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Go There: Feel Right at Home in Cherry Creek North

The Cherry Creek North area is a pint-sized neighborhood of Denver that packs a major punch.

By Cara Sanders on October 7, 2022

Sidewalk along the Cherry Creek Bike Path. Cherry Creek is a small neighborhood in Denver, CO.
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Welcome to Go There, a Livability.com series about travel and how to maximize your time in some of our favorite cities. Do you have a place in mind we should visit next? Let us know!

Today, we’re sharing our weekend getaway guide to Cherry Creek North, a cozy Denver, CO, neighborhood.

Have you ever been on a trip and really and truly felt like you could see yourself there? We’re not talking about the typical ‘I could totally move here’ feeling of a long weekend, but the immersive experience of picturing your day-to-day there. That’s Cherry Creek North in a nutshell. 

Located just outside of Denver is the quaint community of Cherry Creek North. This 16-block neighborhood is a walkable outdoor community where visitors can escape the city without skimping out on things to do and see. 

This cozy corner of Colorado has the feeling of being a city within a city and attracts more than 5 million visitors a year. The tree-lined sidewalks are waiting to be explored, and the people and places you’ll see will make you feel right at home. 

Where to Stay

Situated just minutes from downtown Denver, Cherry Creek North is home to several boutique hotels, including Hotel Clio. The hotel opened in March 2022 after a multi-million dollar transformation and is part of the Luxury Collection, meaning that there is an emphasis on creating an immersive experience for guests to enjoy. From ‘daily epicurean moments,’ like instructions on how to make the perfect margarita, to a state-of-the-art gym and unobstructed views of the Rocky Mountains, you may never want to leave.

Quite frankly, everything at the Hotel Clio is so great that you could happily spend the entire weekend without ever leaving the property. But luckily, everything in the Cherry Creek North neighborhood is just a stone’s throw, so you don’t have to venture far — or worry about renting a car!

Where to Shop

The Cherry Creek North neighborhood spans 16 extremely walkable blocks packed with storefronts waiting to be explored. The area is home to more than 300 retail businesses, making it Denver’s highest concentration of locally-owned stores. We’ve only scratched the surface here, but luckily, Cherry Creek North has compiled a comprehensive list of places to shop ’til you drop when you visit.  

If you’re looking to shop small and support local businesses, A Line Boutique is a perfect spot for luxury lovers. Create a style profile and book an appointment for a carefully curated shopping experience, complete with a glass of champagne! If you’re on a budget and looking for discounted designer duds, RAGS Consignment is hands down one of the best second-hand stores we’ve ever visited. Their selection is fantastic and full of some of fashion’s most recognizable names.

Exterior of Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Cherry Creek is a neighborhood in Denver, CO.
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Looking for more shops that may be more familiar? The Cherry Creek Shopping Center is full of national chains and favorites like Zara, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. Plus, other national names like west elm, CB2 and Paper Source line the streets. 

And, if you’re feeling extra generous and want to bring home a piece of Cherry Creek North to your far-away family and friends, Show of Hands can’t be missed. For nearly 40 years, this local, female-owned art and gift gallery has stocked a variety of affordable and vibrant pieces from artists around the country. 

Bloody Mary from the bottomless brunch at Toro in Cherry Creek North, CO.
Cara Sanders

Where to Eat & Drink

Cherry Creek North is home to more than 65 restaurants in less than two dozen blocks, so the opportunities here to find something tasty are endless. Start your morning off at Ku Cha House of Tea. The staff here is highly knowledgeable and can help visitors find just what they are looking for…and there is a lot to choose from. Ku Cha has more than 100 types of tea varieties on site. Or, grab a cappuccino and crepe from Crepes ‘n Crepes. 

Brunch Tasting Menu from Toro in Cherry Creek North, CO.
Cara Sanders

For lunch, Blue Island Oyster Bar shouldn’t be missed. The interior is Instagram-worthy, and the food is delicious. We let our waiter be our guide, and he did not disappoint. Some standouts were the oysters (of course!), surf & turf salad and the knuckle sandwich, a mini lobster roll. The best part is the restaurant’s signature ‘Happiest Hour,’ which includes some of the restaurant’s signature dishes and a bevy of cocktails. Or, enjoy a bottomless brunch and a tasting menu at Toro. The vibe here was so fun, and you get a lot of bang for your buck. For just $40, guests can enjoy bottomless drinks and nearly a dozen small plates. 

Cherry Creek North, CO is home to tons of delicious restaurants, including Le Merise, a French bistro.
Cara Sanders

After spending the day walking around the neighborhood, you’ll want to grab something good to eat. I am gluten-free, and the staff at Le Merise provided one of the best dining experiences of my life. Our waiter was so knowledgeable and helpful about what I could and could not eat, and the meal was delicious. The space is cozy and inviting, and the restaurant has a great patio. Pro tip: If you go on a Sunday, all bottles of wine are half-price! Or, if you didn’t get to visit Toro for brunch, definitely go back for dinner. They make a mean margarita, and the tableside guacamole can’t be missed.

Enjoy a sweet treat from Cioccolatier, where the chocolates are both handmade and delicious. Then, make a reservation at Forget Me Not for a nightcap and a really, really fun vibe. The cocktails are delicious, creative and refreshing. 

Exterior shot of the Denver Botanical Gardens in Denver, CO.

What to Do

No matter when you visit, you won’t run out of things to do. Cherry Creek North can be enjoyed during all four seasons, and the area averages a stunning 300 days of sunshine each year. Take in the sights at the nearby Red Rocks Amphitheatre and then explore the 40-mile Cherry Creek Trail. After you’ve hiked about, enjoy muscle relaxation and recovery at CYL Sauna. These private, luxury sauna suites are the perfect way to unwind and sweat out all the delicious drinks from the night before. But make sure to drink a ton of water!

If you’re looking for something more lowkey, we recommend visiting the Denver Botanic Garden. The gardens span more than 23 acres and include a sunken amphitheater, a conservatory and a variety of themed gardens. Finally, you cannot miss Rélevant Galleries. The gallery currently showcases world-renowned fine art photographer David Yarrow, and the works displayed here are just stunning. 

Visitors to Hotel Clio can take a private ceviche making with the hotel's chef. Hotel Clio is part of the luxury collection and is located in the Cherry Creek North neighborhood of Denver, CO.
Cara Sanders

Local Obsession

Cherry Creek North is all about building community. You’ll feel right at home, from the vast number of locally-owned businesses to the strategic partnership programs.

Hotel Clio has partnered with several wellness destinations in the area, making it easy for guests to find something to enjoy. Additionally, the hotel’s community-mindedness extends to events, classes and happy hours for guests to partake in. During our stay, we took a private ceviche class at Toro with Chef Oscar. The hotel hosts this class every Friday, and ‘students’ can make their own ceviche and enjoy a cocktail. Book this in advance, as the class fills up quickly! The Vineyard Wine Shop is also a great spot. They have a wine of a month club and dealer’s choice program that invites people to come in and learn about wine. 

All of the businesses here are very intent on helping visitors have the best time they can have and have worked hard to create an inviting community, and it sure does show!

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