Hi, all. My wife and I are coming to Denver in August to see a concert at the Ball Arena. Given some of the things we’ve read recently, we’re a little concerned about staying downtown. We were going to stay at the Thompson Hotel, but are now considering Boulder or elsewhere since we have an engagement in Longmont as well.
Our itinerary would be something like:
Friday - Concert at Ball Arena
Saturday - Tour the Rockies (pickup by guide in downtown Denver or Boulder)
Sunday - Enjoy the morning wherever we are and attend event in Longmont in the afternoon/evening.
Monday - Fly home (DEN)
Are concerns about downtown overblown or should we just go to Boulder?
Thanks for your comment, Greg. It sounds like you have a fantastic trip planned!
I've lived in Denver for nearly a decade and in my opinion, when it comes to safety, Denver is no different than any other large metro area. Unfortunately, homelessness is evident in areas of downtown. Things like petty theft happen. But so long as you follow general precautions like taking valuables outside your vehicle and being vigilant when walking around at night, you should have no issues. Side note: The Thompson is a lovely hotel with a great restaurant and rooftop bar, plus easy access to museums, landmarks, etc. You can read about key city sites here: https://travellemming.com/things-to-do-in-denver/
But back to safety — if you're still hesitant, Boulder is a fantastic area with less "grit" than downtown Denver. If you and your wife prefer a slower pace and easier access to outdoor attractions, I'd recommend staying in Boulder. We have a whole guide with hotel recommendations and more insights: https://travellemming.com/where-to-stay-in-boulder/
Boulder also puts you closer to Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as Longmont. If you do end up in Boulder, this list of activities might be helpful on your free morning on Sunday: https://travellemming.com/things-to-do-in-boulder/
I hope this helps! If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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