Best Areas to Stay in Denver, Colorado

Downtown Denver, also known as the Central Business District, is, as its name suggests, located right in the Colorado capital’s epicenter.

This area is Denver’s main commercial, financial, dining, nightlife, and shopping district.

Some of the best restaurants, bars, and shops in Denver are around Larimer Square, the city’s oldest historic block, located in the heart of the downtown area.

The Colorado capital also stands out for its thriving beer scene. Two important breweries are in this district: Wynkoop Brewing Company, the first of its kind in Denver, and Great Divide Brewing Company.

Attractions in this district include the Colorado State Capitol, the History Colorado Center, and the Denver Art Museum (DAM), with an impressive collection of American Indian and West American Art.

The Denver Performing Arts Complex is also in this area and is home to the Sculpture Park, with two 49-foot-high iconic sculptures called “The Dancers.” This venue hosts theater plays, dance recitals, and concerts regularly.

Another iconic Downtown Denver site is the Big Blue Bear, a 40-foot high sculpture located in the Colorado Convention Center.

Although Downtown Denver is known for its business atmosphere and modern buildings, it is home to some green spaces. Take the Civic Center Park, for example. This beautiful park, located next to the Colorado State Capitol on 14th Avenue, has a Greek amphitheater, statues, all kinds of flowers, and trees.

Denver’s Central Business District is the best-connected area in the city. Not only is this district served by light rail, buses, and a free 16th Street MallRide streetcar, but it is also a very pedestrian-friendly place. The Union Station, which is served by Amtrak is in this part of Denver too.

Capitol Hill is located in central Denver.

This gorgeous neighborhood deserves a place on this list because it is one of the city’s oldest and most beautiful areas.

Capitol Hill is home to essential Denver attractions, like the Colorado State Capitol, the History Colorado Center, and Saint John’s Cathedral.

This neighborhood, located southeast of the Central Business District, stands out for its beautiful, antique houses that belonged to Denver’s upper class.

Here, you’ll find the Molly Brown House Museum. This museum was once the house of Margaret Brown, also known as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” who survived the Titanic’s sinking in 1912.

Nowadays, this residential area’s old buildings house cute cafés, restaurants, B&Bs, hotels, and boutiques.

There are also pubs, nightclubs, and bars in different parts of the neighborhood. Likewise, 13th avenue is home to vinyl record stores, alternative shops, and tattoo parlors with a punk-inspired aesthetic. So, it’s safe to say this is a district full of contrasts.

Capitol Hill is a very pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. But you can also take the bus to other areas of Denver and the Union Station easily.

Lower Downtown or “LoDo” is located northwest of the Central Business District.

Although it is technically part of Downtown Denver, LoDo deserves a spot on this list for being the coolest neighborhood in Denver. Here, you’ll find hipster bars, fast food chains, restaurants, and food trucks.

Lower Downtown houses cultural sites like the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver and the Robischon Gallery. Likewise, the must-see Larimer Square is also located in this area.

If you love nature, you’ll enjoy LoDo because of its proximity to the Confluence Park. This park is at the joining of Cherry Creek with the South Platte River, and you can do picnics, hike, skate, swim, and fish in it.

LoDo is also home to Union Station, so it is recommended to stay in Denver for a short visit since you can take the train to other cities or the airport from here.

The station also makes this one of the best-connected districts in Denver.

Cherry Creek is located southeast of Capitol Hill and is a trendy residential area surrounded by parks and green spaces.

This area limits Cherry Creek to the south, hence the name, and has one of the biggest malls in Denver: Cherry Creek Shopping Center, with stores, playgrounds, restaurants, bars, and stunning views.

This area is known for its growing dining scene. From fast-food chain restaurants to bistrós, healthy restaurants, and ethnic eateries, there’s a meal for everyone on Cherry Creek.

Since Cherry Creek is a 15-minute drive from Downtown Denver, you can also find cheaper accommodation in this beautiful neighborhood.

To move to other areas, you can take the bus. That said, you can also bike along the Cherry Creek Trail, an 11.2-mile path, to get to the city center if you feel athletic.

This trail has several stops on other parks and attractions of the city too.

If you travel to Denver with kids, you could stay around City Park, which houses the Denver Zoo and the Museum of Nature and Science, as well as lakes, picnic areas and playgrounds.

Besides family-friendly entertainment, City Park is near E. Colfax Avenue and its many dining options. Here, you’ll find restaurants, breweries, coffeehouses, and takeouts, to name only a few alternatives.

You can also find some art galleries and shops in this quiet area of the city.

This area is east of Downtown Denver and connected by public transport.

City Park’s surroundings are a great area to stay in Denver for family trips, with a wide range of accommodation.

Central Park, previously known as Stapleton, is a neighborhood located 6 mi east of downtown Denver.

This area occupies the former site of the decommissioned Stapleton International Airport, officially closed in 1995.

Central Park is the largest residential neighborhood within the city and has a diverse architectural makeup.

While this area is largely residential and suburban, staying here does offer some perks.

Accommodation options in Central Park are plentiful as many former airport hotels remained open even after the closure of Stapleton Int’l. Also, hotels tend to be cheaper and offer great quality.

For a bit of fun, make sure to visit Stanley Marketplace, a shopping center and hipster hangout with multiple eateries, retailers, and businesses.

Central Park / Stapleton is connected to downtown Denver by the Central Park commuter rail and bus station. This transit center offers direct connections to Union Station and the Denver International Airport (via the A-Line).