A small Victorian house museum in Denver that says it is less overwhelming than most, welcomes your own soothing tools, and offers self-guided visits for autistic families. Book the self-guided visit and go at your own pace.
Molly Brown House Museum
1340 Pennsylvania Street, Denver 80203 · Wednesday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm; Thursday open until 7 pm. Last entry is 1 hour before closing.
“The museum is not as overwhelming as some other museums with lots of lights and sounds. However, many of the rooms are quite small, and you may have to stand very close to someone else. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own sensory soothing tools, provided they are small and will not endanger the artifacts in the house. Tactile elements are available in the museum as well.”
“We know that the guided tour format doesn't always work for individuals on the Autism Spectrum. The Molly Brown House Museum invites families and individuals on the spectrum, or with other special needs, to join us for a self-guided experience.”
Our note The museum doesn't list a quieter time or any sensory-friendly dates, but it offers something better for a lot of families: a self-guided visit made for autistic kids and adults, so you set the pace. Book it on the museum's site, and if cost is a barrier, ask access@mollybrown.org about a scholarship.
Our note The museum's own social story, “My Visit to the Molly Brown House Museum,” comes in English and Spanish. The rooms are small and people stand close, so reading it together the night before helps.
Our note The October evening programs, Victorian Horrors (through Oct 24) and The Ghosts of 1340 Penn (Oct 28 to 31), are Halloween tours, and the museum doesn't say how intense they get. They're not the right first visit.
Three things to know
Self-guided visits are offered for autistic families, because the museum says the guided tour “doesn't always work.”
Small soothing tools from home are welcome, as long as they are small and won't harm the artifacts. The museum has tactile elements too.
Tours take about 45 minutes, with 2 to 3 flights of stairs and longer standing. Stools are available; ask staff.
The museum publishes no noise scale and names no loud or quiet spots
Louder
Quieter
Quiet roomnot stated
Tickets: self-guided from $15.43, guided from $19.84, all ages, about 1 hour.
Only the first floor and the lowest level are reachable by lift (the platform is 38 by 52 inches). An interactive video tour and printed pictures cover the second and third floors.
Restrooms: two accessible ones and a family restroom with a changing station in the Natural Resources Education Center, and one in the Carriage House museum store.
The accessible entrance is off the alley between 13th and 14th avenues. Limited accessible parking is in that alley by the Carriage House, with a permit displayed.
A few audio headsets help visitors hear the guide; tour scripts are also available.
Accessibility requests: access@mollybrown.org or 303-832-4092, ideally at least 7 days ahead.
The museum says it is not as overwhelming as many museums, but the rooms are small and you may stand close to other people. Tours take about 45 minutes with 2 to 3 flights of stairs, and stools are available. Bring a small soothing tool from home. Autistic families can book a self-guided visit instead of a guided tour. Change anything.
One tip before you go
Book the self-guided visit the museum offers for autistic families, so you set the pace. Read its own social story, in English or Spanish, the night before, and pack one small soothing tool. Half a visit on a good day is worth more than a full one on a hard day.
Common questions
What if my child won't look at the schedule or story?
That is common at first. Leave it where the moment happens, point to one picture at a time, and keep it low-pressure. Many kids warm up to it after a few calm tries, in their own time.
Can I make this in Spanish?
Yes. Every tool and this page exist in Spanish, and the printed page comes out in the language you choose. Use the language switch at the top.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no signup, and we don’t keep what you type; anything you save stays on your device. Make it, print it, done.
