# 13

2022 rank: 25

One of Denver’s OG neighborhoods—known to some generations as Northside—has long maintained its popularity. In recent years, a consistent influx of new residents and popular eateries, bars, and retailers has propelled downtown’s neighbor into one of the city’s hottest expanses. Translation: Home prices keep going up, consistently rising by more than 10 percent year-over-year.

Though the powers that be consider Highland to be one big neighborhood, locals separate the eminently walkable area into three distinct sections: Highland, LoHi (Lower Highland), and Platte Street. Each has a slightly different feel, but wherever you go, expect to find a blend of young families (there are six solid schools within the boundaries), transplanted professionals, and long-timers taking up residence in classic Denver Squares and newer townhomes.

Population 10,359
2023 Median Sale Price $931,686

Neighborhood Rankings

Real Estate Rank 21
Schools Score 3.7
Crime Rank 56
X Factor Score 9.5

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 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 and Drink

If we had to bet, we’d guess that Highland has the most F&B offerings per capita of any neighborhood in Denver. Among them are some that we consider the best in the city: Spuntino, the Bindery, Daughter Thai Kitchen and Bar, Uncle, and the Fifth String. Of course, there are plenty of other trendy spots that didn’t crack our Best Restaurants—places like Cart-Driver, Cantina Loca, Noisette, and Avanti Food and Beverage, one of the city’s first food halls.

That doesn’t mean you can’t find history here. Two Italian eateries—Lechuga’s Italian Restaurant and Gaetano’s—have been around since the mid-1900s. And My Brother’s Bar (add a burger to your booze order) is the city’s oldest: It’s been operating since 1873.

Imbibers can stroll almost anywhere in the ’hood and find plenty of venues to enjoy beer (Zuni Street Brewing Company, Recess Beer Garden) or craft cocktails (the High Lonesome, Room for Milly) or locally made spirits (Mythology Distillery, the Family Jones Spirit House) or coffee (Middle State Coffee, Pinwheel Coffee).

Catch a Show

The small-but-mighty Navajo Street Art District is no more, as creative venues have been priced out of the trendy area. But the Bug Theatre—built in 1912 as a movie house—is still standing as a community gathering spot for oft-humorous theatrical performances.

A more recent development: In 2022, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver reanimated the almost-100-year-old Holiday Theater as a hub of creative expression.

History Lesson

Highland is not just one of Denver’s most historic neighborhoods—it used to be its own city, incorporated in 1875. Its residents were so devoted to planting gardens and trees that the district was nicknamed the Garden City of the Plains. It was annexed to Denver in 1896.

Spots to Eat

Forest Room 5

Pizzeria Locale (Highland)

Prosper Eats

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Noisette

View All Restaurants in Highland

About This Neighborhood