Amelia Earhart’s 1923 Kissel “Gold Bug” on display at the Forney Museum of Transportation and (pictured below) an old photo of Denver firefighters rescuing residents from a downtown building that was on fire.

By Patte Smith; courtesy photos

The warm-up has not yet begun, and we are all getting a bit of cabin fever, but don’t despair.  There are many unique places to visit in the Denver metropolitan area as a couple or with friends, kids, or the grandchildren.  A few of these places can open up a floodgate of memories of growing up or listening to our parents recall the good ol’ days.  Step back in time, and visit these notable places to cure the winter blahs.  

If trains, automobiles, motorcycles or anything on wheels is your thing, you must visit the Forney Museum of Transportation.  Jam-packed with historic transportation gems, this museum that started with one automobile has added extensively to its collection for more than 60 years.  The museum is located at 4303 Brighton Boulevard in Denver and is a must-see for adults and kids.  

Do you know what the Union Pacific “Big Boy” Steam Locomotive #4005 is and what part it played in history?  You can learn at the museum as you drool over Amelia Earhart’s 1923 Kissel “Gold Bug” and the kids (adult kids, too) can ooh and ah over the 500-piece Matchbox collection.  For motorcycle enthusiasts, there is a “way cool” collection you are definitely going to want to see.  Museum hours are Monday through Saturday,
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
 
Visit www.forneymuseum.org for more information and holiday closings.

An intricately crafted small-scale home is displayed at the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys.

Some of us never grow up, and a place to reminisce is at the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys.  Not only for women and girls, this quaint home known as the Pearce-McAllister Cottage holds memorable boys and girls toys and detailed miniature structures that everyone can appreciate.  Step back in time as you meander through the rooms pointing and laughing at the toys you had as a kid.  

With thousands of miniature characters and objects at the museum, the organization also offers special exhibits, teas, children’s programs and adult and children workshops.  The museum is located at 1880 Gaylord Street in Denver and is open from Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  For more information about the museum, visit www.dmmdt.org.

In the heart of Denver sits the historical Denver Firefighters Museum.  Housed in the original Firehouse Number 1 since 1909, the Denver firefighting exhibits are more than a century old.  A collection of fire equipment, historical artifacts, fire apparatus, uniforms from the past, and a collection of manuscripts and photographs are only some of the displays.  The museum also features innovative and hands-on family and kids activities.

Free day for seniors and their grandchildren is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5.  The museum is located at 1326 Tremont Place in Denver and is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed Sunday and holidays.  For more information, visit www.denverfirefightersmuseum.org.