Self Guided Audio Tour of Denver's Historic LoDo District

3.8 (4 reviews) 1 h 30 min – 2 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

4 reviews

3.8

You’ll uncover how fire, floods, and reinvention shaped Denver’s character. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Union Station is a restored Beaux-Arts landmark and a living centerpiece of LoDo’s revival. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Uncover the rich history of Denver on this self-guided walking tour through Lower Downtown (LoDo), where the city's origins took shape.

Walk along the banks of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River, exploring preserved warehouses, jazz clubs, and modern art spaces that reflect both the historic heart and the evolving spirit of Denver.

This tour reveals the fascinating narrative of gold seekers, the rise of railroads, and the district's transformation from a bustling commercial center to a vibrant cultural hub.

Discover the birthplace of Denver at the confluence of two rivers
Explore historic architecture, including Italianate and Romanesque buildings
Learn about the impact of the gold rush and the transcontinental railroad
Enjoy a flexible pace, perfect for history enthusiasts and casual strollers alike

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Best Conversion Low Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration: 1 h 30 min – 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–10
Audio guide: English, Spanish
Written guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Drives & Detours

Ages: Adults (11–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Flexible Usage (unlimited access)
Included: Audio Guide
Included: App and Tour Download

Not included

Not included: Smartphone (bring your own)

Itinerary

16th Street Mall

5 min

16th Street Mall is the gateway to downtown’s pulse. A bustling pedestrian corridor just east of LoDo, this mile-long promenade links Union Station to Colorado’s Capitol with shops, public art, and city energy.
Stop 2

5 min

One of Denver’s oldest surviving structures, this 1863 brick building once housed a saloon owned by African American entrepreneur Barney Ford. The presence of the Barney Ford Building connects Denver’s frontier days with stories of resilience.
Confluence Park

5 min

At the meeting point of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River, this urban Confluence Park invites walkers, paddlers, and nature lovers to experience Denver’s natural origins in the heart of the city.
Dairy Block

5 min

A trendy micro-district of boutique shops, hidden bars, and cozy courtyards, Dairy Block represents LoDo’s reinvention of historic spaces into modern urban gems.
Denver Millennium Bridge

5 min

This sleek pedestrian cable bridge soars over I-25, linking LoDo with Riverfront Park and offering panoramic views of the skyline and rail yards below.
Denver Union Station

5 min

More than a transit hub, Union Station is a restored Beaux-Arts landmark with shops, restaurants, and a grand Great Hall—a living centerpiece of LoDo’s revival.
Stop 7

Passing by

Once warehouses, today these lofts offer modern urban living inside historic walls. They exemplify how LoDo has repurposed industrial bones for contemporary life.
Stop 8

5 min

This distinctive structure recalls LoDo’s past as a storage and ice distribution hub, now adapted to retail, dining, or office use—where history meets utility.
Larimer Square

5 min

Denver’s first designated historic district, Larimer Square is lined with restored Victorian buildings turned into restaurants, boutiques, and nightlife venues.
Museum Of Contemporary Art Denver

Passing by

A modern counterpoint in LoDo, this museum spotlights bold, current art inside historic bones. It bridges Denver’s past and present creative identities.
Stop 11

5 min

Established in 1891, the historic Oxford Hotel has hosted presidents, celebrities, and seekers. Its vintage charm anchors the neighborhood’s architectural heritage.
Rockmount Ranch Wear

5 min

A LoDo legacy brand, Rockmount creates Western apparel with style and history. Their storefront keeps Denver’s cowboy and craftsmanship spirit alive.
Stop 13

5 min

The Sugar Building showcases how LoDo preserves texture even as it evolves, and is a converted industrial building now used for retail or creative space.
Tattered Cover Book Store - Colfax Avenue

5 min

A treasured independent bookstore, this LoDo branch continues the city’s literary tradition inside a building that once housed the commerce of an earlier era.
Stop 15

5 min

Colorado’s first modern brewpub, founded in 1988, Wynkoop helped spearhead LoDo’s revitalization. This is a great place to taste history—alongside a craft beer.
Coors Field

Passing by

Built in 1995 at LoDo’s edge, this vintage-style ballpark captures the spirit of the neighborhood—with brick facades echoing a former warehouse district.
9th Street Historic Park

5 min

A small block preserving LoDo’s original street pattern and building scale, this park offers a moment of calm amidst the urban fabric.
Stop 18

5 min

This tap house revives the historic Tivoli Brewing legacy in Denver, combining craft beer, heritage, and LoDo’s evolving story.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

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.

End point

The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver can be found at the corner of 15th Street and Delgany Street. It is opposite the Griffis LoDo apartment complex.

Using your ticket

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: To access your tour, you will need to download the Drives & Detours app and enter your 6-character access code to unlock it. Your access code will be sent separately the day before your travel date. Access codes for same-day bookings will be sent within minutes after purchase.

HOW TO PREPARE: We recommend downloading the Drives & Detours app in advance so you are ready to go when you arrive.

DOWNLOAD THE APP:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/drives-detours/id6443681888

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytoursapp.android.app6506

WATCH FOR YOUR ACCESS CODE: Your access code will arrive as a message through the booking platform. They should notify you by email, but if you don’t see it, check your spam folder or directly in the platform’s message center.