Neighborhood Guide: Capitol Hill, Denver

The Capitol Hill neighborhood, affectionately called “Cap Hill”, is the heart of Denver. It houses - you guessed it - the state’s capitol building as well as some of Denver’s most historic and beautiful homes. With amazing cultural and entertainment opportunities, this neighborhood thrums with excitement all day, every day. From the seat of the state government, to local small business, to charming restaurants and coffee shops, Cap Hill is where life happens in Denver. Wondering if Capitol Hill is for you? Read on to find out!

Types of Homes

Cruising through Cap Hill, you see jaw-dropping mansions from the era of silver barons as well as stately Victorian homes converted into multi-family dwellings. Poets Row is a charming street where all the centenarian apartment buildings have the names of nineteenth-century authors. One adorable studio in the Louisa May Alcott building? - Coming right up!

Cap Hill has apartments to spare, making it a popular location for students, families and young professionals. There are also many grandiose, historic single family-houses, though these sell like lightning and usually come with a hefty price tag. With so many beautiful apartment options available, no need to worry about that.

Parking in Cap Hill is famously challenging, so unless your building provides parking or your house has off-street spots, you might as well sell that car and buy a bike or a public transit pass. The neighborhood is on main bus routes on its north, west, and southern borders, so getting around is especially easy. If you have a car, make sure to ask about parking when touring apartments!

Cap Hill’s Landscape

A defining feature of Cap Hill is its unbeatable walkability. As the center of the city, residents here can stroll to some of the best attractions in the city. Biking more your style? Try out the seemingly infinite amount of bike lanes and trails. There are even a variety of grocery stores within easy walking distance (Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Safeway).

The northern boundary of Cap Hill is the iconic Colfax Avenue which has thriving shops and restaurants. Just northwest of the neighborhood lies Civic Center Park, where you can enjoy free group exercise classes in the Greek amphitheater or visit the impressive main branch of the Denver Public Library. To the east are the lovely Cheeseman Park and the Denver Botanical Gardens, where Denverites picnic and play badminton as if their lives depended on it. The western boundary of the park is Broadway, the bustling street dividing the city into east and west.

Must-See Attractions

In addition to ogling the gorgeous homes, there is tons to do in Cap Hill. When it comes to drinking, you can find locals at the beatnik piano bar, Charlie Brown’s, or the rowdy but lovely Governor’s Park. Or perhaps they’re stocking up for a house party at Argonaut - Denver’s best-stocked liquor store employed by knowledgeable staff.

Two of Denver’s best museums reside in the neighborhood: the interactive History Colorado Museum and the (“Unsinkable”) Molly Brown House - the preserved residence of one of the Titanic’s most illustrious survivors.

Check out Denverites’ favorite foodie restaurants: City O’City, Steuben’s, Bang Up the Elephant, or Jelly for inventive, trendy, and mind-blowingly good food.

Living in Capitol Hill, Denver

Moving to Denver is a thrilling thought, though before you pack up your things and head to this booming city, you’ll want to take a look at both the cost of living and the average rent to get a better idea of what you will be able to afford. Next, you should check out the best Denver neighborhoods to help narrow your options in finding your perfect apartment.

For those looking to find Denver apartments filled with history, look no further than the Denver Capitol Hill neighborhood. The Denver Capitol Hill area maintains its rich background while also establishing itself as one of the exciting areas in the city.

Types of Homes

Cruising through Cap Hill, you see jaw-dropping mansions from the era of silver barons, and stately Victorian homes converted into multi-family dwellings. Poets Row is a charming street where all the centenarian apartment buildings have the names of nineteenth-century authors. One adorable studio in the Louisa May Alcott building? - Coming right up!

Capitol Hill, Denver, has apartments to spare, making it a popular location for students, families, and young professionals. There are also many grandiose, historic single family-houses, though they sell like lightning and usually come with a hefty price tag. With so many beautiful apartment options available, no need to worry about that.

Cap Hill’s Location

A defining feature of Cap Hill is its unbeatable walkability. As the center of the city, residents here can stroll to some of the best attractions in the city. If biking is more your style, try out the seemingly infinite amount of bike lanes and trails. There are even a variety of grocery stores within easy walking distance (Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Safeway).

The northern boundary of Cap Hill is the iconic Colfax Avenue, which has thriving shops and restaurants. Just northwest of the neighborhood lies Civic Center Park, where you can enjoy free group exercise classes in the Greek amphitheater or visit the impressive main branch of the Denver Public Library.

To the east are the lovely Cheeseman Park and the Denver Botanical Gardens, where Denverites picnic and play badminton. The park’s western boundary is Broadway, the bustling street dividing the city into east and west.

