Welcome to Denver Proper
Capitol Hill
The hustle and bustle of urban, lively, city life. Dotted with stately old mansions, Cap Hill is a residential district with a bohemian vibe. Popular attractions include the Molly Brown House Museum and the gold-domed Colorado State Capitol. Offbeat shops with a punk aesthetic line 13th Ave, and hip bars and late-night coffee houses keep the area lively after dark. Take a drive down 14th St to get a feel. Architecture here includes Denver Squares (usually converted into condos) and early 1900 Victorians.
Washington Park
Largely residential, Wash Park centers on its namesake green space, a rectangular expanse with sport facilities, formal flower gardens and winding trails for cycling and jogging. An elegant boathouse overlooks Smith Lake, popular with kayakers and anglers. East of the park, Old South Gaylord Street is a bustling shopping district with chic fashion boutiques, galleries, sports bars and casual bistros. Architecture here includes stately tudors, bungalows, Denver Squares, pop tops, and new construction alike.
Downtown
Downtown Denver speaks for itself! Take a stroll down Larimer Square and 16th St for Denver’s outdoor mall strip. You can take the trolley for free for a fun stroll around town. Downtown tends to be a popular tourist destination. For most homes downtown, you will find both older and newer age high-rise condominiums.
Rino
Newly built, trendy River North Art District featuring contemporary art galleries and hip concert venues in revamped industrial buildings. Food halls include Denver Central Market and The Source, a buzzy indoor venue with eclectic products and a bar for small plates and craft beer. Known for its colorful murals, Upper Larimer St also has cocktail lounges, brewpubs with patios, and late night food trucks. Take a drive (or better yet ,bike ride!) down Larimer and Arapahoe Streets.
Cheesman Park
A tranquil residential area, Cheesman Park centers on its green space, with expansive lawns, shady jogging trails, and a dramatic center pavilion. Just east of the park, Denver Botanic Gardens features themed areas and an amphitheater for popular summer concerts. Casual pizzerias, relaxed coffeehouses, and hip craft-cocktail bars dot the streets. This neighborhood is centered around the beautiful park, so most of the architecture here is high-rise condo living.
South Broadway
Denver's South Broadway neighborhood (affectionately known as SoBo) has grown into an eclectic and funky mix of taverns, clothing stores, consignment shops, unique eateries, bookstores, and hip live music venues with rainbow crosswalks and dedicated bike lanes. This vibrant community is known for its early 1900 Victorian architecture.
Highlands Square
A vibrant neighborhood just west of downtown set with quaint 1880s-1920s architecture and a favorite for locals and visitors alike. It boasts dozens of trendy boutiques, salons, coffee shops, and restaurants along 32nd Avenue. Shop for everything from gifts to contemporary fashion to rare books. My personal favorite boutique in the city lives here - The Perfect Petal. Foodies can choose from an array of premium cuisine to casual dining for a special occasion. My personal favorite is El Camino for the best taco Tuesday special.
Whittier / Cole
The Whittier and Cole neighborhoods are to the east of downtown and some of the oldest, most historic hubs of Denver. Drive down E 26th and E 29th Ave. Stop by the Whittier Pub if you have time!
LoHi (Lower Highlands)
Lower Highland, also called LoHi, is a hip neighborhood known for its cocktail lounges, craft beer spots, and stylish restaurants - some with the best rooftop views over the Denver skyline. Landmarks include the Avanti Food and Beverage hall, housed in shipping containers, and the iconic, oversized milk can that holds the Little Man Ice Cream shop near Hirshorn Park. The 1912 Bug Theatre puts on indie films, concerts, and plays. Homes here range from historic single family homes and new condos and townhouses.
City Park
Drive down E 17th Ave to check out some of the restaurant spaces, heading north towards the park. Stop by Ace for a cocktail and some friendly ping pong! Within the park, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science has a planetarium. And the Denver Zoo has some of the nation's most exotic animals. South of the park, East Colfax Avenue has cool cafes, retro-style bars, and the Bluebird Theater concert venue.
Sloan's Lake
Sloan's Lake is The Mile High City's second-largest park and claims the capital's largest body of water. Architecture here consists of predominantly newer construction townhouses for high-density living. As a central locale, Sloan's is walkable to the Highlands and West Colfax neighborhoods.
Sunnyside
Sunnyside has become a very popular subsection of the Highlands, where home prices are relatively lower but still offer walkability to LoHi, Berkeley, and Highlands Square. There is easy access to i-25, i-70, and a 5 minute drive into downtown. Cherry Bean Coffee and Bacon Social House are some of the local’s favorites.
Berkeley
Berkeley has both great shopping and outdoor recreation. You will find lakes, trails and tons of parks. Tennyson Street is a popular shopping hub with many shops, boutiques, spas, and more. The Tennyson Street Cultural Association hosts First Friday art walks, which are well known attracting many Denverites. Proximity to I-70 allows easy access heading west into the mountains or east into downtown. These neighborhoods are great for those who love the amenities of the Highlands, but also enjoy the peacefulness of the suburbs. A mix of large and small homes allows for a diverse population.
Platt Park
Stroll down the tree-lined blocks of South Pearl Street, where Platt Park hosts a farmers’ market and First Friday Art Walks with a plethora of fabulous eateries and boutiques. Surrounding the charming commercial hub is a quiet (but not too quiet) neighborhood of Craftsman bungalows, Victorians, modern renos, and Tudors.
Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek is an affluent, highly walkable residential district with a vibrant shopping scene. Overlooking the creek itself, Cherry Creek Mall has department stores, high-end fashion boutiques, and eclectic eateries. Cherry Creek Trail is popular with cyclists and joggers. My favorite juice bar is True Food Kitchen right in the heart of Cherry Creek North. Aviano Coffee is a great spot for a morning cup of joe. Architecture here ranges from large villas to luxury condos.
Park Hill
One of Denver's oldest neighborhoods, Park Hill is a grid of mature tree-lined streets with single family homes and garden apartments. Authentic Ethiopian restaurants stretch along E. Colfax Avenue, while global eateries are scattered around Johnson & Wales University. Park Hill also offers some of the highest school ratings in the entire city.
Central Park
Formerly referred to as 'Stapleton', this neighborhood is located due east of downtown Denver, at the former site of the decommissioned Stapleton International Airport (which closed in 1995 when DIA opened). Known for its highly-rated schools, Central Park is a welcome escape where suburban meets urban. The park's 80 acres feature wonderful trails, a community playground, and worthy mountain views. Stanley Marketplace is a fun new brewery/food hall very close to Central Park. Newer 2000s construction is most common in these areas.
