Highlands & LoHi
Denver, CO

Denver’s Premier Urban Neighborhood

The Highlands — formally comprising Highland, West Highland, and Lower Highland (LoHi) — is one of Denver’s oldest and most architecturally significant neighborhoods. The area was originally established as its own independent town in 1875, settled largely by European immigrant families who built the Victorian homes and brick bungalows that still define the streetscape today. At its founding, Highland was notably a temperance town, no saloons permitted, a stark contrast to the vibrant bar and restaurant culture it’s known for today. By 1896, financial pressures led Highland residents to vote for annexation into Denver.

LoHi – short for Lower Highlands – is the portion closest to downtown, perched on a bluff above the South Platte River directly across I-25 from Union Station. The nickname itself has an interesting origin: when restaurateur Paul Tamburello converted the old Olinger Mortuaries building into a restaurant in the early 2000s (that restaurant became Linger), people kept getting confused about exactly where “the Highlands” was. He coined “LoHi Marketplace” for the development, and the name stuck. That early wave of restaurant investment sparked a revitalization that transformed LoHi into what Forbes recognized as one of the nation’s best urban neighborhoods.

Today the Highlands is defined by a striking contrast between its historic bones and its contemporary energy. The Potter-Highlands Historic District — centered around Zuni and Vallejo streets between 31st and 36th — contains some of Denver’s finest surviving Victorian architecture: Queen Anne homes, Craftsman bungalows, Classic Cottages, and the large square blocks with interior carriage lots unique to this neighborhood. Alongside these century-old structures you’ll find sleek modern townhomes, rooftop condos with downtown views, and converted commercial buildings housing some of the best restaurants in the Mountain West.

Walking Distance to Everything

The Highlands’ single greatest asset is its proximity to downtown Denver combined with a genuine neighborhood feel. Union Station, Coors Field, Ball Arena, and Confluence Park are all within a 15-minute walk via the Highland Bridge — a 323-foot pedestrian span over I-25 that has become one of Denver’s most photographed landmarks since opening in 2006. The bridge effectively extends the 16th Street Mall directly into the neighborhood, making it one of the most car-optional addresses in the city.

The neighborhood’s Walk Score of 90+ reflects this reality. Most daily errands — groceries, coffee, dinner, fitness — can be accomplished entirely on foot. The South Platte River Trail runs along the neighborhood’s eastern edge, connecting cyclists north toward Confluence Park and downtown or south toward the Cherry Creek Trail system. Multiple RTD bus routes serve the area, and quick access to I-25 via Speer Boulevard or Federal Boulevard puts the entire metro within reach for the days when a car is needed.

32nd Avenue through Highland Square and 15th Street through LoHi are the neighborhood’s two primary commercial corridors. 32nd has a more residential, boutique feel — independent bookstores, coffee shops, and neighborhood restaurants catering to locals. 15th Street in LoHi is where the nationally recognized dining and nightlife scene is concentrated, with rooftop decks overlooking the downtown skyline becoming the social hub of the neighborhood.

The Platte River & Beyond

The Highlands sits at the confluence of Denver’s two most important trail corridors — the South Platte River Trail and the Cherry Creek Trail — making it one of the best-positioned neighborhoods in the city for cycling, running, and outdoor recreation. Confluence Park at the meeting of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River is a 10-minute walk from most of LoHi and serves as Denver’s urban outdoor hub, with kayaking, paddleboarding, and miles of trail access in multiple directions.

Highland Park — a neighborhood green space bordered by residential streets and Federal Boulevard — offers grassy areas for picnicking, a walking path, a children’s playground, and the Woodbury Branch of the Denver Public Library. The park anchors the neighborhood’s residential character and provides a community gathering space that complements the commercial energy of the nearby dining corridors.

• Highland Bridge (pedestrian/cycling)
• South Platte River Trail
• Confluence Park
• Cherry Creek Trail access
• Highland Park & playground
• Woodbury Branch Library
• Commons Park (Riverfront)
• Zuni Street parkway
• Multiple rooftop decks & patios
• Potter-Highlands Historic District
• Platte Street corridor
• Bike-share station network

Education in the Highlands

The Highlands is served by Denver Public Schools, with the neighborhood’s urban character reflected in a mix of traditional public schools, charter options, and private institutions. The neighborhood also benefits from its proximity to Auraria Campus — Colorado’s largest collective college campus — which hosts CU Denver, MSU Denver, and Community College of Denver just two miles away.

School boundaries and enrollment options change year to year — always verify directly with Denver Public Schools before purchasing.

Denver’s Culinary Capital

LoHi and the broader Highlands neighborhood contain arguably the most impressive concentration of acclaimed restaurants in the Mountain West. The dining scene ranges from Michelin-starred tasting menus to legendary casual spots that have defined Denver’s food culture for decades. 15th Street in LoHi and 32nd Avenue through Highland Square are the two primary corridors — both reward a slow evening of exploration.

Living in the Highlands

The Highlands’ combination of walkability and independent business culture means day-to-day life revolves around a network of locally owned spots rather than national chains. 32nd Avenue through Highland Square is the neighborhood’s practical commercial corridor — coffee, groceries, boutiques, and services all within a few blocks. The neighborhood has been named one of Denver’s most walkable areas with a Walk Score consistently above 90 in the LoHi core.