History meets home in Littleton, CO

Littleton sits along the South Platte River south of Denver, a city built around a preserved 1890s Main Street lined with independent shops and restaurants. Historic Downtown Littleton anchors much of the city's dining and shopping, with spots like Smokin Fins, Cencalli Taqueria, and Denver Beer Co. Littleton drawing regular crowds along Main Street, while General Store 45 rounds out the district's retail mix with Colorado-made goods and gifts. The Aspen Grove shopping center adds a second retail and dining hub close to the South Platte River on the city's west side.

The Littleton Museum and Hudson Gardens & Event Center anchor the city's arts and cultural scene, both a short distance from downtown. Littleton Public Schools serves residents' education needs, and outdoor recreation ranges from South Platte Park and the Carson Nature Center along the river to trails and camping at Chatfield State Park just southwest of the city.

Transportation and accessibility

On the move

Public transportation

The RTD Southwest Rail Line serves Littleton directly, with the Littleton/Downtown Station close to Historic Downtown Littleton and the Littleton/Mineral Station near Aspen Grove and Santa Fe Drive. Both stations connect to Denver's Union Station, and several RTD bus routes and a FlexRide service link neighborhoods across the city to the rail line.

Airports

Denver International Airport (DEN) sits roughly 25 miles northeast of Littleton, a major hub for United Airlines and Southwest with nonstop domestic and international routes. The RTD Southwest Rail Line connects riders to Denver's light rail system at Union Station, an alternative to driving the full distance during peak travel periods.

Cars and driving

Littleton sits about 12 miles south of Downtown Denver, typically 20 to 30 minutes away via Santa Fe Drive or C-470 depending on traffic. Interstate 25 and Interstate 70 remain accessible by way of C-470, and RTD Park-n-Ride facilities at both the Littleton/Downtown Station and Littleton/Mineral Station give commuters an alternative to driving the full distance during peak hours.

Pedestrians and bicycles

The Mary Carter Greenway Trail runs along the South Platte River through Littleton, connecting South Platte Park and the Carson Nature Center to miles of paved and natural-surface trails. Dedicated bike lanes link Historic Downtown Littleton to surrounding neighborhoods, and the compact Main Street district keeps shops and restaurants close together, reachable by bike or a short distance from most residential streets.

Industry and job market

Your next job awaits

Littleton's economy centers on healthcare, government, and education alongside its downtown retail and hospitality base. AdventHealth Littleton, a Level II trauma center, ranks among the city's largest employers, and Arapahoe County maintains its administrative headquarters here as the county seat. Littleton Public Schools and Arapahoe Community College add a substantial base of education jobs, and Historic Downtown Littleton and Aspen Grove support retail, dining, and hospitality positions throughout the city.

Healthcare

AdventHealth Littleton, a Level II trauma center and comprehensive stroke center on South Broadway, employs a broad range of clinical, nursing, and administrative staff serving the surrounding region.

Government

Littleton serves as the seat of Arapahoe County, with the county's administration building downtown supporting a wide range of government positions. The City of Littleton's own municipal offices add further public-sector roles within the city.

Educational services

Littleton Public Schools employs teachers, administrators, and support staff across the district, and Arapahoe Community College adds faculty, research, and administrative positions at its Littleton campus.

Retail

Historic Downtown Littleton and the Aspen Grove shopping center generate steady retail demand, from independent boutiques along Main Street to the larger shops, restaurants, and cinema at Aspen Grove.

Leisure and hospitality

Restaurants and breweries along Main Street, including Smokin Fins and Denver Beer Co. Littleton, support servers, bartenders, and hospitality staff throughout downtown and the Aspen Grove shopping center.

Education

Education for every age

Littleton Public Schools serves the city's students and holds Colorado's highest accreditation rating, Accredited with Distinction, in eight of the nine years the Colorado Department of Education has offered it, the only Denver metro district with that distinction. The district has also earned multiple John Irwin School of Excellence Awards and a Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award from the Colorado Department of Education, along with the Association of School Business Officials International's Meritorious Budget Award for its financial reporting. Littleton Public Schools publishes boundary maps and school-level accolades on its official website. Arapahoe Community College also maintains a campus in Littleton, adding associate-degree and workforce-training programs for residents pursuing higher education close to home.

Things to do

Out and about

Historic Downtown Littleton along Main Street anchors the city's dining, shopping, and nightlife, while the Littleton Museum and Hudson Gardens & Event Center add cultural depth close to downtown. The Aspen Grove shopping center rounds out the retail and dining scene on the west side of the city. Outdoor recreation ranges from South Platte Park and the Carson Nature Center along the South Platte River to trails and camping at Chatfield State Park just southwest of Littleton.

Our top picks

Littleton Museum

This free city museum traces Littleton's history through changing gallery exhibits and two working farms, an 1860s homestead and an 1890s farmstead complete with heirloom crops and livestock. Costumed interpreters demonstrate period tasks throughout the grounds most days of the week.

Hudson Gardens & Event Center

This 30-acre botanical garden along the South Platte River offers free admission year-round, with nature paths, water features, and public art throughout the grounds. A welcome center, gift shop, and on-site coffee house add stops for a full visit.

South Platte Park and the Carson Nature Center

Spanning 880 acres along the South Platte River, this natural area offers five lakes for fishing, miles of trails, and an interactive nature center with a river table recreating the area's 1965 flood. Free to access, with programs offered throughout the year.

Chatfield State Park

This state park southwest of the city centers on a large reservoir for boating, paddling, and swimming, with more than 20 miles of trails and four campgrounds nearby. A model airplane field and hot air balloon port add unique recreation options.

Aspen Grove

This outdoor shopping center pairs local, regional, and national retailers with a movie theater and a mix of restaurants close to the South Platte River. Seasonal events and a compact layout draw visitors throughout the year.

Smokin Fins

This seafood and sushi restaurant on Main Street serves grill favorites alongside weekday happy hour and weekend brunch. A go-to spot for casual dinners and a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere in Historic Downtown Littleton.

Denver Beer Co. Littleton

This Main Street taproom pours hand-crafted beers and seasonally inspired dishes on a spacious, climate-controlled patio. Bike parking and a pet-friendly patio add to the relaxed, come-as-you-are atmosphere downtown.

General Store 45

This modern take on a classic neighborhood general store carries Colorado-made goods, gifts, vintage-style toys, and candy on Main Street. A coffee counter rounds out a stop for browsing or picking up a gift.

Cencalli Taqueria

This modern Mexican restaurant on Main Street serves tacos and regional dishes in a lively, casual setting. A full bar and patio seating add to the experience in the heart of Historic Downtown Littleton.