Where To Stay In Denver: 5 Best Areas & Neighborhoods

Picking the right base in Denver boils down to what kind of trip you want. The Mile High City is way more than just a gateway to the Rockies. Every neighborhood has its own strange history and distinct personality.

In LoDo, you can get a drink in the same historic district where Union Station once banned platform kissing for delaying the trains. A short walk away sits RiNo, an industrial hub turned street-art playground lined with local breweries.

Five Points earned the nickname Harlem of the West after hosting jazz icons like Miles Davis and Billie Holiday back in the day. Meanwhile, Capitol Hill hides Victorian mansions, turn-of-the-century hauntings, and the former home of Titanic survivor Molly Brown.

Whether you want walkable nightlife, quiet green spaces, or prime mountain access, finding your ideal spot comes down to a few key areas. We’ve picked the best neighborhoods to make that choice a little easier.

 

In this travel guide:

 

Capitol Hill

Best area for: history, bohemian

If this is your first time coming to the Mile-High City, Capitol Hill is the place to be.

Capitol Hill is one of those Denver neighborhoods where you can go from grand old mansions to busy coffee shops in a few minutes. It sits just east of downtown and is very much a lived-in neighborhood, although there is plenty here for visitors too.

The area has some serious history. In the late 1800s, this was where Denver’s richest families built their homes. It was known as “Millionaire’s Row,” and quite a few historic houses are still standing. The most famous is probably the Molly Brown House. Brown was a Denver socialite who survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Her former home is now a museum.

The Colorado State Capitol is another obvious stop. Look for the small “Mile High” marker on the 13th step of the building. From here, we can easily walk towards Civic Center Park and the museums of the nearby Golden Triangle, including the Denver Art Museum and Clyfford Still Museum.

Capitol Hill is also a good place to stay if we want restaurants, bars and coffee close by. East Colfax Avenue gets lively, especially later in the day. For coffee, we like the neighborhood feel of Roostercat Coffee House on Lincoln Street. For breakfast, Jelly Cafe on 13th Avenue is another popular choice.

There are plenty of apartments here, so Capitol Hill feels like a real Denver neighborhood rather than a tourist zone dressed up for visitors. That makes it a fun base for exploring the city.

Best place to stay in Capitol Hill

The ART Hotel. Address: 1201 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203, USA.

 

Lower Downtown

Best area for: nightlife, culture, hipster

Lower Downtown, better known as LoDo, is Denver’s oldest neighborhood, originally settled back in the 1850s gold rush days. Today, it stands as a bustling mix of historic brick warehouses, trendy corporate hubs, and lively tourist hot spots.

You get a big crowd of out-of-towners here, but plenty of locals reside in the converted loft apartments scattered above the street-level shops. The main attraction is historic Union Station, a gorgeous, restored transit hub filled with bars, local shops, and plush couches. Baseball fans flock to Coors Field right down the block to catch Rockies games in the summer.

The energy gets lively once the sun goes down. Rooftop bars and sports taverns fill up fast with people looking for craft beer and good music. When we want a reliable spot for morning fuel, we head straight to Little Finch on the 16th Street Mall. They serve incredible artisan coffees, fresh pastries, and solid breakfast burritos. It is the perfect place to sit back, sip a pour-over, and take in the neighborhood before the afternoon rush kicks off.

Best place to stay in Lower Downtown

Kimpton Hotel Born. Address: 1600 Wewatta Street, Denver, CO 80202, United States of America.

 

Uptown

Best area for: families, history

Uptown is one of those Denver neighborhoods where you can easily spend a day. Officially called North Capitol Hill, it sits just east of downtown and mixes old brick rowhouses with newer apartments, restaurants, bars and plenty of patios. It feels lived-in rather than touristy, although visitors are never far away.

The heart of the neighborhood is 17th Avenue. It is often called Restaurant Row, and there is a good reason for that. Cafés, casual restaurants, cocktail bars and pubs line the street. We also find some great spots along Colfax Avenue, which has been part of Denver’s story since the 1860s. It started as a dirt road, later became a busy streetcar route, and eventually developed its wonderfully scruffy personality.

History is tucked into the architecture here. Uptown grew rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, helped by the streetcar connecting Capitol Hill with downtown and City Park. Some of those older homes and buildings are still part of the neighborhood today.

For us, the biggest bonus is how close everything is. City Park is nearby, with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Denver Zoo. After exploring, we can grab coffee at Frank & Roze on 19th Avenue. For lunch or dinner, Steuben’s Uptown is a reliable local classic.

Best place to stay in Uptown

Hotel Warwick. Address: 1776 Grant St, Denver, CO 80203, USA.

 

Central Business District

Best area for: shopping, food, business

Settled back during the 1850s gold rush, this neighborhood quickly grew into the commercial engine of the Rockies. It operates mostly as a corporate and tourist hub rather than a traditional residential neighborhood. High-rises dominate the skyline, and white-collar workers fill the sidewalks alongside out-of-towners.

The centerpiece is 16th Street, a long pedestrian thoroughfare bustling with shops, bus shuttles, and outdoor plazas. We like stopping by the historic Paramount Theatre, an art deco jewel that opened in 1930.

You can also catch a show at the sprawling Denver Center for the Performing Arts right on the district’s edge. At night, neon lights reflect off modern office towers while suit-and-tie crowds mix with theatregoers.

When we need a midday reset, we slip into Little Finch. This vibrant all-day café sits right along 16th Street, making it a prime spot to people-watch. They pull fantastic espresso drinks and bake incredible scratch-made pastries. Later in the afternoon, their menu transitions into craft cocktails and savory flatbreads, perfect for a casual break from the city bustle.

Best place to stay in Central Business District

Brown Palace Hotel. Address: 321 17th St, Denver, CO 80202, USA.

