Parker

Parker

 

 

Located only 30 minutes from Downtown Denver, Parker is a growing community with a historic Main Street and many local businesses. Tracing its roots back to the gold rush, this now affluent community is home to 48,000 people and is best known for its year-round activities— the town regularly gathers residents for its honey festivals, Christmas parades, and more.

 

Throughout the winter, visitors can explore the Parker Ice Trail, a frozen canal that winds through Discovery Park.

 

Homes here are expansive, and while the median sales price hovers at $500,000, there are many multi-million dollar properties on the market as well. A respected school system—both public and private—makes this area highly desirable to families.

 

 

 

A hub for families, Parker is also considered a commuter town because of its proximity to Denver and the rest of the metro area.

 

 

Parker is home to many big box stores and chain restaurants, but many locally-owned eateries dominate the business landscape. Local favorites include Portofino Pizza & Pasta, a counter-serve Italian eatery featuring a menu of pizza, pasta, and calzones, and Opa Grill, a quaint, family-owned Greek restaurant. Casa Mariachi is an unassuming neighborhood nook serving Mexican plates, and India’s Kitchen offers traditional and modern Indian specialties, plus a lunch buffet. There’s also Indochine Viet & Thai Cuisine, an intimate nook famous for its flamed beef cubes. Hangry Ohana offers build-your-own Hawaiian lunch plates and other tropical fares. Mr. Ramen serves fresh and healthy Japanese cuisine, and Kurosawa specializes in sushi rolls, teriyaki, and noodles.

 

Pubs and breweries are a significant part of the social scene. Parker residents gather at 20 Mile Tap House, Hilltop Tap House, and Colorado Taproom & Grill. Other beer-heavy hotspots include Parker Pour House, Brick House Tavern + Tap, and West Main Taproom + Grill.

 

At Doug’s Day Diner, you’ll find delicious, made-from-scratch breakfast and brunch.

 

 

There are lots of seasonal activities in Parker. On Main Street in O’Brien Park, there’s a Christmas tree lighting with horse-drawn carriage rides, a “Seek out the Shamrocks’ event in March, Fourth of July festivities, “Wine Walks” in summer, and an annual Oktoberfest. The community also hosts concerts, carnival rides, games, a marketplace, parades, food, and drinks. 

 

Locals gather regularly at the PACE Center, a cultural hub featuring plays, ballets, classes, and lectures. And H2O’Brien, a pool and small water park at the Parker Rec Center, offers an indoor pool all year round. 

 

Golf is pretty big in Parker: There are several prestigious courses, including Blackstone Country Club and Black Bear Golf Club, The Club at Pradera, Colorado Golf Club, and The Pinery Country Club, and Westcreek Disc Golf Course, one of the few championship courses in the Denver Metro Area offering formal frisbee play.

 

 

Parker is home to a number of excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include: