Freshman year at DU can be overwhelming to say the least. On top of getting used to classes, finding your way around campus, meeting new people and all the other inevitable adjustments, learning to navigate the actual city of Denver can seem like all too much.
Don’t fret though, young Pios. The Clarion is here to save the day, or perhaps your entire college career, with this guide to Denver. Let’s start simply by going over your possible methods of transportation. You’ll be happy to find that there are more than you think.
Don’t have a car or a bike? No problem. DU has a few great programs that allow you to cruise around with ease. To access to a car, there’s CarShare, an on-campus rental service open to all licensed students. Simply head to the DU Transportation Center, which is located at J-Mac, and they’ll get you set up with a slick ride in no time. Prices vary depending on what cars are available, but on average you’ll be paying about $8 per hour and about $50 to keep a car overnight (6 p.m. to 8 a.m.).
No bike? Stop by DU’s B-Cycle rack outside of the Driscoll bridge, right by the main entrance of Sturm Hall. You can get an access pass right then and there, or ahead of time online, and choose from four different rental options: 24 hours for $8, seven days for $20, thirty days for $30 or a full year for $80. Also, checking a B-Cycle out for a ride under 30 minutes is free, which is great for running quick errands. The best part of the B-Cycle program, though, is that these stations are all over the city. You can ride downtown, drop the bike at any B-Cycle rack, walk around for a while, then pick another one from any other station.
Another option if you’re bikeless is to go through the Center for Sustainability and rent some wheels for just $20 per quarter. This is a better long term option, just keep in mind that it involves more responsibility. To sign up, swing by the sustainability office, which is also conveniently located in J-Mac. They’ll provide you with a helmet, U-lock and free tune up, all summing up to one great deal.
So, now that you know your new possible modes of transportation in addition to your feet, the light rail, and the bus (hopefully you learned about the light rail and bus during orientation), it’s time to figure out where to go. Follow this guide by your preferred transportation method and let the adventure take you away. Find maps to each location at DUclarion.com
FOOT/BIKE: For a casual day on foot or bike, there are several great places to see within a couple miles of campus. If you’re looking to do a little shopping or want to grab a bite to eat, wander down to Pearl Sreet, a quaint area full of local low-key businesses.
Pajama Baking Company is a classic spot to grab any type of sandwich. They make wonderful bread and pastries in house and the sandwiches are without a doubt some of the best in town. Prefer a burger? Look no further than Park Burger. They offer a wide variety of unique burgers, milkshakes and fries you’ll surely love. Pizza sound better? Kaos Pizzeria is the place to be. Their thin crust pies are absolutely delicious and it’s located in an old house full of cozy rooms. These are just a few good options to keep in mind, but you’ll quickly find there are many more and that Pearl Street is the go-to destination for any craving.
If you’d like to simply kick back in a park and escape the concrete jungle, there are two great options just outside of campus. The first is Observatory Park, (also known as O-Park), a fairly small spot near J-Mac that’s perfect for a quick break. There’s not much to it, but it’s a quiet, clean and safe place to relax.
The other option is Washington Park (also know as Wash-Park), which is closer to Halls and Towers. This is a huge space where you can find solitude on any day in any way. Whether you’re with a large group of friends or on a solo mission, this is a great place to escape the stress of school and recollect. Wash-Park also wraps around a large pond, something that’s refreshing to see amongst Denver’s dry climate. But don’t swim in it, we’re still in a city and that wouldn’t be a good idea.
LIGHT RAIL: You hopefully have an RTD pass for the light rail from Freshman orientation, but if not, head down to the Pioneer ID Card Office below the bookstore and pick one up before you ride anywhere. Getting caught without one can lead to some pretty serious fines that aren’t worth the risk.
Once you have a pass, the light rail can take you all over Denver. It stretches across the whole city, giving you many options, but the best and most classic option of all is Lower Downtown, also known as LoDo. Ride the E Line all the way to the last stop, Union Station. From here you can wander wherever your heart desires. Some good general places to start are the 16th Street Mall, Larimer St., and Wazee St. These are all great areas to stroll around, and you’ll find plenty of great places to check out on your own. We’ll leave this part of the adventure up to you. You should know, however, that the E, F and H (remember it by Eagles Fly Home) lines all take you back to DU.
BUS: Capitol Hill is one of the best neighborhoods in Denver, but it’s not easily accessed via light rail. This means you’ll have to take the bus, which also works using your RTD card. Hop on from the stop at the corner of University and Evans right by Roll & Go, the little sushi spot on University. Hop off around 9th and Josephine by Cheesman Park.
Once you’re in the Capitol Hill area, also known as Cap Hill, there are a ton of great places to check out. For good old fashioned American comfort food, head to Steuben’s on 17th St. It’s a cozy restaurant with a huge menu that will satisfy any hunger. Or if you’d rather just find a nice place to sit and relax, stroll through Cheesman Park. This is arguably the most beautiful park in Denver, which says a lot considering how many wonderful options are out there. It’s adjacent to the Denver Botanic Gardens, another great place to check out in the Cap Hill area, offering total solitude amongst the city’s seemingly unavoidable chaos.
CAR: If you have a car, or decide to rent one from DU, your options are essentially limitless. But a couple awesome places within 30 minutes of campus are Sloan’s Lake and Lookout Mountain. Sloan’s Lake has a great walking path where you can stroll with big open areas of grass to hang out on, but like Wash Park, its lake is certainly not one for swimming. Lookout Mountain is a bit further from DU, and offers sweeping views of Denver and the surrounding area. If you ever feel trapped and need a little mountain time, find yourself here.
These are all very general directions, and as noted before, you should head to DUclarion.com for detailed maps to each of these mentioned places. We wish you the very best on your Denver adventures, and the next four years here at DU. Don’t forget to keep picking up The Clarion for further advice on how to make the best of your time in this infinitely fun place you now call home.
