Stroll the streets of Downtown Denver's La Alma/Lincoln Park neighborhood and you'll be taken in by colorful lights decorating many of the homes, the smell of Latino dishes wafting out of windows, and the charm of architecture that dates back to the turn of the century. This is a neighborhood teeming with a sense of family, and one of the only places left where you'll often find two and three generations still living in the same few blocks. One of Denver's oldest neighborhoods, La Alma/Lincoln Park lies just to the south of today's Auraria Higher Education Center campus. This is where many a gold-seeker came to find fortune, when Denver was settled in the 1850s. The homes here still reflect the rich culture and beautiful attention to architectural detail from that time period. Bordered by 6th Avenue, Speer Boulevard, Colfax Avenue and Osage Street, La Alma/Lincoln Park is often referred to as the "West Side." This charming neighborhood is incredibly close to the heart of Downtown, yet still attractively affordable. It's a last oasis for those wanting to get into a historic neighborhood without the price tag that often accompanies such a venture. In recent years Santa Fe Drive, La Alma/Lincoln Park's primary retail and commercial corridor, has come into its own. Revitalized and brimming with cafes, authentic Mexican bakeries, art galleries, photography studios and a variety of offices, this area is alive both day and night. Nearly 20 buildings along this stretch have new facades, including two refurbished historic buildings - giving the entire area a fresh, vibrant feel. With newly planted trees, a mixture of ethnic cooking and modern offices, and the festivities of Denver's First Friday art gallery shows, the spirit of the city is reflected along each block of this neighborhood. Residents are equally proud to house the Denver Health hospital complex and Denver Public School's West High School as well as the Asian and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and the Latino Cultural and Visitors Center.

There are a variety of architectural styles and eras reflected in the homes of La Alma/Lincoln Park. Two-story brick Victorians, row houses, duplexes, brick bungalows and one-story stucco houses line La Alma/Lincoln Park's streets. The 1,050-unit Parkway Center apartment and condominium complex is located at 12th and Galapagos Street, with a prominent frontage on Speer Boulevard. The new South Lincoln Park public housing facility was completed in 1996.