Ouray Alchemist Museum & Penthouse

A Must-Do in Ouray! While planning our trip to Ouray, we came across The Alchemist Tour and were impressed by the glowing reviews—so we reached out through their website and booked a tour. When we arrived, we were greeted by Curt, who immediately made everyone feel welcome. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this tour far exceeded anything I could have imagined. It was absolutely amazing! Curt is not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also hilarious. He shares history in such a captivating, storytelling way that keeps you fully engaged from start to finish. If you’re visiting Ouray and looking for something unique and memorable, this tour is an absolute must. Don’t miss it!

We toured the museum in the off-season in november, so we had a private tour. I booked ahead of time via email, which is recommended (either email or phone). Curt explained that he is a retired pharmacist who started collecting privately and eventually turned it into a full-blown museum of alchemy. Curt has a passion for life and loves what he does! He is a wealth of knowledge and loves sharing through stories, pictures, and artifacts. The tour is 2-3 hours long, so be sure to wear comfy shoes and allot extra time, but know that you will be entertained the entire time! Curts brilliant mind houses a lifetime of engaging facts to share about the fascinating history of alchemy...our minds were blown!

Great Experience. Kurt was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Great history lesson and so many interesting things to see about the history of alchemy and pharmaceuticals. Would definitely recommend.

I had been wanting to check this place out for a while and was finally able to when my brother came to visit. I highly recommend scheduling your tour ahead of time with Curt. He is very quick to respond. It's a one man show and did take a bit of time to get the full tour, but it was very worth the trip. Curt is quite the character, and has plenty of stories, history, humour and passion for his museum. There are so very many artifacts and displays. We were there several hours, and I'm positive we didn't see everything. So make sure you stop in to check it out if you get the chance and experience this impressive, one-of-a-kind collection yourself. You will definitely learn something new and have a great time.

A Fascinating and Memorable Experience at the Ouray Alchemist Museum We had the incredible opportunity to take a private tour of the Ouray Alchemist Museum with the owner and collector, and it was an experience we’ll never forget. As a nurse and homeschooling family, we’re always on the lookout for educational experiences that bring history to life, and this visit exceeded all our expectations. The museum’s collection is absolutely stunning, showcasing centuries of fascinating history related to medicine and pharmacy. Every single item we pointed out came with a rich and engaging story, told with so much passion and knowledge by the owner. His ability to connect each artifact to its historical context was incredible, and it made the experience both educational and entertaining. What made the visit even more special was the kindness and attention shown to my daughter, who is autistic. He made her feel welcome and included, which meant the world to us. His warmth and enthusiasm did not go unnoticed. We were amazed by the depth and variety of the collection and found ourselves wishing we could have spent more hours there, soaking in all the history and stories. Visiting the museum was the perfect way to start a beautiful snowy morning in the charming town of Ouray, Colorado. If you have the chance to visit, I highly recommend booking a private tour it’s worth every penny. This museum is truly a hidden gem and a must see for anyone who loves history, storytelling, or unique collections.

This museum is a real gem. I gained such a knowledge of the history of pharmaceutical drugs through the ages, the architecture and interior design, collections of everything pharm was amazing. The owner, a pharmacist, was so knowledgeable and entertaining. This is a must see place in Ouray. It’s best to call the number listed to make a reservation. The tour is 2 hours.

Curt is amazingly knowledgeable and gives you quite the tour of the history of alchemy, pharmacy, and medical practices. The only reason I took off a star is that we expected an hour long tour and were there for more than two hours. So make sure to plan your time accordingly, as we had to cut short other stops as a result. But if you have any interest in the topics listed above, call to confirm the tour is happening and spend some time with Curt. He says he’ll be there until he’s 103 1/2 so you’ve got some time 😁

Once-in-a-lifetime experience! A beautiful cabinet of curiosities. Curt is the tour guide, expert, and collector. He shared his personal collection of wonderful, odd, unusual, fascinating medical history with humor and heart. Poison bottles, gaper signs, mummy remedies, and stories you won’t forget. Curious minds and history nerds - don’t miss it! Just email ahead of time to book a tour (otherwise not open besides by appointment) - super easy.