Old South Pearl Street, Colorado

If life were a Norman Rockwell painting, Old South Pearl Street would be the backdrop. The nine-block strip of Victorian houses, shops and eateries has a mid-20th century wholesomeness that could only be rivaled by, say, a rural town in Ohio. But Ohio, Colorado is not, which is the best thing about this quaint nook. Although it is marketed as the "Heart of South Denver," resting between East Evans Avenue and Butchel Boulevard, Old South Pearl Street is located only 7 miles from downtown Denver, and even closer to the University of Denver.

Coincidentally, businesses began to sprout in this area over a century ago largely due to the Denver Tramway Company trolley, and now Old South Pearl Street is more accessible by public transportation than it has been since that time. Now, getting there couldn't be easier with the light rail, which runs almost directly to the neighborhood.

Overseeing the region's merchants is the Old South Pearl Street Association, which is comprised of area business-owners. Each year, the association hosts a street fair — with over 100 vendors) and Mother's Day 5k to celebrate its perseverance to withstand over one hundred years of economic prosperity and duress. Each summer, Old South Pearl Street hosts a Farmer's Market on Sundays, where local farmers and artisans display their handiwork, whether it's stitched, grown or whittled.

Similarly, Old South Gaylord Street sits just Northeast of Old South Pearl Street (though unfortunately, not in walking distance), and also offers small-town appeal in the Washington Park district. The one-block row between Mississippi and Tennessee Streets, is a compact cradle of galleries, stores and restaurants nestled in the Washington Park neighborhood, and provides day and nighttime entertainment with shops, spas, boutiques and pubs — just to name a few.