Neighborhood Spotlight: Littleton

Littleton. There’s really nothing Little about it.

This family-friendly suburb is located about ten miles south of Denver and boasts miles of beautiful green space with unlimited recreation, excellent schools, a thriving downtown, and plenty of exciting things to do.

How Much Does it Cost to Live in Littleton?

If you want to live in a town away from the hustle and bustle of big cities like Denver or Colorado Springs but still have easy access to their amenities, consider buying some Littleton real estate! Though the cost of living in Littleton might be higher than some U.S. cities, it’s well worth it for the area’s abundance of outdoor activities, unique restaurants and stores in Downtown Littleton, and its close proximity to Denver. With a median sale price of $650,000 and average rent of $2,063, Littleton offers relatively affordable housing in Colorado when compared to a larger city like Boulder—which offers a median sale price of $1.1 million. Plus, the average cost of healthcare and utilities in Littleton is lower than the national and state averages, which helps offset the other costs of living in this Denver suburb.

Here is one my favorite family friendly homes in Littleton right now offered at $700,000 (listed by Betsy McKee) with so much potential to do some incredible landscaping in both the front and spacious backyards… not to mention it’s proximity to the Highline Canal Trail:

A Safe, Family-Friendly Community

Littleton is one of the best places to live in Colorado and a great place to raise a family! In addition to being home to the highly-rated Littleton Public Schools district, this Denver suburb also boasts plenty of kid-friendly adventures! Visit Sterne Park’s expansive playground, rope ladders, and picnic area for a day of fun. Help the whole family stay active with weights, a pool, and basketball courts at Ridge Recreation Center. Take the kids out for a round of golf at Colorado Journey Miniature Golf, which features two 18-hole, Colorado-themed courses. Lace up your skates for public skating and adult nights at Skate City Littleton! Experience one of the most fun things to do in Littleton at SeaQuest Littleton, where you can see tons of animals and take part in immersive activities like Snorkel with Stingrays or Sugar Glider Interaction. Or drive less than ten minutes to Pirate Cove Water Park in Englewood to splash, swim, and slide.

Find Outdoor Adventures for Everyone

With more than 1,400 acres of green space and 200 miles of trails, it’s no wonder outdoor enthusiasts love living in Littleton! Plus, with Littleton’s climate averaging 87-degree summers and 15-degree lows in the winter, residents can enjoy all sorts of seasonal outdoor activities in this Denver suburb. Grab a breath of fresh air and hike the eight-mile Mary Carter Greenway Trail, fish for smallmouth bass, or learn more about local wildlife in the Carson Nature Center at South Platte Park. Head over to Chatfield State Park for horseback riding, camping, fishing, and kayaking, all while enjoying a breathtaking view of the neighboring foothills. Spend some time among the geological wonders at Roxborough State Park, where you can see beautiful red-rock formations and enjoy bird watching. Hike and bike your way across Denver on the High Line Canal Trail—a 71-mile stretch of pathways running from Aurora to Chatfield. Shoot your shot at the archery range or take riding lessons at the horse corrals at the Backcountry Outdoor Center. Or hit the skate park, splash pads, volleyball courts, tennis courts, and more at Robert Clement Park.

Golf in Littleton

With great weather and the Rockies as a backdrop, Littleton residents love to spend as much time outdoors as possible, and one of the favorite local activities in Littleton is golfing! Head to Arrowhead Golf Course near Roxborough State Park for a par-70 championship course and top-notch amenities like the On the Rocks Bar & Grill. Try for a hole-in-one at Deer Creek Golf Club, a beautiful 18-hole course designed for golfers of all skill levels and ages. Play on a par-72 course near Grant Ranch, with challenging elevations and water hazards at Raccoon Creek Golf Course. Become a member to take advantage of a private, well-maintained 18-hole course, as well as member events at The Club at Ravenna. Or relax at the Littleton Golf and Tennis Club, offering a par-63, 18-hole course, grass driving range, practice putting green, and six indoor tennis courts!

Discover Littleton History

Littleton has a rich and exciting history dating back to the 1859 Pikes Peak gold rush. Immerse yourself in that history with a visit to the Littleton Museum, which comes equipped with an interactive gallery and two living history farm sites. Travel back in time to Hildebrand Ranch, a living history experience where you get to see a restored 1918 dairy barn, a schoolhouse built in 1874, and a fully functional blacksmith shop. Learn more about the history behind Arapahoe Community College, which was founded in 1965 as the first two-year college in the greater Denver area. Take a piece of history with you after visiting the largest antique mall in the Denver area, the Colorado Antique Gallery, which features a 50,000+ square foot showroom!

