Parker

A relatively new community, Parker is a city suburb with easy access to the growing commercial centers in far south Denver.

For history buffs, the chamber of commerce office is a good place to dive into Parker’s past. Here guests can pick up information on nearby attractions, including 20-Mile House, an old way station that served as a post office and boarding facility.

Parker additionally boasts its own quiver of delicious local restaurants, plus a handful of craft breweries and lodging facilities like Ascent on Main. Top recreation spots near Parker include the Cherry Creek Trail, which originates in Denver, runs through Parker, and continues south to Castlewood Canyon State Park. At Cherry Creek State Park in neighboring Aurora, an 880-surface-acre reservoir offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water sports. Other amenities include camping areas, group picnic sites, wildlife-watching platforms, and facilities for special events. Horse trails and open space parks also dot the community.