logo

    Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Denver, CO for Tourists — 2026 Guide

    4 neighborhoods ranked by walkability, transit access, safety, air quality, and bikeability — the factors that matter most for a great tourist experience.

    Walk Score: 95Transit: 80Safety: 10.3 per 1KAQI: 48Population: 715,5222026 Data

    Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Denver for Tourists — Key Takeaways

    The #1 recommended neighborhood for tourists in Denver is LoDo with a Tourist Score of 66/100. The most walkable area is Highlands with a Walk Score of 94/100 (Walker's Paradise). The safest neighborhood is Highlands with a violent crime rate of 10.3 per 1,000 residents. Best public transit access is in LoDo with a Transit Score of 88/100.

    Data sourced from Walk Score, FBI Crime Data Explorer, EPA AirNow, DOT, and the US Census Bureau. Last updated: March 2026.

    Looking at a specific address in Denver?

    Get a free AI-powered neighborhood report with 50+ data points.

    Top 3 Neighborhoods for Tourists

    LoDo

    66/100

    Tourist Score

    Walk: 93
    Transit: 88
    Crime: 10.3

    Highlands

    62/100

    Tourist Score

    Walk: 94
    Transit: 66
    Crime: 10.3

    Cherry Creek

    57/100

    Tourist Score

    Walk: 92
    Transit: 42
    Crime: 13.0
    Complete Rankings — 4 Neighborhoods
    LoDo66
    Walk: 93Transit: 88Crime: 10.3AQI: 48
    Highlands62
    Walk: 94Transit: 66Crime: 10.3AQI: 48
    Cherry Creek57
    Walk: 92Transit: 42Crime: 13.0AQI: 48
    4
    RiNo54
    Walk: 76Transit: 54Crime: 10.3AQI: 48

    Rankings by Category

    Top neighborhoods in Denver for each tourist-relevant metric.

    Tourist Score

    Best overall for tourists

    1. 1
      LoDo
      66/100
    2. 2
      Highlands
      62/100
    3. 3
      Cherry Creek
      57/100
    Most Walkable

    Highest Walk Score

    1. 1
      Highlands
      94/100
    2. 2
      LoDo
      93/100
    3. 3
      Cherry Creek
      92/100
    Best Transit

    Highest Transit Score

    1. 1
      LoDo
      88/100
    2. 2
      Highlands
      66/100
    3. 3
      RiNo
      54/100
    Safest

    Lowest violent crime rate

    1. 1
      Highlands
      10.3 per 1K
    2. 2
      LoDo
      10.3 per 1K
    3. 3
      RiNo
      10.3 per 1K
    Most Bikeable

    Highest Bike Score

    1. 1
      RiNo
      97/100
    2. 2
      Cherry Creek
      92/100
    3. 3
      LoDo
      89/100
    Cleanest Air

    Lowest Air Quality Index

    1. 1
      Highlands
      AQI 48
    2. 2
      LoDo
      AQI 48
    3. 3
      RiNo
      AQI 48
    How We Rank Neighborhoods for Tourists in Denver

    Neighborhoods are ranked using the Tourist Score, a composite index designed to identify the best areas for visitors. It prioritizes the factors that matter most for a safe, convenient, and enjoyable tourist experience:

    Walkability (Walk Score)
    35% weight
    Safety (Violent Crime)
    25% weight
    Transit Access (Transit Score)
    20% weight
    Air Quality (AQI)
    10% weight
    Bikeability (Bike Score)
    10% weight

    Walkability is weighted highest because tourists benefit most from being able to explore on foot. Safety is critical for visitors unfamiliar with the area. Transit access enables easy movement without a rental car. Air quality and bikeability round out the score for an overall pleasant visit.

    Data Sources: Walk Score, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR), US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, EPA AirNow, and DOT National Transportation data. All data is refreshed on a rolling basis as new 2026 government releases become available.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the best neighborhoods to stay in Denver for tourists?
    The top neighborhoods to stay in Denver for tourists based on our Tourist Score are: LoDo, Highlands, Cherry Creek, RiNo. These rankings prioritize walkability, safety, transit access, air quality, and bikeability.
    What is the most walkable area in Denver for visitors?
    The most walkable neighborhood in Denver for visitors is Highlands with a Walk Score of 94/100. A high Walk Score means daily errands, restaurants, and attractions are accessible on foot — ideal for tourists.
    Is Denver safe for tourists?
    Denver, CO has crime rates that vary by neighborhood. The safest neighborhood is Highlands with a rate of 10.3 per 1,000. We recommend checking neighborhood-level data before booking your stay.
    What neighborhood in Denver has the best public transit?
    The neighborhood with the best public transit in Denver is LoDo with a Transit Score of 88/100. Staying in a transit-rich neighborhood lets tourists explore the city without needing a rental car.
    Where should first-time visitors stay in Denver?
    First-time visitors to Denver should consider staying in LoDo, which ranks #1 overall with a Tourist Score of 66/100. It offers the best combination of walkability, safety, and transit access for newcomers to the city.
    Is Denver a walkable city?
    Denver has a Walk Score of 95/100, which is considered a Walker's Paradise. The national average Walk Score is 48/100. Some neighborhoods are significantly more walkable than others — check our rankings above to find the best areas for exploring on foot.

    Explore More About Denver

    City HubOverview & all guidesNeighborhoodsAll neighborhoods and scoresBest NeighborhoodsTop-rated areas to liveAffordable NeighborhoodsBudget-friendly areasUp & ComingEmerging neighborhoodsYoung ProfessionalsBest for career startersRetiree NeighborhoodsIdeal for retirementLiving In GuideComplete city guide

    Plan Your Stay in Denver with Confidence

    Search any address in Denver for an AI-powered report with 50+ data points, including walkability, safety, transit access, and local amenities.