 

Cherry Creek

Best area for: luxury, shopping

Just a few minutes’ drive from LoDo and other Denver neighborhoods is Cherry Creek.

If you want a mix of upscale shopping and leafy, tree-lined strolls, then Cherry Creek is your neighborhood. The area started as a modest 19th-century settlement along the creek, where gold miners once set up camp. Today, it functions as a wealthy residential enclave combined with Denver’s premier luxury shopping hub.

The main attraction is Cherry Creek North. It spans 16 walkable blocks filled with independent art galleries, high-end fashion boutiques, and local design shops. Right next door sits the massive indoor shopping center.

You also get direct access to the scenic Cherry Creek Trail, where cyclists and runners glide past the water. It definitely leans tourist-friendly during the day, but it maintains a cozy, upscale neighborhood feel for the locals living in the nearby mid-rise condos and stately homes.

We always swing by Aviano Coffee on Detroit Street when we are in the area. Their pour-overs and espresso drinks are top-tier, and the sleek, open patio is easily one of the best spots in town to people-watch. If you want an iconic local lunch, grab a customizable burger and a cold beer at The Cherry Cricket nearby.

Best place to stay in Cherry Creek

Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek. Address: 245 North Columbine Street, Denver, CO, 80206, United States of America.

 

Where travel critics stay in Denver

Want to know where travel critics from publishers like The New York Times, Frommer’s, Fodor’s and Lonely Planet stay in Denver, Colorado? Check out our overview of all recommended hotels, hostels and B&Bs in Denver.

 

Budget

Hostel Fish.

“This swanked-out hostel is an oasis for budget travelers. Stylish, modern and squeaky clean, dorms have themes – Aspen, Graffiti, Vintage Biker – and sleep five to 10 people in bunks. Mattresses are thick and duvets plush.” — Lonely Planet.

Address: 1217 20th St, Denver, CO 80202, USA.

 

Mid-range

The Ramble Hotel.

“The new Ramble Hotel in RiNo looks like a warehouse rehab with a handsome red brick exterior and double-height lobby. The new building houses Death & Co Denver cocktail lounge in the lobby, filled with tufted sofas and chandeliers.” — New York Times.

Address: 1280 25th Street, Denver, CO 80205, United States of America.

 

Luxury

Crawford Hotel.

“The sumptuous Crawford Hotel sits atop the top three floors of Denver’s recently re-imagined Union Station. Opened in 2014, following a major remodel of the building, The Crawford feels like a luxury hotel without any pretension.” — Fodor’s.

Address: 1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202, USA.

 

FAQ: Denver hotel tips

Looking for the best budget, boutique, or luxury hotel in Denver? Or maybe you’re a backpacker looking for an excellent hostel? Want to know which Denver hotel serves a great breakfast? Here are the answers to all those and other questions about where to stay in Denver.

 

 

Best time to visit Denver

If you are a winter sports enthusiast, then the best time to visit Denver is between November and March.

During this time, the city transforms into a winter wonderland, and you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports in the nearby mountain resorts. Additionally, Denver also hosts its annual National Western Stock Show and Rodeo during January, which is a must-attend event for all cowboy enthusiasts.

However, if you prefer warmer weather and outdoor activities, then the best time to visit Denver is between April and October. During this time, the weather is pleasant, and you can enjoy hiking, biking, and other outdoor adventures in the nearby Rocky Mountains.

Moreover, Denver also hosts its annual Cherry Blossom Festival in June, which is a celebration of Japanese culture and tradition.

 

Best things to do in Denver

There are numerous things to do in Denver and surrounding areas, including day trips, attractions, museums, sightseeing tours and many other activities. Here’s our list of 3 things you should definitely do when you’re in and around Denver:

 

Discover Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver

Climb from the streets of the “Mile High City” to Rocky Mountain National Park, on a day trip that showcases the rugged beauty of Colorado’s mountains. Price: $139. More info.

 

Denver: Customized Guided Tour

With these customized tours, transform your way of traveling to make it as much about the people you meet, as it is the places you see. Price: $30. More info.

 

Foothills Explorer Tour From Denver

The Denver foothills are packed with some of Colorado’s best sights, from Red Rocks Amphitheater to Lookout Mountain and scenic Lariat Loop. Price: $69. More info.

 

More things to do in Denver

 

Deciding where to stay in Denver

Let’s recap what we just learned in this article. We’ve covered the best areas of Denver above. Now you can decide where to stay while visiting!

 

Top 5 neighborhoods to stay in Denver

• Lower Downtown
• Cherry Creek
• Central Business District
• Uptown
• Capitol Hill

 

As you have seen in this travel guide, there are a lot of things to explore, and deciding where to stay in Denver is important. Whether you stay in Lower Downtown, Cherry Creek, Central Business District, Uptown or Capitol Hill, all those neighborhoods are in good locations.

The atmosphere of the area, whether you travel for leisure or business, whether you travel with your family or friends, and proximity to the attractions you prefer to visit should probably be the deciding factors. Whatever your preference is, you’ll have a great stay in Denver.

 

 Denver overview

🏨 Hotel prices:	High
🛏 Budget hotel:	$100
💑 Boutique hotel:	$210
⭐ 5-star hotel:	$490
🌎 Best area for first visit:	Capitol Hill
👪 Best area for families:	Uptown
💎 Best luxury hotel:	Four Seasons Denver
👫 Best boutique hotel:	Ramble Hotel
💰 Best cheap hotel:	Drury Inn & Suites
🎒 Best hostel:	Hostel Fish

 

More Denver tips

Take a look at our other guides about the best places to stay in Denver:

Hotels in Denver

Hostels in Denver

Boutique hotels in Denver

Luxury hotels in Denver

Cheap hotels in Denver