Life in Denver: RiNo Neighborhood
The River North Arts District, lovingly called RiNo (like rhino, the animal), is “Where art is made.” Unquestionably the hippest neighborhood in Denver, RiNo offers a mix of urban charm and industrial revival. And it could be your next home!
RiNo Boundaries:
I-70 (North), Walnut St/York (East), Park Ave W/Walnut St (South), I-25 (West)
A Quick History of RiNo
RiNo started as an industrial neighborhood within the larger Five Points district. Filled with warehouses, factories, and auto repair shops, the area attracted blue-collar workers far and wide. Decades later, artists were drawn to the grit and realness of the area and began to set up shop.
In 2005, the River North Art District was officially born, transforming an industrial jungle into the creative hub it is today. Now, you can find some of the best restaurants, breweries, bars, galleries, and boutiques Denver offers.
And with significant infrastructure improvements happening all the time (hello, co-working spaces and a brand-new hotel), you’re bound to find something to love in RiNo.
8 Reasons to Love RiNo
#1 The Art (Duh.)
With galleries galore, there’s no shortage of beautiful artwork throughout the neighborhood. Check out award-winning galleries like Plinth Gallery for contemporary ceramic art or FooLPRoof for the newest art crowd.
RiNo is also known for its street art murals, which line alleyways and building facades throughout the area. To explore everything RiNo’s streets offer, consider the Denver Graffiti Tour! This roughly 2-mile walking tour takes you around the neighborhood to view some of the most iconic street art in the country.
#2 A Most Excellent Music Scene
Art means lots of different things in RiNo. Explore art for your ears with some of the best music venues in the city.
Take a trip to The Mission Ballroom, a newer 60,000 square-foot venue in the north end. Here you’ll find anything from indie groups just beginning their touring careers to major headliners of every genre.
Or, if you’re in a jazzy mood, check out Nocturne. This state-of-the-art venue hosts an experienced line-up of artist residencies that focus on the “exploration of a musical icon, the study of a jazz genre, or the exhibition of [their own] original work.”
#3 Delicious Eats
RiNo is also known for art of the culinary variety. Home to several indoor food halls and markets, everyone can find something *chef’s kiss* to munch on.
Whether you’re looking for dining, drinking, or shopping, you can find them all under one roof at The Source, Zeppelin Station, or Denver Central Market. Or, if you’re looking for a more boutique dining experience, we love this list from Eater!
#4 Drinks on Drinks on Drinks
You can’t have good food without great drinks, and RiNo is no stranger to an excellent bar and brewery scene.
For craft brews, try Epic Brewing or Ratio Beerworks for a top-notch experience. Or, if you’re more into urban wineries, Infinite Monkey Theorem and Bigsby’s Folly Craft Winery have you covered.
#5 Uber-Walkability
Take advantage of the free street parking and take a walk around the neighborhood instead! With new pedestrian bridges, continuous sidewalks, and plenty of public transportation stops, you’ll have no trouble getting around this small neighborhood.
Or you could try biking! Biking has become a popular method of transportation around RiNo, with two-way protected bike lanes running through the most popular spots.
#6 Stellar Community Events
As if there weren’t enough to do and see (and eat and drink) in RiNo, the local community organization is involved with several neighborhood-wide events throughout the year.
For example, on the first Friday of every month, many RiNo businesses open their doors with special events ranging from art openings to live music to circus performances! You can also visit Denver BAZAAR, a shopping, drinking, and street food experience that happens a couple of times a year. Since 2015, Denver BAZAAR has supported over 1,000 small businesses “through weekend pop-up markets, weekly summer farmers markets, Holiday Markets, and more.”
#7 Boutique Shopping
OMG, so many choices! Whether you’re looking for the newest fashions, sustainable products, or a new statement piece, you’ll find it in RiNo.
Check out MegaFauna for unique local clothing, jewelry, and art with sustainability and conscious consumer culture at the heart of their offerings. Or, for the Bohemian in you, shop around Meraki Moon for everything from Free People to their own designer line. And, once you’re totally moved into the neighborhood, take a trip to River North Workshop Co. for green homewares and DIY supplies!
#8 The Forney Museum of Transportation
For the history buffs among us, RiNo is your next pitstop. Check out the Forney Museum of Transportation, a one-of-a-kind historical transportation museum with some of the country’s most interesting artifacts.
Ready for your next big thing?
RiNo could be your next home! To learn more, book a Discovery Meeting to see everything this hip neighborhood has to offer. See you soon!
Images courtesy of The Source, River North Arts District and Epic Brewing Co Facebook Pages