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Excitedly Explore Downtown Colorado: Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit

Downtown Colorado earns rather more of a visit than the phrase on the map would ever really suggest. The whole of it walks easily, and the free MallRide covers whatever the legs will not do. Denver sits a long way above sea level, which you will notice on the very first hill out. Colorado Springs is the quieter one of the two of them. Both work.

Planning a trip to Downtown Colorado and wondering what to do with it? Start here. Downtown Colorado is lively and it is easy, running art and culture, outdoor time, dining, shopping and more besides, most of it inside a short walk of itself.

Exploring Downtown Colorado is the first thing to do here. The long history and the architecture make it a hub of cultural attractions, and none of it is hard to reach. Museums, galleries and theaters are all here, and a guided walking tour covers the city’s past without you having to plan anything. Parks and outdoor spaces sit in among them, for a picnic, a bike ride, or sitting still with the views.

Solo, with friends or with family, Downtown Colorado works the same way. The dining scene is broad and the events and festivals run constantly in this busy area. And the accommodation covers every budget, so making Downtown Colorado a base takes no effort at all.

Key Takeaways

• Downtown Colorado offers a range of activities, from exploring art and culture to outdoor adventures, dining, shopping, and more.
• The area is home to several parks and outdoor spaces where you can enjoy a picnic, go for a bike ride, or simply relax and take in the stunning views.
• With a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, you can easily make Downtown Colorado your home away from home.

Exploring Downtown Colorado

Exploring downtown Colorado is easier than most cities make it. Denver or Colorado Springs, the downtown areas put the good things within reach of each other.

In Denver, the Lower Downtown neighborhood, LoDo, is the one to start with. This historic district runs trendy restaurants, bars and shops in a tight block. Larimer Square is the heart of LoDo, so walk it for the Victorian architecture. And Union Station has been turned into a busy transportation hub with dining all through it.

In Colorado Springs, the downtown runs smaller and slower. Tejon Street holds the boutiques, galleries and restaurants, so work it on foot. And the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum covers the city’s history properly.

Whichever downtown you are in, the neighborhoods are the reason to wander. In Denver, take the RiNo Art District for the street art and the craft breweries. In Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City is the historic one, with local shops and restaurants through it.

And no visit to downtown Colorado is complete without the Mile High City. Denver’s nickname comes from its elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level. Take the top of the Denver Clock Tower for the view across the whole city.

Exploring downtown Colorado is the thing to do here, in short. The neighborhoods, the historic districts and the attractions are all laid out for you.

Art and Culture in Downtown Colorado

Art and culture people are well served in Downtown Colorado. Galleries, museums and local work in the creative district all sit within reach. Here are the ones to start with:

Art Galleries

Downtown Colorado runs a lot of art galleries across styles and mediums. Denver Art Museum, Walker Fine Art Gallery and Robischon Gallery are the busiest of them. All three show local and international artists and rotate exhibitions through the year.

Museums

Beyond the Denver Art Museum, Downtown Colorado runs other museums too. The Clyfford Still Museum is given over to the abstract expressionist painter, while the Colorado Convention Center hosts exhibitions and events through the year. The History Colorado Center earns the stop as well, with interactive exhibits covering the state’s past.

Performing Arts

Theater and performing arts people are covered in Downtown Colorado. The Denver Performing Arts Complex holds a cluster of theaters, the Buell Theatre and the Ellie Caulkins Opera House among them. These stage work through the year, Broadway shows through to ballet.

Local Art in the Creative District

Downtown Colorado’s Creative District holds a working community of local artists. Galleries and studios run through it, showing painters, sculptors and the rest. Community Creative Center, The Downtown Artery and Trimble Court Artisans are the ones people head for.

Art Museums

Alongside the Denver Art Museum, Downtown Colorado runs other art museums. The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver shows contemporary artists from around the world, while the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art gives the walls to Colorado artists. And the Denver Museum of Nature & Science carries art exhibitions too, photography and sculpture among them.

Traditional art, contemporary work or local creations, Downtown Colorado holds all of it. Between the galleries, the museums and the performing arts venues, something will land.

