Where to Stay in Denver Without a Car

Union Station / Lower Downtown (LoDo)

👉 Best Area For Tourists | ✨ Best Union Station/LoDo Hotels: The Maven Hotel at Dairy Block • The Crawford Hotel • The Oxford Hotel

Union Station and the LoDo neighborhoods are the best places to stay if this is your first time visiting. You’ll be near many of the city’s key attractions, along with top restaurants and bars. Several are found in the Dairy Block micro-district and Coors Field is also nearby, home of the Colorado Rockies baseball team. 

The Crawford Hotel is a splurge, but it’s quite an elegant experience staying at Union Station! Its light rail system can get you all over the Denver metro region. The Crawford also offers private, complementary auto transport within a 2-mile radius. The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown is just down the street and is a more affordable alternative.  

Pros of Staying in Union Station/LoDo Neighborhood:

• The best way to see Denver for the first time
• Walking distance to restaurants, nightlife, and sports stadiums 
• Can get to most Denver attractions via public transportation, just a short rideshare trip to the rest

Cons of Staying in Union Station/Lodo Neighborhood:

• Hotels can be pricey
• Can be more noisy than other neighborhoods

RiNo

👉 Best Area For Nightlife | ✨ Best RiNo Hotels: Catbird Hotel • The Ramble Hotel • The Source Hotel

The River North Art District (RiNo) is just north of Union Station and LoDo. It has a funky, artsy feel and plenty of nightlife. Historic warehouses and factories are now decorated with colorful murals and street art. They house breweries, galleries, shops, and restaurants. 

The same features lie within The Source Hotel! It’s attached to a retail complex housing some of the best RiNo eateries. Visit Israeli restaurant Safta and The Woods rooftop for New American fare. 

Staying for a while? The Catbird Hotel is an extended-stay condo hotel. Check out its Playroom where you can borrow everything from an Instant Pot to a fly fishing rod. 

Pros of Staying in the RiNo Neighborhood:

• Lots of great restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and music venues
• Funky, artsy vibe
• More of a local feel, fewer tourists 

Cons of Staying in the RiNo Neighborhood:

• Farther from popular Denver attractions 
• Not as well suited for families, more of a young professional vibe 

Capitol Hill

👉 Best Area For Budget Travelers | ✨ Best Capitol Hill Hotels: Patterson Inn • The Art Hotel Denver • Hampton Inn & Suites Denver-Downtown

The Capitol Hill neighborhood is, unsurprisingly, near Colorado’s State Capitol building. Touring this site is one of the best free things to do in Denver! 

In addition, Capitol Hill is near several of the city’s top museums. These include the Molly Brown House Museum and the Denver Art Museum. There’s also the History Colorado Center, which lies across the street from The Art Hotel Denver. 

Alternatively, consider staying at the Patterson Inn. It’s a historic (and perhaps haunted!) chateau with a complimentary happy hour each afternoon. 

Pros of Staying in Capitol Hill Neighborhood:

• Accommodations can be cheaper than other areas
• Walking distance to several Denver attractions
• Easy access to public transportation
• Lots of nightclubs, restaurants, and bars

Cons of Staying in Capitol Hill Neighborhood:

• Can be more noisy than other areas  
• This neighborhood sees a higher rate of crime 

Central Business District

👉 Best Area For Conventions | ✨ Best Central Business District Hotels: Renaissance City Center Hotel • The Slate Denver • Le Méridien Denver Downtown

The Colorado Convention Center lies within the Central Business District. It hosts the Great American Beer Festival, one of the best events in Colorado, plus trade shows and company conventions. Le Méridien Denver Downtown is an excellent choice if you’re traveling for business. 

There are several restaurants and retailers along 16th Street Mall. CBD is also home to the Denver Performing Arts Center, the premier spot to see a show.  

Pros of Staying in the Central Business District Neighborhood:

• Close to the Colorado Convention Center
• Near top Denver attractions
• Public transportation is easy to access 

Cons of Staying in the Central Business District Neighborhood:

• Can be noisier than other neighborhoods 
• More crowds than other areas 

Lower Highlands

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best LoHi Hotels: Sonder Zuni • Fairfield Inn & Suites • Hampton Inn & Suites Denver-Speer Boulevard

The Lower Highlands (LoHi) neighborhood is adjacent to LoDo, but it’s a quieter area. These Denver hotels and rentals are a great choice for families, especially.

There are parks with playgrounds and several great eateries. Little Man Ice Cream is one of the most fun local places to go with kids! The Children’s Museum and Elitch Gardens amusement park are easy to get to by bike or a quick Uber ride. 

