Want to check out downtown. (Denver, Boulder: neighborhood, shops, homeless)

[amb]

Hi all, we just moved to the Denver area and would like to explore the downtown area a bit, but don't know where to start. Should we go to the Pearl St. area (and where exactly is that?) or should we go to the LoDo area (and where exactly is that?). My google search isn't turning up enough specific details, so any you can share are appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[vegaspilgrim]

The Pearl St Mall is in Boulder (unless if you're talking about old South Pearl St, a neighborhood business district in south Denver). Usually, the 16th st mall, a mile long pedestrian/busway in downtown Denver, is badged as "The Thing" to do for tourists to downtown. I would probably start there-- walk up and down the street. Personally I don't care for it. It's worth seeing at least once, so you know what people are talking about-- but there's little that's unique about it-- mainly a bunch of chains. Then when you want to explore more of downtown, there's the Lodo district, another "trendy" area. Part of the 16th st mall (the northern part) goes through Lodo. My favorite area is called the "Golden Triangle," where the Public Library, Art Museum, Colorado History Museum, a couple of other museums, and the State Capitol are. A lot of cultural attractions there, but a lot of homeless bums too. There's the central business district with all the tall skyscrapers, mainly along 17th st and Broadway. Not much to do there as a tourist. There's a new/gentrified area of downtown by Riverfront (sp?) Park, right by the Platte River, which could be worth checking out. Capitol Hill, on Colfax just east of Downtown is an interesting neighborhood worth checking out too.

[alexisnicolem]

Are you looking for good food? Good shops? Museums? Culture?