Angkor Wat is on many a traveler’s bucket list of “must-see” places. But you don’t have to travel to Cambodia to immerse yourself in the former capital of the Khmer Empire, which all but vanished into the Southeast Asia jungle. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has a new temporary exhibit “Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia” from February 21 to August 24, 2025.
These relief statues of goddesses holding fans are part of the sculpture work at the terrace of the Leper King, located in Angkor Thom. Source: DMNS / Antony Holvoet photo
The exhibition unveils the story of an ancient metropolis that held some of the world’s most astonishing architectural models only to seemingly vanish. More than 100 intricate carvings, sacred sculptures and ancient relics — many never before seen outside Cambodia — reveal a story that has baffled scientists for years.
Angkor was the capital of the Khymer Empire, which flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries. It is most famous for Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest religious monument in the world.
After the decline of the Khymer Empire, the capital city of Angkor lost its political significance and the temples were abandoned and overtaken by dense jungle.
Though the locals never forgot about it, the site became largely unknown to the outside world until French explorers rediscovered it in the 19th century.
Visitors will discover how modern technology is providing new insights into Angkor’s legacy and celebrate its remarkable resilience as a vibrant living temple.
“Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia” will be in the Anschutz Gallery on the third floor of the DMNS. The exhibition is completely bilingual in both English and Spanish.
Hands-on activity in the exhibition explaining the architectural lay-out of temples. Source: DMNS / Jamie Pham photo
Interactive opportunities include the following:
Reveal Scenes Depicted in Bas-Reliefs with the Bayon Wall Scanner — Explore bas-reliefs (slightly raised sculptures) on replica wall panels, uncovering details about daily life in Angkor.
Play a Musical Instrument — Pluck the kse diev, an ancient Khymer string instrument.
Dive Under the Jungle Canopy — A large floor projection allows guests to explore a details map of the Khymer Empire. Using trackballs, visitors can navigate points of interest to learn about hidden temples, city structures and the groundbreaking technology used to uncover them.
The exhibit is included for FREE with Museum general admission.
As a bonus, museum visitors can see the film “Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia” on the giant screen Infinity Theater. (There is an extra fee to see the film.)
Angkor Wat exhibit. Source: DMNS / Jamie Pham photo
Enter to Win DMNS Tickets
Our friends at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science have given MHOTC tickets to visit the Museum and see the Angkor exhibit.
Each prize package will include general admission tickets (so you can enjoy all the museum has to offer before or after viewing the Angkor exhibit) and tickets to see the Angkor film.
The tickets may be used at any time. The Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and most Fridays until 9 p.m.
To enter this giveaway:
Let us know if you have visited the Museum before!
Comment below and tell us if this would be your first visit to the DMNS. If you have been before, about how many times have you visited?
Important: Also tell us, if your name is drawn, how many tickets you need — 1, 2 or 4?
Entrants must be a Colorado resident.
Limit one entry per e-mail address and/or household. (Duplicate entries will be disqualified.)
The deadline to enter is Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 5 p.m.
We will randomly pick the winners and contact them via e-mail.
Absolutely favulous museum. Been there about a year ago for their poison exhibit and spent hours fascinated by everything there. Would love four tickets as we don’t drive mujch and would love family to bring us. The exhibit sounds wonderful and we can imagine it will be packed. Kudos to the museum for being a great place to go in Denver…and thank you MHOTC for being a wonderful source of entertaiment and knowledge.
I’ve been to DMNS numerous times, though not very recently. I would like 2 tickets.
Visited lots as a child but not recently. Visited Cambodia 20 years ago too and would love to see this exhibit.
I have been as a kid on field trips, but never as an adult!
love the free days. need 4 tickets for family
Enthralled by this exhibit! The DMNS director is creative in choices for Colorado!
I’m a lover of the DMNS. I try and go at least 1X per year, and always take the grand kids. I want them to love nature and science as much as I do. At 69, I always find something new to learn.
I’ve visted the museum over a dozen times over the years. Great place.
it has been a long time since I have visited DMNS! the Angkor Wat exhibit sounds fantastic! this is an area of the world I have never visited and I am intrigued! if my name is drawn, I would be grateful for two tickets! thank you for bringing my attention to this exhibit, and offering a chance to win tickets!
