Washington Park: Denver’s Best Neighborhoods of 2026

# 1

2025 rank: 14

Wash Park, as locals call it, is a 160-acre showpiece you trot out when you’re trying to impress out-of-towners, so it’s no surprise the surrounding neighborhood notched the number one spot on this year’s list.

In a city full of green space—more than 280 urban parks at last count—Wash Park still steals the spotlight. The grid of tree-lined streets surrounding it calls to both empty nesters, who value quiet, safety, and walkability, as well as active, young families, who want to WFH at trendy coworking space Park, then meet up with friends to play volleyball while their kids explore the massive central playground. When the sun starts to set, they’ll stroll back to their remodeled early-20th-century Victorian homes, brick bungalows, or more opulent new builds. (That is, if they have the bank for a new home.)

The neighborhood’s prime location and high-performing Steele Elementary School are major draws, as is its proximity to the charming Historic South Gaylord and South Pearl streets. Homes cost close to $2 million—a nearly eight-percent increase year over year. But around here, the price tag is part of the prestige.

Population 7,672

2025 Average Sale Price $1,894,173

Neighborhood Rankings

Real Estate Rank 9

Schools Score 4

Safety Rank 7

X Factor Score 9

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

Washington Park’s F&B offerings are concentrated along South Gaylord Street, where park-goers can replenish lost calories with scratch-baked pastries at Devil’s Food Bakery, coastal Mexican fare at Perdida, or hand-tossed pizza at Homegrown Tap & Dough. Beyond that cluster, it’s worth checking out the fresh pasta at Restaurant Olivia and the rotating selection of house-made treats at Bonnie Brae Ice Cream, which opened in 1986. Campus Lounge is a longtime neighborhood watering hole.

Break a Sweat

If you’re just hanging out in the neighborhood, you’re probably at the namesake park. There, you can run around the 2.6-mile gravel path or battle it out on the tennis or basketball courts. We suggest renting a swan boat or stand-up paddleboard to tool around Smith Lake, one of two bodies of water in the park. (Locals’ tip: Stay out of the way of the moody Canada geese.) You might even spot Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić on your afternoon stroll; the superhuman center says it’s one of his go-to spots to unwind in the city. Rainy day? Try a Pilates or yoga class at Center Strength or Whole Body Studios or a strength class at Commit Fitness.

Shop

Considering it’s only one-block long, Historic South Gaylord Street has more than its fair share of worthwhile shops. Among them: Silk Road (gifts), Sports Plus (new and used outdoor gear), and Wish Boutique (women’s clothing).