Walk Around Historic Downtown Littleton

Historic Downtown Littleton has more than 220 unique shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and bars, so it’s a hot spot for things to do in Littleton! Find unique jewelry and gifts like a Miyuki Seed Bead Necklace or Rainbow Scallops Teether at Willow + Tulaire. Try on crazy costumes for any occasion at Reinke Bros—or brave their Haunted Mansion during the Halloween season. Stop into great places to eat in Littleton like The Alley, The Brutal Poodle, or The Chocolate Therapist. And, of course, you can’t forget Littleton’s community events! Participate in Stroll & Shop Second Saturdays in Littleton to support local art and artisan vendors. Or explore the businesses of Historic Downtown Littleton at Weekends on Main!

Celebrate at Local Festivals

Littleton knows how to throw a festival! Participate in Western Welcome Week, an event held each August featuring a parade, family-friendly entertainment, a pancake breakfast, craft fair, stick horse stampede, and much more. Find craft beer tastings, vintage car shows, a kids activity fair, and live entertainment at the one-day event, Summerset Festival. Appreciate world-class art for a great price—plus coffee and pastries—at the Affordable Arts Festival, which showcases artists from all across the country. Don’t miss events like the summer concert series and A Hudson Christmas at Hudson Gardens. Or venture just outside Littleton and create your own themed chalk art at the Chalk Art Festival!

Appreciate a Growing Arts Scene

One of the best things to do in Littleton is to walk around town and view the wide variety of art! Stop by The Depot Art Gallery, which pays homage to its railroad past, displays the work of artists of all genres, and hosts events throughout the year. Catch a show at Town Hall Arts Center—a Downtown Littleton staple that includes the Stanton Art Gallery, a performance space for local musicals and comedy shows, and a theatre education program. Find your next favorite artist at ROX Arts Gallery, featuring ceramics, paintings, and more from local artists, as well as offering several art classes and a variety of events. Discover a variety of emerging artists at Lucky Lab Gallery‘s exhibitions. Or venture outside to find several public art installations with works of art like Coming Home by Susan Grant Raymond or Again by Tommy C. Hicks!

Shopping

Say goodbye to big-box stores and embrace a variety of Littleton boutiques offering everything from apparel to local artwork! Find formal and casual wear, jewelry, and accessories at White Oak & Rooted Boutique. Make a stop at The Crazy Merchant to fulfill all your bead, gemstone, crystal, and unique gift idea needs! Wander through the aisles for a diverse selection of antiques, furniture, glassware, vinyl records, and more at Old Crow’s Antique Mall. Smell fresh flowers, find your new favorite outfit, and discover cool decor at Conservatrice. Get into the holiday spirit and buy Christmas ornaments, lights, toys, and more at St. Nick’s Christmas and Collectibles.

Food in Littleton

You don’t have to travel to Downtown Denver to find delicious food—just explore Littleton’s thriving food scene! Expand your palate at Toast Fine Food & Coffee and try out creations like the Banana Walnut French Toast, Pancake Flight, and a Smothered Breakfast Burrito. Enjoy Huevos Rancheros or Strawberry Rhubarb French Toast for brunch at Cafe Terracotta. Try the Fish & Chips or Pork Belly Bites at The Farm House at Breckenridge Brewery. Grab a BBQ Pork Dog, Holy Guacamole Dog, or another creative hot dog combination at Harley’s: A Hot Dog Revolution. Enjoy Cajun staples like Chicken and Sausage Gumbo and the Blackened Catfish Entrée at restaurant NoNo’s Cafe. Or get a scoop of ice cream and your daily caffeine fix with a Nutella Latte or Cappuccino at Nook Coffee + Ice Cream.

Grab Some Brews in Littleton

Do you love craft beer? Be sure to visit Littleton’s great local breweries! Try the Sugar Magnolia Belgian Wit—featuring spices from Savory Spice Shop—at Locavore Beer Works. Stop for a 90-minute tour to sample several of mainline brews like the Avalanche Amber Ale or Palisade Peach Wheat at Breckenridge Brewery‘s Littleton location. Try the Powder Run Vanilla Cream Ale, Horchata Powder Run, and the Vienna Lager at Living the Dream Brewing. Take your furry friend to Coal Mine Ave Brewing Company and let them run in the dog park while you quench your thirst with the Funplex Cream Ale, Rustic Miner Kolsch, or the Colliery Porter. Sip craft beers like the Orange Creamsicle, Double Blueberry Shake, and Cupcakes & Rainbows at Jake’s Brew Bar. Prefer spirits to beer? Littleton also has its own distillery, Rocker Spirits, which produces vodka, rum, and whiskey in distinctive oil can bottles!

*Big thanks to ExtraSpace for getting us started on this list!