I have been able to attend the Museum of Nature and Science often and enjoy every time I have been able to. The highlight of my visits have been during the eclipse which they did a fantastic job!! I would love 2 tickets for this special exhibit.
our family of 4 has gone to the museum for the SCFD free days and nights. This is a great MOTC option year-round
we love the museum and visit nearly ever free day, my kids and I love spending time there, we would need 4 tickets
We love DMNS! I went there as a kid and now I bring my kids!
I have visited this museum in the past. I was there for the Vikings exhibition and loved it. I’ve always wanted to see Angkor Wat, this will be the next best thing. I will need four tickets please if selected. Thank you so much!
Visited the museum in the past. Lots to see and learn. 2 tickets.
Usually go once a year, love the range of exhibits. 4 tickets.
We have not been to the museum in many years. My wife and I are both interested in learning more about Cambodia and Angkor Wat. Perhaps we can visit some day? Would love to win 2 tickets
My kids love DNSM! We have been there five or six times through the years. They are in college now, but never miss an opportunity to visit the museum.
I’ve been to Angkor so I’d really love to see the exhibit. I need two tickets, please
It has been a long time since I was in the Museum. The last time I was so impressed by the exhibits. Thank you so much. Michael Hair
I have visited the museum many, many times with my kids elementary school as a parent chaperone and saw exhibits that I went back to see on my own when I had time to take longer looks and reads about them. I especially LOVED the Egyptian room and artifacts and visited it many times. Our Denver museum is great! The kids interactive area for space and also earning about the body area are so good and interesting to students.
We love the museum. We visit at least once or twice a year. We are scientists! The exhibits are always changing, and we learn something new every time.
We would love 4 tickets.
Thank you
I have been several times with my children on field trips. We would like 4 tickets if we win. Thank you so much!
Both my kids and grandkids have grown up with many visits to the Museum of Natural History. So much to see, learn, and do! Four tickets would be wonderful!
I have visited about 6 times and would love to win tickets to this event. BTW have never been to Cambodia and doubt at 76 I will ever go.
We take our grandkids and they love the museum.
Love the museum! We have been there once and love to go back ! We would like to have 4 tickets for our family! Thank you!
I have been the museum twice and love to go back this year to see the new exhibits. I need 4 tickets!.Thank you!
I love the museum!!
I used to be a member and went often when they would host a member night of a themed dinner to go with their new exhibit. Since Covid, they haven’t, to my knowledge, reinstated that activity..
I haven’t renewed my membership for a few years due to it was hard for me to walk. Well, I now have a new knee!!
So, I would love to return to the museum!!
If I win, I would like four tickets for admission and the movie!! How fun!!! Thank you!!!
I have not visited before but hear great things about it. Can’t wait to see it. We would need 4 tickets for our family.
I love the museum!
I used to have a membership so I went often.
Pre- Covid, they used to have membership nights with a themed dinner and their newest exhibit open for that evening. Really fun!
I haven’t renewed my membership for a couple of years because it was painful to walk around. I now have a new knee!
If you pick me, I would love four tickets for admission and the movie. Thank you!!
I’ve never been to the museum and would love for my first visit to be for this exhibit! My wife and I went to Cambodia during our honeymoon and loved it. Two tickets would be amazing.
I love the museum! My husband and I had our first date there. We’ve probably been about 10 times. They always have such fascinating exhibits.
If chosen, we would like two tickets. Thank you!
I have been to the museum before. It was an Indian exhibit.Time very well spent I would appreciate four tickets if that’s possible. I’d make it an outing with three of my friends. It would be a lot of fun.
As a family we visit the museum 1 or two times a year. Especially enjoy the Girls In Science events. Thank you. Kids are fortunate to visit with Littleton Public Schools too!
I get to the Museum once every year or two, usually for flagship exhibits like this one. I would like four tickets if I win.
I’ve been to the museum before. Maybe a couple timesThe last time I went it was an Indian exhibit it was a lot of fun. I would appreciate four tickets so I can have Three of my friends join me we could make it a fun adventure.
We have never visited the museum, but have wanted to for a long time. This exhibit is the one we really want to see. We have this part of the world on our bucket list to visit. Two tickets please.
