Denver Union Station
4.6(4.0K)google
4.3(566)yelp
DowntownHistoric BuildingLocal LifeTrain
Overview
Denver Union Station is the main railway station and central transportation hub in Denver, Colorado. It is located at 17th and Wynkoop Streets in the present-day LoDo district and includes the historic station house, a modern open-air train shed, a 22-gate underground bus station, and light rail station. A station was first opened on the site on June 1, 1881, but burned down in 1894.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-2 hours
Best TimeExceptional year-round attraction. The absolute best hour is 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM as the grand, historic Beaux-Arts facade glowing with its famous historic orange 'UNION STATION' neon sign comes alive. Step inside the Great Hall to sip a craft cocktail at the Terminal Bar amid active commuters.
Getting ThereThe primary multimodal transportation nexus of Colorado, located at 1701 Wynkoop St. It acts as the grand terminus for all urban RTD light rails, Amtrak trains, and regional shuttles. From Denver International Airport (DEN), board the RTD A-Line commuter train for a seamless, direct 37-minute ride to the platform.
Travel Tips
- The active Great Hall seating arrays are highly policed post-twilight; lingering inside passenger zones after 23:00 without a validated RTD ticket or reservation invites security compliance sweeps.
- The Wynkoop Street front entrance functions exclusively as a camera-enforced, single-lane rideshare cutout zone; private consumer platforms attempting terminal idling face automated electronic citation sweeps.
- The airport-bound A-Line commuter rail platform sits at the far eastern exterior wing; walking from the west Great Hall introduces a 10-minute transit delay that must be budgeted into flight itineraries.
Reviews
Positive
- The 1914 Beaux-Arts station is beautifully restored, blending a historic rail hub with a luxurious 'city living room' concept.
- The Great Hall houses top-tier independent artisan cafes, boutique scoop shops, and fine dining, making the food stop elite.
- The transport convenience is unmatched; it's the main terminal for airport rails, light rails, and buses for seamless travel.
- The transit hall is patrolled by active security guards around the clock; marbles are polished, with top-level accessible design.
Heads up
- Being an open transit hub, the benches and outdoor plazas attract crowds of homeless, with occasional erratic shouting incidents.
- Concessions and upscale retailers here charge hefty premiums, making a casual breakfast or cocktail feel heavily marked up.
- Driving here is a total nightmare; the surrounding roads are tight one-ways and nearby valet options cost a absolute fortune.
- During morning and evening rush hours, the echoes of train announcements and frantic foot traffic eliminate any peaceful calm.