Entry No. 69 — the Denver file — filed under: history
Forney Museum of Transportation
A 70,000-square-foot warehouse on a forgettable industrial stretch of Brighton Blvd holds 800-plus vehicles, and nobody driving past would guess. Inside: Amelia Earhart's actual 1923 Kissel 'Gold Bug' (she nicknamed it the Yellow Peril), Union Pacific's Big Boy 4005 steam locomotive, gangster-era cars, and period mannequins frozen mid-scene. It reads less like a polished museum and more like someone's obsessive private collection that outgrew the garage. Most Denverites have never set foot inside it.
The move: Wander the warehouse together hunting for the weirdest vehicle, then climb up to gawk at the Big Boy locomotive and argue over which mannequin diorama is the most unsettling.
📍 Before you go This is a drive-to spot, not a walkable one — the warehouse sits on an industrial block off Brighton Blvd with its own large lot (100-plus spaces, free except during special events), so you park at the door rather than circling for street parking. Being fully indoor, it's a reliable rainy, snowy, or scorching-day plan in any season. Budget a solid hour or two; 70,000 square feet and 800-plus vehicles is real walking, so wear comfortable shoes. It's self-guided, so no reservation needed for a normal visit. Afterward, you're minutes from RiNo's breweries, murals, and food halls — an easy pairing.
- 📍 North Denver (Brighton Blvd, RiNo-adjacent)
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 4303 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216 (industrial block in North Denver near RiNo)
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm; last admission 4:15pm daily. ~$13 adult.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Westword · Atlas Obscura
last checked: 2026-06-07