2024 rank: 51
Capitol Hill boasts slightly lower home prices and a grittier vibe than its similarly named neighbor, North Capitol Hill, just across Colfax Avenue—although that might not be the case for long considering home prices jumped 16 percent in 2024. The Colorado State Capitol building draws workers and tourists to this ’hood, so its restaurants, bars, and museums are often buzzing. (It also means parking is a pain, so trade your four wheels for two feet or your cruiser bike.) The streets blend old and new in both their combination of historic and trendy amenities and their mix of timeworn walk-ups, historic mansions, and newer condos.
Cap Hill made the second-largest leap in the rankings this year (behind only Southmoor Park). This impressive comeback is largely thanks to a stellar real estate year, but strong schools and an abundance of eateries, shops, and nightlife gave it an additional boost.
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
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it’s easy to find in Cap Hill. Fuel up to make it through your to-do list at Jelly or pick up Instagram-ready bagels at Call Your Mother Deli. For a caffeine boost, swing by Pablo’s Coffee. (Locals’ tip: Hudson Hill is a coffeeshop that transforms into an impressive bar with cocktails and natural wine as the sun lowers.)
Casual eateries abound, too, from dozens of sandwich combos at SubCulture to bar bites and sports watch parties at Stoney’s Bar & Grill. For a more elegant, sit-down meal, the seasonal dishes and wine pairings at Potager never disappoint. City, O’ City is a vegetarian mainstay that’s gained popularity with the omnivore crowd, too, and Charlie Brown’s Bar and Grill is a Cap Hill pillar with live piano music every night.
Shop
There’s no one shopping destination in Capitol Hill; rather, worthy pit stops are peppered throughout the neighborhood. Wax Trax Records is a treasure trove of vinyl and CDs. Argonaut Wine & Liquor sells pretty much any booze you desire. Bibliophiles should visit Capitol Hill Books, which has been keeping Denverites well-read for 44 years.
Step Back In Time
One of Capitol Hill’s most famous residents was Margaret “Molly” Brown (yes, Titanic survivor Molly Brown). Learn about her life, and Denver’s storied past, from inside her onetime home, now the Molly Brown House Museum. More lore is waiting to be uncovered one-half mile away at the History Colorado Center, a research center and museum that’s known for its interactive exhibits, including a rad one dedicated to all things ’90s (it runs through October 26, 2025).
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