Capitol Hill Denver: Complete Neighborhood Guide for Visitors
Capitol Hill is one of Denver's most vibrant and walkable neighborhoods, blending historic Victorian architecture with a thriving arts scene, diverse dining options, and easy access to downtown. If you're planning a trip to Denver and want to experience the city like a local, Capitol Hill offers an authentic slice of Denver life that goes beyond the typical tourist experience.
Where is Capitol Hill Denver?
Capitol Hill sits just east of downtown Denver, roughly bounded by Colfax Avenue to the north, Downing Street to the west, 7th Avenue to the south, and York Street to the east. The neighborhood gets its name from the Colorado State Capitol building, which sits on its western edge. Its central location means you're within walking distance of downtown attractions while staying in a neighborhood with its own distinct character.
Why Stay in Capitol Hill?
Whether you're booking a vacation rental, hotel, or Airbnb in Denver, Capitol Hill's central location and local character make it one of the city's best neighborhoods to call home base. Cap Hill vacation rentals offer better value than downtown hotels while providing a more authentic Denver experience.
Walkability: Capitol Hill boasts one of the highest walk scores in Denver. Coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and parks are all within easy strolling distance. You won't need to rely on rideshares for every outing.
Local flavor: Unlike some touristy areas, Capitol Hill is where Denverites actually live, work, and hang out. You'll find neighborhood coffee shops packed with locals on laptops, family-run restaurants, and independent boutiques.
Central location: You're 10-15 minutes from downtown Denver, 15-20 minutes from RiNo (River North Art District), and have quick access to highways leading to Red Rocks and the mountains.
Historic charm: The tree-lined streets feature some of Denver's most beautiful historic homes, many built during the city's gold rush boom in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Best Area to Stay in Capitol Hill Denver
It's hard to go wrong. If you want to be a bit closer to nightlife, then stick a little closer to 12th or north. If you want a little bit quieter and neighborhoody, then 12th and below is ideal. Good news! Our Denver Airbnb gets you the best of both worlds. We're a few blocks from multiple grocery stores, Cheesman Park, one of Denver's best restaurants, and multiple music venues. It's hard to beat a stay at the Cheesman Park Garden Bungalow. If you're looking for a Capitol Hill Airbnb, we're here for you.
Things to Do in Capitol Hill Denver
Historic Sites and Architecture
Molly Brown House Museum: One of Capitol Hill's crown jewels, this museum tells the story of the "Unsinkable" Molly Brown, Titanic survivor and social activist. The Victorian-era home has been restored to its early 1900s glory. Tours run regularly and provide fascinating insights into Denver's Gilded Age. Located at 1340 Pennsylvania Street.
Colorado State Capitol: Free guided tours take you through this 1894 building, including up to the dome for panoramic Denver views. The "Mile High" step on the west side marks exactly 5,280 feet above sea level. Pro tip: go on a clear day for incredible mountain views.
Historic mansion walks: Simply wandering the residential streets between 10th and 14th Avenues reveals dozens of stunning historic homes. The architecture ranges from Queen Anne Victorian to Neoclassical Revival. Pennsylvania Street and Humboldt Street are particularly picturesque.
Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Cheesman Park: This 80-acre park is Capitol Hill's backyard. Great for picnics, jogging, or just relaxing with mountain views in the background. The park has an interesting (and slightly spooky) history as a former cemetery.
Civic Center Park: Between Capitol Hill and downtown, this park hosts festivals, farmers markets, and events throughout the year. The views of the capitol building and mountains create perfect photo opportunities.
Arts and Culture
13th Avenue: Known as "Gallery Row," this stretch features multiple art galleries, though the scene has evolved over the years. First Friday art walks still draw crowds when participating galleries open their doors.
Street art: Capitol Hill showcases some of Denver's best murals and street art. Keep your eyes open as you walk around the neighborhood—you'll spot creative work on building walls, alleyways, and unexpected corners.
Where to Eat in Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill's dining scene ranges from dive bars to upscale restaurants, with particularly strong showings in breakfast spots, international cuisine, and late-night eats.
Breakfast and Brunch
Jelly: Consistently ranked among Denver's best breakfast spots, Jelly serves creative dishes in a quirky, vintage cereal inspired space. Expect a wait on weekends, but it's worth it. It's only a few blocks from our Denver garden bungalow.
The Corner Beet: A health focused, buzzy cafe with a tasty menu. A perfect neighborhood spot for vegetarians, vegans or those looking for healthy options. The vegan french toast doesn't disappoint. Also close to our garden bungalow in Cap Hill.
Syrup: Known for creative pancake flavors and generous portions. The peanut butter cup pancakes are legendary.
Lunch and Dinner
Mizuna: For a special occasion, this intimate restaurant serves French-inspired seasonal cuisine with impeccable service. Reservations strongly recommended.
City O' City: A vegetarian restaurant that even meat-eaters love. The pizza and buffalo cauliflower are standouts, and they have an excellent beer selection.
Angelos: A classic neighborhood staple, this Italian restaurant + oyster bar always delivers. They've got a fantastic happy hour too! Pop in for Mollusk Monday.
Potager: Nicer but reasonable farm to table in a relaxed, lively setting. If the weather's nice, try to get a seat out in the back garden. A great spot for groups, order a few things to share for the table. They've been nominated for Michellin stars.
