Cherry Creek is a 64-mile long tributary of the South Platte River. A tributary is a smaller body of water such as a river or stream that flows into a larger body of water. The tributary runs north through Castlewood Canyon State Park and eventually makes its way into Southeast Denver, Colorado. Becoming an urban stream as it flows northwest through Denver, Cherry Creek joins its parent river, the South Platte, at Confluence Park in central Denver just west of downtown Denver.

Because Cherry Creek runs through south central Denver and is just 10 minutes from downtown, its name has come to represent one of the city's most exciting blends of premiere shopping districts and great neighborhoods.

The Cherry Creek Shopping Center and Cherry Creek North provide residents and visitors with a superb shopping experience. Cherry Creek Shopping Center has 160 shops, restaurants, and services. It is one of Denver's top tourist attractions. Cherry Creek North provides an open-air, pedestrian-friendly shopping experience. The area is home to seven national banks and the world headquarters for Janus Capital making it an important financial district for the city.

Some of Denver's finest neighborhoods surround these two shopping districts. The Cherry Creek North neighborhood is a menagerie of townhouses, condominiums, and single-family homes. Sidewalks, gardens, and unique architecture are hallmarks of this neighborhood, while Cherry Creek East provides a mixture of townhouses and high-rise residences and businesses.

The exclusive Cherry Creek South contains high-rise residences and gated townhouse communities. A paved bicycle and walking path are located along Cherry Creek, one of the neighborhood's borders. The ultra-exclusive, 380-home neighborhood known as the Country Club Historic District includes magnificent, architecturally interesting mansions and grand houses. It is where Denver's social and political elite call home. Hilltop is another well-established Cherry Creek neighborhood. It offers spectacular views of Denver and the mountains. As one of the city's most prominent neighborhoods, most of its original architecture remains.

Cherry Creek has several hotels. One Cherry Creek hotel, the Inn at Cherry Creek is a lovely place to stay. This small, quaint inn has only 35 rooms. It is conveniently located in the center of Cherry Creek. The rooms are stylish but comfortable. Room amenities vary with the size and price of the room, but include decks, oversized soaking tubs, fireplaces, and plasma TV. The inn takes into account the many needs of travelers and includes a dog-friendly floor, high speed Internet, and cribs for babies; it is a popular spot for a variety of travelers. The inn also includes two conference rooms, a beautiful cobblestone terrace, and a restaurant that serves American cuisine. The Inn at Cherry Creek is filled with many charming delights including the fact that most snacks are only a dollar – no seven-dollar candy bars in this place.

The communities and neighborhoods of Cherry Creek provide residents and visitors with a wonderful, exciting, and pleasurable experience. Visitors should not forget to take a leisurely stroll along the famed Cherry Creek.