Downtown Denver Travel Guide

Denver

Downtown Denver
Downtown Denver
Downtown Denver showing signage
Denver Art Museum showing art
History Colorado featuring snow, landscape views and mountains

Discover Denver is at its most dynamic in this central district, which has cool craft breweries, bars, galleries, boutiques and entertainment venues.

Downtown Denver is abuzz with activity, both night and day. Go kayaking on the Platte River, shop at the downtown boutiques and malls and revel in the lively atmosphere in the latest wave of hip bars and brewpubs.

The downtown district has long been the core of the city of Denver. It is still the beating heart of the state capital. It’s also the city’s busiest shopping quarter. Stroll down the mile-long 16th Street Mall and browse the stores in the Denver Pavilions, a retail and entertainment complex that also features several dining options as well as a movie theater.

For some culture, stop at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, which is housed in a striking contemporary building that resembles a glass box. Inside, it hosts ever-changing exhibits and features a rooftop café garden.

Look for the golden-domed Colorado State Capitol building on the southern edge of downtown. Watch as tourists pose on the front staircase, where one step is inscribed with the words: “One mile above sea level.”

Follow the 16th Street Mall all the way to the north end to reach Commons Park, a pretty green space along the river. Explore the neighboring historic Lower Downtown (Lodo) district, known for its elegant Victorian architecture. The historic buildings feature trendy bars, restaurants and boutiques. It’s particularly well-known for its brewpubs, some of which feature on the downloadable Denver Beer Trail. While here, watch a baseball game at the iconic Coors Field and visit the neoclassical Union Station, a renovated, fully functioning train station housing independent stores, a hotel and restaurants.

Free parking in Downtown Denver is very hard to find on weekdays, so it’s better to travel on foot or by public transportation. Use light rail or RTD buses to get downtown from the suburbs. Once here, ride the free 16th Street Mall shuttle. It’s also possible to get around using Denver’s B-cycle bike-sharing program.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Downtown Denver

Hilton Denver City Center

Hilton Denver City Center

4 out of 5
1701 California St, Denver, CO
The price is Rp2.351.965 per night from 16 Aug to 17 Aug
Rp2.351.965
Rp2.722.400 total
16 Aug - 17 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Denver. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,015 reviews)
"The staff were very nice and the bar and grill had the best Caesar salad!"

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Hilton Denver City Center
Magnolia Hotel Denver, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Magnolia Hotel Denver, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

4 out of 5
818 17th St, Denver, CO
The price is Rp1.772.087 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
Rp1.772.087
Rp2.051.190 total
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Denver. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,168 reviews)
"the bed was comfortable"

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Magnolia Hotel Denver, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Hyatt Place Denver Downtown

Hyatt Place Denver Downtown

3.5 out of 5
440 14th St, Denver, CO
The price is Rp1.901.240 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
Rp1.901.240
Rp2.200.685 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Denver. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,854 reviews)
"All of the staff we encountered during our stay were very friendly and helpful!"

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Hyatt Place Denver Downtown
Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver

Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver

4 out of 5
1776 Champa St, Denver, CO
The price is Rp2.114.310 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
Rp2.114.310
Rp2.447.313 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Denver. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,978 reviews)
"The hotel was average. Really not a lot of room amenities. It was clean and quiet."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver
Hotel Teatro

Hotel Teatro

4.5 out of 5
1100 14th St, Denver, CO
The price is Rp2.117.064 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp2.117.064
Rp3.019.725 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Denver. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,256 reviews)
"We have stayed at the hotel Teatro many times over the years, it is a lovely hotel with a fantastic restaurant bar and a really nice lounge coffee area. The beds are comfortable and it's very quiet. The location is great too. The staff is always pleasant and accommodating."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Hotel Teatro
Sonesta Denver Downtown

Sonesta Denver Downtown

4 out of 5
1450 Glenarm Place, Denver, CO
The price is Rp1.786.510 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
Rp1.786.510
Rp2.067.885 total
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Denver. Enjoy an outdoor pool, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,799 reviews)
"Awesome space with nice pool and decent gym. Good location"

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Sonesta Denver Downtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Denver

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Uptown

4/5(2 area reviews)

Uptown is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Fillmore Auditorium or Wells Fargo Center.

Uptown
Elitch Gardens Theme Park which includes rides as well as a family

Auraria

Live music, theatres and restaurants highlight some notable features of Auraria. Make a stop by Ball Arena or Elitch Gardens Theme Park while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Ball Arena-Elitch Gardens Station or Sports Authority Field - Mile High Station to get around town.

Auraria
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Ballpark

Though Ballpark may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Union Station and Coors Field.

Ballpark
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LoDo

3.5/5(4 area reviews)

Visitors often come to LoDo for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Union Station and McGregor Square. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at Union Station-Coors Field-16th St. Mall Station.

LoDo
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Capitol Hill

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Unique features of Capitol Hill include the museums and bars. Make a stop by Molly Brown House Museum or Colorado State Capitol Building while you're exploring the area.

Capitol Hill
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Five Points

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Noted for its breweries and gardens, there's plenty to explore in Five Points. Top attractions like Coors Field and South Platte River are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at 27th - Welton Station or 25th - Welton Station to see more of the city.

Five Points

Downtown Denver Travel Guide