Earlier this week, we shared Mapquest's picks for the top ten Denver neighborhoods, and quite a few of our readers disagreed with the company's picks. So we looked around for other choices and found a couple of notable ones -- top-five Denver neighborhood lists put together by real-estate blog Movoto and About.com. The rankings aren't identical -- only one neighborhood shows up in the same place on both rosters, and some appear on one but not the other. Look below to see the juxtaposition of the lists, complete with photos and text from the original posts. Number 5 according to Movoto: Uptown
The Uptown neighborhood is also known as North Capitol Hill is a going through a gentrification and revitalization right now. It is recognized as a one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Denver, just after the downtown Central Business District. "Sunset Magazine" recognized Uptown as one of the city's hippest neighborhoods, citing new restaurants, cool shops, and an overall progressive vibe. New development in the area includes mixed-use condos and apartments, which offer a variety of sizes and layouts to fit a variety of residents. Two popular restaurants spots are WaterCourse Foods and Steuben's Food Service. City Park, the biggest park in Denver, is located in this neighborhood and is home to the Denver Zoo and the Museum of Nature and Science as well as miles of path for running and walking.
Number 5 according to About.com: Governor's Park
Governor's Park straddles the area between Capitol Hill and Washington Park. Sixth Ave. offers an international selection of restaurants from Little India to Benny's Mexican restaurant. The neighborhood is named after the Governor's Mansion, and contains a mix of apartment homes and single-family living. Governor's Park offers a slightly more affordable alternative to Washington Park.
Continue to keep counting down the top five Denver neighborhoods according to Movoto and About.com. Number 4 according to Movoto: Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is one of Denver's oldest neighborhoods with many homes over 100 years old. If you love an historic neighborhood that has a solid stock of historic homes, this neighborhood is a good choice for you. This neighborhood, named from a nearby park, is home to the Santa Fe Arts District, which boasts more than 40 galleries, restaurants and shops. Domo Restaurant, which features highly-rated Japanese cuisine, is located in this neighborhood. There is a First Friday Art Walk and other art openings and previews on a regular basis.
Number 4 according to About.com: Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek has always had a golden past, as a gold strike at the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River led to the founding of Denver as a city. The neighborhood's reputation for luxury lives on today with the tony Cherry Creek Mall and upscale restaurants at Cherry Creek North. More pedestrian enjoyment can also be found on the bike trails and running paths along Cherry Creek's banks.
Continue to keep counting down the top five Denver neighborhoods according to Movoto and About.com. Number 3 according to Movoto: Cherry Creek
The Cherry Creek neighborhood is situated near the center of Denver and has an eclectic mix of older homes on tree-lined streets and more dense urban development. The neighborhood got its name from Cherry Creek a watercourse that is a tributary to the South Platte River. Cherry Creek has two major commercial areas. The Cherry Creek Shopping Center, which anchors the neighborhood, is an indoor mall that has national retailers. The Cherry Creek North shopping area covers multiple streets and is filled with upscale galleries, boutiques, salons, great restaurant and bar options as well as Fillmore Plaza. Many community events are held at Fillmore Plaza, including movies in the park and ice skating in winter. There is a branch of the Denver Public Library in this neighborhood as well. If you love a good burger, the Cherry Cricket is going to be one of your favorite spots in the neighborhood.
Number 3 according to About.com: City Park
City Park houses such popular tourist attractions as the Denver Zoo and Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The park also boasts an 18-hole golf course and three man-made lakes. The neighborhood attracts both tourists and locals alike to the restaurants bordering Colfax Ave. as well as the zoo and museum.
Continue to keep counting down the top five Denver neighborhoods according to Movoto and About.com. Number 2 according to Movoto: Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is an established residential neighborhood that has commercial centers along many of its primary streets. This neighborhood has some of the oldest homes in the city. Historically, this neighborhood was home to Denver's elite. Today, apartments and condo buildings are mixed in with the older homes to create a very dense and lively neighborhood. There is a strong artists and bohemian feel to the neighborhood. Capitol Hill also known to be gay-friendly and the annual PrideFest gay parade goes through this neighborhood. Two of Denver's major parks (Civic Park and Cheesman Park) are located next to the Capitol Hill neighborhood. There are plenty of restaurant and lounge options in the neighborhood, including the well-rated Le Central, Bones, and Lala's Wine Bar and Pizzeria.
Number 2 according to About.com: Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is one of Denver's most historic neighborhoods, named after the state capital building perched atop a hill. The neighborhood fell into disrepair for a while, but now benefits from the urban revival downtown. The neighborhood's proximity to downtown and its nightlife makes it popular with single professionals.
Continue to keep counting down the top five Denver neighborhoods according to Movoto and About.com. Number 1 according to Movoto: Union Station/Lodo
Taking its name from the main railroad terminal in Denver, the Union Station neighborhood covers much of the area known as LoDo (Lower Downtown). Significant investment has caused a big revitalization in this neighborhood. The result is a lively mixed-use neighborhood built around historic buildings with plenty of residential opportunities. This neighborhood is home to the vibrant Denver nightlife scene, so there is always an exciting energy and never a lack of things to do. Highly-rated Rioja and TAG are located here. Coors Field is also located at the edge of the Union Station neighborhood and the feeling of game day brings a palatable energy to the neighborhood. The Pepsi Center is also located at the edge of this neighborhood and is a major multi-purpose arena that is home to the Denver Nuggets basketball team, Colorado Avalanche hockey team, and hosts many major concerts. For those who want to energy of the city at their doorstep, Union Station/LoDo should be at the top of your list.
Number 1 according to About.com: Washington Park
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Denver's most desirable neighborhood borders its namesake of Washington Park. The popular park's running and bike trails make it a family favorite, especially in the summer. Gaylord St. also brings in a crowd to the shops and restaurants lining the neighborhood thoroughfares.
Click to read Movoto's "The 5 Best Neighborhoods in Denver" and About.com's "Top Five Central Denver Neighborhoods."
More from our Things to Do archive: "Photos: Ten best neighborhoods in Denver according to MapQuest."
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