Visited the museum with a friend and is very educational. Would like to see the new exhibition.
We love to go to the Museum and take advantage of the many exhibits that are offered. We just returned from a trip to Southeast Asia and visited Cambodia and Angkor Wat…one of our most favorite places!! If we won tickets, we could relive that experience, which would be amazing and we would like 4 tickets so we can also share that experience with friends. Thank you!
Great museum. I have been a number of times. I would request 2 tickets.
I have been to the museum but not for many years. I am so excited to learn about this exhibit as I love Asian art and history. I would love 4 tickets but even one will be appreciated. Thanks for this offer.
Sadly, we have not visited since Covid, and we really should be making plans to go. Tickets to the new exhibition would be amazing. we would need 2 tickets. Thank you, MHOTC
I have been to the DMNS when my kids were young, but not in a decade or more. It would be nice to see how its changed.
When my kids were little we always had a museum membership. Now they’re grown and I haven’t been to the museum in more years than I can count. I’d love to have 2 tickets to go see how it’s changed.
I’ve been to the museum 2 or 3 times. I’d love 4 tickets. This exhibit looks fascinating!Thank you!
This would be my 3rd visit to the museum and the others have been very fun and educational! Thank you for offering these types of contests. if I won I would love to have 2 tickets.
I have not been to the DMNS since my kids were born. I would love to take my two daughters to the museum to let them explore all the exhibits they have at the museum. Two tickets would be amazing to win.
Yes I’ve visited the DMNS before, it’s excellent. I’ve had my eye on the exhibit for a while so glad to see it’s open. Winning 4 tickets would be the icing on the cake!!
We used to have DMNS memberships years ago but now rarely go. This would be the closest I ever get to Ankor Wat.
I grew up in Denver and visited DMNS at least every year on a school field trip. The dioramas were my favorite. Then as a teacher I took my class there too. I haven’t been there in a few years and would love to see this show and the dioramas. I would need 4 tickets. Thanks
I have visited several times with family over the years. We loved so many exhibits, including Body Worlds. I’d love four tickets for family, please.
Oops. I’ll take two tickets, but even one ticket would be fine, if that is all you have.
I have been to the museum a lot of times. We used to have a membership, but only go now from time to time. Four tickets for the whole family!
Love the museum and been there many times. I’d love to win 2 tickets.
MHOTC,
HI!
Love the DMNS, our family has probably been 20-30 times over the years, learning can be fun!
4 tickets pretty please!
Thank you.
Always a positive experience to visit.
4 tickets, please.
I love the DMNS and have visited many times over the years, first as a child myself, later with my children and now with my grandchildren. This current special exhibit would be especially interesting for my 91 year old father, I would love to take him and so I am hoping for 2 tickets please!
I have been often, and love to be amazed at DMNS!
We have visited the museum maybe 5-7 times, our whole family enjoys it! We would need tickets for 4, please!
We have been there several times for several years. This includes field trips with my daughter’s 3rd grade class.
A few times as a kid. Would LOVE to go!
I visited this museum just once before – when I first moved to Colorado well over 30 years ago – but for some reason it has been entirely off my radar since then (despite the fact that I’m a great fan of cultural outings). I would love the opportunity to win 4 tickets – thank you.
I have visited before. It’s my favorite museum in Colorado. I love to experience the new exhibits. We would love 2 tickets.
WE HAVE BEEN TO THE MUSEUM SEVERAL TIMES. MY CHILDREN LOVED SCIENCE OVER THE YEARS AND THEREFORE IT WAS OUR FAVORITE MUSEUM. WE WOULD LOVE TO TAKE THEM BACK TO SEE THIS EXHIBIT AND EXPERIENCE THE MUSUM AGAIN AS ADULTS.
My daughter went on her first field trip there recently and loved it but didn’t have a chance to see everything. Would love to win 2 tickets to go again and see everything she missed plus this new exhibit sounds amazing!
We had a membership for years when our kids were younger. My daughter wanted to be a paleontologist, so we were there regularly. Now they are teenagers and incredibly busy! I do miss hoping to the museum. I would love to win these tickets!
DMNS is our favorite museum. My family and I go once a year as a treat for my husband’s birthday. I always visit the gemstone sculpture exhibit because it the most extravagant thing I’ve ever seen. 4 tickets please.
