Hello!
I'm possibly coming to your fair city in August with my mom (60+). We will be flying in and won't have a car but aren't afraid of public transportation. We'd love to stay in a central-ish area with things to do close by. We are into good food, outdoors, shopping with emphasis on local handmade/neat/unique goods, museums and I'm into craft beer. We're pretty much open to any adventure, really.
Thanks for any info! Cheers!
Edit: Thanks for all the help! Can't wait to visit :D
I'm from the UK and I'm planning a two week vacation to Colorado next summer, however I've seen some videos and such about the difficulties of not having a car. Neither me or my friend drive so I'm wondering how difficult it's going to be? I'd like to visit places such as Colorado Springs, Estes Park and Telluride (I would probably stay here overnight) while primarily staying in Denver. Will this be possible?
Just a quick update: I'm very aware of the fact that Colorado is bigger than the entirety of the UK and I cannot just get my drivers license. I live in a small city and the test alone has a huge back log due to Covid, thanks :)
Hey all!
I'm planning a 4-5 day trip to Denver for the end of October and I was hoping for some awesome itinerary items that I could do without renting a car. I've heard mixed advice about needing one there, but I'd really rather not if I can just use my feet or public transit.
I'm super open to exploring the 420 culture, awesome booze and food, museums, and some light hiking. Any tips on which neighbourhoods I should stay in for easy pedestrian access and activity suggestions would be amazing. As a solo 30something female, safety is obviously priority too :)
Thanks!
Where would you live if you had no access to a vehicle? Your only means of getting around were public transportation and walking. Possibly biking.
Depends on what rent you're willing to pay. I'd say if you just don't care and are curious, lohi is good, lodo, anywhere downtown you can walk to union station and get busses anywhere. Outside of downtown I'd say 5 points area has light rail access and is really bikable. Colfax also has good bike access and lots of shops/businesses within walking distance. Highlands also off 38th has some grocery stores and bus access. I'd also suggest maybe mayfair, but the public transport isn't good. Okay, honestly I just basically named a bunch of places with a grocery store nearby because that's the only thing I ever drive to and I live in park hill. Stapleton actually, for that matter, would be okay without a car, all the busses run through there.
I recommend sticking to somewhere in Denver proper. The suburbs have some great scenic bike trails and some select light rail lines, but the bike lanes abruptly end and don't seem to get you where you are trying to go. You might be able to find a spot in the suburbs where all of your necessities are nearby, but it might be an hour commute to work, or you'll be stuck with the 2 chain restaurants you live by. I currently live in the Platt Park neighborhood without a car. I'm within a ~15 minute walk (or ~5 minute bike ride) to 3 parks, 5 breweries, 2 grocery stores, a handful of restaurants and coffee shops, and a car rental place. Not to mention the light rail is a 10 minute walk away which can get you downtown or to the tech center in about 15 minutes. My favorite part is Platt Park is much quieter than the neighborhoods adjacent to downtown.
I have been toying with the idea of moving cross country but worried about getting around without a car.
What is your transit system like? I live in Chicago and do not need a car at all.
I’m assuming around downtown might be the best option without a car but what areas specifically.
For example in Chicago I would never live downtown because it’s full of tourists and crazy expensive, but with the train system I live on the north side by the lake. This is like a 35-40 minute commute.
Thanks!
Looking at hotel and Airbnb’s. What’s a good area to be close to some action in town but also Red Rocks accessible?
I want to move back to Denver (Haven't been there in a long time since I was a kid), but I was curious if its possible to live car free? Like is the public transport good enough to get some errands done?
I've done it at multiple times in my life from multiple parts of the city. Definitely an option, but you have to build your life around it. You can't live out in horse country past the suburbs and expect it to work. Density is the key.
Yes it is absolutely possible! Obviously, how easy it is depends on which neighborhood you live in. I am in cap hill and have 3 grocery stores (and pretty much anything else you could need) within a 10-15 minute walk. Never really need a car unless going to the mountains.
Just wanted to see some opinions on this. I work from home and my apartment building that I’m moving to has a gym in it, and a kings soopers is only a 15 minute walk away. Anyone have any experience living in denver with no car?
What areas can you live without a car? Preferably somewhere I can get to downtown without a car.
And is there even any point doing it, because, as I understand, all the good nature and scenery is hours away.
At 30, I think I'm too old for Boulder
There are a lot of apartment complexes that have popped up near light rail stops that'll easily get you downtown. Along the W line on the west side of town etc.
IMO boulder isn't really what it used to be. 30 isn't too old for boulder any more...boulder is now more about being rich than being young.
When I lived in North Cap Hill, I could easily walk to Safeway, Natural Grocers, the vet's office, dispensary...etc. I got fucked with every now and then, so if you have a hard time with that, I'd get a bike.
Hey Denver-ites (probably not the right way to address everyone, but eh), I am moving to your city from Atlanta later this year and was wondering if it's possible to go carless. I will be living downtown/Capital Hill fyi and working from home fyi.
I've been to Denver a number of times, but it's always been at an Airbnb and I Ubered everywhere so I haven't had to worry about my car. In Atlanta, you have to have a car to get around due to the public transportation being so shitty, but I want to save money and excluding a car and insurance would save me ~$550/month, which is a huge chunk of change.
My question to anyone is: Is it possible to go carless in Denver?
Edit: Thanks to everyone who has responded. Sounds like an overwhelming "Yes, you can." The only thing I have to think about now is to get to the mountains (buy a cheap car, use car2go, or go the rental route).
Thanks again and see you all in late October!
It's possible if you don't like going to the mountains all the time. While I do have a car, I pretty much don't drive it unless I'm going outside of the metro area. Everything within the circle of ec470 is bikeable, transitable, and uberable.
Working from home in Cap Hill, I honestly couldn't imagine why you would have a car. It would just add so much more stress (parking/tickets/damage) and expense than you'd get out of it.
If you want to take a trip to the mountains or wherever, hop in a car2go for the whole day for $60-$80.
Get a bike for the immediate area, uber/lyft for anything further, and car2go for when you need your own car.
I'm a student who's planning on visiting during spring break (end of march). Not sure if I should look into public transportation or taxis/uber for navigating the downtown areas?
Also, if anyone has suggestions for good tours or anything like that, please let me know! I'm planning on going with grayline and coloradosightseer to visit pikes peak and rocky mountains national park, but don't really have much else by means of an itinerary.
I visited before I moved here and was able to get around just fine by walking/b-Cycle/Car2go. Everything takes a little longer, but that's the best way to visit a place anyway.
Oh and the buses are pretty okay too.
Hope you have a great time!
Downtown is good to walk when it's not Hoth outside. Uber and/or Lyft are cheaper than cabs, and less gross. Fallback to RTD during rush hour if they go into surge pricing.
Peruse the sidebar link for 'visiting' if you want ideas in town. Tons of statewide suggestions in r/VacationColorado
We are going to a wedding near Rocky Mountain National park and decided to extend the trip and stay in the Denver area Sunday and Monday night before returning home. We are likely going to drive to Colorado Springs and do a half day there, but currently have no other plans. Was thinking we maybe just stay in the suburbs since I doubt Sunday/Monday night is going to be lively anywhere and it’s a short trip, but that seems really counterintuitive to actually experiencing a place. What are you thoughts? I’m currently leaning staying in cherry creek or golden.