For several years now, cities nationwide have been rediscovering their historic cores—the places where they were first settled and began to grow. Denver is no exception, with the Lower Downtown (LoDo) section increasingly grabbing the city’s headlines for its mix of living space, restaurants and cultural activities. It’s where Gen. William Larimer first built a cabin to mark what he called Denver City, which expanded outward from there into today’s skyscrapered metropolis.
Nearly 20 years after Denver’s City Council declared the 23 square blocks of LoDo an historic district, more than 100 historic buildings remain and strict zoning ensures that new structures are in character. For visitors, the result is a highly walkable neighborhood of early-20th century brick buildings that’s accessible, safe and fun.
A free shuttle runs up and down the otherwise pedestrian-only 16th Street corridor, which connects the Union Station area with the Colorado State Capitol and Denver City Hall to the southeast. Walking tours for both individuals and groups are available through the LoDo District, Inc. (303.628.5428; www.lodo.org), an alliance of residents and businesses formed to promote the neighborhood.
“Because it’s an actual neighborhood people live in, it’s a lot cleaner and friendlier and you don’t feel awkward about walking around there at night,” says Angela Berardino, senior communications manager at the Denver Metro CVB. “Larimer Square is the most-condensed area of restaurants and shops, with probably 10 different ones within a block of each other. There are sports bars closer to the ballpark, wine bars gaining in popularity, plus the brewpubs—there are something like 20 independent [pubs] in the downtown area.”
LoDo District’s website lists 25 restaurants ranging from BD’s Mongolian Barbeque and Wynkoop Brewing Co. to Morton’s Steakhouse, and there are many more besides.
Among the places to stay in LoDo are the classic, almost Victorian Oxford Hotel, which features a spa and 10,000 square feet of meeting space, and the hip Jet Hotel, which has just 19 rooms but two bars (an underground speakeasy-style hideaway called Twenty and the Jet Lounge off the hotel lobby).
At LoDo’s edges are Coors Field, where the MLB Colorado Rockies play; the Denver Performing Arts Complex; the Pepsi Center, home of the NBA Denver Nuggets; and slightly farther south but a short walk away, the Colorado Convention Center.
Given that Union Station is deep within LoDo, visitors are likely to cross the area on their way from one place in downtown Denver to another. Hopefully they will stop to check out this historic yet hip neighborhood in depth.
