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


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 ₹12,814 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
₹12,814
₹14,832 total
31 Jul - 1 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! (1,004 reviews)
"Hotel was very nice. Secure room access is a plus! Parking was high as they only have valet. No info given about parking elsewhere but i found a garage .5 blocks away for half the price the next day"

Reviewed on 19 Jul 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 ₹9,315 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹9,315
₹10,783 total
3 Aug - 4 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! (1,135 reviews)
"Amazing stay"

Reviewed on 16 Jul 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 ₹11,201 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
₹11,201
₹12,965 total
1 Aug - 2 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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,826 reviews)
"Everything was great! My suitcase was lost on the flight over and they provided me with all the amenities. The breakfast in the morning was also fantastic - lots of options."

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Hyatt Place Denver Downtown
Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown by IHG

3 out of 5
1715 Tremont Place, Denver, CO
The price is ₹12,365 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹12,365
₹14,313 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Denver. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
6.8/10 (1,372 reviews)
"They only had centralized AC so everyday my room would heat up to 80 degrees. But, breakfast was really great!"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown by IHG
Hotel Teatro

Hotel Teatro

4.5 out of 5
1100 14th St, Denver, CO
The price is ₹9,906 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹9,906
₹14,458 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
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! (1,232 reviews)
"Really responsive, friendly and well-trained staff. Consistently polite, pro-active and smart to everyone in every interaction (more than comparable service to the lauded service in the Big Famous Really Nice Place across the street). Great location to access all downtown places, and access to ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Hotel Teatro
Populus

Populus

3.5 out of 5
240 14th St, Denver, CO
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹13,793 per night from 15 Aug to 16 Aug
₹13,793
₹18,457 total
15 Aug - 16 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Denver. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Union Station and Ball Arena are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (273 reviews)
"Gre"

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Populus
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 Coors Field and Union Station.

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