The largest museum of its kind in the Rocky Mountain region, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science features scores of world-renowned dioramas, an extensive gems and minerals display, a pair of Egyptian mummies, and several other award-winning exhibitions. The museum focuses on six areas of science: anthropology, health science, geology, paleontology, space science, and zoology.

The newest permanent exhibition, "Space Odyssey," is slated to open in mid-2003. Visitors experience a carefully crafted mix of exhibits, live programming, digital multimedia, and interactive modules that engage them in contemporary stories of space exploration.

The Gates Planetarium, which is to reopen in 2003 after renovations, has been transformed into a state-of-the-art digital planetarium. The new facility has an advanced computer graphics and video system, unlike any planetarium in the world. Live performers, demonstrations, and audience participation complement the top-notch technology.

The "Prehistoric Journey" traces the history of life on earth through 3.5 billion years. Dinosaur skeletons, fossils, interactive exhibits, and dioramas of ancient ecologies make this one of the museum's most popular attractions, especially with children.

Another popular exhibit is the "Hall of Life," which focuses on the science of the human body. Using a magnetic card, visitors gather information on themselves as they move through the interactive exhibits. When finished, they receive a printout about their own physical condition.

The IMAX Theater (tel. 303/322-7009) presents science, nature, or technology-oriented films with surround-sound on a screen that measures 4 1/2 stories tall. Allow 2 to 4 hours.