Shopping · Denver · United States
Shopping in Denver
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Darkshark0159 at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Quick answer
Denver shopping runs from Cherry Creek's upscale stores to outdoor-gear shops, vintage on South Broadway and Western wear. Colorado and Denver sales taxes are added at the register. Best souvenirs: Outdoor gear, Western wear and Colorado craft beer.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 4
- Markets
- 1
- Top souvenir
- Outdoor gear
Where to shop
Cherry Creek
An upscale mall and walkable streets of boutiques and galleries.
South Broadway
Antique and vintage shops, record stores and thrift shops.
Tennyson Street and Highlands Square
Independent boutiques, bookshops and gift shops in Northwest Denver.
Union Station and LoDo
Outdoor brands, a bookshop and design shops around the station.
Markets
Denver Christkindl Market
German-style Christmas market downtown, usually from late November to December.
What to buy
Outdoor gear
Colorado brands of backpacks, fleeces and outdoor equipment from local outfitters and REI's flagship store in a historic tramway building.
Western wear
Cowboy hats and boots from long-established Western-wear shops.
Colorado craft beer
Cans and bottles from local breweries, many sold to take away at taprooms.
Pueblo chile products
Roasted green chile, salsas and spice mixes, especially in late summer.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Street · Downtown and Larimer Square
Larimer Square
Denver's oldest block, saved from demolition in the 1960s, is lined with Victorian buildings, restaurants and boutiques under overhead strings of lights that make it especially pretty after dark.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- History
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Rocky Mountain oysters, Palisade peaches and Colorado craft beer. Steakhouses and Western-themed restaurants, and at Coors Field concessions. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| LoDo and Union Station | $$$ | Restored warehouses, the station hub, Coors Field and sports bars |
| Downtown and Larimer Square | $$$ | Victorian block of restaurants under strings of lights, the 16th Street pedestrian mall and the Theatre District |
| RiNo | $$ | Murals, breweries, food halls and galleries in a former industrial district |
| LoHi and the Highlands | $$$ | Restaurants and rooftop bars on a hill with skyline views across the river |
| Capitol Hill | $$ | Victorian mansions, apartment blocks and dive bars east of the Capitol |
| Cherry Creek | $$$$ | Upscale shopping centre, boutiques, galleries and polished hotels |
| Baker and South Broadway | $$ | Vintage shops, dive bars and live music along South Broadway |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in USD. Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in January–February and November; the busiest months are July.
- May: Cinco de Mayo festival in Civic Center Park (around early May)
- September: Great American Beer Festival (usually September or October)
- November: Denver Christkindl Market (usually late November to December)
Staying near the shops
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples and shopping
Downtown and Larimer Square
Victorian block of restaurants under strings of lights, the 16th Street pedestrian mall and the Theatre District
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Denver?
Outdoor gear, Western wear, Colorado craft beer and Pueblo chile products.
+Where is the best shopping in Denver?
Cherry Creek: An upscale mall and walkable streets of boutiques and galleries.
+What are the best markets in Denver?
Denver Christkindl Market.