![]() ![]() There was obvious damage from rioting and many businesses are likely gone for good. There were a large number of stores boarded over and completely closed up. When I literally jumped away from harm he blew right past without a backward glance or apology. I was almost very seriously injured by one teenager barreling along at breakneck speed. The mall was covered with skateboarding kids who had little concern for pedestrians. When I returned this weekend with my husband I was shocked. We enjoyed the mall almost daily and I felt safe walking with my children and spouse at all hours. I had middle school and teenaged children with me and we stayed in a hotel next to the mall. The last time I visited the pedestrian mall was 10 years ago. I’m aware there’s homeless folks all over but wow the number of those here with real issues need urgent help and not just ‘swept away’ out of sight from tourists. If this area is truly being designed as a tourist must do then there needs to be a great deal more work and investment completed. We did not feel safe walking this ‘mall’ - 17th and 18th streets were much safer and better to walk. On our one and only trip on the free bus (taken as it was too hot to walk ) there was homeless folks lying in the road in the way of the bus others were fighting with each other and another was almost naked walking the street. This is the only place I’ve ever witnessed a dad with a child (toddler) both homeless with signs and the child ‘living’ in her pushchair - it’s was clear the dad was down on his luck but happily social services were helping them and taking them to some shelter - I sincerely hope they both get all the help they need as it was heartbreaking to see. The shops are really disappointing and we did not stop at any of the restaurants as the mall is full of homeless individuals some of whom it’s clear have mental health issues. I’m not sure why this area is being marketed as a ‘must do’. In my own hometown, I know what areas to avoid, but as a tourist in an unfamiliar city, I was unpleasantly surprised that this is one of the "attractions" that visitors are encouraged to go to. I am a pretty fit and feisty middle-aged lady, and I have always lived in big cities, but I felt very uncomfortable in this area. By 10:30AM, the panhandlers were out in droves, and I charted my course along the sidewalk to (as much as possible) avoid being begged for money. On the one hand, I was glad they were there, but on the other hand, it just confirmed my impression that this area is pretty dismal. Both stores had not just one, but several, uniformed security officers standing very conspicuously by the doors, and in Ross, a security officer was also roaming the aisles. A couple of stores were already open (Ross Dress For Less, and Walgreens), so I went in both to browse. A couple of sketchy-looking fellows were hanging around the doorway of the marijuana dispensary, apparently eager for it to open. I was literally the only female out there. At 9:30 on a Thursday morning, dozens of homeless people were wandering around with their blankets, shopping carts, and what have you. ![]() Our hotel was just steps away from the 16th Street Mall, so I wandered over there. My husband had to travel to Denver on business, and I tagged along, thinking I would do a little sightseeing while he attended his conference. Avoid downtown Denver, as you will not enjoy it, even in the daylight, and will feel threatened for your safety the whole time. While we really feel for anyone who is homeless or has a serious drug problem, Denver has to be the worst city we have ever visited, and clearly has major problems. We had to find snactuary in a hotel lobby and get an Uber quickly to get us back to our hotel near the airport. My wife & I felt really scared, and couldn't stay any longer than 45 minutes after the taxi dropped us off near the main bell-tower. It was 12md, in the daylight, and in the central area near the Capitol building, and office area. We really wished we hadn't as Denver central is full of homeless people, dug addicts, and crackheads standing in the middle of the streets screaming and shouting. ![]() We have a few hours to spare in Denver before getting our flight back to the UK, and decided to visit the 'nicer' areas of Denver in the early December sunshine. All of the places we visited in Utah were amazing, and we would definitely go back to Utah. We were flying back to London Heathrow from Denver airport after a fantastic holiday in Utah (Logan, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park & the North rim of the Grand canyon). ![]()
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