In the span of just 10 years, this area has gone from abandoned turn-of-the-century warehouses and buildings to one of the hippest locations in town.
Thanks to the opening of Coors Field and the allure of loft living, this 20-block district of 19th century brick buildings now known at LoDo (short for Lower Downtown) is a hub of restaurants, pubs, art galleries, entertainment, shopping and sophisticated urban living. With 125 designated historic buildings, LoDo has one of the largest concentrations of Victorian and turn-of-the-century architecture in the country.
The Riverfront area of LoDo, located behind Union Station and along the east side of the South Platte River, is the site of several thousand new housing units built as lofts in old industrial buildings or as freestanding units that are in keeping with the urban style of the neighborhood. Landscaped paths along the South Platte River and Cherry Creek give walkers, joggers and cyclists access to one of the most extensive urban trail systems in the nation, while kayaking and rafting chutes are available at Confluence Park. Locals gather in the park for summer movies and concerts.
Location:
- Sits between Park Avenue West, Lawrence, the South Platte River and Speer
Eateries:
- Zengo (Asian/Latin)
- Wynkoop “Denver’s Original Brew Pub”
- Sushi Han (Japanese)
- Harry’s Chop House (Down home cooking)
- Vesta Dipping Grill (fusion w. exotic dipping sauces)
- Samba Room (Latin)
- Lime (simple Mexican)
Transportation:
- With bus stops on every corner, a free 16th Street shuttle and direct access to I-25, it doesn’t get much more convenient.
- LoDo is also a transportation center for Denver. AMTRAK, the Ski Train, Light Rail and the free 16th Street Mall shuttle bus all come together at LoDo’s Union Station, which will also be the hub for Denver’s new $4 billion, 120-mile Light Rail network, set to be completed in 2018.
- A bright yellow historic trolley runs along the river in the summer.
Things to do:
- Comedy Works
- Coors Field
- Crybaby Ranch
- Elitch Gardens (edge of LoDo?)
- Tattered Cover bookstore
- El Chapultepec jazz club
- Shopping, including Patagonia and Z Gallery
- Larimer Square
- Writer Square, with cafes, art galleries, antique shops