# 17

For the first time since 2019, Cheesman Park has cracked the top 25. Why? Well, at just seven by 11 blocks, you can walk the entire neighborhood in short order, giving it an intimate feeling that belies its geography in/near/around the city center. But don’t mistake its small size for lack of action. Packed into those streets is the park itself and its striking, neoclassical-style pavilion; the 24-acre Denver Botanic Gardens; and some diverse dining options.

Even though it’s right next to bustling Capitol Hill, the mostly residential ’hood feels serene—a perk in a city that seems to be getting busier by the day. While the homes surrounding the park could best be described as mansions with character, most of the area is defined by apartments and condos, some located in converted single-family homes.

Population 8,631
2023 Average Sale Price $737,706

Neighborhood Rankings

Real Estate Rank 17
Schools Score 3.7
Safety Rank 44
X Factor Score 8

How we got these numbers: We utilized the city’s official list of 78 neighborhoods (only 73 had enough data to be included), and ranked them using four variables: home prices, crime data, school rankings, and an X factor score that accounts for things like access to open space, proximity to public transportation, and restaurant and shopping options. For more on our methodology, return to the main page.

Your Itinerary

Eat & Drink

Thump Coffee may be an Oregon import, but we love the community vibe and laptop- and phone-free couch area so much we’ll overlook that it’s not homegrown.Voodoo Doughnut is known for delicious fried balls of dough in unexpected shapes and flavors (it’s not everyday you get to order a blunt-shaped doughnut).

Speaking of your sweet tooth, get your ice cream fix at family-owned Liks Ice Cream, which has been serving Cheesman Park residents for 48 years, or newbie Colfax and Cream, which started slinging shakes and scoops in May.

One of the buzziest new additions to the neighborhood is Secret Garden Bar and Cafe, which opened inside the historic Tears Mcfarlane House in August 2024. Its idyllic patio overlooking Cheesman Park offers the best people-watching. For more filling fare, head to Izu Sushi for fresh sashimi and yakitori, while Pete’s Kitchen is a Denver institution for late-night eats. Booze seekers can hole up at Squire Lounge or Lion’s Lair Lounge.

Haunted History

Don’t get spooked, but Cheesman Park and the Denver Botanic Gardens were once a graveyard. Mount Prospect Cemetery, later renamed Denver City Cemetery, was founded in 1858. It was repurposed into park land in 1890, and the process of moving the 5,000 graves began. The bodies may no longer be there, but haunting rumors live on.

If You Do One Thing…

Put an alert on your calendar so you can be sure to nab tickets to one of the summer concert series shows at Denver Botanic Gardens, which go on sale in early April and get scooped up quickly. The music is fantastic, plus you can pack your own picnic dinner (don’t forget the wine) for a well-rounded night out.

Spots to Eat

Pete’s Satire Lounge

Pete’s Kitchen

Wyman’s No. 5

Hive Garden Bistro

View All Restaurants in Cheesman Park

About This Neighborhood