Setting
Cherry Creek is a neighborhood in Denver, Colorado, located near the geographic center of the City and County of Denver. Its boundaries are Cherry Creek to the south, East Sixth Avenue to the north, University Boulevard to the west, and Colorado Boulevard to the east.
The neighborhood includes a mix of dense urban development and tree-lined residential streets. Newer residences stand alongside some of Denver’s older homes.
Name and Denver Context
Cherry Creek takes its name from the creek that runs along the south side of the neighborhood. Denver was first settled at the meeting point of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek, and the name is often used by businesses to signal a connection with the wider metropolitan Denver area.
Not every business using the Cherry Creek name is located in the neighborhood. The Cherry Creek School District is also sometimes confused with the neighborhood, though it is in western Arapahoe County and not in Denver.
Getting Around
Several major streets serve Cherry Creek. Speer Boulevard from Downtown Denver and LoDo becomes East First Avenue in the neighborhood, while University Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard run along its western and eastern edges and connect with Interstate 25.
East Seventh Avenue Parkway passes along the north side of the neighborhood for crosstown travel. Regional Transportation District bus service also reaches different parts of Cherry Creek, including routes listed for the neighborhood such as the 1, 3, 46, and limited service on the 3 and 83.
Shopping Areas
Two main commercial centers sit along East First Avenue. Cherry Creek Shopping Center is an enclosed upscale mall, while Cherry Creek North extends along East First, Second, and Third Avenues from University Boulevard to Steele Street.
Cherry Creek North covers 16 city blocks and includes locally owned businesses, nationally recognized brands, shops, restaurants, salons, spas, and service providers. Fillmore Plaza, on Fillmore Street between First and Second Avenues, hosts community events including Cherry Creek North Food & Wine in summer and the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.
Parks and Community Places
Cherry Creek is home to the Ross-Cherry Creek branch of the Denver Public Library. Manley Park, Pulaski Park, the Cherry Creek bike path, and East Seventh Avenue Parkway are part of Denver’s parks and recreation network.
The Cherry Creek Sneak is a five-mile foot race held on neighborhood streets and nearby parks and bike trails on the last Sunday in April, except when that date is Easter.
What it is like
The neighborhood has a vibrant atmosphere and is described as a shopping and dining destination, with Cherry Creek North and Cherry Creek Shopping Center together offering more than 300 stores, 75 cafes and restaurants, 50 spas and salons, and five hotels.
Sources: Cherry Creek, Denver (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA); visitdenver.com