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Nights at Denver museums

Denver is borrowing an idea from Paris by uniting 20 of the city’s museums during the annual Denver Arts Week, Friday through Nov. 12. Enjoy a night of free entertainment Saturday, when Denver’s “Night at the Museums” features its museums opening their doors for extended evening hours, 5 to 10 p.m. — all for free.

“Night at the Museums” is based on the popular “Nuit De La Musée,” celebrated at more than 1,800 museums across France each year. It’s an opportunity to explore some of Denver’s most famous museums, as well as some little-known gems — without opening your wallet.

Browse some art at the Denver Art Museum, tour the home of “Unsinkable” Molly Brown, take a lantern tour of old railroad cars and automobiles at the Forney Museum of Transportation, come face-to-face with the mighty T. rex at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and finish the night exploring artwork by American modernist Allan Houser in the Denver Botanic Gardens.

To make museum hopping convenient, free shuttle buses carry folks from one museum to another throughout the night. In addition to offering viewing of regular collections, participating museums will have special programming and entertainment.

“Night at the Museums” kicks off Denver Arts Week (DAW), a nine-day celebration of all things art. Now in its fourth year, DAW also offers First Friday art gallery walks on Friday, with more than 100 art galleries in eight neighborhood arts districts staying open late with food, music and fun. Also, a variety of events offer the opportunity to experience opera, theater and dance performances at discounted prices.

Get a complete listing of participating venues, times, schedules and lodging deals by visiting www.denverartsweek.com. Or you can call 1-303-892-1505.

Special tour of Estes Park exhibit

Join Tom Danton, former Stanley Museum Docent, for a special tour of “Stanley: An Estes Park Legacy” at the Estes Park Museum on Friday and Saturday. Free tours will be offered twice a day, 11 a.m.-noon and 3-4 p.m.

Danton served as a national park ranger for more than 30 years, including five years at Rocky Mountain National Park. During his career, he trained newcomers into the field of interpretation, and in retirement, he volunteered at the Stanley Museum, where he became enthused with Stanley history. Danton is especially interested in the Stanley Hotel, how it was built and what makes it special. His tour also highlights F.O. Stanley’s determination, vision and civic-mindedness.

The exhibit will be on display in the National Park Service Headquarters Building on Museum grounds through Feb. 19. No reservations are necessary for the Stanley tours on Friday and Saturday. Meet in the museum lobby at 200 Fourth St., Estes Park.

For information, visit www.estes.org/museum or call 1-970-586-6256.

Joy Harper, The Gazette