The Five Points, Cole, and Whittier neighborhoods are adjacent to each other and are located just northeast of downtown Denver. They are diverse neighborhoods that blend old and new and are rooted in rich African American culture. Historic Five Points has been affectionately known as the Harlem of the West because it was a frequent stop for jazz greats including Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, and Miles Davis, who played clubs like the Rainbow Room and Rossonian. It was also mentioned several times in Jack Kerouac’s On the Road. Cole is actually the neighborhood where I went to middle school more than a few moons ago.
The homes in this area span a combination of old traditional Denver character, heavily remodeled original homes, and multi-unit apartments and condos. Welton St south of Downing is an area to checkout. Get your soul food on at the historic Welton Street Cafe while you experience a slice of Denver’s history. Before you leave, ask a local about Daddy Bruce to hear about an ol’ deeply revered Denver legend from a prior generation who had setup shop just northeast on Bruce Randolph Ave.
Light rail goes to 27th & Welton. Just west is RINO (River North), where many restaurants and bars are located. And to the east a bit is City Park, where the Denver Zoo and Natural History Museum are located. I-70 offers easy highway access with a short drive north.
