Cheesman Park's Historic Architecture, Walkabilty, Restaurants, Ghost Tours, and Pride

Cheesman Park carries a rich history and waves its flags as high as its condos with the mountain views. This thriving community is a Denver built-in and never ceases to charm.

One of the oldest neighborhoods in Denver, development dates back to as early as 1868. Cheesman Park itself was completed in 1907, with nearby mansions built in 1915, and apartment buildings being built as early as 1930. It is often considered a part of the Capitol Hill neighborhood and contains three of Denver’s historic residential districts: Wyman’s, Morgan’s Addition, and Humboldt Island. Homes in these historic districts were built in the late 19^th century through the early 20^th century, preserving various architectural styles, like Classical Revival and Mission/Spanish Revival style homes.

Cheesman Park also has a bit of a haunted past. Denver’s first cemetery, the park is ripe with stories of its days as a graveyard-turned public park. By the late 1880s, the cemetery had fallen into disrepair. The U.S. Congress decided to turn it into a park, giving families 90 days to move the remains of their loved ones. In 1893, the city of Denver contracted E.P. McGovern to remove the rest of the bodies, however McGovern was reported to have cut corners in the process and was soon fired. An investigation was opened but the city hastily began construction of the park, leaving some 2,000 bodies in the ground and planting bushes and trees in open graves. There are reports of paranormal activity happening in and around the park area, and ghost tours take place daily, leaving from the Cheesman Park pavilion. We recommend Phil Goodstein’s Ghosts of Cheesman Park Tours.

There is plenty to do in Cheesman Park neighborhood, with a walkability score of 85, and a bike score of 90. Sunbathe on the lawn or go jogging through the trees in the park. Take a walk to the Denver Botanic Gardens, which is a great place for a photo op or to work remote from the Hive Garden Bistro. Closer to City Park & East High School, check out Carla Madison Rec Center, or bring your dogs with you to the Carla Madison Dog Park. There’s also a slackline area outside the rec center, if you’re into slacklining – or want to be.

Cheesman Park is also a gathering place for the start of the Denver Pride parade in June. Denver PrideFest draws around 525,000 guests each year, making it the 3rd largest pride festival and 7th largest pride parade in the country.

Local restaurants and eateries are on every corner. Grab a famous donut at Voodoo after your coffee break to Thump Coffee Roasters. Catch a show at ye olde Lions Lair or the Squire Lounge, and walk home in the warm summer night air. If you have a sweet tooth after a day at the Botanic Gardens, stop in at Smith & Cannon Ice Cream Co. for a delicious affogato, or Lik’s Ice Cream at 13^th and Vine. And who could forget Denver staple, Pete’s Kitchen, everyone’s favorite diner to burn the midnight oil.

Bike (10 min) or walk (25 min) to shops and restaurants on South Broadway. Neighboring Capitol Hill has local favorites like Wax Trax Records, Kilgore Books, City ‘O’ City, and Low Down Brewery. Walk (20 min) or bike (10 min) to City Park for Jazz in the Park throughout the summer. The RiNo Art District is a short drive (10 min) or bike ride (20 min) through the city. Other nearby neighborhoods include Country Club, Congress Park, Speer, and Whittier.