Near Hampden South, Denver, CO 356 Apartments for Rent

The DTC! Otherwise known as the Denver Tech Center, but none of the locals call it that, as you’ll soon find. Crawling with many businesses and hotels, the DTC has really grown a lot over the years. You’ll find many local employees enjoying lunch around this area on any given weekday, though it’s also a great spot for non-employees to hang out as well. Parking around here is pretty easy, as most businesses and merchants have their own lots. No meters over here... phew! The light rail also runs through here making it easy to get to, and easy to get from DTC to downtown Denver. The two closest stops are the Orchard and Belleview stations, serviced by both the E and F lines.

One of the big must-sees over here is Sheplers SUPER store. It’s a place chock full of western wear, exudes the smell of leather, and is sure to suit all your western needs. They have a huge selection of cowboy boots, which anyone living in Colorado needs. Even if spurs and chaps aren’t your things, it’s worth a peek inside to soak up some of the Old West culture.

For your workout needs, there are quite a few options. Denver Athletic Club, 24 Hour Fitness, and Pure Barre (for those who want to get their ballet on), just to name a few, are great options. You may even be able to squeeze a lunchtime workout in if you work close by.

Fiddler’s Green concert venue is very close by so this is a great area to hang out pre-show. East Belleview Avenue is dotted with a number of small eateries that you can stop in before hitting up Fiddler’s. There are almost too may to mention, so you’re sure to find something you’ll like with so many options available. Yaya’s Euro Bistro has a patio filled with yellow umbrellas overlooking a lovely pond and fountain. Fiocchi’s pizza claims to have the best happy hour in the DTC, which seems like reason enough to stop in. Cool River Café is a delicious steakhouse with a great reputation. Woody Creek Bakery and Café is a quaint little place with 5 other locations throughout Colorado. They make a delicious breakfast sandwich, great to grab on the go.

And we can’t mention the DTC without bringing up Shannahan’s. This is another delicious steakhouse, but with a more modern flare. Surely if you’re living in Colorado, you must know who Mike Shannahan is as well. If you don’t, Google it. Asking may get you some strange looks.

If you continue up East Belleview Avenue, heading West (or as they say in Colorado, toward the Mountains), you’ll hit Landmark Place. This center is home to a few great restaurants, shops, bars, and as mentioned earlier, Barre. Be sure to know the difference between the two or you’ll look silly ordering a pint from the workout instructors. HW Home is a modern furniture store located here, which is sure to inspire your inner interior designer. Curtis Ballroom is home to Comedy Works, Lucy’s, and Lila B. Lucy’s is located on the upper level at the top of a glamorous staircase. I say this because they have crystals hanging from the ceiling on the way up. The dining room is adorned with various French Bulldog art, sure to make you smile. One can only assume that this is Lucy. They also offer a cheeky menu, and breakfast until 2!

Lila B. is a stylin’ lounge located downstairs, and is a great place to grab a drink before or after Lucy’s or seeing a comedy show. This is a great trifecta of places as you can eat, drink, and see a show all without leaving the building! Can someone say snow day?

Slattery’s Irish Pub and Pizza Republic are located across the street from each other, near the ballroom. Pizza Republica has one of the more extensive wine lists I’ve ever seen. It’s bigger than the food menu! Red subway style tiles adorn the pizza prep area, and the ceiling boasts some pretty neat chandeliers. I highly suggest you try the grilled asparagus with goat cheese. Slatery’s Irish Pub is the nicest-looking pub around. Far from the dingy, dark and musty pubs that you sometimes see, it’s a classy, clean pub that you could really spend some time in with friends or watching sports.

Pappadeaux is one of my personal favorites year round. It has an amazing patio with a few water features that make for a great place to sit out in the summer months, but also a funky indoor area, which is welcoming in Winter. Their colorful bistro lights can be seen from I-25 beckoning passerby’s to come in for some good ‘ole Cajun cooking and delicious seafood. The menu is to die for, they have fun drinks, and lots to look at. If the weather is hot, and you’re getting thirsty while enjoying the patio, I might suggest the Swamp Thing. The menu lists it as “a frozen mystery blend from the Louisiana swamps.” Or if that sounds a bit scary, the Frenchman Street Spritz is very refreshing. It comes with fruit pieces in the bottom, so you can claim you’re getting a serving of fruit while sipping a cocktail.

Wallace Park offers a peaceful setting away from the shopping and dining. It’s a nice, well-maintained scenic park with plenty of shade and even a sledding hill. It’s a nice piece of nature and a little oasis in the middle of the local homes and businesses.

DTC has something for everyone, and is worth a look. Despite what it might have been in the past, it’s grown so much that you could really get lost here for a day and still leave feeling like you have much more to see.