LoDo Denver Guide & Things to Do | Thompson Denver

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Explore Lower Downtown Denver

LoDo Denver: The Historic Heart of the Mile High City

Brick-lined streets. Landmark architecture. Local dining. Game-day energy. LoDo brings Denver’s past and present together in one remarkably walkable neighborhood—and Thompson Denver places you at the center of it all.

From the grand arches of Denver Union Station to the glowing canopy of Larimer Square, the art-filled passages of Dairy Block and the unmistakable buzz surrounding Coors Field, this is where the Mile High City comes out to play.

Thompson Denver Larimer Exterior With Lights

Where Denver’s Story Began—and Hasn’t Stopped

LoDo, short for Lower Downtown, is one of Denver’s oldest and most storied neighborhoods. Long before the city took shape, the South Platte River area was an important gathering place for Indigenous peoples. Modern Denver emerged during the 1858 gold rush, and Lower Downtown soon became the city’s commercial and transportation gateway.

Rail travel transformed the area. Denver Union Station first opened in 1881, was rebuilt in 1914 and was reimagined for our modern world in 2014. Its evolution mirrors LoDo itself: historic, resilient and always moving forward.

In 1988, Denver established the Lower Downtown Historic District, helping protect the neighborhood’s distinctive brick warehouses, intimate streets and human-scale architecture. Today, Historic Denver describes LoDo as a national model for balancing preservation with thoughtful development. The result is a neighborhood that wears its

history well—placing restaurants, galleries, shops, hotels and gathering spaces inside buildings that have been part of Denver’s story for generations.

Why LoDo Is the Best Part of Denver

LoDo distills the city’s greatest pleasures into a few highly walkable blocks. Here, a morning coffee can lead to contemporary art, an afternoon of independent shopping, a baseball game, dinner at a celebrated restaurant and cocktails beneath the downtown lights—often without getting into a car.

It is historic without feeling frozen in time, lively without losing Denver’s laid-back spirit and polished without becoming predictable. For first-time visitors, LoDo offers an immediate introduction to the city. For returning guests, there is always another restaurant, exhibition, event or tucked-away alley to discover.

Walk more and plan less.

Union Station, Larimer Square, Dairy Block, 16th Street, Denver Milk Market, Ball Arena and Coors Field are all within easy reach of Thompson Denver. Mission Ballroom, the shops and murals of RiNo, and Highlands neighborhood are also nearby.

Experience Denver from morning to last call.

LoDo moves easily from coffee shops and museum visits to lively patios, game-day gatherings, chef-led dinners and unique cocktail bars.

Arrive without the airport drive.

The RTD A Line connects Denver International Airport directly to Union Station in approximately 37 minutes. From there, Thompson Denver is less than one-third of a mile away- approximately a 7 minute walk.

Things to Do in LoDo Denver

Begin at Denver Union Station

Part transportation hub, part dining destination and part living room for the city, Denver Union Station is an essential first stop. Step inside the restored Great Hall, meet over coffee, browse the shops or settle in for a drink before exploring the surrounding streets. Its central location and rail connections also make it one of the easiest launching points for seeing more of Denver.

Thompson Denver Denver Larimer Square Night

Walk Beneath the Lights of Larimer Square

Larimer Square occupies the block where Denver’s early commercial life began. Its late-19th-century architecture now frames a distinctive collection of restaurants, and retail. Visit during the day for shopping and street photography, then return after dark when the lights above the block create one of downtown Denver’s most recognizable scenes.

Explore the Art, Food and Energy of Dairy Block

Named after the historic Windsor Dairy, the Dairy Block is a micro-district built around food, drink, shopping and public art. Wander through The Alley, explore site specific installations, browse contemporary retail concepts or assemble your culinary favorites across the district’s restaurants, bars and Milk Market food hall.

Catch a Game at Coors Field

Few experiences capture Denver in summer quite like a baseball game. Coors Field stands at 20th and Blake streets in the Lower Downtown and Ballpark area, with mountain views visible from portions of the stadium. Even outside baseball season, the surrounding blocks carry plenty of energy, with restaurants and gathering places that make game day feel like a neighborhood-wide event.

Sports fans and concertgoers can also reach nearby Ball Arena, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and Empower Field from Thompson Denver, making the hotel a perfect home base for a full weekend of entertainment.

See What Is New at MCA Denver

The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver offers art and culture of the present through rotating exhibitions, public programs and unique creative programming. Its location near Thompson Denver makes it an easy addition to an afternoon spent exploring LoDo on foot.

