Where to stay · Denver · United States
Where to stay in Denver
8 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Daderot, Public domain
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in LoDo and Union Station. Restored warehouses, the station hub, Coors Field and sports bars. Best alternatives — families: Golden Triangle; budget: Capitol Hill.
Key facts
- First visit
- LoDo and Union Station
- Families
- Golden Triangle
- Budget
- Capitol Hill
- Nightlife
- LoDo and Union Station
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | LoDo and Union Station | Restored warehouses, the station hub, Coors Field and sports bars |
| Families | Golden Triangle | Museums, galleries and the civic centre south of downtown |
| Couples | Downtown and Larimer Square | Victorian block of restaurants under strings of lights, the 16th Street pedestrian mall and the Theatre District |
| Budget | Capitol Hill | Victorian mansions, apartment blocks and dive bars east of the Capitol |
| Luxury | Cherry Creek | Upscale shopping centre, boutiques, galleries and polished hotels |
| Nightlife | LoDo and Union Station | Restored warehouses, the station hub, Coors Field and sports bars |
| Food lovers | LoDo and Union Station | Restored warehouses, the station hub, Coors Field and sports bars |
| Solo travellers | RiNo | Murals, breweries, food halls and galleries in a former industrial district |
| Shopping | Downtown and Larimer Square | Victorian block of restaurants under strings of lights, the 16th Street pedestrian mall and the Theatre District |
| Quiet stays | Cherry Creek | Upscale shopping centre, boutiques, galleries and polished hotels |
Denver neighbourhoods in detail
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife and food lovers
LoDo and Union Station
Lower Downtown (LoDo) is Denver's historic warehouse district, now full of restaurants, bars and hotels. Union Station, restored as a hotel, food hall and rail hub, has trains to the airport, and Coors Field, Larimer Square and the riverside Commons Park are all within walking distance.
- Good
- Direct train to the airport; Walkable to bars and restaurants; Central for day trips by train
- Watch out
- Busy and loud on game days; Expensive hotels and parking
- Nearby
- Denver Union Station, Coors Field, Larimer Square, Confluence Park
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples and shopping
Downtown and Larimer Square
Larimer Square is Denver's oldest block, with restored 1870s buildings lit with overhead lights and filled with restaurants. The central business district around it has the 16th Street pedestrian mall, the Denver Performing Arts Complex and the Colorado Convention Center, with its giant blue bear peering in through the glass.
- Good
- Central and walkable; Theatres and restaurants; Light rail connections
- Watch out
- Some blocks feel empty at night; Visible homelessness on parts of the mall
- Nearby
- Larimer Square, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Colorado Convention Center
$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife, solo travellers and culture
RiNo
The River North Art District (RiNo) is a former industrial area northeast of downtown, transformed by street art, breweries, distilleries, food halls and design studios along Larimer and Brighton Boulevard. Murals cover many walls, and the A Line to the airport stops at 38th & Blake.
- Good
- Best area for street art and breweries; Airport train stop; Lively food halls
- Watch out
- Industrial patches between hotspots; Few classic sights
- Nearby
- Larimer Street, Denver Central Market, 38th & Blake station
$$$ · Best for food lovers, couples and nightlife
LoHi and the Highlands
Lower Highland (LoHi) sits across the South Platte River from downtown, linked by pedestrian bridges, with restaurants, rooftop bars and ice-cream shops. Further northwest, Tennyson Street and Highlands Square have a more neighbourhood feel with Victorian houses and independent shops.
- Good
- Skyline views; Strong restaurant scene; Walk to LoDo over the footbridges
- Watch out
- Mostly rentals; Hilly in places
- Nearby
- Commons Park, Confluence Park, Tennyson Street
$$ · Best for budget, nightlife and solo travellers
Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is one of Denver's densest neighbourhoods, with grand Victorian houses, including the Molly Brown House Museum, apartment buildings and an eclectic stretch of bars, music venues and restaurants on Colfax Avenue. It is also the historic centre of the city's LGBTQ+ community.
- Good
- Affordable, walkable; Close to museums; Good bars and music venues
- Watch out
- Colfax can be rough at night; Few hotels
- Nearby
- Colorado State Capitol, Molly Brown House Museum, Cheesman Park, Ogden Theatre
$$$ · Best for culture, families and first-timers
Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle is Denver's cultural district, with the Denver Art Museum, the Clyfford Still Museum, History Colorado Center, the Central Library and Civic Center Park, all a short walk from the State Capitol. Several hotels sit right beside the museums.
- Good
- Walk to the main museums; Quieter than LoDo; Short walk to downtown
- Watch out
- Quiet in the evenings; Some street disorder around Civic Center Park
- Nearby
- Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, History Colorado Center, Colorado State Capitol
$$$$ · Best for luxury, shopping, couples and quiet stays
Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek is Denver's upscale shopping district, with the Cherry Creek Shopping Center and the streets of Cherry Creek North full of boutiques, galleries and restaurants. The Cherry Creek Trail runs along the creek towards downtown, about 10 minutes away by car.
- Good
- Upscale hotels and restaurants; Quiet at night; Trail access for running and cycling
- Watch out
- Expensive; No rail link; drive or ride to downtown
- Nearby
- Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Cherry Creek Trail, Denver Botanic Gardens
$$ · Best for budget, nightlife and shopping
Baker and South Broadway
South Broadway through the Baker neighbourhood is a long strip of antique and vintage shops, record stores, bars, music venues and restaurants, a short ride south of downtown on light rail.
- Good
- Independent shops and bars; Good value; Light-rail access
- Watch out
- Few hotels; Spread out along a busy road
- Nearby
- South Broadway, Washington Park, Mayan Theatre
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| LoDo and Union Station | $$$ | Denver Union Station, Coors Field, Larimer Square, Confluence Park |
| Downtown and Larimer Square | $$$ | Larimer Square, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Colorado Convention Center |
| RiNo | $$ | Larimer Street, Denver Central Market, 38th & Blake station |
| LoHi and the Highlands | $$$ | Commons Park, Confluence Park, Tennyson Street |
| Capitol Hill | $$ | Colorado State Capitol, Molly Brown House Museum, Cheesman Park, Ogden Theatre |
| Golden Triangle | $$$ | Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, History Colorado Center, Colorado State Capitol |
| Cherry Creek | $$$$ | Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Cherry Creek Trail, Denver Botanic Gardens |
| Baker and South Broadway | $$ | South Broadway, Washington Park, Mayan Theatre |
Getting to your hotel
Denver International Airport (DEN) is about 40 km northeast of downtown. The RTD A Line train runs to Union Station in about 37 minutes; taxis and rideshares take about 30–45 minutes depending on traffic.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Denver for first-time visitors?
LoDo and Union Station. Lower Downtown (LoDo) is Denver's historic warehouse district, now full of restaurants, bars and hotels.
+Where should families stay in Denver?
Golden Triangle: Walk to the main museums.
+Which area of Denver is best for a budget stay?
Capitol Hill ($$): Victorian mansions, apartment blocks and dive bars east of the Capitol.