Victorian-era homes and buildings; lush gardens and parks; hip independently owned shops; art galleries; and restaurants, all make the Denver Highland neighborhood a great destination for visitors. There are three diverse districts to discover: Highlands Square, Tennyson Street and Lower Highland (LoHi).

Boutiques, wine shops and bookstores, as well as popular restaurants and bars radiate out from Highlands Square on West 32nd Avenue and Lowell Boulevard. LoHi is characterized by a mix of old and ultra-modern architecture, some of the city's most innovative restaurants and bars and incredible views of the Highland Bridge and downtown Denver.

And, in the Tennyson Street Cultural District in the adjacent Berkeley neighborhood, you can spend an afternoon browsing antique prints, photographs and paintings from Colorado artists, plus find live music venues and great international foods.

Note: To simplify things, the places mentioned in this guide are found in several adjoining neighborhoods: Highland, Berkeley, Sunnyside and Sloan Lake. They share a similar laid-back vibe with tree-lined streets.

Neighborhood Map

Explore Denver Highland

Dining

Enjoy rooftop seating, craft beer and cocktails, innovative cuisine concepts and unique flavors!

The pioneering Avanti F and B collective brings together several different restaurant concepts, each housed in a modified shipping container. It's the perfect place to taste an eclectic mix of affordable, chef-driven flavors, all under one roof. Check out the flavors and breathtaking city views at Linger and El Five. Locally sourced ingredients are celebrated at award-winning eateries like Root Down. Or have a chill afternoon or evening at these popular hangouts: Highland Tap & Burger, Recess Beer Garden and The Post Chicken & Beer.

You can literally find a world of flavors up and down 32nd and 33rd streets. In the mood for Latin American? Try Señor Bear. Or what about Israeli? Try Ash'Kara Denver. How about Japanese? Try Bamboo Sushi. Indian? Try Little India Restaurant & Bar – W. 32nd. Or Italian? Bar Dough has you covered. Noisette Restaurant and Bakery, meanwhile, is a relative newcomer bringing tasty French comfort food and fresh pastries to the Lower Highland neighborhood. Don’t miss the Sunday brunch with Champagne, of course.

On Tennyson Street in the bordering neighborhood of Berekely, you'll find three distinctive eateries. Vital Root has some of the best vegetarian/vegan options in town from the Ayurvedic-inspired menu. Take your pick, fast and casual or upscale and intimate at Parisi Pizzeria and Firenze a Tavola Tuscan Dining, both located at the same address. And for more Italian fare, Voghera Ristorante & Apericena offers a small menu in the spirit of Northern Italy.

After being inspired by these restaurants, learn how to improve your cooking at Stir Cooking School.

Craft Beer

Highland is packed with craft breweries. You'll find something for every taste. Try the legendary Graham Cracker Porter at Denver Beer Co., experience the unique aviation-themed FlyteCo Brewing and celebrate the culture and flavors of Mexico at Cerveceria Colorado. Also, check out Call to Arms Brewing Company, tucked away on Tennyson Street; Diebolt Brewing, in the Sunnyside neighborhood where they brew, ferment and package onsite; The Empourium Brewing Company, another great choice just off Tennyson Street; and Oasis Brewing Company, one of Colorado's original microbreweries dating back to 1991.

Consult the Denver Beer Trail for more breweries to sample in the neighborhood. And meet the people behind the brands with Denver Brew Tours. They offer tours on foot as well as by party bus or van.

Cocktails, Coffee & Cider

Sample custom cocktails and small plates at The Family Jones Spirit House.

If you're looking for one of the best chai lattes in town (not to mention local burritos and pastries), swing by Pinwheel Coffee, which has a unique business model: it's a student-run enterprise for local middle and high school Montessori students. All profits go back into student projects.

To escape the stresses of everyday life, head to Waldschänke Ciders + Coffee in the Sunnyside neighborhood. This Swiss-inspired cidery, which is earning high marks from locals, has a cozy taproom and offers a chance to pair your drink with delicious fare from the EuroWagen food truck.

Parks

Where Cherry Creek and the South Platte River meet and mingle, you'll find the unique and scenic Confluence Park. Watch kayakers brave the rapids on custom-designed chutes, sunbathe on the sandy banks and enjoy panoramic views of downtown Denver.

Or head to Sloan's Lake Park for mountain views, stand-up paddleboarding and a walking path along the water. It's The Mile High City’s second-largest park and claims the capital’s largest body of water.

El Five Restaurant in the Highlands, Denver, CO

Locals Know

Families can play for free the first Tuesday of every month from 4-8 p.m. at Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus. Create in The Art Studio, power a hot air balloon or make giant bubbles!

You can’t miss the giant milk can where Little Man Ice Cream serves up an ever-changing menu of locally made ice cream. With every scoop served, Little Man donates a scoop of rice, beans or other food to communities in need worldwide. For something a bit unusual, The Inventing Room creates magical and seemingly impossible frozen treats with a little help from liquid nitrogen and premium ingredients (plus showmanship).

Highland neighborhood in Denver, Colorado, in daytime

Annual Events

First Fridays

Each first Friday of the month, galleries and artists within the Tennyson Street Cultural District display and sell their work, offering everything from paintings and photography to Chinese scrolls and stage costumes.

Highlands Street Fair

Every June, this annual event brings live music, tasty food, arts and crafts, a classic car show, and more to the neighborhood.

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

This annual weekend festival celebrates Asian culture with food, shopping, art and thrilling dragon boat races across Sloan's Lake in the summertime.

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Highland Neighborhood Map

Start your neighborhood adventure at this suggested spot! This is a centrally located position that you can input into your GPS to get started exploring.