The Urban Adventure Seeker’s Guide to LoDo

Home Base: The Crawford Hotel

Located in the recently renovated Union Station, the Crawford Hotel blends historical flourishes—Union Station first opened to the public in 1914—with all the modern amenities you’ve come to expect. The Crawford’s rooms are situated on the upper floors of the depot and surround the magnificent Great Hall; choose from compact “Pullman” guest rooms, suites, and loft guest rooms, which feature lounge areas, beamed ceilings and separate bedrooms. Perhaps the best part of staying at the Crawford? You’re just steps away from LoDo’s myriad restaurants, bars, and shops.

10 a.m.
Settle into a booth at Snooze an AM Eatery for a pancake flight or breakfast burrito with Colorado green chile and take in the bright, modern diner vibes. Looking for something a little lighter? Grab a cappuccino or a chai at Pigtrain Coffee Co. to fuel your upcoming LoDo adventures.

Your first stop: the Tattered Cover Book Store in Union Station. A Denver icon since its founding in 1971, this outpost of the Tattered Cover is compact compared to its flagship location on East Colfax. But rest assured—you’ill still find an expertly curated selection of new fiction, classics, nonfiction, local reads, and periodicals that you can read in Union Station’s airy Great Hall.

Next, stoll over to 5 Green Boxes, an independent, eclectic boutique that offers everything from accessories and jewelry to greeting cards and home goods, and pick up a one-of-a-kind gift for a loved one.

1 p.m.
Stay close to your home base at the Crawford with lunch at James Beard Award–winning chef Alex Seidel’s Mercantile, located on the north side of Union Station. During the day, Mercantile serves farm-to-table lunches, including a selection of sandwiches—banh mi, Italian hero, and pork pastrami to name just a few—that are among the very best in the city. (Mercantile also offers a two-course prix fixe lunch with optional wine pairings.)

6 p.m.
Check out the intimate and swanky Cooper Lounge on Union Station’s mezzanine for a happy hour cocktail and snacks. Grab a seat at the marble bar, order a Cooper Manhattan—made with a blend of single-barrel whiskeys and Carpano Antica—and a charcuterie board, and take in the view through the massive, arched windows of Wynkoop and 17th streets. Or, if you’d rather revel in the hustle and bustle of Union Station, grab a seat downstairs at one of Terminal Bar's communal tables and order from their extensive draft beer selection, featuring Colorado microbreweries and spirits.

After you’ve whet your appetite, take the short walk across the train platform to Tavernetta, the upscale Italian restaurant founded by Lacklan Mackinnon-Patterson and Master Sommelier Bobby Stucky in 2017. You can’t go wrong ordering at Tavernetta, but be sure to get the focaccia, at least one of the handmade pastas, and one of the “secondi” dishes, like the slow-roasted pork with salsa verdi. The wine list is exclusively composed of Italian wines (with the exception of Champagne); try pairing a bold Chianti Classico with the rich rigatoni and lamb ragu.

Take your time wandering back inside Union Station and enjoy a sweet ending to your evening at Baumé where you can choose from classic favorite desserts, European-inspired treats, and a curated list of Champagne.