The most popular streets in Denver have just about everything you’d need for a fulfilling city break. You’ll find world-class museums, first-rate restaurants, a flourishing arts scene, and plenty of historic landmarks. The city’s musical roots live on through its jazz bars, while thrift stores hide a wide range of rare goods.

Denver is one of the best cities in the US if you love the great outdoors. The city makes for a great base if you’re planning to explore the vast Rocky Mountains, which you can reach within 1 hour by car. The air is always fresh in the Mile High City, so getting around on foot is one of the best ways to take in its many streets and squares. 

  • 1

    East Colfax Avenue

    Hit the stretch like a local

    East Colfax Avenue
    • Nightlife

    East Colfax Avenue is an east-to-west line that cuts through 4 cities – Aurora, Denver, Lakewood and Golden. Known as Colorado's Gateway to the Rockies, the thoroughfare is 26.5 miles in length. It's actually part of the 2,285-mile-long US Route 40, or the Main Street of America.

    East Colfax Avenue offers plenty of things to see and do, with venues usually grouped in small stretches. Standouts include the Colorado State Capitol Building, Fox Theatre, and Fillmore Auditorium. End your day with drinks and fun activities at one of many bars along East Colfax Avenue, such as 1UP Arcade & Bar, Lion's Lair, and Fiction Beer Company.

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    photo by Ken Lund (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 2

    South Broadway

    Listen to live music and watch independent movies

    South Broadway
    • Nightlife

    South Broadway is a 14-mile thoroughfare that runs from the Highlands Ranch suburb into the heart of Downtown Denver. The part you want to explore is right at its northern end. SoBo, as the locals call it, offers a diverse mix of thrift stores, restaurants, bookstores, and arthouses.

    Live music fans should check around for gigs during their visit, as local bands play the circuit in the hope of striking it big. If music isn't for you, grab some popcorn and catch a film at The Mayan, one of 3 remaining Art Deco Mayan Revival-style theatres in the US.

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  • 3

    Larimer Street

    Sample Mediterranean cuisine in a trendy local square

    Larimer Street
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    Larimer Street runs diagonally through Denver's jazz mecca of Five Points from RiNo (River North Art District) in the northeast end to Metropolitan State Uni in the southwest.

    The Denver Central Market is worth a visit for its diverse cuisine, available from 8 am to 9 pm daily. You can also shop for unique handicrafts by local artists. Larimer Square is where locals go to unwind after work. The rather short strip has plenty of Mediterranean restaurants, boutique stores, and after-dinner entertainment like Comedy Works Downtown Comedy Club.

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  • 4

    Antique Row

    Browse local wares and barter in independent boutiques

    Antique Row
    • Shoppers

    Antique Row is a small stretch of South Broadway in Denver. The thoroughfare has grown so popular that it's actually considered a neighbourhood. Its boundaries vary depending on who you're speaking to, but roughly covers an 18-block radius.

    Antique Row has more than 100 antique specialists, rug sellers, wine merchants, and craftsmen offering all sorts of treasures. Whether you’re looking to grab a bargain or just want to get lost browsing trinkets of the past, you’ll be busy for hours in this part of Denver.

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  • 5

    Humboldt Street

    Take in views of affluent mansions and Denver Botanical Gardens

    Humboldt Street
    • Couples
    • Families
    • History

    Humboldt Street is a north-to-south avenue in the centre of Denver, running past Cheesman Park on its east side right down to Denver Country Club. The area we'd recommend you check out is between East 10th & 12th Avenues.

    The Humboldt Street Historic District, or Humboldt Island, is famous for its cluster of 25 grand mansions built over 100 years ago. You can see different styles of classic American colonial-style architecture. Meanwhile, the Denver Botanical Gardens offers gorgeous flowers and unique plants, including North America's biggest collection of cold-climate flora.

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    photo by Jeffrey Beall (CC BY 3.0) modified

  • 6

    16th St. Mall

    Spend a day of shopping in Denver’s pedestrianised mall

    16th St. Mall
    • Shoppers

    16th Street Mall is a pedestrianised street in Denver that’s just over 1 mile long. It starts at LoDo’s Wewatta Street and takes a south-easterly route to Northern Broadway.

    A great starting point is Denver Pavilions, an open-air mall with over 20 stores and restaurants, a 12-screen cinema, and interactive learning experiences for kids. A free shuttle bus can get you to the other end of 16th Street Mall, but feel free to hop on and off along the way. The LoHi district is a great stop, thanks to a great selection of restaurants and brewpubs where you can relax after a long day of shopping.

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  • 7

    Speer Boulevard

    Hike through the city alongside Cherry Creek

    Speer Boulevard
    • Adventure
    • Budget

    Speer Boulevard is one of Denver's most beautiful streets. It begins on Irving Street and heads southeast towards Cherry Creek. The parkway then drifts alongside the creek from Confluence Park down to Denver Country Club.

    Speer Boulevard is a part of the wider Denver Park and Parkway System, an initiative to develop the Mile High City. It has more than 400 acres of parks and parkways totalling over 30 miles. Ramble the length of Speer Boulevard along the Cherry Creek trail, enjoying a view of the river and the Rockies. The trail carries on past the country club for a total of 40 miles. You don’t even have to leave the city to enjoy one of Colorado’s most famous hikes.

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  • 8

    Welton Street

    Trace Denver’s jazz history down in Five Points

    Welton Street
    • Nightlife

    Welton Street is the main road in Denver's central Five Points intersection, where it cuts through the meeting point between Washington Street, 26th Avenue and 27th Street. Sitting northeast of Downtown is the Welton Corridor, one of Denver’s longstanding commercial hubs.

    The main reason to visit Welton Street is to delve into the city’s jazz roots. It has over 50 bars, many of which have hosted iconic musicians like Miles Davis and Billie Holiday. If you’re visiting around May, keep an eye out for the Five Points Jazz Festival. Otherwise, check out Spangalang Brewery for regular gigs by up-and-coming jazz artists.

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    photo by Jeffrey Beall (CC BY 3.0) modified

  • 9

    South Gaylord Street

    Celebrate Denver’s best festivals in style

    South Gaylord Street
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    South Gaylord Street runs south from Denver Country Club to East Hampden Ave. Its closeness to the University district gives the street a distinctly artsy and chilled vibe. You can find plenty of independent restaurants, including Agave Taco, Max Gill & Grill, and Devil's Food.

    South Gaylord Street hosts a few of Denver's most popular festivals, such as Summer Festival, Farm to Bottle Fall Festival, and Halloween Trick or Treat Street. There are loads more, so you can have fun with the locals while you’re here.

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    photo by Jeffrey Beall (CC BY 3.0) modified

  • 10

    Tennyson Street

    Admire Denver’s arts and music scene

    • Food
    • Nightlife

    Tennyson Street is a major avenue linking Denver's northern suburb to the city centre. Our favourite stretch is between West 44th & 38th Aves, where you'll find an eclectic mix of themed bars, art galleries, bakeries, restaurants, and local events.

    BookBar is an independent bookshop that serves excellent wines – great for a laidback evening in Denver. If you happen to be around at the right time, you shouldn’t miss the First Friday culture walk. Join the locals in celebrating Tennyson’s thriving arts, music, and street food scenes.

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John Frodsham | Contributing Writer