The Inside Scoop

LoDo, short for Lower Downtown, is the original vortex of the modern universe at the foot of the Rockies that we call Denver. Still to this day, LoDo is historically appealing yet remains the originator for the hip and happening mode of the city, with THE hottest clubs and shops tossed in among historical landmarks such as Union Station and the Ice House building. Remaining a playground for both the young and young at heart, the hood buzzes with energy on the streets day and night...

Pick your poison, for it's sure to flourish here. Art galleries, coffee & tea houses, shopping galore ~ ladies love it! Big-time sports, game & pool halls, ever-flowin' breweries ~ dudes dig it! Please everyone with trips to an amusement park, a museum or tempting bar & grills...

Should the yearning for a quiet corner to yourself arise, many such abodes do exist in the Denver Lofts available here in the heart of the city. The metropolitan escapes here are mixed into the most tantalizing concoctions of revitalized residences and recreational remembrances available, all in close proximity for utmost pleasure and play.

Entertainment, Theater & Music

Okay, so maybe your idea of entertainment is a National basketball game... or maybe a Black Eyed Peas concert... well, whatever it be, catch one at the nearby Pepsi Center! With it being the home of the Denver Nuggets AND the Colorado Avalanche, you're sure to score an exciting game against some outlandish visiting team. That is unless Fergie and her rappin' cohorts steal the courts for a sold-out performance, then the crowds will all share in the victory...

Sound a bit too crowdy? That's all cool, just catch a touring Broadway show that often stops at The Buell Theater inside the Denver Performing Arts Center. Or crack your face at the Comedy Works, where well-known stand-ups often share the mic with local yocals. For a more chill music setting try the Paramount Theater with its art-deco design and street-side seating, but big-time rock concerts...

Now if that even sounds like too much energy, hit the Denver Pavilions at the 16th Street Mall. Here's the place to catch the latest blockbuster in the UA movie theater, bowl your butts off at Lucky Strike Lanes, or treat your ears to the live music filling Jazz @ Jacks.

Nightlife

Need to kick up your heels? Maybe check out some betties or beaus? How about catch your favorite sports team playing on-screen? Well, you're in the right place peeps! With over 70 bars and nightclubs just in LoDo, you'll get the job done. Within a few strolls from these Denver Lofts, you'll find a plethora of welcoming saloons, sports bars, ecclectic lounges, even the occasional brewery overflowin' with fraternization and frivolity.

Okay, now what major city would be complete without its own Hard Rock Cafe or Coyote Ugly?!? Find the rock n' roll antiquities AND the jaw-droppin' hotties all in one spot in Denver pavilions in the 16th Street Mall. Cruise these LoDo hotspots for the best dancefloor or plant your butt on the stool for some people watchin'... Whatever your style, add it to the mix!

Area Restaurants

Satisfy that hunger inside with LoDo restaurants, cafes and diners that line the streets and emit tempting aromas and worldly menus. From Brazilian steakhouses to sushi bars, taste the spice of life cookin' up all around you.

Try Vesta Dipping Grill for a truly enlivening experience that unites the spirit with its thirst for life. Here art, comfort and unbelievable creations combine to indulge your palate. Spaghetti Factory is the place to gorge yourself on some hearty Italian food, they even have rooms for parties, meetings and more. If you've got a hankerin' in the mornin' for some awesome breakfast food, hit the Snooze A.M. Eatery and you'll be satisfied to the max with affordable yet gut-bustin' food.

Parks & Recs

When you can't take it anymore, just take a jaunt down to one of the local parks within walking distance from Denver Lofts in LoDo. At Confluence Park on 15th Street, you can find a bit of natural beauty and outdoorsy fun where the Platte meets Cherry Creek. Get your feet wet in the river or toss the frisbee around on those sunny days. Grab some Starbucks and some good company for a walk in the park on those chilly days, even play in the snow. If art is more your escape, admire it in the Gates Sculpture Triangle Park, just south of Union Station. Mix these two environments and you've got Centennial Park, with beautifully sculpted formal gardens, less crowds and a more natural feeling next to the South Platte.

Lookin' to skate, blade or bike? Check out Denver Skate Park on 19th, where the kids can entertain themselves in a playground fit for Tony Hawk, one of the largest skate parks in the nation. If thats too much of a close call, there's always the Cherry Creek Trail starting at Confluence Park running through LoDo and Capitol Hill, all the way to Cherry Creek Reservoir (if your that adventurous). The jist of it is that if you need to get out and play, LoDo has ways.

The Commute

Best thing about LoDo is that you're in the heart of the city and these Denver Lofts usually include parking for you and yours. Everything you need is right here, around the corner or down the street. Getting out of LoDo is easy as pie though, with I-25 being accessible from the major thoroughfares here and a bus system that can't be beat. The light rail branches out for connections to outlying areas of Denver or Denver International Airport. And, of course, taxi cabs are always there street-side, awaiting the occasional victim for his entertaining and speedy joyride through the city...

Shopping

Between the forces of 16th Street Mall, Denver Pavilions and Larimer Square, be prepared to rack up a healthy credit card bill, ladies and gentlemen. Shop until your heart's content at the major retail chains of Denver Pavilions, like Banana Republic, GAP or Express. Or take in local fashion at locally owned boutiques and galleries in Larimer Square, like Cry Baby Ranch, Violet, and Loft 22.

