarium included with the entry ticket?

No. Planetarium tickets are available to purchase at the museum and are not included with the entry ticket.

Are Sturm Infinity Theater tickets included?

No. Sturm Infinity Theater giant-screen tickets are available to purchase at the museum and are not included with the entry ticket.

How long is the ticket valid?

Your entry ticket is valid for 1 day. Check availability to see starting times.

What is the last entry time?

Last entry is 60 minutes before the museum closes.

What is included with museum entry for the temporary exhibits?

Animals of the Rainforest is included with museum entry. Power of Poison is part of the temporary exhibit lineup tied to the museum visit, while planetarium and Infinity Theater remain separate ticket items.

Does the ticket include skipping the ticket line?

Yes. This ticket includes skip the ticket line.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The museum is wheelchair accessible.