Walkable Areas and Accommodations

Question

Hi! My family (parents, teens) will be in Denver for 4 days later this spring. We'll be renting a car but really appreciate walkable neighborhoods that offer a lot of local shops and restaurants. Are there areas in Denver that are particularly good for that?

Also, we plan to stay downtown and spend an afternoon walking around there and then other days driving to other areas, but my initial research shows parking between $50-$70 a night downtown. We could maybe stomach the price, but I'm also concerned about congestion and whether driving into and out of downtown will be a huge pain? We'll be there two weekdays and two weekend days. Are there good alternative areas that would make a good home base (again, preferably very walkable).

Thanks!

Answer

Denver offers several neighborhoods that are very walkable and rich with local shops, restaurants, and entertainment, making them ideal for a family looking to explore on foot while still having access to a car for day trips.

Downtown Denver is the obvious choice for your initial plan. The 16th Street Mall is a pedestrian-friendly area with numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops. You can easily spend an afternoon walking here, and there are free MallRide shuttles that help navigate the area without needing to drive. However, parking in downtown is indeed pricey, ranging from $50-$70 per night, and weekday congestion can be significant, especially during rush hours. Weekend days tend to be slightly less congested, but popular attractions like Union Station and Coors Field can still bring in crowds.

Other highly walkable neighborhoods that might serve as good alternatives or home bases include:

LoDo (Lower Downtown) – Trendy area with historic buildings, plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops, close to Union Station. Easy to walk around and great for teens with casual dining options and entertainment.
Capitol Hill – Offers a mix of historic architecture, local coffee shops, boutique stores, and small parks. It's more residential and quieter than downtown, but still walkable and close to museums and the State Capitol.
Cherry Creek – Upscale shopping and dining district with a pedestrian-friendly outdoor mall, galleries, and cafes. Slightly further from downtown but still an easy drive or short light rail ride away.
RiNo (River North Art District) – Vibrant arts district with murals, breweries, and eclectic dining. It's very walkable and has a youthful, creative vibe that teens may enjoy.

If you choose to stay outside downtown to avoid high parking fees and congestion, these neighborhoods are still convenient for accessing downtown via a short drive or public transit. Denver’s light rail system and bus network make it feasible to stay in a neighborhood like Cherry Creek or RiNo and drive into downtown for short visits without much hassle.

Practical tips for visiting Denver:

Plan your downtown drives early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid peak rush hour congestion.
Consider using public transit or rideshares for short downtown trips if parking is difficult or expensive.
Check hotel options in LoDo or Capitol Hill if you want a walkable neighborhood experience with slightly lower parking or no-fee options.
Weekends are generally easier for driving into downtown, but popular events (sports games, concerts) can still create congestion, so check local event calendars.

Overall, if your goal is walkability with access to shops and restaurants, LoDo, Capitol Hill, and Cherry Creek are excellent alternatives to staying directly downtown, while still providing convenient access to the attractions and museums your family wants to explore.

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