Where to Stay in Arvada (4 Best Places, By a Local)

4 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Arvada

If you want to stay in Arvada proper, you’ll want to be near Olde Town. This area is walkable and has shops, eateries, galleries, and other fun things to do. 

Westminster is a nearby town with reasonably-priced hotels and lots of chain restaurants. Wheat Ridge is between Arvada and Denver, while Golden is closer to the foothills. All are safe, accessible, and some of the best metro area suburbs.

Olde Town Arvada

👉 Best Area For Tourists | ✨ Best Olde Town Arvada Hotels: Hilton Garden Inn Arvada • Residence Inn Arvada Denver West • Heart of Olde Town Retreat

Downtown Arvada is a fun, quaint place to stay. Aside from Hilton Garden Inn and Residence Inn Arvada, there aren’t many hotels here. Most of your options will be short-term rental homes and apartments. 

Olde Town has walkable restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and more. There’s also a light rail station in this area, which makes getting around Denver and other nearby areas easy. 

Pros of Staying in Olde Town Arvada:

• Close to restaurants, bars, and shops
• Quaint, historic feel
• Access to light rail

Cons of Staying in Olde Town Arvada:

• Not many hotels, mostly short-term rentals
• Accommodations can be pricey

Westminster

👉 Best Area For Inexpensive Hotels | ✨ Best Westminster Hotels: Origin Westminster • Drury Plaza Hotel • The Westin Westminster • Quality Inn & Suites

Westminster is northeast of Arvada and has more hotel choices, including options for inexpensive stays like the Drury Plaza Hotel. You’ll also find our top recommended budget hotel, Quality Inn & Suites, in this suburb.

Things to do around Westminster include Standley Lake Regional Park, the Butterfly Pavilion, Denver Premium Outlets, and other fun activities. Convenient amenities like grocery stores and chain restaurants are also nearby.

Pros of Staying in Westminster:

• More options for hotels, including budget picks 
• Lots of restaurants, movie theaters, and other entertainment

Cons of Staying in Westminster:

• You’ll need a car to get around
• Farther from Arvada’s center

Wheat Ridge

👉 Best Area For Accessing Denver | ✨ Best Wheat Ridge Hotels: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wheat Ridge • Hampton Inn & Suites Wheat Ridge Denver West • Sunny West Denver Escape

Wheat Ridge is just south of Arvada and a short drive from Denver. It’s very close to Highlands, Berkeley, and Sloans Lake, some of the best Denver neighborhoods. 

There are some nice short-term vacation rentals and hotels in town, including a Holiday Inn Express. Wheat Ridge also features several great eateries, especially along 38th Ave. Here, you’ll find La Fonda, GetRight’s bakery, and Clancy’s, the oldest Irish pub in the state. 

Pros of Staying in Wheat Ridge:

• Suburban areas with trails and parks
• Close to Denver

Cons of Staying in Wheat Ridge:

• You’ll need a car to get around
• Not much nightlife

Golden

👉 Best Area for Outdoor Activities | ✨ Best Golden Hotels: The Eddy Taproom & Hotel • Origin Red Rocks • Table Mountain Inn

Golden is southwest of Arvada and is a great place to stay if you want to be close to outdoor recreation. Here, you can enjoy tubing along Clear Creek, hiking in the foothills, and mountain biking in popular parks. 

Downtown Golden features historical attractions, along with great restaurants and breweries. See my guide on great places to stay in Golden for more insight.

Pros of Staying in Golden:

• Close to outdoor activities, bars, and restaurants
• Interesting mining history
• Wild West charm 

Cons of Staying in Golden:

• You’ll need a car to get to Arvada

Tips for Staying in Arvada

Take the Train to Denver

From Olde Town Arvada, take the G Line to downtown Denver. It’s just a 20-minute ride to Union Station. From there, you can spend a day exploring the city’s best things to do, including landmarks, museums, and top restaurants.

Explore Nearby Towns

Along with Denver, I’d recommend exploring nearby towns like Golden, Littleton, and Boulder. Each of these destinations allows you to learn local history, spend an afternoon outdoors, and take in foothill views. 

Use Sunscreen

You’ll also want to make sure you’re using plenty of sunscreen while you’re visiting. You can get a sunburn on a cloudy day here, and even when the weather is cold. Apply it year-round and don’t forget to reapply.

Hydrate!

No matter what places in Colorado you’re visiting, it’s important to stay hydrated. It’s the best way to combat the area’s altitude and desert-like environment. One of my key Colorado travel tips is to bring a water bottle everywhere you go — and make sure to use it. 

Wear Layers

We like to joke that if you don’t like Colorado’s weather, wait 15 minutes. It’s true that you’ll often find yourself wearing a t-shirt in the middle of winter, or wanting a jacket in July. Expect to add and subtract layers all day long while you’re out and about. 

📚 Related Reading: Colorado Packing List (Things You Might Forget to Bring)

FAQs

Is Arvada a suburb of Denver?

Arvada is a suburb of Denver. You can easily access the city via a 20-minute train ride or drive. Arvada is known for having a quaint, historic downtown area and lots of pleasant homes where Denver commuters can live. 

Is Arvada walkable?

Olde Town Arvada is walkable. There are lots of shops, restaurants, bars, galleries, and boutiques in the downtown area of Arvada. It’s also possible to walk to the train station, and to several historic landmarks as well.

***

Thanks for reading! This charming town makes a great spot for a Colorado vacation, and even a stay-cation if you’re a local. For more insights, see our guide on where to stay in Denver next.