Outdoor Adventures in Downtown Colorado

Outdoor time in Downtown Colorado is easier than it sounds. There is plenty here that gets the heart going. Here is where to start:

Parks

Downtown Colorado runs parks built for a slow walk or a picnic with people. City Park, Cheesman Park and Washington Park are the three that come up. City Park is the green in the middle of the city, holding the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, so a day fills itself. Cheesman Park has the Rocky Mountains across the view, while Washington Park takes the bike rides and the frisbee.

Hot Air Balloon Experience

For something you will talk about afterwards, take a hot air balloon ride over Downtown Colorado. You go up high and the whole city lays itself out underneath. Companies run these locally, Rocky Mountain Balloon Adventures and Colorado Hot Air Balloon Rides among them.

Bike Rides

Cyclists have it easy in Downtown Colorado. Bike trails and paths run through the whole thing, the Cherry Creek Trail and the South Platte River Trail among them. Rent a bike from one of the shops around here, or bring your own. Wear the helmet and follow the traffic laws.

Whichever outdoor thing you want, Downtown Colorado has it laid on. Parks, bike rides or a balloon over the top of it, none of it takes planning. Get out and take the city.

Downtown Colorado’s Dining Scene

After the strongest dining in Downtown Colorado? Start here. Downtown Colorado runs restaurants, cafes, bars and taverns across every kind of cooking.

Restaurants

Downtown Colorado holds some of the strongest restaurants in the state. Italian, Mexican or American, all of it is here. These are the ones to book:

• Mercantile Dining & Provision – This restaurant offers a farm-to-table dining experience with a focus on seasonal ingredients.

• Rioja – If you’re in the mood for Mediterranean cuisine, Rioja is the place to be. They offer a wide selection of dishes made with fresh and locally-sourced ingredients.

• Stoic & Genuine – This seafood restaurant is a must-visit for seafood lovers. They offer a variety of fresh seafood dishes and an extensive wine list.

Cafes

For somewhere cozy with a coffee or a light meal, Downtown Colorado has cafes to spare. These are the ones people keep going back to:

• Amethyst Coffee Company – This cozy cafe serves up delicious coffee and light bites in a relaxed atmosphere.

• The Corner Office – This cafe offers a unique twist on classic breakfast dishes and is a great spot for brunch.

• Snooze an A.M. Eatery – This cafe is known for its creative breakfast dishes and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

Bars and Taverns

On bars and taverns, Downtown Colorado covers the range. Craft beer or wine, it is all in reach. These are the ones worth the walk:

• The Cooper Lounge – This swanky bar offers a selection of craft cocktails and an impressive wine list.

• Falling Rock Tap House – If you’re a craft beer lover, this is the place to be. They offer a wide selection of local and regional craft beers.

• The Cruise Room – This historic bar is a must-visit for cocktail lovers. They offer a wide selection of classic cocktails in a unique Art Deco setting.

With this many dining options, Downtown Colorado suits anybody who eats. Fine dining or a casual meal, both are a short walk away.

Shopping in Downtown Colorado

Shoppers do well in Downtown Colorado. Trendy boutiques through to the names everybody knows, it is all in the same blocks. Here are the places to work:

Boutiques

Downtown Colorado runs charming boutiques carrying things you will not see twice. These are where that specific thing turns up. Here are the boutiques to take:

• Sous Le Lit – This boutique offers a carefully curated selection of clothing, accessories, and home decor items. Their collection is perfect for those who love vintage-inspired pieces with a modern twist.

• Goldyn – This boutique offers a selection of high-end designer clothing and accessories. Their collection includes pieces from both established and up-and-coming designers.

• Inspyre Boutique – This boutique offers a wide range of clothing, accessories, and gifts. Their collection is perfect for those who love bold and colorful pieces.

Shops

Downtown Colorado also runs the well-known shops, carrying a broad spread of goods. These cover everything from clothing to home goods. Here are the shops to take:

• Tattered Cover Book Store – This iconic bookstore offers a wide selection of books, including new releases and classics. They also offer a selection of gifts and stationery.

• Rockmount Ranch Wear – This shop is known for its Western-inspired clothing and accessories. Their collection includes everything from cowboy hats to denim jackets.

• Denver Art Museum Shop – This shop offers a selection of art-inspired gifts, including jewelry, books, and home decor items.

