A Breakdown Of Denver's Neighborhoods
Coors Field in the heart of LoDo (credit: Colleen Bement)
Nestled at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains is Denver – one of the most beautiful, happening cities in America. Denver is a city made up of neighborhoods, 78 is the official count, with each offering its own personality. These five just highlight what makes the Mile High City such a hot spot to live.
Lower Downtown (LoDo)
www.lodo.org
Over the past 20 years, lower downtown Denver has transformed into the hot spot of the city. Centered near one of the most beautiful MLB ball parks, Coors Field, there are some fabulous bars, restaurants and shopping in the area. LoDo has something for everyone. Part of the charm of LoDo is that these venues are actually in renovated historic old buildings. Recently under some major restoration is the historic Denver Union Station which is located at Wynkoop and 17th streets. Located just one block southeast of Union Station is Denver's oldest active hostelry, The Oxford Hotel, which dates back to 1891. Stop by for a martini in the Cruise Room. Patterned after a lounge on the original Queen Mary, this cool lounge actually opened the day Prohibition ended and has kept up with the same old fashioned vibes all of these years. The restaurants in the area deserve the fame. For those seeking a fine dinner, the Denver ChopHouse & Brewery boasts the best steaks in town. Two fun rooftop bars are The Tavern Downtown and Lodo's Bar and Grill. All three of these fun places are just steps from Coors Field.
Related: Top Museums For Dates In Denver
Denver City and County Building (Credit, Colleen Bement)
Golden Triangle District
The Golden Triangle District is where the city's pride shines. The borders of this neighborhood are Speer Boulevard on the west and south, Broadway on the east and Colfax Avenue on the north. Here visitors will find Civic Center Park, the City and County Building and the beautiful Colorado State Capitol, the Denver Art Museum, the Main Branch of Denver Public Library and more. Civic Center Park comes alive with festivals, parades, protests, as well as just people hanging out soaking up the atmosphere. In addition to these must-see sites, there are other spots such as the Molly Brown House, the Byers-Evans House Museum and the Denver Firefighters Museum.
Cherry Creek
www.cherrycreekchamber.org
Long regarded as the area where "the other half" lives, this Denver neighborhood has residential streets lined with spectacular mansions built a hundred years ago, the lovely Cherry Creek jogging and bike path and at the end of it all, a shopping and dining mecca. The Cherry Creek Shopping Center is an upscale indoor mall that offers unique designer brand stores along with the classics such as Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany and Co., Neiman Marcus, Sephora, Williams Sonoma and the always unique Anthropologie. Or enjoy the beauty of shopping in the beautiful Colorado outdoors and head to Cherry Creek North to find a wide variety of boutiques and artisans centers. This is a great place to shop with the purpose of buying or just soak up the window shopping experience. This ritzy area has an abundance of delicious eateries known to locals as hangouts and to many as dining experiences to enjoy for hours. North Italia on Clayton Lane is a happening place where the ambience and décor only enhance the exquisite cuisine. Desserts are a must. Another local favorite is the Cherry Creek Grill on Steele Street where out-of-town visitors and locals alike make a point to dine as often as possible.
Washington Park
www.washpark.com
Washington Park is well known as the ideal place to live for the young and active. Not only does the area surround one of the most incredible parks that boast 161 acres of awesome activities and beauty but there is so much more to it. Washington Park Grille on Gaylord Street has a cool patio for people watching while drinking bottomless mimosas and other delicious concoctions. Finley's Pub on Pearl Street is the hangout for locals to grab a Guinness, munch on some awesome pub food and chill with friends.
Stapleton
www.stapletondenver.com
It is hard to believe that this North Denver area was home to the old Stapleton Airport. Though once a busy airport, this place is now a completely renovated hip neighborhood with new homes and lots to do. Filled with tons of trails, parks, shopping, movie theaters and restaurants, Stapleton has become one of the hottest Denver neighborhoods. It is decently close to the famed Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge and the brand new Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Conveniently close to all that Downtown Denver has to offer, Stapleton has sprouted into an amazing up-and-coming neighborhood.
Related: Historic Walking Tour Of Denver
Colleen Bement is a freelance writer covering all things Denver. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
