/ Neighborhood Guide2025 rank: 59
Once lumped in with the rest of Denver’s Northside, Sunnyside has matured into its own identity—the likable, laid-back sibling among the city’s original neighborhoods. An influx of new eateries and shops (and a light rail stop just across its eastern border) has brought more foot traffic—and driven ongoing conversations about gentrification. Home prices increased more than nine percent from 2024 to 2025 and the average cost of a single-family home is approaching $900,000 in the historically immigrant community.
Although Columbian Elementary closed in May 2025, there are two other high-performing schools in the neighborhood. The northwest Denver hamlet benefits from its close proximity to downtown, walkability, appealing blend of charming bungalows and Tudors with more recent townhome additions, and a strong sense of community (the neighborhood even hosts an annual music festival).
Neighborhood Rankings
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
You can satiate your hunger all day long in Sunnyside. In the a.m., choose between Sunny’s, Bacon Social House, and the Universal, or pop into Moon Racoon Baking Co. while the scratch-made pastries are fresh. Odie B’s slings some of the most indulgent sammies in the city while its neighboring sister concept, Boombots Pasta Shop, puts a playful twist on Italian classics (order the Dirty Martini bucatini). The Wolf’s Tailor is the only two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Colorado, so it’s an unmatched (if somewhat pricey) pick for date night. There’s also the more casual Ebisu Sushi and Ramen Star and Nozomi. For midnight munchies, snag some smothered fries from the Original Chubby’s, a neighborhood institution.
Where people move, booze follows. So it goes in Sunnyside, home to Crooked Stave, Diebolt Brewing, Swiss-inspired Waldschänke Ciders, and 20-year-old Bonacquisti Wine Company. The Monkey Barrel is the neighborhood spot for live music and games, while new craft cocktail bar Semiprecious offers unconventional libations like a sour cream and onion martini.
Coffeehouses have also found an eager audience in the neighborhood. Check out the Radiator (its sprawling turf patio is kid- and dog-friendly), Huckleberry Roasters, and Cherry Bean.
Pick up cheese, charcuterie, and other perfect-for-hosting goodies at So Damn Gouda. Pochitos Tortilla Factory sells fresh-made tamales, tortillas, salsas, and other Mexican grocery items.
Break a Sweat
Sunnyside might not have a sprawling green space like other ’hoods in the top 25, but it does have several small, serene parks sprinkled throughout. Along 38th Avenue, La Raza Park has been a community hub for decades. Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales, a leader of the Chicano movement, gave speeches here, and it was the site of several protests. This May, it will reopen with a new playground and basketball court after a year of renovations. Just a few blocks north, you can play tennis on the two hard courts at Ciancio Park or catch the Sunnyside Music Festival at Chaffee Park.
Get your pump on at Aztlan Recreation Center, which has a weight room, pickleball court, gymnasium, game room, and a coveted outdoor pool. Women and nonbinary athletes will feel right at home at Vibe, a welcoming wellness collective that caters its personal training, fitness classes, and programming to females and genderqueer people. Or, channel your inner Jane Fonda and take a modern-day step aerobics class at Bodied.
If You Do One Thing…
Get lost in Mile High Comics. Located in a warehouse off of Jason Street, this store bills itself as “America’s Largest & Friendliest Comics Retailer”—but we’ll let you be the judge of that. Spend the morning (or the whole day) sifting through the store’s collection of 10 million comics and 300,000 paperbacks.
Spots to Eat
About This Neighborhood
- Washington Park
- Washington Park West
- South Park Hill
- Platt Park
- City Park
- Congress Park
- West Highland
- Wellshire
- Hilltop
- Skyland
- Baker
- Southmoor Park
- Cherry Creek
- City Park West
- Lowry Field
- Speer
- University
- Sunnyside
- Regis
- University Park
- Indian Creek
- Union Station
- North Park Hill
- Five Points
- Berkeley
