Guide to Visiting Denver Union Station

The Denver Union Station was built in 1881 and was considered the largest building in the West at the time. The station, destroyed in an electrical fire in 1894, was rebuilt and opened to the public in 1914. The Beaux-Arts style station is located in the LoDo or Lower Downtown District, with easy access to food, shopping, and entertainment.

The station itself is home to a variety of restaurants and bars, bookstores, coffee shops, and boutiques. More recent renovations include the addition of the iconic 112-room Crawford Hotel. If you’re catching a train or even just planning a visit to Denver, make sure you carve aside extra time to explore this gorgeous train station. In this post, we’ll be sharing tips and insights on places to eat, where to stay, and what to do in and around the Denver Union Station.

DINING AND DRINKS INSIDE THE STATION

Ultreia – Spanish and Portuguese Restaurant offering creative dishes including seafood and tapas.
The Cooper Lounge – Cocktail bar with a wide range of drinks, charcuterie boards, and swanky vibes
The Kitchen Next Door – Casual bar and bistro serving a variety organic farm to table meals
Press – Latin-inspired food options such as tortas, carnitas, and tacos. Easy, order to-go meals.
Mercantile Dining & Provision – Unique and upscale version of American comfort foods in restaurant owned and operated by an award-winning chef.
Mailbox Ice Creamery – Ice cream shop serving a wide range of gourmet ice creams, including vegan and booze-filled options.
Pigtrain Coffee Co. – Coffee shop offering a variety of locally-roasted coffee, teas, and pastries.
Snooze an A.M. Eatery – Breakfast, lunch, and cocktails served in a casual, fun, restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating options.
Terminal Bar – Located in the old ticketing office, this snazzy little bar offers a varied menu of craft beers, cocktails, burgers, and brats.

SHOPPING INSIDE THE STATION

Tattered Cover Bookstore – Small bookstore, offering new and used books. A great spot to browse for books while waiting for your train.
5 Green Boxes – Boutique store with fun selection of seasonal items, hand-crafted jewelry, gifts, and home goods.

PLACES TO STAY IN AND NEAR THE STATION

The Crawford Hotel – Located on the upper floors of the Denver Union Station, this hotel opened in 2014 and provides luxury accommodations with the added benefit of easy access to restaurants and shopping inside the station.
The Maven – Modern boutique hotel, across the street from Coors Field, and blocks away from the train station. Located in the vibrant Dairy Block district.
Limelight Hotel – Stylish and comfortable vibes inside this modern hotel, offering snacks, water, and coffee inside the cozy lobby area. The Ajax Restaurant inside has excellent food and service.

PLACES TO EAT NEAR THE STATION

Venice Ristorante and Wine Bar – Italian Restaurant with an inviting ambiance and huge selection of food and wine choices.
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen – Modern-casual restaurant offering a variety of comfort foods including mac & cheese waffles, spicy chiken sandwich, fried pickles, biscuits, and unique cocktail options.
Woodie Fisher Kitchen & Bar – Located in a historic firehouse, this restaurant offers seasonal American dishes and a varied selection of beer and cocktails in a comfortable relaxed atmosphere.
Thirsty Lion – Modern pub-style atmosphere with a unique selection of comfort foods, including burgers, fish and chips, and fried chicken mac & cheese. Indoor and outdoor seating available.
Ambler – Newly opened restaurant and bar with casual American food, a huge menu of drinks, and options to dine inside or out.
Sunday Vinyl – A perfect date night location, for an intimate and elegant dining experience, with an eclectic mix of tunes to set the mood.

THINGS TO DO NEAR THE STATION

Coors Field – Catch a ballgame or live music concert inside the stadium with stunning city and mountain views in the background. Located two blocks from the Union Station.
National Ballpark Museum – A small private-collection of exhibits and tons of baseball nostalgia perfect for a baseball history buff. Entrance requires ringing a doorbell and paying a $20 fee.
Museum of Contemporary Art – A museum offering unique and trending exhibits. Check ahead of time to if the art on display is something that will interest you. May be worth a visit just to see the cool architecture and rooftop cafe.
Rockmount Ranchwear – The perfect place to grab that cool western shirt with snap-buttons, pair of boots, or cowboy hat you’ve been hunting for. This shop is a long-time favorite for Ranchers as well as Hollywood stars and also offers a small museum that pays tribute to the history of this early mercantile establishment.
Confluence Park – Located at 2250 15th Street, this is a great park to stretch your legs, walk the trails, and watch the activity on the river before boarding your train.
Dairy Block – On Wazee Street, towards Coors field, you’ll find the historic Dairy Block. This area was once home to Windsor Dairy and now full of fun bars, restaurants, and art. Peruse the alleyway full of eye-catching street art, outdoor seating, and interesting photo opportunities. Here, you’ll also find the Denver Milk Market, offering a variety of delicious food and drink options!

TAKEAWAY

We were surprised to see how much the Denver Union Station and surrounding SoHo District had to offer. We deeply regretted not scheduling ourselves enough time to explore this beautiful city. There was so much to do, see, eat, and drink. Please don’t make the mistake we did. If you’re planning a trip to or near the Denver Union Station, give yourself enough time to truly experience the vibrancy and charm of this community.