Windsor - Denver, CO Area Guide

The Windsor neighborhood resides in Denver, Colorado, a city with a history dating back to the summer of 1858, when the land located on the banks of the South Platte River was established as a gold mining town, originally named Montana City. In November of 1858, a land speculator named General William Larimer re-named the town Denver City after James W. Denver, the territorial governor of Kansas. Over time, Denver grew from a small mining town to a major goods and services supplier. By 1890, Denver had become the 26th largest city in the United States and continues to grow today.

While there aren't any museums in the immediate neighborhood, the Denver Art Museum on 14th Avenue Parkway features a variety of exhibits that include Pre-Columbian art and American Indian art. The museum also hosts DAM Uncorked, an annual two-day fundraiser featuring wine tasting, dinner and a silent auction.

Residents of the Windsor community don't have far to go when it comes to enjoying a tasty meal or a fun night of cocktails, as many of the options reside within a mile or two of the neighborhood, conveniently located on and around East Mississippi Avenue, South Clinton Street and South Quebec Street. When local residents have a taste for a hearty breakfast or a casual dinner, they take a short trip over to Blossoms on South Clinton Street. Located in the Windsor Gardens Hotel, this cozy eatery overlooks the beautiful Emerald Greens golf course, and features a vast menu with everything from classic Sunday brunch items to Southern fried chicken. Blossoms also features a weekly buffet with different options every day of the week including favorites such as chicken enchiladas, homemade pizza and seafood. For a tasty Chinese meal served in a cozy and welcoming dining room, Windsor residents suggest Sun Wah Restaurant in the Leetsdale Marketplace Shopping Center, just off of South Quebec Street on Leetsdale Drive. Locals rave over the friendly and personable service provided by Sun Wah's staff members, as well as favorite menu items such as sesame beef and crispy won-tons stuffed to the rim with crab meat and cream cheese. If you're hungry for a classic comfort dish, regulars recommend the chow mein, served over white rice and topped with fried noodles, mixed veggies, snow peas, onions and broccoli. If you're in the mood for a tasty burger or grilled sandwich, stop by the Backstreet Tavern and Grill on South Galena Street. With a casual atmosphere, friendly service and some of the best American cuisine around, Backstreet Tavern and Grill definitely has its share of regulars. If you have a taste for something spicy, be sure to try the Backstreet burger which includes a juicy beef patty smothered in jalapeño cream cheese and apple wood smoked bacon. In addition to its amazing cuisine, Backstreet Tavern also rates high among locals as a popular nightlife location with its a full bar and an ample selection of local craft beers, wide screen televisions and outdoor patio. If you're looking for the perfect neighborhood joint, complete with pool tables and friendly bartenders, locals suggest paying a visit to Mugsy's Bar on East Mississippi Avenue. With a full bar, outdoor patio, ongoing shot specials and $5 pitchers every Tuesday night, you can't go wrong with this local favorite.

In addition to driving, residents of the Windsor neighborhood enjoy walking and bike riding, as the streets and sidewalks are pedestrian friendly and the nearby Highline Canal features biking and walking trails. Outside of the immediate vicinity, cyclists also have access to over 850 miles of off street bike paths and over 100 miles of bike lanes throughout the Denver metro area.

Residents who utilize public transport have convenient access to several Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus stops located on streets throughout the neighborhood, including East Mississippi Avenue, South Dayton Street and Alameda Avenue. Drivers can park for free on certain residential streets, but must adhere to the hourly time limits posted on the neighborhood's parking enforcement signs. Drivers can also utilize paid parking meters for $1 per hour when driving in areas with heavier traffic flow, as well as pre-book parking spaces through Denver's "Parkme" service.

When driving into downtown or surrounding cities, commuters can access Colorado State Highway 83 via East Mississippi Avenue, as well as the Interstate 225 Freeway via Alameda Avenue, allowing for easy and convenient travel. Taxis don't normally circulate within the Windsor neighborhood, so hailing a taxi isn't an option. However, anyone in need of a lift can easily schedule transportation with Denver Yellow Cab or through application-based ride services such as Lyft and Uber.

Windsor community residents enjoy living in close proximity to several free-to-enter parks with multiple amenities, provided by the Denver Parks and Recreation Department.

Families enjoy visiting Ben Bezoff Park on East Exposition Avenue, as it features playground equipment, a picnic area, walking paths and a basketball court. If you're looking to get in a good outdoor workout, Jacobs Park on South Quebec Street features a multi-use playing field, jogging trails and biking trails. For a fun day out with your furry friend, Lowry Dog Park on Yosemite Way features plenty of open space for your dog to roam off-leash, as well as sectioned-off areas for smaller dogs.

The cities of Denver and Aurora oversee a variety of annual events that help to strengthen community ties and celebrate Colorado's history. Popular family-friendly events include the Aurora 4th of July Spectacular and the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration, both of which are held at the Aurora Municipal Center on East Alameda Avenue, as well as the Cherry Blossom Festival in Sakura Square, which is an annual celebration of Japanese culture.

The cost of living in the Windsor neighborhood falls approximately 39 percent lower than the average cost of living in Denver, with renters paying around $1,010 per month for one-bedroom apartments and condos. A local bus ride into the city costs $2.25, with discounted rates for seniors, Medicare recipients and students. Locals typically pay between $4 and $6 for beers at local bars, however, prices can vary with establishments that feature drink specials and promotions. When compared to the national average, Windsor residents pay approximately 11 percent less in gas prices than the rest of the country.

Residents of the Windsor neighborhood enjoy living just a short trip away from a wide variety of shopping options, with several establishments located on and around East Mississippi Avenue and South Havana Street.

For groceries and basic household items, local shoppers suggest Safeway on South Havana Street or Salem Grocery on East Mississippi Avenue. If you're looking for organic options, stop by Sprouts Organic Market on South Ironton Street. Fresh, local produce can also be found at the Aurora Farmers Market on Havana Street, open every Monday between June and October from 10 to 3.

While you won't find any high-end merchandisers in the immediate vicinity, locals suggest taking a short excursion three miles southeast of downtown Denver to the Cherry Creek Shopping Center on East 1st Avenue. With luxury retailers such as Burberry and Louis Vuitton, it's definitely worth the trip.

For fashionable clothing and accessories at affordable prices, check out Arsyca's Boutique on East Mississippi Avenue. This family-owned and operated shop features stylish dresses, footwear and handbags for every occasion, with new inventory arriving daily.

If you're looking for the perfect gift for that "foodie" friend who has everything, stop by Savory Spice Shop on Quebec Street. This savory neighborhood shop features spices from around the world, gift sets, cookbooks, cooking apparel and specialty items such as cheeses, essential oils and organic hot chocolate mixes.