The Terminal Bar offers over 24 varieties of Colorado craft beers in Union Station ’ s old ticketing office .
In late fall we decided on a return visit to Denver , not only hoping to enjoy some snow , a rarity in our South Georgia hometown , but also to explore the revitalized Union Station that had proved a disappointment so many years ago . Landing at the Denver airport we took the
Nearby Union Station , railroad-themed
Chophouse & Brewery is located in the old Union Pacific Signal Master ’ s House .
35-minute , 23-mile light rail to Union Station ($ 5.25 senior rate ) to catch a free bus to our hotel located near the convention center . The following morning we woke to an unexpected overnight 2 ” snowfall . After breakfast we walked outside , tossed some snowballs , and boarded the free bus to Union Station . The terminal ’ s Great Hall was bustling with activity from tourists , hotel guests , and downtown workers arriving via light rail and bus . An underground concourse on the rail side of the terminal services regional , local and express busses . The station reopened in 2014 as home to the Crawford Hotel with 112 upscale rooms ($ 250 to $ 550 nightly ) that occupy the upper floors of the north and south wings . The Terminal Bar now resides in the station ’ s original ticketing office while an ice cream shop is in the station ’ s former barbershop . A mezzanine lounge connecting with the hotel and overlooking the Great Hall offers cocktails and French cuisine , but closed for renovations in early February . The station is also home to a deli , Belgian waffle house , coffee shop , seafood restaurant , book store , and a floral shop . A short walk northeast toward Coors Field , home of the Colorado Rockies is the ChopHouse & Brewery , a railroad-themed restaurant that once served as the Union Pacific ’ s Signal Masters House .
The entire experience at Union Station was delightful . We even returned one evening to catch the arrival of the California Zephyr headed east . It was only 15 minutes late .
David and Kay Scott are authors of “ Exploring the Oregon Trail : America ’ s Historic Road Trip ” ( Globe Pequot ). They live in Valdosta , Georgia . Visit them at blog . valdosta . edu / dlscott .
October 2024 | Valdosta Scene 31