Located at 715 S. Forest St. in Denver, this park is perfect for a family outing. I love touring this historical location. My favorite part is the old house. Guides take guests through each room explaining the history of how the house came to be and how it evolved over the years.

Brothers Jonas and Samuel Brantner built a two-story log cabin along Cherry Creek in 1859, and in 1860 Mary Cawker bought it and turned it into an Inn with dancing on the second floor. Mary Cawker sold the house to Millie and Levi Booth in 1866. The Booths became beekeepers and built a bee house on the property. In 1870, the railroad arrived in Denver from Cheyenne, which ended the stagecoach route. The Booths then turned their efforts to farming.

In 1941, the Four Mile House officially became a historic monument. Denver designated it as a landmark in 1968, and it was listed a Registered Historic Place in 1969. It is a special place of significance in Denver’s history, and we are lucky that is it so well preserved and cared for.

After Margaret’s death in 1932, the house was altered into twelve separate spaces for roomers and boarders and later served as a home for girls. In 1970, the house was saved from demolition and restored to the original Victorian grandeur.

The Molly Brown House is open for both self-guided and guided tours as well as special events. There is a wonderful gift shop behind the home in the carriage house. For more information and to plan your outing, visit mollybrown.org

The Colorado Museum of Natural History, officially incorporated in 1900. After years of preparation and construction, the museum finally opened to the public in 1908. The city of Denver increased its funding for the museum, leading to a name change to Denver Museum of Natural History in 1948. In 2000, the name was changed to the present Denver Museum of Nature and Science to reflect the institution’s wider focus. 

In addition to exhibits, the museum also contains Gates Planetarium and Phipps IMAX Theater. Whether you attend alone or with friends and family, there is something for everyone. I particularly like the Wildlife Halls, Gems and Minerals, and Colorado’s Mining Heritage, but I always take a look at the Egyptian Mummies and dinosaur skeletons in the Prehistoric Journey exhibits.

The Boettcher Memorial Tropic Conservatory is an oasis of warm, green life amidst the outside snow and cold temperatures. Stroll the pathways and soak in the smells and different foliage. Ask for a guided tour and learn about interesting plants that you might otherwise overlook.

The Freyer-Newman Center has temporary art exhibitions that are part of your admission and not to be missed. Free guided tours are also available to learn more about the exhibits, or just wander through on your own.

If it isn’t too cold, walking through the outdoor gardens is lovely. Beauty is to be found in all seasons. Several onsite cafes offer coffee and snacks if you wish to extend your visit time.

Many people may know Kirkland for his vibrant Dot Paintings. His art began to explore outer space in 1954 and continued until his death in 1981. His imagination created several series depicting the evolution and expansion of the outer universe and his own personal universe.

In 1977, Vance Kirkland commented, “…I am trying to paint something I do not know exists in a tangible way…if I am looking at space, who is going to say that it never existed? It has existed in my mind.” 

The exhibition is co-curated by Founding Director and Curator Hugh Grant and Deputy Curator Christopher Herron. It includes some of the artist’s impressive large-scale paintings, seldom seen on public display and features a newly-named series of paintings done in the last years of his life—Energy of Forms in Space.