The Great Hall
The main event is the Great Hall - the cavernous former waiting room with 65-foot ceilings, original chandeliers, and restored benches. Now filled with leather chairs and sofas, it's become Denver's favorite spot to grab a drink and soak in the atmosphere.
The Terminal Bar occupies one end, serving craft cocktails and local beers. Grab a seat in one of the leather club chairs, order a drink, and watch the mix of commuters, tourists, and locals flow through. The string lights come on at dusk and the space transforms.
It's free to visit and hang out - you don't need to buy anything to sit in the Great Hall, though you'll probably want to. The architecture alone is worth a look even if you're just passing through.
Where to Eat & Drink
Terminal Bar: The anchor bar in the Great Hall. Solid cocktails, local beers, and a great vibe. Grab a seat in the leather chairs if you can find one.
Mercantile Dining & Provision: Farm-to-table from chef Alex Seidel. Upscale but not stuffy. Great for a nicer dinner before or after drinks in the hall.
Stoic & Genuine: Oyster bar and seafood. Fresh shellfish and craft cocktails. The raw bar is excellent.
Snooze: Brunch spot known for pancake flights and breakfast tacos. Usually a wait on weekends, but worth it.
Pigtrain Coffee: Local roaster with a small counter in the station. Good for a quick caffeine fix before catching a train.
Pro Tip: The Cooper Lounge upstairs is a hidden gem. It's technically part of the Crawford Hotel but open to the public. Quieter, great views of the Great Hall below, and solid cocktails.
Transit Information
Union Station is Denver's main transit hub, connecting light rail, buses, and Amtrak. The A Line runs to Denver International Airport in about 37 minutes for $10.50 each way - cheaper and often faster than rideshare.
Multiple RTD light rail lines converge here, making it easy to reach from anywhere in the metro area. The Free MallRide bus runs from Union Station down the 16th Street Mall.
Amtrak's California Zephyr stops here on its Chicago-to-San Francisco route. If you've got time and want a scenic adventure, the westbound route through the Rockies is spectacular.
Parking & Access
If you're driving, there's paid parking in the underground garage. Rates start around $5/hour. Street parking in LoDo is metered and competitive, especially on weekends.
Better option: take light rail or rideshare. The whole point of Union Station is the atmosphere - driving and parking stress undercuts the experience.