16th Street Mall

The 16th Street Mall is a pedestrian-friendly outdoor mall running 1.25 miles through the heart of Downtown Colorado. Over 300 stores, restaurants and entertainment venues sit along it, and none of it needs a car. These are the top stores on the 16th Street Mall:

• H&M – This popular clothing store offers a wide selection of affordable clothing for men, women, and children.

• Zara – This trendy clothing store offers a selection of clothing and accessories for men, women, and children.

• Forever 21 – This affordable clothing store offers a wide selection of trendy clothing and accessories.

Boutique finds or well-known shops, Downtown Colorado covers both. Take the wallet and give it the afternoon.

Union Station for the trains and for all of the dining that came in with it. Larimer Square for the Victorian fronts and for the whole of the shopping right along it. The pedestrian mall for the walking and for the street performers the whole way down it. City Park for the zoo and the museum together in the same place. Red Rocks for the music out there.

Events and Festivals in Downtown Colorado

Downtown Colorado runs events and festivals through the whole year. Music, food and everything between, something is on in this city most weekends. Here are the ones worth planning around:

Taste of Colorado

Eaters will do well at the Taste of Colorado festival. It runs every Labor Day weekend and pulls in the strongest food from around the state. Classic Colorado dishes through to international cooking, the range covers everybody. Live music and other entertainment run alongside it.

Downtown Denver Arts Festival

The Downtown Denver Arts Festival is the one for anybody who likes art. It runs every Memorial Day weekend with over 100 artists showing their work. Paintings through sculptures through jewelry, and you can meet the artists and hear how they work. Live music and other entertainment come with it.

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival marks Asian culture and it is unlike anything else on the calendar. It runs every July with dragon boat races, cultural performances and food. Vendors sell traditional Asian crafts alongside it. This is where the diversity of Downtown Colorado stops being an abstraction.

Denver PrideFest

Denver PrideFest marks the LGBTQ+ community and runs every June. There is a parade, live music and entertainment through the day. Vendors sell pride merchandise and food along the route. It is a straightforward way to show up for the community and enjoy the day.

Concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is not technically in Downtown Colorado, and no music person should skip it. This outdoor venue sits just outside the city with the mountains around it. Through the summer the biggest names in music play here. A concert at Red Rocks stays with you.

Whatever time of year you come, Downtown Colorado has an event on. Food, art or music, one of them will be running. Collect the friends and the family and go.

Family Fun in Downtown Colorado

After family-friendly things in Downtown Colorado? Here are two that work on kids and adults at the same time.

Denver Zoo

The Denver Zoo is where families with kids end up. Over 4,000 animals from 600 different species live here, which makes for a long and genuinely educational day at any age. Kids get the lions, tigers and bears, plus the red panda and the okapi for the ones they have not seen.

Beyond the animals, the Denver Zoo runs activities and events through the year. Take the daily animal demonstrations, or book a behind-the-scenes tour for the closer look. And the seasonal events are worth timing for, Boo at the Zoo among them, where kids trick-or-treat among the animals.

Water Slides

Nothing beats water slides on a hot summer day. Downtown Colorado runs water parks built for the whole family.

Water World, just outside Denver, is the busy one. Over 50 attractions run here, water slides and wave pools and lazy rivers among them, so nobody stands around. Kids take the Pirate’s Plunge and the Big Top, while adults take the Voyage to the Center of the Earth and the Mile High Flyer.

Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park is the other one, and it sits right in the heart of Downtown Denver. Water rides and attractions run alongside roller coasters and thrill rides, which covers every age in the group. Do not skip the Island Kingdom Water Park, with its wave pool, lazy river and slides.

So take the swimsuits and the sunscreen and get properly wet in Downtown Colorado.

Accommodation in Downtown Colorado

Planning a trip to Downtown Colorado is easy on you. There is plenty to see and do in this lively city, and you will want a comfortable base for it. Downtown Colorado has the accommodation covered.

Hotels

Downtown Colorado holds some of the city’s strongest hotels, bars and restaurants. There is accommodation for every budget and taste, luxury hotels through to budget motels. These are the hotels to take:

• The Crawford Hotel: Located in the heart of Downtown Colorado, The Crawford Hotel is a luxurious hotel that offers a unique experience. The hotel is located inside Denver Union Station and features stylish rooms, a rooftop bar, and a variety of dining options.

