StayAreasIs Downtown a good place to stay in Denver?
Yes, especially for a convention, a show or a first visit. Larimer Square and the theatres are a walk away, though some blocks feel rough at night.
Stay here if
- Convention visitors
- First-time visitors
- Theatre-goers
Look elsewhere if
- You want quiet nights
- You want a neighbourhood feel
- You're uneasy around homelessness on city streets
Hotels in Downtown
All Downtown hotels on Booking ↗Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more
Staying in Downtown
Downtown is the most convenient place to stay in Denver for a convention, a show or a first visit. The Colorado Convention Center, the Denver Performing Arts Complex and Larimer Square are all within a few blocks, and the free MallRide bus runs along 16th Street to Union Station. The State Capitol and the Denver Art Museum are a short walk south.
The area mixes offices, hotels and entertainment. The 16th Street pedestrian mall is lined with shops, restaurants and patios, Larimer Square's Victorian buildings hold some of the city's best-known restaurants, and the Performing Arts Complex hosts Broadway tours, opera and the symphony. The big blue bear peering into the convention centre is the city's favourite photo spot.
The downside is that parts of downtown feel rough. Homelessness is visible on some blocks, especially around 16th Street and Civic Center Park, and streets near the offices empty out at night. Parking is expensive, and rooms jump in price during big conventions.
What makes downtown special is how compact it is. You can walk from a show at the Performing Arts Complex to dinner on Larimer Square, ride the free bus to Union Station and be on a train to the airport in minutes. For a short trip or a busy conference, it's hard to beat.
Getting around
- 16th Street4walk
- Colorado Convention Center9walk
- Larimer Square11walk
- Denver Performing Arts Complex12walk
- Denver Central Market12transit
- Confluence Park13transit
- Denver International Airport (DEN)50
Downtown questions
Is Downtown a good area to stay in Denver?
Yes, especially for a convention, a show or a first visit. Larimer Square and the theatres are a walk away, though some blocks feel rough at night. It suits convention visitors, first-time visitors and theatre-goers.
How much does a hotel in Downtown cost?
A typical double is around $155 a night at a budget hotel, $230 mid-range and $320 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Downtown?
About 50 minutes door to door: A Line train from the airport to Union Station, then the free MallRide bus.
How far is Downtown from the main sights?
Door to door from Downtown: 16th Street 4 minutes on foot, Colorado Convention Center 9 minutes on foot, Larimer Square 11 minutes on foot and Denver Performing Arts Complex 12 minutes on foot.