Denver’s Historic LoDo Audio Tour
Explore Denver’s Lower Downtown on this self-guided walking tour
What to Expect
Walk through Denver’s story where it all began, at the confluence of two rivers and the spark of gold fever. This self-guided audio tour takes you through LoDo’s layered past of railroads, warehouses, jazz clubs, and reinvention, revealing how the neighborhood became both Denver’s historic foundation and its ever-changing face. Along the way, you’ll encounter preserved landmarks and hidden corners that connect Denver’s frontier roots to its vibrant present.
With GPS-activated narration, you’ll explore at your own pace and uncover the stories that shaped one of the city’s most iconic districts..
Ready to go? Book below or download our app and purchase directly from your phone.
📍 Location: Denver, CO
🚶♂️ Type: Walking tour
⏱ Duration: Approx. 2 hours (flexible)
✅ Includes: App download, GPS-triggered audio, No expiration
📶 Works Offline: Download ahead of time - no cell service required
🎧 Multiple Languages: English, Spanish
Get Ready for Your Denver Self-Guided Tour
Begin your journey into Denver’s origins on a self-guided walking tour through Lower Downtown (LoDo), the neighborhood where the city was born.
Follow the story from the 1858 gold rush and the meeting of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River through the arrival of railroads and the vision of early entrepreneurs who turned a rough settlement into a growing city.
As you pass sturdy brick warehouses, preserved 19th-century buildings, and the commanding presence of Union Station, you’ll learn how fires, floods, and repeated reinvention left their mark on the area.
LoDo’s streets reveal a striking blend of frontier-era toughness and modern creativity, now home to breweries, art spaces, markets, and gathering spots.
What sets this experience apart is how clearly LoDo illustrates Denver’s ability to adapt—where historic structures aren’t frozen in time, but reimagined for contemporary life.
Explore on your own schedule and see why LoDo continues to serve as both the city’s historic core and one of its most energetic neighborhoods.
What You’ll See on Your Denver Walking Tour
16th Street Mall
This lively pedestrian boulevard serves as a gateway to downtown energy. Stretching east from LoDo, it connects Union Station to the Colorado State Capitol with shops, public art, and constant activity.
Barney Ford Building
Dating to 1863, this is one of Denver’s oldest remaining buildings. Once owned by entrepreneur Barney Ford, it stands as a powerful link to stories of perseverance and success during the frontier era.
Confluence Park
Located where Cherry Creek meets the South Platte River, this park marks Denver’s natural starting point and offers a green, outdoor escape in the middle of the city.
Dairy Block
A compact district filled with boutiques, tucked-away bars, and inviting courtyards, Dairy Block highlights how historic structures have been transformed into stylish modern spaces.
Denver Millennium Bridge
This striking pedestrian bridge spans I-25, connecting LoDo to Riverfront Park and offering sweeping views of the skyline and rail corridors below.
Denver Union Station
A beautifully restored Beaux-Arts landmark, Union Station is both a transportation center and social hub, anchored by its grand Great Hall, shops, and dining.
Edbrooke Lofts
Former industrial warehouses now converted into residences, these lofts showcase LoDo’s shift from working district to sought-after urban neighborhood.
Ice House Building
Once part of Denver’s ice storage and distribution network, this building has been repurposed for modern use while retaining its industrial character.
Larimer Square
Denver’s first official historic district, Larimer Square features Victorian-era buildings now housing restaurants, boutiques, and nightlife.
Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
A bold modern presence within historic surroundings, the museum highlights current art while reinforcing LoDo’s creative evolution.
Oxford Hotel
Opened in 1891, the Oxford Hotel has welcomed presidents, celebrities, and travelers for generations, preserving its classic charm.
Rockmount Ranch Wear
Known for iconic Western clothing, Rockmount keeps Denver’s cowboy heritage and craftsmanship alive through its longtime LoDo storefront.
Sugar Building
This former industrial structure reflects LoDo’s commitment to retaining historic texture while adapting buildings for new commercial and creative uses.
Tattered Cover Bookstore
A beloved independent bookstore that continues Denver’s literary tradition inside a repurposed historic building.
Wynkoop Brewing Company
Founded in 1988, Colorado’s first modern brewpub played a key role in LoDo’s revival and remains a cornerstone of the neighborhood.
Site of El Chapultepec
Once a legendary Latin music venue, this location recalls the vibrant nightlife and cultural scene of mid-20th-century Denver.
Coors Field
Opened in 1995 at the edge of LoDo, this brick-clad ballpark echoes the warehouse aesthetic and anchors the district’s modern identity.
Denver Tramway Powerhouse
A reminder of Denver’s streetcar era, this former power station speaks to the city’s industrial and transportation past.
Ninth Street Historic Park
Preserving original street layouts and building scale, this small park offers a glimpse into early Denver amid today’s cityscape.
Tivoli Brewing Co. Tap House
Reviving a historic brewing legacy, this tap house blends craft beer, heritage, and the continuing evolution of LoDo.
Meeting Point
Your Denver walking tour begins at Confluence Park.
The tour starts in the plaza of Confluence Park, near the meeting point of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River. It is close to the junction of 15th Street and Little Raven Street.
FAQs About Our Denver Audio Walking Tour
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General admission to the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver costs the following:
Adults: $14
After 5 pm, Tuesday–Thursday: $5
Student: $11
65+: $11
Members: Free
Teens (13-18): Free
Children Under 12: Free
Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver website for more information.
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The cost of tickets to Coors Field depends on the show or game and the seats you choose. Tickets are sold through a variety of outlets. Visit the MLB website for more information.
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Tours are fully refundable up to 24 hours in advance.
If it’s within 24 hours or you had an issue during your tour, email support@drivesanddetours.com. We review all requests individually and will always do our best to make things right.
Our goal is to ensure every traveler has a great experience exploring with Drives & Detours.
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The Drives & Detours Denver tour covers approximately 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) and takes about 90–120 minutes to complete at a leisurely pace.
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Yes, downloading the Drives & Detours app will give you full access to the tour you have purchased, as well as many other self-guided tours.
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Download the tour before you go. Some areas have poor signal, which can make downloading the tour difficult. Once the tour is downloaded, it will work without any cell signal
The tour audio plays automatically as you approach each stop
Want to see more? Tap “View Stop” to see photos and bonus content
To return to the map, tap the small down arrow between the “previous” and “next” buttons
Follow the blue line and audio directions to stay on route
Use audio controls to pause, rewind, or skip—just like a podcast
Safety first: Keep your eyes on the road or sidewalk, follow traffic laws, and stay aware of your surroundings
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No—download your Denver tour before you go, and you won't need a cell signal. Drives & Detours’ tours work without any cell signal once they are downloaded to your device.
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Once you have purchased your Denver walking tour from Drives & Detours, you can use it whenever you want. You can always take the tour another day if the weather is bad on the day you plan to take it.
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Unfortunately, Dives & Detours cannot guarantee that the Denver self-guided tour is accessible. People with wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility impairments are very welcome, but we recommend checking the Visit Denver website for detailed information.
Pro Tips for Your Drives & Detours Denver Self-Guided Tour
Download before you go.
Enable location services—GPS triggers the audio.
Use earbuds, headphones, or your car speakers.
Pause and resume anytime. If you take a break, just reopen the app and head back toward your last stop.
Lost your way? Tap any pin on the map, then tap the right-turn-arrow icon to open your default maps app for turn-by-turn directions to that spot.
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