# 4

2023 rank: 7

Urban gem Congress Park is a perennial favorite among homebuyers who seek out the well-appointed Denver Squares, Queen Annes, and bungalows that line its leafy streets. Bike lanes along East Seventh Avenue Parkway and 12th Avenue, plus numerous bus stops, make commuting easy (Congress Park sits about three miles west of downtown). While the compact, namesake green space—and its public pool, which recently got a $10 million facelift—is the main gathering place, Congress Park also has plenty of local businesses to support.

Population 11,362
2023 Average Sale Price $857,123

Neighborhood Rankings

Real Estate Rank 21
Schools Score 4
Safety Rank 20
X Factor Score 8.5

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 and Drink

The corner of 12th Avenue and Madison Street is an F&B hotbed, with breakfast sandwiches at Under the Umbrella, Detroit-style pies at Blue Pan Pizza, sushi at Ronin, and the endearing Sweet Cooie’s ice cream parlor. Other area spots worthy of your appetite: Sap Sua, Wellness Sushi, Fox Run Café, or Shells and Sauce.

Booze is plentiful here, too, from divey drinks at PS Lounge and creative cocktails at Bar Max to Cerebral Brewing’s scientific approach to ale and the cozy vibes of Sienna Wine Bar and Small Plates. For a caffeine boost, try the French Press or Lula Rose General Store.

Plan a Date

There’s plenty of fun to be had at Congress Park itself thanks to its multitude of tennis courts, an outdoor pool, and baseball and softball fields. For more greenery, head just beyond the neighborhood boundaries to Cheesman Park, City Park, or Denver Botanic Gardens. When the sun sets, catch a band at Lost Lake Lounge or a flick at Sie FilmCenter, home of the nonprofit Denver Film Society and hub for the terrific Denver Film Festival (held every November).

Shop

It’s easy to lose a couple of hours perusing two Congress Park institutions: Twist and Shout, with its rows upon rows of vinyl and CDs (plus kitschy toys), and, next-door, Tattered Cover Book Store, which spreads its wares across two floors of a historic theater and hosts stellar literary events with local and national authors. Antique aficionados can while away the afternoon perusing unique Western home goods at Ruby’s Vintage, which opened last August.

Spots to Eat

Sắp Sửa

Under the Umbrella Cafe and Bakery

Shells & Sauce

Bar Max

View All Restaurants in Congress Park

About This Neighborhood