Cherry Creek - Denver, CO Area Guide

Cherry Creek's roots run back to the 1800s when Edwin Harman and his wife, Lou, purchased this neighborhood. It wasn't until 1894 that the town merged with the main city of Denver.

In 1989, Cherry Creek was approved as the first Business Improvement District, giving it a leg up to become one of the biggest shopping centers in the area. From there, it became known as one of the outstanding places to shop in the Denver Metro area, providing outdoor retail, dining and a wide variety of businesses within just a few blocks.

A large art scene thrives in Cherry Creek. There are over 30 galleries within the Cherry Creek neighborhood alone. If you want to test out your own brushstroke, a unique store called Canvas and Cocktails provides a fun experience. This shop is exactly what it's name sounds like. Sip some wine during a painting lesson, and color your own canvas to bring home.

Every year residents celebrate the Cherry Creek Arts Festival throughout the neighborhood. For three days the streets close, vendors set up booths and, on average, 350,000 people attend.

Cherry Creek is truly an impressive neighborhood for a worldly palette. Piatti evokes an Italian's dream come true with their spinach-ricotta ravioli and lemon cream. Follow this dish up with the seasonal brioche bread pudding for dessert, and enjoy the decadence. Yet health isn't forgotten at Piatti, as Westword, a popular local magazine, awarded the best Caesar salad in Denver to Piatti.

After shopping around the Cherry Creek area, dip into Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar for knowledgeable service, happy-hour specials and a one-of-a-kind glasshouse roll. This roll features lobster tempura with asparagus tempura and masago mayo, topped with salmon and avocado with a garlic sake butter finish on top. Culinary judges from Denver's 5280 Magazine awarded Hapa Sushi "Best of Show" during the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.

For night time entertainment, go for a drink at the Milwaukee Street Tavern. With 23 beers to choose from and a fun mini-bowling alley, you can spice up your night with a friendly game or two.

Speer Boulevard and 1st Avenue run together through the heart of Cherry Creek, with multiple bus stops making this an incredibly accessible neighborhood to get to from anywhere. Available transportation options, including the bus, light rail, skyride, Park-n-Ride, free mallride, various taxi companies, Lyft and Uber, provide endless ways to get around Denver.

For car transports, the mall has free parking, and the individual streets offer metered parking. This neighborhood resides just north of the Cherry Creek Trail, which expands 35 plus miles from the heart of downtown all the way south, passing by Cherry Creek. This trail gives residents the option to ride their bike into the city whenever it strikes their fancy.

Pulaski Park, Cherry Creek Park and James N Manley Park provide most of the outdoor recreation in the area. With a reputation as a shopping hot-spot of Denver, most of Cherry Creek consists of retail stores, causing less land to be zoned for parks. However, just a few blocks north resides the 80-acre Cheesman Park featuring a rolling landscape and a columned pavilion with a panoramic view. Traveling just a few blocks southwest of Cherry Creek allows residents to visit the urban Washington Park, a family friendly green space and recreational center.

With a reputation for luxury, the cost of living for Cherry Creek residents surpasses the Denver average. The cost for a house in Cherry Creek averages $700,000, while most one-bedroom apartments run close to $2,200 per month.

This high cost of living sends the prices for everyday goods and services higher as well. Most restaurants in the area are in the heart of Cherry Creek, making their prices reflect their ideal location.

Considering Denver-at-large, Cherry Creek has the most diverse shops for such a concentrated area. The Cherry Creek shopping district alone provides about 15,000 jobs.

The Cherry Creek Shopping Center has all the stores you could imagine, ranging from Apple, Burberry, Lacoste, Montblanc, and even a movie theater for a one-stop entertainment hub. Children can play with giant foam building blocks and shapes in the foam play center while parents enjoy a rest from shopping.

While shopping for children's toys, make sure to stop by The Wizard's Chest. This chest is more than just a toy store, featuring a costume shop and a walk-up store front that resembles a castle.

There are over 400 businesses in the Cherry Creek area, offering residents a variety of shopping options from jewelry to home furnishings, spas, salons, art galleries, restaurants and, of course, fashion.

For your grocery shopping, choose between Safeway or Whole Foods. Both are impressive in size and carry items ranging from national brands to local, farm-to-fork produce. However, don't miss the Cherry Creek Fresh Market that takes place from May to October. Snag some rich fresh produce, and sample homemade crepes as you browse the stalls. Locals rave about the biscuit bus serving up hot and fresh pastries for patrons of this market. Choose the Wednesday or Saturday open hours and bring a basket and bike to the market for a fun-filled afternoon of good eats.