Central Park - Denver, CO

Central Parkgives residents abundant options for dining and nightlife that don't break the bank. From mid-level to budget-friendly pricing, the options let you treat your palate to smorgasbords, hearty comfort foods and so much more.

Family-friendly Cafe Mercato on Academy Boulevard serves modern Southern Italian food with finesse. Start your meal off with the grilled Brussels sprouts appetizer, and follow it up with the halibut with lemon caper sauce. Order the tiramisu for dessert if you really want to make your taste buds sing. Enjoy your meal indoors or on the spacious patio.

Local bacon lovers rejoice at The Berkshire for "swine, wine & a good time." Start your meal with a bacon bloody Mary and the Heritage Breed Bacon Flight, a sampling of garlic, candied maple, balsamic and curried bacon. According to Rocky Mountain News, "pigging out never looked so good." While heavy on the bacon and pork, the menu also presents hearty vegetarian dishes and lighter meals. Feast on mushroom gnocchi or a poached pear salad, or stop in for football and the bottomless mimosa brunch on Sundays. Get there early in nice weather to score the coveted patio seating.

Central Park embraces transportation options that keep residents connected both in and around the community while staying true to its sustainable, green living attitude by being friendly to pedestrians and cyclists.

Residents enjoy easy walkability to most areas on wide sidewalks and trails set back from traffic lanes in busier areas and quiet, narrower streets in residential areas. Cyclists take advantage of the easy connections to Denver's 850 miles of networked bike routes.

Hop on one of the 11 RTD bus routes that span the neighborhood for an easy commute, or try the Car2Go station that awaits at the Stapleton Station Park-n-Ride, where you get free parking if you keep it under 24 hours.

With one-third of Central Park devoted to an ever-growing list of more than 50 parks, residents take advantage of the fresh mountain air year-round.

Central Park provides a mix of kid-friendly spaces and adult retreats. Have a family picnic or barbecue by the pond, or let the kids loose on the playground while you test your grip on the climbing wall. Sip on an afternoon coffee fountain-side or on the lookout spot. Bocce ball courts draw locals in the spring, summer and fall, and the sledding hill remains a favorite for kids of all ages in winter. Both dirt and paved jogging trails invite you to exercise and also welcome your four-legged family members. When it comes to gathering spaces, the Conservatory Green park, "The Green" to locals, draws residents for a variety of outdoor community events. Movies, concerts and theatrical performances take place all year. Grab some local eats from the food trucks in the summer, and bring a blanket to share.

Your pooches also get ample space to run around at the off-leash, three-acre dog park in the East 29th Avenue area. And on the last day of the season at the six community pools, for a small fee, local canines converge to swim with other four-legged pals.

While locals take advantage of the many chain stores and big-box retailers at The Shops at Northfield Stapleton, East 29th Avenue Town Center and Quebec Square, a few local shops dot the landscape if you know where to look.

Embrace your free spirit at Semplice at the Town Center for eco-friendly home and ladies fashions you won't find anywhere else in Denver. Handpicked, trendy apparel, accessories and home goods line the shelves here. The owner scours the globe for inventory from fair-trade industries, local artists and U.S. designers to give you a truly unique shopping experience.

Join the local bargain hunters at My Best Friend's Closet to marvel at the deals in this unique consignment shop. Many residents laud the friendly staff, but the real treat rests in the extensive inventory of purses and shoes. Regular patrons cannot wait to share the name of this gem, where quality goods and high standards make you forget it's a resale shop. Before you head home, stop by Cold Stone Creamery for a double scoop of specialty ice cream made fresh every day.

Hit up Grape Leaf Fine Wine & Spirits at the Town Center for simple selection thanks to suggested wine pairings. Detailed cards in front of individual wines help you choose the perfect bottle, and locals love the free behind-the-store parking to avoid fighting for a spot on 29th Ave.