Exploring Denver’s neighborhoods

Combining urban living with the great outdoors, visit the Mile High City for an adventure with some serious altitude.

On the doorstep of the Rocky Mountains, the breathtaking capital city of Colorado has plenty to offer its visitors. Boasting more than 200 city parks, six professional sports teams, the famous Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, and approximately 300 days of sunshine a year to enjoy it all in, what’s not to love about Denver?

Read on and get to know some of the best and most exciting neighborhoods in Denver. 

Capitol Hill

The historic neighborhood of Capitol Hill is one of the oldest in Denver, rich in heritage and landmarks. Loved by tourists and locals alike, Capitol Hill is a popular place to live, with some of the best museums and parks located nearby.

It’s not just the city skyscrapers that place you at a high altitude. Denver is known as the Mile High City for good reason. Visit the Colorado State Capitol with its grand architecture and gilded dome roof to find the 13^th step, which lets you know you’re precisely one mile above sea level. Head inside for a free tour or explore the adjoining Civic Center Park, where you can check out seasonal events and Denver’s largest public art collection.

Capitol Hill is ideal for a day of sightseeing, though you’ll be hard-pressed to pick just a few attractions. Close to the creative hub known as the Golden Triangle, you’ll find some of Denver’s most revered museums within walking distance of the State Capitol.

The Denver Art Museum, History Colorado Center, Denver Firefighters Museum and the Molly Brown House Museum are just a few unmissable highlights. The former home of the famous Titanic survivor, the ‘Unsinkable Molly Brown’, is just a stone’s throw away from Millionaire’s Row, known for its historic mansions and eclectic architecture. Rumor has it that the Molly Brown House is haunted, but we’ll let you be the judge of that.

Downtown

The dizzying heights of downtown Denver has something for every visitor. Downtown is buzzing with culture, cuisine and everything in between.

No matter how you travel to the Mile High City, a visit to Denver Union Station ought to be on everyone’s Downtown to-do list. The iconic railway station was once the tallest building in the West before the original structure was razed by an electrical fire in the late 1800s. Today, it’s one of the main gateways to the city where visitors can sample a selection of the best food and restaurants in Denver . 

Pick up delicious deli sandwiches at ACME Delicatessen, enjoy refined farm-to-table comfort food at Mercantile Dining & Provision, and cool off at Milkbox Ice Creamery – all within the walls of one of Denver’s oldest buildings.

If you aren’t feeling like the cat that got the cream yet, the Dairy Block in Denver’s beloved Lower Downtown neighborhood might change your mind. The Dairy Block is a colorful micro-district, its heritage and namesake going back to the Windsor Dairy company. Bubbling with restaurants and retailers, this unique quarter is one of the trendiest hangouts Downtown.

Right around the corner from the Dairy Block, head to Coors Field to catch a Colorado Rockies game and get immersed in the Denver spirit. Meanwhile, no visit to downtown Denver is complete without strolling the fairy-lit pedestrian throughfare of Larimer Square. 

City Park

You might not expect such a sprawling urban city to have as much green space as Denver does, but you’d be surprised. They say you’re only ever a 10-minute walk from a park, making Denver one of the most active and healthy cities in the US.

City Park is one of the largest parks in the city, with plenty of lakeside trails, running paths and picnic spots perfect for watching the sun go down. It’s also a prime location for visiting Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

The residential area is bright and airy with great access to the rest of the city. Beautifully scenic with dozens of restaurants and cafes to peruse, City Park is a great neighborhood to explore and enjoy the fresh air with expansive views of Denver.

Cherry Creek

With fantastic retail and dining options, as well as a selection of art galleries, Cherry Creek has everything you need. Home to the upscale Cherry Creek Shopping Center with more than 160 retailers and a range of exclusive stores, it’s the perfect destination for a city escape outside of Downtown.

Just a short distance from Cheesman Park and Denver Botanic Gardens, there are plenty of attractions nearby to fill a weekend’s stay. Meanwhile, with a local reputation for great food and fine dining, you certainly won’t go hungry.

Enjoy a romantic evening at Borolo Grill for an intimate Italian dining experience on East 6^th Avenue. For casual eats, The Cherry Cricket is a long-running local favorite where diners can build their own burgers. Just look for the retro neon sign on East 2^nd Avenue and get ready to tuck in. 

Highland

Located on the hills overlooking downtown Denver sits the laidback neighborhood of Highland. Various unique districts make up the area, making it an exciting place to explore. Visit Highlands Square, Lower Highland (affectionately known as LoHi) and Platte Street – each with its own charm.

Lower Highland is one of the most up-and-coming areas in the neighborhood. Brimming with chic restaurants and excellent hotels, it’s still within reasonable distance from Downtown – whether you drive or tackle the hills on foot. 

Across the river from Commons Park and sandwiched between the two arches of Highland Bridge, Platte Street is a popular throughfare with some of the most beloved establishments in the area. Among the hubbub of modern restaurants and independent cafes, be sure to stop by the Greetings from Denver Mural for a classic Denver photo opportunity.

With so much to offer, the only way to get acquainted with Denver’s neighborhoods is to dive right in. Whether it’s a stop off to the Rockies or a city break filled with Colorado culture, Denver is a breath of fresh air.

Want to learn more about Denver?

Get even more out of the Mile High City with a taste of Denver’s best eats and places to visit.

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