The Best Museums in Durango, CO

Durango CO has a culture that's rooted in its history, and the museums in the city reflect how the residents feel about the past and the present. From railroads to log cabins to science, there's plenty to see and do for those who want to learn. Residents and visitors of the city who want to immerse themselves in a day of museums can visit the following destinations to find out more about how Durango CO came to be the way it is today.

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum

Also known as the D&SNG, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Musem was made in the late 1990s to honor and share personal memories of how railroads affected the nation. In an age of cars and planes, it's understandable for people to discount just how revolutionary the railroad was in bringing wealth and prosperity to so many towns.

Tour the 12,000 square foot museum made from several of the roundhouse stalls constructed in 1989. This is the structure that houses the railroad's turntable in case the train needed to turn around. The museum features artifacts that tell a story about what life would have looked like when railroads were the primary form of transportation.

Animas Museum

In the early 1900s, there sat a school building in Durango made of four rooms. Today, this building is home to the Animas Museum where visitors can learn more about Native Americans and the settlers of the early 20th century.

This museum is dedicated to preserving both the major events that shaped Durango, such as World War I and several major fires, as well as the everyday life and culture of families who settled in the area. Parents and kids alike can examine what education life was like in the recreated classroom and what home life was like in a recreated log cabin.

Durango Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum

Open from mid-May to mid-September, the Durango Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum teaches visitors about the local wildlife in Durango. Colorado is home to some truly spectacular scenery, and this museum celebrates the local flora and fauna. This interactive hatchery and museum is fun for adults and kids and free for everyone.

And as families learn more about the minutiae surrounding them, they're invited to feed the fish at the hatchery. Kids especially love to toss out food to the hungry fish who are sure to appreciate the extra feeding.

Powerhouse Science Center

For those who want to celebrate progress in its many forms, there's the Powerhouse Science Center. While geared towards children, adults can also partake in the many interactive exhibits that make up the museum. The science experiments are not only fun for everyone to try, they're a great way to encourage people to think in a different way.

Traditional classroom learning can be stimulating to the mind, but this science museum gives visitors a chance to absorb new ideas without having to listen to a lecture. They get real, hands-on learning they can use long after they pack up the car and go home.

The museums in Durango are as diverse as they are educational. They're a great way to get a better handle on why the city looks the way it does and why its people act the way that they do. While many of the exhibits are designed to be fun, they're also a handy way to experience education on a very different level.