Union Station

1701 Wynkoop St., Denver
303/534-6333
www.denverunionstation.org [1]

HOURS: Daily 6 a.m.–2 p.m.

Union Station anchors the Lower Downtown neighborhood and this regal historic building is set to once again become a transportation hub for Denver [2]. Recently land behind the train station has been developed into a bus and light rail station, and plans are underway to preserve and redevelop the original depot as well, making it a bustling center of activity.

Starting in the 1880s, over 60 trains arrived and departed the depot every day and as late as 1958 there were more travelers through Union Station than the local airport. Today there are only two daily trains, plus the Ski Train [3] that takes people to Winter Park [4] ski resort on winter weekends.

Inside, the huge wooden benches and grand high ceilings seem ready for hundreds of people to come streaming through the doors at any moment. But on most days the train station is peaceful as people go to and from private offices within other parts of the building.

A white-tiled pedestrian tunnel that leads to the train platforms offers a glimpse of the fascinating history of this site. Here you will see enlarged photographs of the train station 100 years ago, filled with train travelers—including Presidents Eisenhower, Taft, and Theodore Roosevelt—and see how it has changed architecturally since then. Also in this hallway, be sure to check out the three-paneled painting Winter Crossing by Denver artist Stephen Batura, which is part of the city’s public art display tour.

Housed in the basement of Union Station is one of the largest model railroads in the country. Go to www.denveroscaleclub.org [5] or call 303/572-1015 to find out the latest schedule for visiting the model railroad.