Sonder Zuni apartments have kitchens and laundry machines so they make a great home base for families!

Pros of Staying in LoHi Neighborhood:

• Amazing restaurants and dessert shops
• Relaxed, family-friendly vibe with parks 
• Walking distance to LoDo attractions 

Cons of Staying in LoHi Neighborhood:

• Not as centrally located as other neighborhoods
• Hilly, so walking with tired kids can be challenging

Cherry Creek

👉 Best Area For Shopping & Luxury | ✨ Best Cherry Creek Hotels: Halcyon Hotel • Hyatt Place Denver Cherry Creek • The Jacquard, Autograph Collection

I wouldn’t recommend Cherry Creek to first-time visitors. It’s far enough from downtown that you’ll need a rideshare to get to museums and attractions. 

But return travelers wanting a luxury vibe will love Cherry Creek. Visit for dining at stellar restaurants, shopping, and relaxing. The Jacquard, Autograph Collection hotel has free bikes for guests to use. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool that’s open during warmer months.

Pros of Staying in Cherry Creek Neighborhood:

• Quiet, safe area
• Restaurants and bars within walking distance
• Lots of boutiques, plus one of Denver’s largest shopping malls
• Spas and luxury services within walking distance, possibly at your hotel 

Cons of Staying in Cherry Creek Neighborhood:

• Farther from downtown Denver
• More expensive than in other areas 

Tips for Staying in Denver Without a Car

Only Stay Near Denver International Airport to Catch a Flight

Denver International Airport is a half hour drive (without traffic) from downtown, and even farther from the mountains. You may want to book a night at The Westin attached to the Denver airport if you have a very early flight or land late at night. Otherwise, look for hotels in downtown to make the most of your stay. 

Book a Rideshare to Red Rocks

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is one of the best attractions in Denver. It features concerts, yoga classes, and some of the best nearby hiking trails. It’s a must-see but unfortunately, there isn’t a great way to get there via public transportation. 

There are shuttles from downtown Denver to Red Rocks before and after concerts. Book a rideshare service if you want to visit during the day. You could also book a Denver Foothills Explorer tour and spend a day in the beautiful foothills of the Rockies!

Research Your Routes

You may have to do a little more planning without a car! Be sure to check out Abigail’s advice on getting around Denver with or without a car. 

Check Out Budget Options

Some transportation in Denver is free! The 16th Street Mall shuttle is free to ride. Seniors 65 and older, people with disabilities, and several other groups can get a discounted fare on RTD buses and light rail trains.

Get a CityPASS

A Denver CityPASS is a great option for anyone planning to visit a few main attractions. You can get discounted admission to several Denver museums including the History Colorado Center and the Children’s Museum of Denver, as well as the Denver Botanic Gardens and more! 

Get Acclimated

Getting around by walking or riding a bike? Make sure you take the Mile High City’s altitude into account! It helps to spend a day acclimating when you first arrive. You’ll also want to drink plenty of water because the combination of altitude and exercise can be dehydrating! See our Denver travel tips for more info. 

Access the Mountains Without a Car

You can get to several Colorado mountain towns without a car! Take the Epic Mountain Express shuttle from Denver International Airport to Vail or Breckenridge. You can also reach Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park via shuttle or private tour. 

​​FAQs

What are the best areas to stay in Denver for first-timers?

Union Station and Lower Downtown (LoDo) are the best areas to stay for first-timers. You’ll be within walking distance of lots of great restaurants, sports stadiums, and the performing arts center. 

What are safe areas to stay in Denver?

Cherry Creek is a very safe area to stay in Denver. Congress Park, about 3 miles west of downtown, is a safe neighborhood, as is the Highlands neighborhood. 

Can I get around Denver without a car?

You can get around Denver without a car. Downtown has a light rail and bus system. There’s also a free shuttle that runs from Union Station to the Colorado State Capitol Building along 16th Street Mall. There are many bike and walking paths throughout the area, as well as rideshare services. 

What is the best part of Denver to stay in?

The best part of Denver to stay in is the Union Station/LoDo area. RiNo and Capitol Hill are also great neighborhoods. These areas will put you close to great restaurants, bars, shops, and Denver attractions. 

Is Denver walkable?

Denver is walkable, especially within the Union Station/LoDo area. There, you can walk to Coors Field, local bookstore The Tattered Cover, Union Station, and many great bars and restaurants. 

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Thanks for reading my guide! Check out our Colorado packing list next so you arrive to the city prepared — or download it as a PDF for even more convenience!