In my new book, “Walking Denver,” walk #11 leads pedestrians up and down Tennyson Street in the Highlands neighborhood. The walk begins on the site of original Elitch Gardens and Amusement Park site and ends at Lakeside Amusement Park, a few blocks west of Tennyson Street. In between these historic parks is a thriving business district of restaurants and shops.
Sounds good, right? Think maybe you will just skip the walk and drive over soon? Due to a massive reconstruction project the best way to see Tennyson Street this summer is on foot—just like my book recommends.
The ongoing road and parking closures have severely impacted the local businesses that make Tennyson Street and the surrounding neighborhood so charming. The sluggish economy is not helping either.
The Bookery Nook—a featured business on my walking tour—has become an ice cream parlor as well as a bookstore in an effort to lure hungry, if not literary, patrons. First Fridays, a monthly event where businesses stay open late and people can wander from shop to gallery to restaurant, are still going on and a great way to explore these struggling businesses this summer.
A few of my favorite Tennyson Street locally-owned businesses are: Vital Yoga, Tennyson Hardware, Parisi Italian Market & Deli, The Giggling Green Bean, Brassiere Felix, Yankee Trader Antiques, Tastes Wine Bar & Bistro, and there are many more.
This is a walk where you can get fit and do good all at once.
Mindy Sink
www.mindysink.com
