Your favorite street in Denver (Aurora, Arvada: motels, home, neighborhood)

[vegaspilgrim]

A recent thread where I started talking about interesting and diverse streets in Denver to explore leads me to open up a poll question-- what's your favorite street in the core Denver metro area (specifically excluding Boulder)? Choose your favorite, say why, and feel free to write in one if I didn't mention your favorite.

I voted for Parker/Leetsdale. It's not pedestrian friendly at all (although you'll still find people walking along the sidewalk and tons of people riding the 83 route bus), and it's kind of ugly, but I think it contains the most interesting and diverse set of businesses that Denver has to offer. I think this is clearly the most "cosmopolitan" street in Denver, and probably all of Colorado. At the same time, it hasn't forgotten its down home all American roots, with numerous long standing bar and grill places, my favorite being the Emerald Isle.

In terms of walkable commercial districts great for people watching, I like Pearl St. Stella's is an awesome coffee shop, and I have not yet found one better in Denver. After that I like the DU area. 16th street mall feels kind of touristy and phoney to me, too many starbucks, but it's great for people watching.

[Katarina Witt]

I had a hard time choosing between Univ. Blvd and Pearl St., but eventually went with Pearl. It's just a neat place, if a little "yuppified".

[Spincycle]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

I voted for Parker/Leetsdale. It's not pedestrian friendly at all (although you'll still find people walking along the sidewalk and tons of people riding the 83 route bus), and it's kind of ugly, but I think it contains the most interesting and diverse set of businesses that Denver has to offer. I think this is clearly the most "cosmopolitan" street in Denver, and probably all of Colorado. At the same time, it hasn't forgotten its down home all American roots, with numerous long standing bar and grill places, my favorite being the Emerald Isle.

In your poll I voted Blake St/ Market St/ Wazee/ Wynkoop (LoDo) because of the Microbrews.

What are the traffic patterns like on Parker/Leetsdale going SE in the AM (and reverse in PM)? Is traffic brtual going toward Arapahoe Road and the CAP? I had meant to ask this in the thread I initiated (i.e. comeback). Thanks.

[Count David]

Vegas, no 6th Ave Pkwy or Monaco Pkwy? I know there's nothing in the way of businesses or diversity on these streets but I always enjoy a lazy drive down these streets under the trees.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by Spincycle

In your poll I voted Blake St/ Market St/ Wazee/ Wynkoop (LoDo) because of the Microbrews.

I'm in agreement there. Wynkoop Brewery is one of my favorites. It's going to be one of my first stops when I get back in town.

What are the traffic patterns like on Parker/Leetsdale going SE in the AM (and reverse in PM)? Is traffic brtual going toward Arapahoe Road and the CAP? I had meant to ask this in the thread I initiated (i.e. comeback). Thanks.

I don't know to tell you the truth, because almost every time I've been on that road its been going the other direction than what you're planning on doing. Leetsdale from Alameda to Quebec is usually VERY backed up during rush hours. After Quebec traffic starts flowing pretty smoothly until you get to I-225, then it slows down a bit until you pass Quincy. Although as much traffic as there is, it's an abosolute cakewalk compared to how congested it was before they rebuilt the Parker Rd/I-225 interchange. If you're living in Denver though and working at Centennial Airport area, I'm not sure if taking Parker Rd is the best way. The Parker/Arapahoe intersection and Arapahoe Rd between Parker and Revere/Peoria gets extremely backed up during rush hours (a lot of people work in the the south metro office parks but live in Aurora). It would be a reverse commute until you start approaching Arapahoe Rd, but whether or not it would save time over taking I-25 I'm not sure. A local's shortcut I know about (shhh... keep quiet about this one) is go down Monaco or Quebec (which turns into Tamarac Dr and then DTC Pkwy) to Belleview, then go south on Peoria. Although Belleview itself gets extremely backed up during rush hours since it's basically the heart of the Denver Tech Center.

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Vegas, no 6th Ave Pkwy or Monaco Pkwy? I know there's nothing in the way of businesses or diversity on these streets but I always enjoy a lazy drive down these streets under the trees.

Those are definitely attractive tree lined streets, but my poll was pretty much limited to commercial streets; otherwise I'd have to include practically every street in the city.

[DenverAztec]

17th Street downtown is my favorite followed by Speer.

[tolife]

It's just so colorful, and there is always something new to look at. Love the kitchyness of it. Is that a word?

[MobyLL]

^^ I will go with Broadway also. It is a close call for me between Broadway, Colfax and South Pearl though. I live within walking distance of both Broadway and S Pearl and they are totally different which is cool. The scale of S Pearl is great in terms of the street width and pedestrian scale... just wish the commercial/restaurant/retail component was about twice as long as it is.

[2bindenver]

I like the shops on Gaylord - just off uni.

But how do you choose when Broadway,Colfax Federal & Colorado are the the whole street - how do you not just choose Colfax - just for the the variety?

[livecontent]

I also picked Broadway. However, since I live on the west side--I would add other great streets:

West Colfax---has that very old feeling of Denver that is disappearing with the small motels and unique restaurants.

West 38th----now this is good street with the Hispanic/Italian mix with bakeries, sausage places, tacos, tamales and they get into Wheat Ridge with the interesting small shops. You can go all the way into the nice area of Applewood.

South Federal just past Alameda--what else but good diverse Asian food, nice shopping--you can even imagine you are in Asia with the smells and the lanquages.

Tennyson Street in Berkeley--a gentrified neighborhood but with some old establish shops still there; goes south to the nice redevelopment of Elitch's; goes north passed Berkeley Lake and Case Golf Course. This is where I hang out as it is down the road where I live.

West 32nd in Highlands--what can I say--beautiful exciting, bookstores, restaurants and people all out and about.

Old Wadsworth in Arvada--now this is an authentic old town, not some recreated new urbanism. Old Bars, bakeries, restaurants, libraries, churches, parks; you can spend a day in going to all the antique shops. Another one of my favorite hangouts.

Ah, with all these choices I certainly can
Livecontent