/ Neighborhood Guide2024 rank: 3
The city divides Greater Park Hill—a diverse neighborhood developed primarily in the early 1900s—into three sections: Northeast, North, and South. Both North Park Hill and South Park Hill appear on our list this year thanks to high marks across the board in safety and location. The latter ranks highest out of the trio, though, for its stellar schools: Denver School of the Arts, Odyssey School of Denver, and Park Hill School.
The word seems to be out about the appeal of this City Park–adjacent neighborhood, though, because home sale prices surpassed the $1 million mark two years ago and continue to climb. Residents value the area’s architectural diversity; relaxed, suburban feel; and easy access to downtown. There’s plenty to enjoy close to home, too. Commercial corridors extend along both East Colfax and East 23rd avenues, as well as a flourishing pocket on Oneida Street.
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
There’s a surplus of dining options in South Park Hill. We’re fans of the eclectic offerings that have popped up on Oneida Street and East 22nd Avenue, including Dang Soft Serve Ice Cream (from the brains behind Little Man Ice Cream); Torpedo Coffee, which serves locally roasted beans; beloved Park Hill pizzeria Oblio’s; and one of three locations of Esters.
Off of East Colfax, in the southeast corner of South Park Hill, find new Hadnet Unity Cafe, an Ethiopian breakfast joint, where you can start your morning with a cappuccino and a frittata and injera. New in town, the W, a burger bar that fills an Elm-size hole in locals’ hearts, slings patty melts and craft coktails. Elsewhere, find Latin American bites worthy of our 25 Best Restaurants of 2024 list at Lucina Eatery and Bar, French fare at Bistro Vendôme, hearty Italian plates at Benzina, stellar doro wot at Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant, and handcrafted cocktails at Neighbors. Honey Hill is a welcoming neighborhood coffeeshop where you can caffeinate and fill up on fresh-baked bites. Fiction Beer Company slings pints inspired by pageturners and regularly hosts grown-up (aka boozy) book fairs.
Want to handle the cooking yourself? The Local Butcher is ready with an array of cheese, charcuterie, and Colorado-raised beef.
Shop
If you want to deck out your home the way Denver’s top interior designers do, head to Mod Livin’s showroom on East Colfax. There’s also Park Hill Community Bookstore, which is a three-story sanctuary for readers that’s been in operation since 1971. Update your tot’s wardrobe or find the perfect baby gift at Little Bird Denver, then head to the Hair Studio next door for a little tyke trim.
Play Date
Folks of all ages call South Park Hill home, but kids here have it especially good. They can get messy during Art Garage’s creative classes, try age-appropriate strength training at Mighty Movement Academy, or burn some extra energy at Dardano’s School of Gymnastics, Inc. There’s also a branch of the Denver Public Library in the ’hood.
Spots to Eat
About This Neighborhood
- Berkeley
- Hilltop
- Country Club
- Wellshire
- Southmoor Park
- Congress Park
- University Park
- South Park Hill
- Belcaro
- West Highland
- North Park Hill
- Regis
- Cheesman Park
- Washington Park
- Capitol Hill
- Washington Park West
- Central Park
- University
- Rosedale
- Speer
- Sloan’s Lake
- Hampden South
- Platt Park
- Cory-Merrill
- Highland
