Museums in Durango, CO

Of all the things to do in Durango, CO, one of the most fascinating activities is touring the local museums. From in depth exhibits about local history, to hands-on features for kids, you’ll find that the museums in Durango, CO have a little something for everyone.

We’ve put together a list of museums around town for you to check out during your visit.

Animas Museum

• Address: 3065 West 2nd Ave, Durango, CO
• Distance from us: 2.3 miles
• Hours: Tues, Thurs, Sat 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wednesday 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

A popular stop for locals and visitors alike, the Animas Museum was originally built as a schoolhouse around the turn of the 20th century. Over the years, it has undergone renovations and now serves as the definitive source of local history.

The main exhibit is the restored 1905 classroom, a permanent attraction that allows visitors to travel back in time to view how education was conducted over a hundred years ago. However, this is far from the only exhibit available. The Animas Museum regularly holds other exhibits on a range of different topics. For example, there have been exhibits on:



• The stories of how settlers came to La Planta County
• The lawlessness and feuds of the region during the Wild West
• The rich history of the native Basketmaker people in the Animas Valley
• The impacts of WW1 and the 1918 flu pandemic

In addition, you can also download pdfs on their website that allow you to take self-guided walking tours of the surrounding area.

Durango Wildlife Museum

• Address: 151 E 16th St, Durango, CO
• Distance from us: 1.1 miles

Visitors who love learning about wildlife would do well to stop by the Durango Wildlife Museum during their stay. While the museum may be small, the staff has extensive knowledge about the wildlife in the region. They are known for being able to make learning about nature fun, especially for children. Admission is free and donations are welcomed.

The museum is also next door to the Durango Fish Hatchery, the oldest state-owned hatchery in Colorado. This cold water facility raises and stocks fish for Southwest Colorado, including:

• Rainbow Trout
• Cutthroat, native and Snake River
• Kokanee salmon

For a quarter, visitors can purchase food to feed the fish in the pond onsite.