Getting Oriented

Denver's downtown is laid out at a 45-degree angle to the rest of the metro area. Interstate 25 bisects Denver north to south, and I–70 runs east to west. University Boulevard is a major north–south road and Speer Boulevard is a busy diagonal street. Most Denverites are tied to their vehicles, but the light-rail works well if you're going to certain areas.

If you're staying downtown, you can visit LoDo, Capitol Hill, RiNo, and Larimer Square by walking or using the light-rail or the free Mall shuttle. The Central Platte Valley can be accessed by taking the Mall shuttle all the way north to the end and then walking across the pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge. You will need a car to get to Cherry Creek or City Park, however, but once there, those sections also are easy to explore on foot.