Denver Food Tour: Historic Lower Downtown with Tastings

Taste five neighborhoods' worth of Denver food history in three hours on foot.

A guided food tour through Denver's Ballpark District and Lower Downtown (LoDo) where you taste five dishes (elk sausage, green chili, pizza, a secret dish and cannoli), while a live guide walks you past the architectural landmarks and Wild West stories that shaped the Mile High City. The tour runs three hours and suits all fitness levels, though comfortable shoes matter because there's a fair amount of walking involved.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Denver's Ballpark and LoDo District

• Start in Denver's Ballpark District
• Taste gourmet elk smoked sausage
• Learn about green chili
• Walk through historic Lower Downtown
• See classiest bordello building
• Discover Denver's top pizza slice
• Explore Ice House, Union Station, Oxford Hotel
• Visit Rockmount Ranch Wear store
• Enjoy traditional cannoli dessert
• Try secret dish revealed on tour

The experience

You start in the Ballpark District, where Coors Field anchors a neighborhood of brewpubs and rooftop bars with mountain views. The first stop lands you a gourmet smoked sausage made with locally-sourced elk, a dish Anthony Bourdain favored, and your guide explains what makes Denver's food scene worth the detour. From there, the walking tour moves into Lower Downtown, where you'll taste what green chili actually is and why Denverites put it on nearly everything. The guide walks you past the building that was once the classiest bordello in the Rocky Mountain West, operated by Mattie Silks from 1911 until federal closure around 1915, and points out how the same structure later became a Buddhist temple and warehouse before its modern revival.

As you move deeper into LoDo (Denver's oldest neighborhood, founded in 1858 at the confluence of two rivers), you'll stop for a slice at a pizzeria that helped earn Denver its recent ranking as America's top pizza city. The route takes you past Union Station, originally built as a railway depot in 1881 and now the cultural heart of the city; the Oxford Hotel, Denver's oldest surviving hotel from 1891; and the Ice House, a former dairy turned micro-district packed with restaurants and shops. Each stop carries the guide's account of how these buildings and blocks shaped the city's character.

The tour wraps with a traditional cannoli filled with creamy ricotta and pistachios, and you'll also taste a secret dish revealed only on the day of your tour. The whole experience runs three hours and involves steady walking through historic blocks, so wear shoes you're comfortable in. If you have dietary requirements, contact the operator in advance so they can adjust the menu. Public transportation options sit nearby if you need them, and the itinerary can shift based on restaurant availability or weather.

What’s included

• Five tastings: smoky Colorado elk sausage, pork green chili, Colorado bison burger, award-winning Denver pizza, and a traditional cannoli with ricotta and pistachios.
• a secret sixth dish revealed on the day of your tour.
• a live English-speaking guide leading the route through Ballpark District and Lower Downtown.
• walking access to historic landmarks including Union Station, the Oxford Hotel, and the Ice House.

Options for this experience

2 options

Food tour in a small groupGuide in English · 11:00, 12:00 and 13:00Pick this choice to take part in our Secret Food Tour Denver with a group of no more than 12 people.

Private Tour UpgradeGuide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 17:00Opt for this upgrade to take a private food tour of Denver, reserved solely for you and your party.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Secret Food Tours

Is this one for you?Book the small group option if you're comfortable meeting other food travelers and want a social experience. Choose the private tour upgrade if you prefer to explore Denver's food history with just your own group and want flexibility in pacing and conversation with the guide.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is Denver green chili and why do locals put it on everything?

Green chili is a staple of Denver and Colorado cuisine: a roasted green pepper dish that appears on menus across the city, from breakfast to dinner. The tour includes a tasting so you understand the ingredient and its role in local food culture.

Which historic buildings do you walk past on the Lower Downtown portion of the tour?

The tour passes Union Station (originally a railway depot from 1881, now a cultural hub), the Oxford Hotel (Denver's oldest surviving hotel, opened in 1891), and the Ice House (a former dairy now home to 15 shops and 19 restaurants). Your guide explains the history of each as you walk.

How much walking is involved, and what should I wear?

The tour covers three hours with a fair amount of walking through the Ballpark District and Lower Downtown neighborhoods. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are recommended because you'll be on your feet moving between food stops and historic sites.

Can I book this as a private tour instead of a small group?

Yes, a private tour upgrade is available at checkout, so you can arrange the experience for just your group instead of joining other travelers.

What if I have dietary restrictions or allergies?

Contact the operator before your tour date to discuss your dietary needs. They'll work with the restaurants on the route to adjust the menu and ensure they can accommodate you.

Are pets allowed on the food tour?

Pets cannot join the tour, so you'll need to arrange care for them before your departure time.