As I was scrolling through social media recently, a post from an old friend caught my eye talking about how obsessed her son is with the Titanic story. Immediately, I was brought back to memories of visiting the Molly Brown House Museum in Denver, Colorado. The museum is home to Molly Brown, a Titanic survivor so famous that a musical was made about her. This may be the most kid-friendly historic home museum I’ve ever set foot in. And I say this as someone who has wrapped little kids around white joints around lots of velvet ropes.
If your kids have ever fallen down the Titanic rabbit hole, Denver has the vacation destination of their dreams hidden away. We’ll show you how to do it right and turn your museum visit into a Molly Brown day in the city.
First, let’s talk about Molly.
I will admit that before visiting the Molly Brown House Museum, almost everything I knew about her was from what I had seen in the movies. It was very interesting to learn her backstory. Margaret “Molly” Brown was born in Hannibal, Missouri to Irish immigrant parents and moved to Leadville, Colorado (another must-see town) where her husband JJ made a very rich gold mine. The Browns took their new fortune back to Denver and purchased a 7,500 square foot Victorian home at 1340 Pennsylvania Street (they were the second owners).
Margaret soon poured her money into helping build the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and later starting local animal rescue efforts. She also passionately advocated for women’s suffrage and miners’ rights. Then, in 1912, she boarded a small ship called the Titanic and survived by helping other passengers along the way.
Her pride in her and her husband’s success can still be seen throughout the house, right down to the gold decorations on the wallpaper. The whole house will make you feel as if you have traveled back in time. Authentic light fixtures remain intact, and hand-crafted faceted crystal windows, meticulously restored by Watkins Stained Glass, sparkle above the ornate oak staircase, and hardwood floors creak beneath your feet. It’s exactly the same as when a 130-year-old house creaks.
Why this museum actually helps kids
A little disclaimer beforehand: Due to the sensitive nature of the museum, it is not recommended for children under 6 years of age, but parental discretion is advised. We recommend waiting until your child is old enough to really be interested and enjoy all the history they will learn during their visit.
They can actually touch things.
Sure, certain areas are off-limits to protect and preserve the integrity of the artifacts, but nearly every room in the house is designed to encourage exploration in some way. The Family Guide basket is stocked with interactive printouts (also bilingual) to help children understand the information. It also includes a variety of tactile items for children to hold, such as textiles, family photos, and stuffed animals.
The Titanic room is the main event.
With an entire space dedicated to Brown’s Titanic history, this is a place where little Titanic history buffs will be amazed. You can view one of the less than 10 surviving letters written on Titanic’s letterhead, and you can also roll the dice on the question “Will you survive?” A game based on class cards (a soft starting point to heavier questions about humanity during disasters). The museum’s program also features the Titanic’s youngest travelers, including two boys who crossed the Atlantic without their parents.
It’s a choose-your-own adventure.
As a mom, one of my favorite things about this museum is its family-friendly, self-guided format. There is the option of a guided tour (which we highly recommend if your children are older), but you can also choose to move at your child’s pace and have fun on their own. they Choose your learning method. Pro tip: Download the free Bloomberg Connects app on your phone for additional content.
I’m sneaking in some good stuff.
The museum proudly serves thousands of schoolchildren annually, so it focuses on getting children thinking about identity through the lens of Margaret’s life. How was she defined? How are we defined? But what I liked most was that it challenged children to think about rights and responsibilities. What does it mean to acquire them as you grow up, and what does it mean for someone to take them away? Obviously drunk, but distilled to a child’s level.
Bonus spooky content.
If you have scary children, you may want to ignore this part of the museum. However, if your child loves history and ghost stories, they’ll likely devour any number of paranormal legends. Rumor has it you might even be able to smell JJ’s cigar smoke or catch a glimpse of a monster cat in the kitchen.
Accessibility is a top priority.
The main floor is accessible by mobility device and takes the elevator down to the lower level for even more exhibits, games, and artifacts. For those who can’t get to the second floor, there is a video tour with information cards. There are also restrooms and drinking fountains for families.
Why not take a trip through Denver?
Denver is a really cool city with lots of things to do, so you might want to plan another trip to Molly Brown.
- Stay (or at least stop by) at the Brown Palace Hotel. Molly was a regular at the Brown Palace Hotel, where she famously held court after the Titanic. Of all the places I’ve stayed in Colorado, this has to be near the top of the list. I checked into the Beatles suite (yes, those The Beatles…The band was here in 1964 on the Spirits of the Brown Tour, a guided walk through 130 years of legend and glory. My guide met me downstairs and I had a handcrafted cocktail (mocktail option available) at the Ship Tavern before setting off. This is probably best suited for teenagers and older children, as it covers so many bases and some very fascinating paranormal legends.
- Please stop doing that. The museum is located about two and a half blocks from the Colorado State Capitol, and the neighborhood itself is perfect for a quick mini-walking tour with kids.
- Climb the clock tower. The museum team also operates the historic Daniels & Fisher Clock Tower in downtown, which offers 360-degree views of the city and the Rocky Mountains.
- Drive to Red Rocks Amphitheater. About 25 miles southwest of Denver is Red Rocks Amphitheater, one of the coolest outdoor music venues in the country. Admission is free, restrooms are available, and there are various trails to hike around the area. Events and concerts are held from time to time, so why not check out the timing and visit.
- Refuel at Denver Central Market. This RiNo food hall is a great little foodie spot. This spacious market is home to 11 shops selling everything from baked goods (I’m still dreaming of Izzio’s almond croissants) to handmade chocolates, artisan cheeses and gourmet pizzas. It’s a casual atmosphere that everyone can enjoy, so it’s perfect for families with children.
practical things
- parking: If you are visiting the Molly Brown House and have trouble finding street parking, you can park in the cultural center parking lot behind the Denver Art Museum. It’s just a short walk from there.
- check-in: The ticket desk is located in the historic carriage house behind the property.
- Altitude: Denver is 1 mile away. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Start drinking more water than usual before you arrive and don’t forget to apply sunscreen.
An unsinkable woman, a museum that treats your children like actual interdimensional humans, and a city full of entertainment and activities? Think you’ve decided on your next school holiday trip.
