Washington Virginia Vale - Denver, CO

Washington Virginia Vale occupies a historic spot in the heart of Denver. Denver's oldest house, build in 1859, presides over the neighborhood's Four Mile Historic Park. The Four Mile House was originally a stage stop and tavern for Denver-bound travelers. As the city grew up around it, the local dairy farms gradually gave way to Denver's increasing need for suburban housing.

Locals enjoy living close to several popular Denver shopping and arts districts. A few minutes' drive northeast, artists and vendors gather for the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, a three-day cultural event in July highlighting creative endeavors from culinary arts to performance and visual representations.

The Denver Metro area explodes with dining and drinking options, and Washington Virginia Vale's proximity to the culturally rich Cherry Creek and downtown districts means easy pickings for neighborhood residents. There are a few home-grown spots right in the neighborhood that also stand out in Denver's resplendent foodie scene.

Leigh Jones, Margaret Moore, and Jeremy Matzke, the geniuses behind Inga's Alpine Lounge, have managed to create a local watering hole that blends the cozy feel of a neighborhood bar with an upscale urban lounge. Housed in a midcentury former auto garage, Inga's dresses itself up like the kind of joint where Don Draper would feel welcome. The Bond-themed cocktails and intriguing small bites not only keep locals coming back but draw folks from neighboring Lakewood and downtown. The locals love the Thai ginger fries, crispy tater sticks sprinkled with ginger, lemongrass, herbs, and Thai chili sauce. Inga's also has a generous patio for summer lounging, complete with its own separate bar and occasional live music. Asparagus ravioli in a tangy lemon cream sauce remains a local favorite at Nonna's Chicago Bistro and Bella Vino Wine Bar. This pretty little Italian restaurant gives back to its neighborhood with deceptively complex regional dishes and nightly specials; and the wine bar packs in music lovers with live jazz and delicious cocktails.

The staff at Ambli Gourmet Eatery & Wine know how to pair, and the cuisine with which they pair their wines and beers continues to surprise and delight diners. A creative array of tapas from caprese to poblano hummus, potato croquettes, and saag quesadillas grace the unique menu. Locals return for Tapas Tuesdays and Wine Down Wednesdays.

Washington Virginia Vale has a higher percentage of drivers than other Denver neighborhoods. Local cyclists recommend South Oneida Street as a safe north-south route through the neighborhood and portions of Exposition east and west. The only street with dedicated bike lanes, South Kearny, runs from Cherry Creek Park north to George Washington High School. The safest riding can be found along the Cherry Creek Bike Path, which provides cycling connections all over Denver and is accessed at Garland Park.

A taxi can easily be hailed along Alameda, Monaco Parkway, or Exposition Boulevard, and Washington Virginia Vale's metro location assures that Uber's services are available citywide. Metro RTD buses run along Highway 83 surrounding George Washington High School, follow Monaco Parkway and skirt Garland Park, providing access to downtown Denver and connections to the southeast neighborhoods. A bus to the airport takes approximately an hour while a shuttle, cab, or car only takes about 30 minutes.

The signature park for Washington Virginia Vale features the historic Four Mile House. The cultural anchor of the neighborhood, Four Mile Park provides residents with education programs for kids and adults, guided and unguided tours of the historic house and museum, and a regular roster of events from pioneer demonstrations to family picnic events. Admission is charged, but parking is free. For summer sunbathing, Garland Park attracts fewer people than busy Cheeseman and Washington parks, making it a great destination for some real rest and relaxation. Skirting the southern edge of the neighborhood and surrounding the meandering wild green space of Cherry Creek, Garland Park is a natural hub with several ball fields, volleyball and tennis courts, a kids' playground, and a pond, not to mention acres of bike paths.

A few smaller parks in Washington Virginia Vale contribute to the neighborhood's laid-back and natural vibe. Francis Weisbart Park houses a rugby pitch and green space dotted with big shade trees, and Mir Park provides an exquisite old gazebo that can be rented for gatherings.

Off-leash dog parks can be found at Grandview and Cherry Creek State Park, to the east and south.

Washington Park is Denver's favorite exercise and picnic park, located four blocks from the shops and boutiques of Old South Gaylord Street. Here the Memorial Day Weekend Festival kicks off a celebration of local art, live music, and family-friendly activities.

Washington Virginia Vale has home prices about seven percent lower than the city average. Local bus fare to Cherry Creek and the city center on the Denver RTD costs $2.25 or $4 for the express. Local bars like W.T. Shorty's on Oneida charge an average of $3.50 for a pint of beer. Prices at the pump remain equal around the metro area and 10 percent lower than the national average.

Neighborhood residents pick up supermarket needs at one of two King Soopers stores on the northeast and southwest ends Washington Virginia Vale. Neighboring Cherry Creek Shopping Center houses a sprawling Whole Foods Market for shoppers seeking natural foods and grocery items. Saturdays and Wednesdays, the shopping center hosts a farmers market with artisan cheeses, fresh fruit, and natural meats, plants, and flowers.

Locals head to Continental Deli on Steele Street for cold cuts, cheeses, and other party needs, or they just stop by for lunch. The Reuben sandwich gets rave reviews, but the pastrami delights hungry customers too. This place also has a small German market, so you can take home traditional condiments and other items.

Dietrich Chocolates & Espresso handcrafts candy in traditional German style, making it the perfect place to pick up sweets. Try the dark chocolate-covered pretzels or almond clusters any time of year. The owner here studied with a renowned chocolatier in Germany, so you know these confections are the real deal.

Free coffee accompanies a good read at $2 Buck Books on South Monaco Parkway. $2 Buck Books appeals to book lovers, with informative and friendly staff and a seemingly inexhaustible inventory of books for $2 to $4. Pick up a used DVD while you're at it. That collectible 12-inch hangs just within reach at Twist and Shout Records, a few minutes north along busy Colfax Avenue. Twist and Shout keeps the spirit of vinyl alive and kicking and also stocks a full selection of CDs and accessories. The shop hosts live in-store performances.