I have lived in Denver now for about five years and since I have been here, there are a few places I always come back to because I love the vibe and what it has to offer.
One of those places is Union Station in Downtown Denver.

Here is a little history!
When it was completed in 1881, Denver’s Union Station was the largest structure in the West and included a 128-foot tower! The cost to build was $525,000 which was a ton at that time!

A chandelier in the ladies’ room caused a devastating fire in 1894. The fire led to a redesign in 1914 that included a central area with wrought iron and glass. But in 1914, railroad companies replaced the center hall and roof and built the station that remains today. The city added an iron arch that welcomed travelers, but it was removed in the 1930 because it was considered a traffic hazard.
Union Station got its name from efforts to consolidate transportation. In the beginning of the century the city saw eighty to one hundred trains a day passing through. Not unlike today, Denver needed the infrastructure to handle the influx of arrivals. Before Union Station was built, several different railroad stations had operated in the area now home to LoDo (Lower Downtown) whose unpaved streets made transfers particularly unpleasant. Union Station’s opening was the culmination of efforts to “unionize all the trains coming to Denver.”
A bilingual “Welcome” sign once greeted travelers. As a tribute to Denver citizens, in 1906 the city erected what became known as the “Mizpah Arch” over the Seventeenth Street entrance to the station. When Mayor Robert Speer first dedicated the arch, it said “Welcome” on both sides, but later the sign said “Mizpah” as visitors entered the station, which is Hebrew for “watchtower”. The metal arch had 2,200 electric bulbs that gave visitors a warm welcome, not unlike the lights that now set the station aglow at night. The arch was torn down in 1933, but you can still find the two benches that mark where it once rose.

The “Travel by Train” sign references an era that had already passed. As the use of automobiles rose, Denver’s focus shifted away from rail. By the 1950s the trolleys that had traveled up Seventeenth and Wynkoop since the 1880s stopped running, and passenger air travel started taking off as well. In 1953 Union Station installed the sign “Travel by Train” almost as an homage. Even the beloved Ski Train went in and out of service over the decades that followed. In 1974, the station was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Today, you can travel by train as it has become a beloved way to tour the country, again. There is an Amtrak window inside where you can purchase tickets to travel to a favorite destination or explore a new one!
Present Day

You can you eat, sleep, shop, drink, play, and be in the heart of downtown. You can take the Amtrak as well as the light rail that goes all over Metro Denver and to/from Denver International Airport.

Denver is a unique city with a lot to offer, as well as Colorado has endless events and nature galore! The mountains are a short drive from Denver and if you are craving hot springs, there are a lot of those spectacular natural wonders close by.
I, unfortunately, have not done as much exploring in the state as I should of by now. When I moved here, it was for a bit of a difficult time but I am currently making up for that lost time!
If Denver is on your to-do list, make sure you visit as soon as your are able!
If you have already been to Denver, please leave me a comment and tell me if you enjoyed Union Station as much as I do!
XOXO,
Jaclyn
Looks amazing love the photos
Wow!!! Such a historical monument, definitely a must see.
It definitely is a must-see!
Wow thanks for the historical information. It looks really grand and a must see.
It definitely is a must see if you’re in Denver!
Wao. Amazing travel across time. A must-see spot
I was born and raised in CO and there’s just so much beauty there! Thanks for sharing and you captured such great pics!
whaat! this is super cool! thank you for highlighting it!
Oh my gosh, beautiful pics! I absolutely love Denver/all things Colorado, and this definitely makes me want to hop on a plane to visit again 🙂
Love the bit of history in here! Good write up 🙂
Wow the Denver station is so mesmerizing
It really is!
I wanna go now!!!
You should!
Wow, such a nice place. You have explained things clearly. Love your pictures;)
Thank you!
I LOVE DENVER! Will def have to check out next time I’m there!
Interesting that there is another Union Station, I am familiar with Union Station in DC.
Yeah, there are a few around the country. I’ve been to the one in DC, but it was many years ago!
i haven’t been to denver yet but i would love to visit
You definitely should!
This is so awesome. I love Denver!
This is so awesome!! I love Denver!
What do you like the most about it?
THis is super cool, thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!
I love history and it’s so neat to learn what places used to be like! I’ve never been to Denver but it seems really neat.
If you get the chance, you definitely should!
These photos are beautiful!
Thank you!
Beautiful Monuments….it is great knowing about other country’s history. Thanks for sharing.
Of course 🥰
These pictures are great!! Love it! Can’t wait to visit Denver again!
Thank you and definitely check it out!
I never thought Denver could be so happening! Cool to show the past and present as well.
It really is! There quite a few spots around town that are really cool!