/ Neighborhood Guide2021 rank: 7
Urban gem Congress Park’s leafy streets are populated with well-appointed Denver Squares, Queen Annes, and bungalows. 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). Teller Elementary School—one of two schools in the neighborhood—earned top ratings from the state. The compact, namesake green space is the neighborhood’s gathering place, but Congress Park also has plenty of local businesses to support. The family-friendly ’hood is getting a boost, too: Its treasured public pool is expected to reopen in summer 2022 after a $10.1 million renovation.
Demographics—Get to Know Your Neighbors
Congress Park residents have a median age of 35.9 years old. It’s a highly educated community, with 75 percent of the adult (25 and older) population holding bachelor’s degrees or higher. When it comes to housing, 57 percent of all filled units are renter-occupied; families comprise only 38 percent of neighborhood households. The average household income is $82,790.
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 dataschool 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
The corner of 12th Avenue and Madison Street is a food-and-drink hotbed, with Detroit-style pies at Blue Pan Pizza, sushi at Ronin Congress Park, the second location of Billy’s Inn, and the endearing Sweet Cooie’s ice cream parlor. Other worthy spots to satisfy growling stomachs: Tommy’s Oriental Thai-Chinese, Zorba’s, or Annie’s Cafe and Bar (where the French toast never disappoints).
Drinks are plentiful here, too, from Old World–inspired Bar Car to Sienna Wine Bar & Small Plates to Cerebral Brewing’s enjoyably scientific approach to ale. For a caffeine boost, try Downpours Coffee 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 and pickleball courts, an outdoor pool, and baseball and softball fields. For more greenery, head just beyond the neighborhood boundaries to Denver Botanic Gardens or City Park. When the sun sets, catch a local band at Lost Lake or a flick at Sie FilmCenter, home of the nonprofit Denver Film Society and hub for the notable Denver Film Festival (held every November).
Shop
It’s easy to lose a couple of hours perusing two Congress Park institutions: Twist & Shout, with its rows upon rows of vinyl and CDs (plus kitschy memorabilia), and, next door, Tattered Cover Book Store, which spreads its wares across two floors and hosts stellar literary events. Inspired by the neighborhood’s green spaces? Pop into Wild Flowers. The 3,000-square-foot gardening store carries everything you need to add some lushness to your life; it also hosts private gardening and terrarium classes.