• The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa: This historic hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Colorado and features elegant rooms, a full-service spa, and several dining options. The hotel is known for its luxurious amenities and excellent service.

• The Maven Hotel: This trendy hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Colorado’s trendy RiNo neighborhood. The hotel features stylish rooms, a rooftop bar, and several dining options.

• The Oxford Hotel: This historic hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Colorado and features elegant rooms, a full-service spa, and several dining options. The hotel is known for its luxurious amenities and excellent service.

Whichever hotel you pick, the stay in Downtown Colorado works out.

Transportation in Downtown Colorado

Getting around Downtown Colorado takes no thinking, because the transportation system is built for it. Walking, public transportation or driving, the top attractions and the quieter finds are all reachable.

Walking

Walking is the way to take Downtown Colorado. The city is built for pedestrians and most of the attractions sit within a walk of each other. Take the 16th Street Mall, a pedestrian stretch running shops, restaurants and street performers.

Public Transport

On public transportation, the Regional Transportation District runs the buses and the light rail. RTD covers the whole city, so getting into Downtown Colorado from anywhere is straightforward. And RTD runs a free shuttle called the MallRide along the 16th Street Mall.

Train

Trains are the other option into Downtown Colorado. Take the Amtrak into Denver Union Station, which sits in the heart of Downtown Colorado. From there most attractions are a walk, and the RTD buses and light rail cover the rest.

Other Transportation Options

Beyond walking, public transportation and the train, Downtown Colorado has the rest covered. Rent a bike from one of the bike-sharing programs, or take a taxi or a ride-share like Uber or Lyft. Driving works too, with metered street parking and parking garages through Downtown Colorado.

Getting around Downtown Colorado stays easy, which is the point of the whole system. Walking, public transportation or driving, the attractions and the quieter corners are both within reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the best restaurants in downtown Denver?

Denver feeds people properly, and downtown Denver is no exception. Restaurants here run cooking from all over the world. Mercantile Dining & Provision, Euclid Hall Bar & Kitchen and Guard and Grace are the strongest of them. Something more casual, head to the Denver Milk Market, where the food stalls run pizza through to tacos.

What are some free or budget-friendly things to do in downtown Denver?

There is plenty in downtown Denver that costs nothing much. Denver Art Museum is the popular one, and it charges nothing on the first Saturday of every month. Walk the 16th Street Mall for the shops, restaurants and street performers. And City Park has the views across the city, plus the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science inside it.

What are some popular neighborhoods to explore in downtown Denver?

Downtown Denver runs a handful of neighborhoods with their own characters. LoDo, or Lower Downtown, is the historic architecture, the trendy bars and the restaurants. RiNo, or River North, is the arts scene and the craft breweries. And Capitol Hill is the historic one, holding museums and the Colorado State Capitol.

Is downtown Denver worth a visit and why?

It is. Downtown Denver is lively and it is easy to be in. Art, history, food or outdoor time, there is plenty of each. The Rocky Mountains sit across the view and the nightlife runs late, which makes downtown Denver the stop on any trip to Colorado.

Frequently asked questions about Downtown, Colorado

How many of the animals actually live right inside the Denver Zoo out there, then, really now, in the end?

Over 4,000 of them out there, and the whole of that runs across 600 different species. Lions and tigers and bears all live in there, along with the red pandas and the okapi. Daily animal demonstrations run right through the whole of the place as well out there. Tours.

How long exactly does the whole of the 16th Street Mall actually run for, then, really now, in the end?

A full 1.25 miles of it, right through the whole of the heart of downtown. Over 300 stores and restaurants and entertainment venues sit along the whole length of it. The free MallRide shuttle runs the whole of the way, so the walking stays optional. Pedestrian.

Which one of the parks downtown actually holds the zoo and the science museum, then, really now, in the end?

City Park out there, and the whole of that one holds both of them at the once. Cheesman Park is the other one, and the Rocky Mountains sit out right across the view. Washington Park takes the bike rides and the whole of the games of frisbee instead. Green.

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