Things to Keep in Mind

Capitol Hill offers might seem like the place to be, but it’s important to remember that being central to all the fun and excitement does come at a price. Here are a few things to consider before making your move to Capitol Hill, Denver.

Parking and Traffic

Parking in Cap Hill is famously challenging, so unless your building provides parking or your house has off-street spots, you might as well sell that car and buy a bike or public transit pass. The neighborhood is on main bus routes on its north, west, and southern borders, so getting around is especially easy. If you have a car, make sure to ask about parking when touring apartments!

As previously mentioned, residents of Capitol Hill take advantage of the neighborhood’s excellent walk score of 93. Cap Hill also has pretty reliable public transportation, with a transit score of 66. To match that incredible walk score, Cap Hill also boasts a bike score of 96.

Never a Dull Moment

With so much going on throughout the year in this flavorful neighborhood, anticipate an influx of crowds from time to time. If you prefer the quiet suburban lifestyle, Cap Hill might not be the best place for you to call home.

However, for those looking to make the most out of their time living in the Mile High City, Capitol Hill is an excellent place to do that. With such proximity to other booming neighborhoods on top of all the activity going on here, you will surely never get bored.

Things to Do in Capitol Hill, Denver

Cap Hill offers the public Colorado history and culture paired with a vibrant mix of the arts. Together, the blend makes for something rather unique and enjoyable to all. There is no shortage of things to do in Denver Capitol Hill. Here are a few musts:

Hit Civic Center Park

With 25,000 square feet of flower beds, the Civic Center Park is one of many beauties Capitol Hill offers residents and visitors alike. Surrounded by the Denver Art Museum, the City and County Building, and the State Capitol, the location of this park couldn’t be more central.

Best of all, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from May through October, you can stroll through Civic Center Park to enjoy a lovely combination of live music and food trucks.

Grab a Drink

In addition to ogling the gorgeous homes, there are tons of things to do in Cap Hill. When it comes to drinking, you can find locals at the beatnik piano bar, Charlie Brown’s, or the rowdy but lovely Governor’s Park. Or perhaps they’re stocking up for a house party at Argonaut - Denver’s best-stocked liquor store employed by knowledgeable staff.

Check Out a Museum

Two of Denver’s best museums reside in the neighborhood: the interactive History Colorado Museum and the (“Unsinkable”) Molly Brown House - the preserved residence of one of the Titanic’s most illustrious survivors.

If you hit up the Golden Triangle Creative District, you’ll find yourself surrounded by great museums, including the Clyfford Still Museum, the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, and the Denver Art Museum.

Catch an Event

This exciting neighborhood hosts a wide array of events throughout the year. A couple of the biggest events you’ll find in Cap Hill include the Cinco de Mayo Festival in the spring and the Denver Pridefest in the summer, both of which take place in Civic Center Park.

Where to Eat and Drink in Cap Hill

Not surprisingly, Cap Hill is filled with great places to eat, drink, and be merry. Check out Denverites’ favorite foodie restaurants.

City O’City

You can’t live in Capitol Hill without grabbing a bite to eat a City O’City, Denver’s most prized vegetarian restaurant. City O’City has it all, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner with both indoor and outdoor seating available.

Steuben’s

Steuben’s is the place to go for anyone looking for a new spin on classic American fare. This retro-style diner has been featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives and is best known for its Green Chili Cheeseburger.

Bang Up the Elephant

If you’re looking to mix things up, check out Bang Up the Elephant for some delicious, Caribbean-inspired dishes. Enjoy the plant-filled environment as you sip on a tropical drink and enjoy the flavors of curry and jerk in your meals.

Jelly Cafe

For inventive, trendy, and mind-blowingly good food, stop by Jelly Cafe. Established in 1876, the cafe is thriving today with its made-from-scratch kitchen serving specialties like savory French toast and Maui hot browns.

In a Nutshell

Whether it’s architectural beauty, quick and delicious food, proximity to lovely parks, or just a friendly, urban atmosphere, Cap Hill has something to appeal to every taste and is a wonderful place to make your home in the Mile High City.

The Capitol Hill neighborhood, affectionately called “Cap Hill,” is the heart of Denver. It houses - you guessed it - the state’s capitol building, as well as some of Denver’s most historic and beautiful homes.

With fantastic cultural and entertainment opportunities, this neighborhood thrums with excitement all day, every day. From the seat of the state government to local small businesses to charming restaurants and coffee shops, Cap Hill is where life happens in Denver.

Are you wondering if the Capitol Hill neighborhood Denver offers is for you? Read on to find out!