Thompson Denver Summer Friends Group Downtown Exploring

Rediscover 16th Street

Denver’s mile-long pedestrian promenade connects LoDo with wider downtown. Fully reopened in October 2025 following a major renovation, 16th Street now offers refreshed public spaces, patios, local businesses, events and convenient free transit through the center of the city. Thompson Denver sits at the corner of Market and 16th streets, placing this downtown corridor directly outside the hotels doors.

Eat and Drink Your Way Through LoDo

In LoDo, the question is rarely whether to go out. It is where to begin.

The neighborhood’s historic buildings and converted warehouses now contain everything from relaxed cafés and energetic food halls to intimate cocktail bars and destination dining rooms. Start with breakfast near Union Station, pause for lunch on Larimer Square, share a few discoveries at Denver Milk Market and finish the evening over a carefully made cocktail.

Thompson Denver has its own place in the neighborhood’s culinary scene. At Chez Maggy, acclaimed chef Ludo Lefebvre brings classic French technique together with local inspiration in a contemporary brasserie setting. Bar M, situated in the hotel lobby overlooking Market and 16th streets, pairs an curated cocktail and wine program with dishes from Chef Lefebvre. For coffee, pastries and an easy start before heading into the city, Duel Coffee is located just off the Thompson Denver lobby.

Thompson Denver Denver Love This City Mural

One Perfect Day in LoDo

Morning

Begin downstairs at Duel Coffee, then walk to Union Station to admire the restored Great Hall and pick up a book from the storied Tattered Cover. From there, wander toward the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver or follow the neighborhood’s historic streets toward the riverfront.

Afternoon

Browse the shops of Larimer Square before heading to Dairy Block for lunch, local art and a walk through The Alley. During baseball season, continue toward Coors Field and let the energy of game day set the pace.

Evening

Return to Thompson Denver for dinner at Chez Maggy, followed by a cocktail at Bar M. Then step back outside for an evening stroll beneath the lights of Larimer Square or along the newly reimagined 16th Street.

Thompson Denver 16th Street Mall Visit Denver

Stay in the Center of it all

Located at 1616 Market Street, Thompson Denver is not simply near LoDo—it is part of the neighborhood’s ecosystem.

Larimer Square and 16th Street are approximately 0.14 miles from the hotel. Denver Milk Market is approximately 0.21 miles away, while Denver Union Station is approximately 0.28 miles away. Coors Field, Ball Arena, Dairy Block and numerous downtown restaurants and shops are also within easy reach.

Inside, Thompson Denver brings urban sophistication together with the warmth and natural textures of the American West. The hotel features 216 rooms and suites, many with downtown or Rocky Mountain views, along with destination dining and thoughtfully designed spaces for gathering, relaxing and celebrating.

Stay here and LoDo becomes more than a neighborhood to visit. It becomes the setting for your entire Denver experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About LoDo Denver

What does LoDo mean in Denver?
LoDo is short for Lower Downtown, Denver’s historic downtown neighborhood surrounding Union Station and the blocks near Larimer, Market, Blake, Wazee and Wynkoop streets.

What is LoDo known for?
LoDo is known for its historic architecture, Union Station, Coors Field, Michelin recognized restaurants, nightlife, independent shops, contemporary art and destinations such as Dairy Block and Larimer Square.

Is LoDo walkable?
Yes. LoDo is one of Denver’s most walkable visitor districts. From Thompson Denver, guests can walk to Larimer Square, 16th Street, Denver Milk Market, Union Station, Dairy Block and Coors Field.

Is LoDo a good neighborhood for first-time visitors?
LoDo is an especially convenient base for first-time visitors because it combines major attractions, dining, nightlife, sports and public transportation in a compact downtown area. Union Station also provides direct rail access to Denver International Airport.

How far is Thompson Denver from Union Station?
Thompson Denver is approximately .28 miles from Denver Union Station, making it an easy 7 minute walk for guests arriving by airport rail or exploring downtown.

What can couples do in LoDo?
Couples can explore Larimer Square, visit MCA Denver, share dinner or cocktails, attend a game or concert and take an evening walk through the neighborhood’s illuminated historic streets.

What can families do in LoDo?
Families can visit Union Station, explore 16th Street, attend a Rockies game, discover public art around Dairy Block and South Platte River, and use LoDo as a starting point for additional Denver attractions like the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance or the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (3.1 miles from the hotel).