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Eating and Walking Your Way Through Denver’s Best-Known Neighborhoods

Denver is, without a doubt, one of America's most beautiful cities. Just picture skyscrapers rising high against a backdrop of bluebird skies and snowcapped peaks. It provides an optimal mix of city life and mountain access, a feature which has transformed Denver into one of America's most popular places to move in recent years.

With an increasingly evolving city, locals and visitors alike are eager to find the best neighborhoods for restaurants and walking in Denver, CO. Located on the southwest side of town, our team here at Live on South Federal Apartment Homes knows a thing or two about the Mile High City. Weve done the exploring for you and are ready to share with you our favorite Denver neighborhoods for good eats and long walks.


Baker

The Baker neighborhood is an integral part of Denver history. Sandwiched on one side by Broadway and the Platt River on the other, the area is characterized by historic buildings and residences alongside trendy shops and upscale restaurants.

The west side of the neighborhood is filled with rows of Victorian homes that were built following a stylized, consistent approach. Walking through the neighborhood is a pure delight, with homeowners relaxing on their porches, locals taking breezy strolls with their dogs, and hundred-year-old churches punctuating the street corners.

Heading back east towards Broadway, visitors will experience the usual hustle, bustle, and noise of the city, with the rush of southbound traffic, live music, and yuppies hopping from one bar to the next. Both sides of Broadway are lined with restaurants, vintage clothing stores, and entertainment venues. One of the neighborhood's shiniest architectural gems is the Mayan Theater, a tall, art deco building erected in 1930 that now functions as one of Denver's most charming indie movie theaters.
A street view with a pedestrian crossing the road.

Littleton

Located 10 minutes south of the Live on South Federal community, Littleton has quickly become one of the city’s hottest neighborhoods, an area which places small-town charm inside of a welcoming, suburban environment.

The highlight of the neighborhood is the small strip of Main Street that runs east-west between the train tracks and Santa Fe Drive. Visitors will find one-of-a-kind gift shops, brick-interior bars, upscale eateries, and much more. One of the hidden gems is iN-Tea, a cozy teahouse that serves over 170 different types of teas from all around the world. Visitors can choose their favorite global blend and relax while the tea steeps inside of their personal ceramic pot. Other local favorites include the acai-focused Playa Bowls, The Alley bar and music venue, and The Melting Pot fondue restaurant at the far end of the street.

Pro-tip: Visit Littleton’s Main Street during the holidays and experience the charm and beauty of the town’s stringed light decorations.

Five Points

Five Points is another one of Denver’s historic districts, located just north of downtown and known for its cultural power in the world of African American art and music. For much of its early history, Five Points was known as the “Harlem of the West,” a part of town where many of the most notable jazz musicians performed, including Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Louis Armstrong.

Today, the area continues to be a hub for music, arts, and entertainment, with popular local venues such as Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom and The Roxy Theatre. Foodies will find culinary gems like J’s Pizza, Queen City Collective Coffee, and the east coast-style deli Rosenberg’s Bagels. History buffs will enjoy touring the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center, a museum that honors the African Americans who were an integral part of America’s westward expansion and development.

Three people are waiting to cross the street at a red light.

RiNo

While we’re focused on the upper downtown area, let’s take a look at RiNo, one of Denver’s hippest and fastest growing neighborhoods.

Denverites were always aware of the city’s magic, but somewhere around 2010, the secret got out and people flocked from all over to plant roots and start anew. When this influx occurred, the RiNo district (short for River North Art District) began to bloom with new restaurant, bars, and housing. Within a short period of time, RiNo has transformed into one of city’s hippest neighborhoods.

RiNo is best known for its dedication to art. On every street and around every corner, bright, stunning murals expand across the walls. Walking through the outdoor museum of RiNo is highly visually stimulating.

The beating heart of the neighborhood is a long stretch of Larimer Street that features longstanding music venues such as Larimer Lounge and Meadowlark, along with Denver’s hottest restaurants and bars. Professional foodies will want to try out Barcelona Wine Bar, Federales Tacos, and Redeemer Pizza. The Denver Central Market is also a must-see, a food hall that offers almost every cuisine under the sun.

If you really want to experience the RiNo, be sure to visit often throughout the year. It’s one of Denver’s most active neighborhoods, especially during the summer months.

Flags with a sun design hang from a string in front of a building.

Capitol Hill

As suggested by the name, Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood (colloquially known as Cap Hill) is situated in and around the golden domed state capitol building. The area is gridded by beautiful one-way streets lined with tall trees and historic buildings.

In terms of food and entertainment, 13th Avenue is jam packed with some of Denver’s best. City O’ City is a legendary establishment that serves vegan and vegetarian food inside of a chic atmosphere. They also have fantastic pastries. Jelly Café and Thump Coffee are perfect early morning stops, and Bar Nun is a bizarre “nun-themed” pub located on Logan between 12th and 13th Avenue. On top of this, visitors will find gift shops, yoga studios, and other local treasures in the neighborhood.

Capitol Hill is ideally situated just east of one of Denver’s cultural centers, which includes The Denver Art Museum (DAM), History Colorado Center, and the Clyfford Still Museum. It’s easy to spend a full day in this part of town.

A city park with a large open space and a row of trees in front of a row of tall buildings.

Living Good in The Mile High City

Exploring these 5 neighborhoods will give you a good taste of all the amazing things that Denver has to offer. Conveniently, all of these areas are within easy reach of our community at Live on South Federal. If you’re looking for your next home in The Mile High City, please visit us here at Live on South Federal Apartment Homes. Spread out across 6 communities, we offer 1 and 2 bedroom floor plans that are designed with the perfect blend of comfort, style, and breathability. You can schedule your tour today with one of our professional leasing specialists, where you’ll find out what our residents all know— this is where Denver discovers home.

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