Moving to Downtown Denver? This thriving heart of Denver, CO, is a sought-after place to call home, and it’s very easy to see why.
Downtown has everything you could ask for, from the bars and restaurants to museums and green spaces. But is it worth the price tag to call the city home?
In this guide, we’ll give you everything you need to know about Downtown Denver.
A short history of Downtown Denver
Denver started as a gold mining town back in 1858. But when the gold dried up, it transformed into a transportation hub with a rail line and new roads. After WWII, Downtown saw a skyscraper boom thanks to oil and gas companies and soon expanded into a thriving city.
Downtown saloons and historic buildings were revitalized, and while many other US cities were suffering from crime and bankruptcy, Downtown Denver was growing.
Today, Downtown Denver is thriving with shops, theaters, restaurants, and a buzzing community feel.
Top things to do
16th Street Mall
This mall complex has it all, and since it’s pedestrianized, it’s a peaceful place to spend the day.16th Street Mall has tons of shops, cafes, restaurants, and more. At night, it’s illuminated by thousands of fairy lights, so it’s a pretty spot for late-night drinks.
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
Who doesn’t love a water park? At Elitch Gardens, you can ride the Brain Drain, Mind Eraser, and the Slingshot. Downtown Denver is actually the only city in the US to have a theme park, and it’s a firm favorite with families.
Denver Microbrew Tour
Denver is known for craft beer, so we had to add a microbrew tour to our list. There are several microbreweries Downtown, and you can take a tour of Denver city to see where the brewing craft came from.
Real estate
As of July 2022, the average price for a home in Downtown Denver is $653K, which is just over 20% higher than last year. Homes don’t stay on the market long, with the average being ten days.
The average rent in Downtown Denver is $2,340. This is significantly higher than the overall Denver average of $1,879, but it costs to live right in the heart of the action.
Favorite places
If you’re looking for a city with plenty to keep you busy, Downtown Denver is perfect. Here are a few of our favorite places to try out.
Colorado Convention Center
Sounds boring, but this place hosts so much more than business conventions. Throughout the year, there are shows, concerts, and exhibitions. Not to mention a giant statue of a blue bear peeking through the towering glass facade.
Denver Art Museum
For some much-needed culture, Denver Art Museum is on 14th Avenue Parkway and has over 70,000 artworks to see. Even the geometric building itself is beautiful.
Skyline Beer Garden
Over on Arapahoe Street is the Skyline Beer Garden, an open-air space with a mini-golf course, ping-pong tables, and a great selection of craft beers.
Civic Center Park
When you need some fresh air and open space, Civic Center Park is the place to be. The park is huge, with 25,000 square feet of gardens, parks, fountains, and lawns. It’s the perfect place for a picnic or to take kids on the weekend.
Downtown has plenty of green space to enjoy, including Skyline Park, Benedict Fountain Park, Sculpture Park, and more Lower Downtown.
Restaurants
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants in Denver, but here are three of our top choices:
- Rioja: Many locals think of Rioja as the best restaurant in Denver with its Mediterranean-inspired food.
- Tag: This one has a great mix of world cuisines and a cocktail menu that is truly unique.
- Cuba Cuba: For the best Cuban food in Denver and a home-cooked feel, you can’t beat Cuba Cuba.
Top reasons to live in Downtown Denver CO
For us, there are three key reasons why Downtown Denver is such a great place to call home.
The lifestyle
Downtown Denver is a stunning city with a buzzing social scene and nightlife. But drive just a few miles out, and you’ll have the tranquility of the mountains and wide open spaces. That mix of urban and outdoor living is something that makes Denver so special.
The weather
The weather in Denver is great, too. You’ll get around 300 days of sunshine, with temperatures reaching 90+ in the summer. But because of the low humidity, the heat is tolerable in the city and great for days out.
The schools
For families with kids, there are loads of great schools to choose from in Downtown Denver, not to mention the University of Colorado being close by. This is a huge bonus for young families and means your kids will have the best education.
Employment
Many working professionals come to Denver for the employment opportunities. The average income in Downtown Denver is around $57,700, but that’s consistently increasing with the growing economy.
The job market is booming because of the constant development of new sectors, including tech start-ups that call Downtown Denver home.
Thinking of Moving to Downtown Denver?
You’ve picked a great city. Downtown has everything you could want from a buzzing city with all the charm of a close-knit town. From bars and restaurants to hiking and art galleries, you’ll love calling this city home.
If you’re already in the process of moving to Downtown Denver, make sure to grab our moving checklist, so you don’t miss anything important on your move.