Washington Park: Denver's Best Neighborhoods

In a city full of parks—272 at last count—Washington Park stands out as one of the largest and most beloved. It calls to active, young families who want to join pick-up games of volleyball in its large meadows and then stroll back to their remodeled early 20th century Victorian homes, brick bungalows, or more luxurious new builds. The neighborhood’s central location, low crime rank (sixth on our list), and highly-regarded Steele Elementary School are big draws, as is its proximity to Historic South Gaylord Street’s quaint commercial strip.

Population7,310

2018 average sale price$867,179

New listings in 2018346

Neighborhood Map

Neighborhood Rankings

Real Estate Rank35

Schools Score3

Crime Rank6

X Factor Score9

How we got these numbers: We utilized the city’s official list of 78 neighborhoods (only 70 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

Washington Park’s F&B offerings are concentrated along South Gaylord Street, where hungry park-goers can dig into wood-fired pizza at Homegrown Tap and Dough (kids will love playing on the enclosed patio); enjoy thoughtful, scratch-made eats at Cookery at Myrtle Hill; or catch the game at neighborhood favorite Reiver’s Bar & Grill.

Beyond Gaylord Street, it’s worth checking out Café Marmotte, a French bistro, and the locally sourced eats at Fooducopia. Wherever you go, make sure to save room for one (or three) of the more than two dozen house-made flavors available at 32-year-old Bonnie Brae Ice Cream.

Activities

The park is the where all the action is in this neighborhood. Sure, you can run the 2.6-mile path that encircles the green space or battle it out on the tennis or basketball courts, but we recommend enjoying Smith Lake (one of two in the park) by renting a pedal boat or stand-up paddleboard. (Tip: Stay out of the way of the moody Canada geese who call the area home.)

Shop

Considering its small size—just a single block—Historic South Gaylord Street has an impressive number of worthwhile boutiques. Among them: Two Sole Sisters (shoes), The Paper Lady (stationery and gifts), Bottle Shop 33 (liquor) and sister stores Wish Boutique and W Boutique (women’s clothing and accessories). For those seeking a more robust shopping experience, the tony Cherry Creek North and Cherry Creek Shopping Center are a couple of miles away.

More Spots to Eat

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Washington Park