I’ve only been 2x, but LOVED IT!!! Last visit was on my birthday several years ago (March 15). It would be great to have 5 tickets so the whole family could go!
We love the museum! And would love to see this exhibition. Even though my kids are adults, we still go to. the museum a few times a year.
We’ve been a few times and would love to go again. 3 tickets
Have been to the museum multiple times. Loved every exhibit.
Would love 4 l tickets if we’re selected. Thank you for doing this.
We love DMNS and have been at least eleventy hundred times LOL! We were members when our kids were little and went lots and lots but now my husband and I just buy individual tickets when we go, usually for special events or exhibits. If my name is drawn, I would need 2 tickets please.
This would be the first visit! I would be so excited to go as a family. Four tickets would allow us all to go!
I have visited the museum many times, especially when my kids were young. We enjoy the special exhibits very much and would love to see this one too!
I have visited the museum many times, especially when my kids were young. We enjoy the special exhibits very much and would love to see this one too
I have been to the museum several times before! Most recently for the poison exhibit…
The Nature and Science Museum has been a favorite place for my family since our kids were very small. We’ve been more times than I can count. It’s a great place for the kids to explore and learn something new during every visit . I also visited Ankor Wat years ago with friends. Hands down one of the most fascinating places I’ve ever been. If I won, I would need 4 tickets.
My kids love the DMNS! We used to be able to get free tickets through the library, but they are no longer offered. We would love to see this amazing exhibit! We would need 4 tickets. Thank you!
i have only been once and it was amazing! i wasnt able to see all the exhibits because i didnt have time. i would LOVE to go back! i would need 3 tickets if i get chosen! thank you!
I’ve been to DMNS countless times both as a kid and now as an adult over 20+ years here in Denver. It’s a great place to learn and explore for kids. I would love 4 tickets.
I visit DMNS 2 TO 4 times a year. Need 2 tickets.
We usually visit DMNS about twice a year. We typically get tickets through the library! We love DMNS! We would need 4 tickets.
I’ve been to the museum a couple of times. 2 tickets,
love the museum! I’ve been there several times but it has been a few years and would love to go back. I would like 4 tickets
The museum is wonderful. Used to take our son there ball the time!
4 tickets. Thank you!
We had a family membership many years ago when our kids were young. We haven’t been to DMNS for a long time. We would love to have two tickets please.
it has been a number of years since I have been over there.
the latest exhibit sounds interesting.
I would enjoy 4 tickets.
thank you for all of your hard work in presenting us a neat package to sort thorough each day.
appreciate you.
Yes, we have been to the museum before, but had not heard of this exhibit yet. Sounds really intersting. Would love tickets.
:Last visit was the Rain Forest exhibit. Enjoyed it very much. Also the Poison exhibit.
I’ve been coming here since I was a child, often with school field trips. One of my grandfather’s friends painted original backdrops/murals for the museum.
I love this museum and have been there many times. I would like to bring more family and friends along to see the new exhibits! I would need 5 tickets total.
I have been to DMNS several times with my children. We had a great time each time. I would love to take my family to see the “Angkor” exhibition. 4 tickets. Thank you.
I had a grandparent’s membership for several years while my grand children were young. Now that they are grown, and my income is more limited, I spread my arts and culture “budget” to support various worthy venues in Denver on a rotating basis.
I have many fun photos and happy memories of our Denver Museum of Nature and Science adventures.
Thank you!
I’ve been to the museum once for sure that I can remember it was about the Indian exhibit it was really interesting. I would love to get four tickets if I could I would get my friends three of my friends together and I think it would be a fun time
Only been a few times but I love this museum. A real class act and not just for children!
We have visited the museum several times. It is WONDERFUL! We would need 4 tickets for our crew. Thanks!
Always enjoy visits to the museum.Have been to many special exhibits, the most recent one for Roald Dahl.
I’ve been several times over the years enjoying many a traveling exhibit. I look forward to seeing this new exhibit.
Love the Museum!
I have been there several times throughout the years. I would love 4 tickets.
we’ve been once years ago, I still remember the gems exhibit to be my favorite. my wife is from southeast Asia so this would be right up our alley! 2 tickets