Odyssey: A family owned Sicilian joint. Serving up great dishes in a converted old home turned restaurant. The bolognese is a personal favorite.
Coffee Shops
Thump: Right up the street from the Cheesman Park Garden Bungalow, this is my favorite coffee shop in Denver. They have phenomenal pastries. It's an overall, really great vibe and a good spot to get some work done.
Hudson Hill: A popular spot in the neighborhood, this coffee shop turns into a bar at night. Great place to get some work done or catch up with a friend.
Pablo's Coffee: Another local roaster with a dedicated following. Their Capitol Hill location has a nice patio for people-watching. Heads up, they don't have wifi. This isn't a spot to pop in to work.
Nightlife and Entertainment
Ogden Theatre: Slightly larger venue (1,600 capacity) that books bigger names while maintaining a great concert experience.
Wild Corgi: A neighborhood gay bar with consistently good programming, including trivia and poker nights. The foods not bad either!
Don's: A top tier dive bar. It's grown in popularity and tends to get pretty busy on Friday and Saturday nights. It's a Chiefs bar and does tend to get pretty busy during gameday. They've got a pool table, foosball and a few arcade games.
Charlie Brown's: A popular piano bar for a fun night out with friends.
Shopping in Capitol Hill
While Capitol Hill isn't a major shopping destination, it offers unique boutiques and specialty shops:
Tattered Cover Book Store (Colfax): An independent bookstore institution with an excellent selection and cozy reading nooks. You could easily spend hours here.
Atomic Salvage: Vintage and curated modern clothing with a good eye for quality pieces.
Capitol Hill Books: A tiny, jam-packed used bookstore with floor-to-ceiling stacks. Cash only, and the owner is selective about what they stock.
Wax Trax Records: Phenomenal record store with every genre. They've got two stores right next to eachother, one dedicated to new records and the other vintage.
Getting Around Capitol Hill
Walking: Most of Capitol Hill is easily walkable. From a central location, you can reach most neighborhood destinations within 10-15 minutes on foot.
Bus: The 15 and 15L buses run along Colfax Avenue, providing easy access to downtown and other neighborhoods. RTD's fare is $3 for a 3-hour pass.
Biking: Cap Hill has pretty decent biking infrastructure, with bike likes along many streets in the neighborhood. We have two bikes available for rent. You can purchase these during your stay through the Happy Guest portal.
Driving and parking: Street parking is free on most streets, metered in some areas during daytime hours. Residential permit parking is common on side streets. It's typically very easy to park out front of our Cap Hill vacation rental, the Cheesman Park Garden Bungalow.
Capitol Hill by Season
Spring (March-May): Mild weather perfect for walking around. Parks come alive with blooming trees and flowers. Pack layers. Denver weather can change quickly.
Summer (June-August): Peak visitor season. Warm days (80s-90s F) with cool evenings. Outdoor patios and park activities are at their best. Book accommodations early.
Fall (September-November): Many consider this the best time to visit. Comfortable temperatures, beautiful fall colors, and fewer crowds. Red Rocks concert season is still going strong.
Winter (December-February): Cold but often sunny. You'll need a warm coat, but it's a great home base for ski trips to the mountains. The neighborhood takes on a quieter, more local feel.
Practical Tips for Visiting Capitol Hill
Altitude adjustment: Denver sits at 5,280 feet. Drink more water than usual, take it easy your first day, and limit alcohol until you've acclimated. Some visitors experience mild headaches or fatigue initially.
Colfax Avenue: East Colfax gets rougher the further east you go. The stretch through Cap Hill proper is fine, but be aware of your surroundings at night, especially if you're walking alone.
Cannabis: Colorado allows recreational cannabis, but consuming in public spaces (including parks and sidewalks) is illegal. Consumption is only legal on private property where the owner allows it.
Safety: Capitol Hill is generally safe, but it's an urban neighborhood. Use common sense. Don't leave valuables visible in cars, be aware of your surroundings at night, and trust your instincts.
Day Trip Ideas from Capitol Hill
Staying in Capitol Hill puts you in a great position for day trips:
Red Rocks Amphitheatre (30 minutes): World-famous concert venue with stunning natural acoustics. Even if there's no show, the park is free to visit during the day for hiking.
Rocky Mountain National Park (90 minutes): Colorado's crown jewel for mountain scenery, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
Golden (30 minutes): Home to Coors Brewery, the Colorado School of Mines, and charming downtown with mountain backdrop.
Boulder (45 minutes): College town with excellent restaurants, outdoor recreation, and Pearl Street Mall for strolling.
Final Thoughts
Capitol Hill offers visitors an authentic Denver experience that balances historic charm, cultural attractions, and modern urban living. Whether you're exploring the Molly Brown House, grabbing coffee at a local roaster, catching a show at the Bluebird Theater, or simply walking tree-lined streets admiring Victorian architecture, you'll get a genuine feel for what makes Denver special.
The neighborhood's central location means you can easily venture out to downtown attractions, Red Rocks concerts, or mountain adventures, then return to a neighborhood that feels like home. For travelers who want more than a generic hotel experience and appreciate staying where locals actually live, Capitol Hill is one of Denver's best choices. We'd love to host you at the Cheesman Park Garden Bungalow.