Gifts, media and books abound in a sea of stores and shops including the Larimer Mission Gift Shop, Barnes & Noble, the Virgin Megastore and Brighton Collectibles. Need to get your hear did? Stop by Sisto's Salon or Luxe Salon for the freshest look to turn heads. Furniture, jewelry and shoes are also bustin' out their boxes to catch your eye at Element, Sashe, or John Atencio.

Replenish your buying energy with bites to eat or some java at the many eateries and coffeehouses throughout the malls, ranging from Maggiano's Little Italy and Corner Bakery Cafe to Starbucks, Bistro Vendome and TAG. End the day of splurging with a margarita from Lime, Larimer Square's famous cantina or pick up a bottle of wine from Jerri's Tobacco Shop & Fine Wines to take home and enjoy while you relish in your new found treasures.

Going Green

Tossing away otherwise reusable containers and products has become a thing of yesteryear, thankfully. Do your part to help out with the local Young Professionals Committee's attempt to reeducate and develop recycling habits in LoDo's historical district.

Following the lead of those bohemian Boulderites, the Downtown Denver Partnership has opted to place recycling bins on every block in 16th Street Mall. Young Professionals Committee recently held an open house to gather the community for ideas, viewpoints and players to introduce a more eco-friendly way of maintaining the revitalization habits of LoDo in respect to the green way...

Schools

When it's time for schoolin' the kiddies in Downtown Denver isn't your typical day in history class, as there be many educational choices from preschools/early childhood education up to universities & colleges. From West Highlands to Five Points to the Golden Triangle, Denver Public Schools provides ten elementary/K-8, two middle, and four high schools to pick from – for as long as there's space, your offspring can attend ANY school and DPS employs a lottery system if too many applications are received for one in particular. Top-rated among the elementaries are Polaris at Ebert Elementary on Park Avenue and Bromwell Elementary near York & 3rd Avenue.

The six charter schools in these areas teach pupils ranging from toddlers all the way to high school ages, but follow their own rules of attendance. Other options include a few Montessories and some specialized academies like Crofton-Ebert Elementary, Morey Middle School or Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning that offer highly-gifted and talented programs. CEC Middle College and the Denver Center for International Studies help prepare students for college and the business world with exemplary classes and activities.

Now, if you're afraid of being shone up by these young contenders, get yourself into some higher learning by attending one of the great colleges and universities right here surrounding our Denver Lofts. University of Colorado Denver, Metro State College of Denver and Community College of Denver are here to help and edumacate! Visit the Tivoli Student Union, a division of the Auraria Higher Education Center, for programs, services and assistance with such improvement steps. If you'd like to get some wicked art or design skills then the Art Institute of Colorado is right down the road...

Sports

Some may think this is a no-brainer. If you don't, get in the game! Denver is the Camelot for Colorado sports teams and Downtown, my friend, is the Round Table of all the major players. At the Pepsi Center, catch the Denver Nuggets OR the Avalanche in an intense battle against those non-contenders from out-of-state. Hit Coors Field to watch the Rockies slam rivals like the Dodgers or Giants. Best of all, enter Invesco Field and witness the crushing power of our very own Broncos against, say, the Faiders... oh, we mean, Raiders. And yet, little known outside of Denver probably, we've got the Denver Outlaws making the dormancy of football a bit more exciting with their fast-paced lacrosse matches.

For sports bars, LoDo has almost too many to mention, ubt a few stand out as MVPs. LoDo's Bar & Grill on Market Street has the better grub for your pre or post-game revelry. Hop on over to Jackson's Sports Rock, just across the street from Coors Field, and bring your cronies for a private party or banquet 'cause they got the room. The official sports bar of the Colorado Rockies, Sports Column located on Blake Street, has scores of hi-def broadcasts throughout...

Medical & Health Care

With all the action here in LoDo, someone's bound to end up with some bumps and bruises. But, no need to fret. They just need to get their butt down to one of the many hospitals or clinics nearby...

Three major health care systems give medical aide here in Downtown Denver - HealthOne, Denver Health, and Exempla.

HealthOne Systems have the LoDo Internal Medicine Clinic (doubles as the AfterOurs Urgent Care for late night help) on Wazee and the full-fledged Presbyterian/St Luke's Medical Center on East 19th Avenue. Denver Health Medical Center awaits near 8th & Delaware, Exempla St. Joseph's Hospital is ready to mend on Franklin and the University of Colorado provides advanced yet comprehensive care at their hospital on West 13th Avenue. Alternative medicine is available at Healing Arts on 16th Street, who combines eastern and western medicine in cooperation with many of the above facilities.

Maintain the bod by hitting any of the local gyms, yoga sessions, or even put your pride on the shelf and be a young man at the YMCA of Metro Denver. Join the well-kown Denver Athletic Club or the Colorado Athletic Club, who offer pilates classes, racquetball facilities, personal training and cool pools to energize and revamp. Relish a zen moment at one of CorePower Yoga's locations or get ripped at Dumbbells Fitness Club on 17th Street...