The University of Denver is a private university with just under 6,000 undergraduates located at the base of the Rocky Mountains in the University Neighborhood, approximately seven miles south of downtown Denver.  Many college counselors will tell you that DU is an excellent choice; up and coming and under the radar with strong programs and a happy, engaged student body. Denver itself is having a moment with an exciting restaurant scene and a hip, vibrant downtown all just a quick car or train ride away.

Visitor Information: Tour University of Denver

Transportation: Fly into Denver International Airport (DEN). If you don’t want to rent a car, the long-awaited "Train to the Plane," a new rail line that runs from the airport to downtown and vice versa, opened in 2016. Riders departing from the airport will reach Union Station in 37 minutes, with trains leaving every 15 minutes during peak times. There's a light rail station right next to DU that serves as a stop on the E, F and H lines. You can use the light rail to connect to all of Denver, just a few steps from the center of campus. Getting downtown by rail is quick and easy, and you can also use it to get back to the airport.

Stay: Many families choose to stay in the adjacent neighborhood of Cherry Creek at the Courtyard by Marriott just two miles from campus or the Hyatt Place. The new boutique Halcyon Hotel is a welcome new addition to the neighborhood joining the higher end J.W. Marriott Cherry Creek and the Four Seasons. Want to stay downtown and be more in the thick of things? The Crawford has garnered a lot of buzz since it opened in 2014, located in the beautifully renovated Union Station lively with ten bars and restaurants. (Union Station is Denver’s iconic train station, in use since 1881.) New on the scene and just two minutes from Union Station the Kimpton’s Hotel Born offers a relaxed, yet stylish overnight stop.  Also downtown, Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco is another good choice. Located in Denver's art district, try The Ramble Hotel or The Art Hotel where you can sleep in style surrounded by works by the likes of Ed Ruscha and Kiki Smith.

Coffee: Close to campus, do as the students do and start the day with an air-roasted brew at Kaladi’s Coffee. Serving artisanal drinks in a hip, industrial space, Corvus is just a short drive from DU. Staying downtown? Local friends steered us to Crema Coffee House or Tattered Cover –a café and bookstore.  Get your coffee to go and browse Tattered’s selection of books, magazines, newspapers, greeting cards and gift items.  

Breakfast: Jelly Café’s slogan is “eat more jelly,” a nod to their famous jelly donuts. Don’t miss this extremely popular, student go to spot; try the Cornflake French Toast or the Harvest Hash. Snooze with numerous locations throughout Denver is extremely popular for breakfast and brunch.

Lunch: Head to North Italia or True Foods Kitchen in nearby Cherry Creek. Vert Kitchen is a cozy café dishing up healthy sandwiches and salads. Beloved Boulder restaurant, The Kitchen, has a branch in nearby Glendale serving the inventive bistro menu they are known for. If you’re a Chipotle fan you might just want to visit where it all began. Close to DU is the very first Chipotle, opened in 1993. Another student fast food pick near campus is Anthony's Pizza and Pasta.

Dinner

Casual: Union Station is home to two of Denver’s best restaurants: Mercantile Dining & Provision serving seasonal, comfort food and Stoic and Genuine specializing in fresh seafood and fish, flown in daily. (We like Mercantile for breakfast or lunch as well.) Other top-tier choices include eclectic Euclid Hall Bar & Kitchen and gastropub Colt and Gray. At Work and Class, the menu mixes American and Latin flavors in an inventive and always delicious way. Great drinks plus a buzzy atmosphere add to a fun night out.

A Step Up: We loved our meal at Acorn considered one of Denver’s best restaurants, located within The Source Hotel & Market Hall, a super cool reclaimed 1880’s foundry turned into a gourmet marketplace in Denver’s River North District. Everyone in Denver is talking about Tavernetta, the new Italian restaurant from the team behind Boulder’s wildly popular Frasca. This is the hottest table in town and we highly recommend making your reservations in advance.  It’s open for both lunch and dinner with an emphasis on wood-fired fare. Tiny Fruition, considered one of the top tables in Colorado, specializes in refined seasonal cuisine with many of the menu items coming directly from chef Alex Seidel’s farm. After a stint at NY’s Budakhan, Chef Lon Symensma opened Modern Asian ChoLon and immediately garnered rave reviews and legions of fans. Sushi Den always has long waits, even after 30 years their sushi is that good, the best in Denver. Another hot table, The Wolf’s Tailor, located in Sunnyside, has been a sensation since it opened. It's a playful spot with delicious small plates and more substantial dishes meant to share. There’s only one problem. Just named one of the ten best restaurants in the country by Bon Appetit Magazine waits, and reservations will now be impossible.

Sweet Bites:  Get your camera ready, Little Man Ice Cream is a Denver landmark, housed in a 28 ft. high milk jug can. It delivers not just delicious ice cream, but good old-fashioned nostalgia.

Local Attractions:  Stroll Denver’s downtown, where urban hip meets cowboy chic. The revitalized LoDo (lower downtown) district has 28 square blocks of restaurants, shops, sports bars, and pubs. Don’t miss a stop at Rockmount Ranch Wear for a taste of the old west, a great store for a browse and to pick up a cowboy shirt to bring home. Have younger kids in tow, keep them entertained at the United States Mint. Leave some time for a visit to the Denver Art Museum to see the striking addition from architect Daniel Libeskind. The museum is known for its collection of American Indian Art. Students love to hang out in Washington Park, visit the Botanical Gardens or catch a game at Coors Field or Mile High Stadium. Check out denver.org and colorado.com to see what's happening while you're visiting.