Are you ready for Denver’s hip River North Art District (RiNo) neighborhood? You should be because you will find no shortage of music venues, art galleries, local foods, brewpubs, and unique shops to explore. Located just north of downtown, one day in RiNo Denver is an energetic and lively experience.

RiNo is fun, eclectic, colorful, and vibrant.

One Day in RiNo Denver

…is one you won’t forget! It’s an industrial neighborhood of factories and warehouses turned into art studios and breweries. If there is one thing all of the local businesses have, it’s creativity! From art murals on buildings and uniquely flavored cocktails to musicians and innovative food markets, everything has its own uniqueness in this part of the Mile High City.

Is RiNo Denver Walkable?

ABSOLUTELY. You will love strolling through the neighborhood—tough to beat walking down Larimer Street. There are endless places to stop and art murals everywhere giving this area beautiful pops of color. Find street parking or use a dedicated parking lot for the day and you won’t need to move your car to get from one fun place to the next.

Morning: One Day in RiNo Denver

Start the day at one of the local coffee shops and grab your favorite coffee or tea. I recommend something very light for breakfast, or even nothing at all, because (I promise you), there is delicious food on the docket later!

Milk & Honey

Milk & Honey is a great place with a beautiful aesthetic. It’s dark and moody yet has plenty of plants and natural light to really bring a unique, classic charm to the space. Owned by a Colorado native, their beans are locally roasted and ethically sourced so you’re sure to get the perfect Americano or Latte.

I tried their Matcha (I was well on the coffee train from the hotel previous to arriving! lol) and look how beautiful it was. (Delicious, too!)

Crema Coffee House

Another great option is Crema Coffee House, one of the highest-rated coffee shops in the RiNo area. They serve all your classic coffee options, as well as breakfast foods (breakfast burrito, waffles, granola, etc.) and sandwiches (pb&j, veggie, pork belly, meatball) all made in-house with only the best ingredients. If you spend more than one day in RiNo, add this to your list.

Admire the Murals

Grab your coffee to go because it’s time for a self-guided walking tour of colorful street art created by local artists! The RiNo Art District will blow you away with its colorful public art that ranges in ideas and style. You can’t stand anywhere in this neighborhood and not catch a glimpse of the talent.

I think the best way to do it is on your own but there are Denver tours throughout the area that will cover some of the murals. You could also head to one of the Denver B-Cycle stations and grab some wheels to see even more in less time. But hey, who doesn’t love a good morning coffee stroll?

Afternoon: One Day in RiNo Denver

Okay, morning coffee and art are fun. But we need to mix in some food and shopping! And you are going to find plenty of options in RiNo. When it comes to food, you can opt for markets, food trucks, restaurants, bars, and breweries—there is something for everyone!

Denver Central Market

You gotta come here to eat. Plus, to enjoy a drink at Curio Bar! It’s a cool vibe with a ton of gourmet cuisine options. 11 of Denver’s top chefs are represented so walk through the food hall and pick a few of your favorites. Try Izzio Bakery, Vero Pizza and Pasta, Tammen’s Fish Market, The Local Butcher, Culture Meat and Cheese, and whatever else your heart desires! It’s the perfect place to eat a little too much!

The Source

Hotel. Coffee shop. Bar. Restaurant. Shops full of clothing and home goods. The Source Hotel has (literally) everything. Make sure you stop at this new hotel—you might end up spending the entire day here if you’re not careful! Two different market halls include a bakery, wood-fired restaurant, barber, apparel shop, florist, and so much more! It really is a sight to see.

Shopping in RiNo

In addition to The Source, there are so many cute shops and boutiques to stop in in RiNo. After you eat a bit too much, stop in a few (or all of these!), plus any you see along the way.

Megafauna: local art, jewelry, and clothing from creatives across the city.
Meraki Moon: Bohemian fashion that’s hard to resist! (Think Free People.)
Topo Designs: clothing for every adventure you might find yourself on!
Recital: clothing, accessories, beauty, and home goods in a beautiful space.
Patagonia: I mean, who can resist the retail store?

Infinite Monkey Theorem

An Urban winery where the grapes come right from Denver, Colorado. Set up a wine tour or just enjoy the tasting room which is an industrial space turned chic and welcoming with comfy mismatched couches and chairs. They also offer a perfect, string-lit outdoor space with plenty of seating. Find a wine you love? Purchase it in cans!

Happy Hour at Los Chingones

I’m not one to be over-dramatic, but Los Chingones served me the best margarita I have ever had. I’m not kidding. And I’m also not kidding about it being one of the best places to go in RiNo. It is a Mexican eatery with a creative menu full of cocktails and tacos—could it be a more perfect spot?! Their staff is great too and always make sure you have a fun experience.

Sit inside the colorful bar area or head upstairs for additional seating and outdoor space with skyline views. As far as the menu, I recommend the Baja Fish Taco (it’s got some kick!), the Pork Belly Taco, and, of course, Los Marg. And you DON’T want to miss their Monday-Friday $5 Happy Hour. It feels like stealing.

Night: One Day in RiNo Denver

When night falls, your one day in RiNo Denver gets even more lively with a range of trouble to get in (haha jk.) But it is fun! You’ll find plenty of dining options, as well as places to party! Breweries and live music really steal the show in this area.

Brewery Hop to Try Local Beer

Home to 2,348 craft breweries (jk, little exaggerated lol), beer enthusiasts are in heaven in the RiNo district. Hop around the neighborhood and try and variety of craft beers. A few where you can’t go wrong:

Ratio Beerworks: Industrial taproom and courtyard.
Great Divide Brewing Company: A lively spot with great beers and food trucks.
Epic Brewing: 25 options for local beer.
There is PLENTY more where that came from. Find your favorite!

Blake Street Tavern to Catch the Game

Located just two blocks from Coors Field, Blake Street Tavern is a great option if you are looking for a sports bar to catch the game. They serve both RiNo beer, domestics, and cocktails. And it’s a huge space with plenty of TVs and friendly staff. Their food is classic American and I absolutely loved my salad! (I was a little put out that it was $17 but then when it arrived and I saw its size, I understood! Not to mention, it was very fresh and didn’t skimp on chicken and bacon.)

Larimer Lounge for Live Music

This place is COOL. Whether it’s local artists or those known on a national level, there are concerts nearly every single night at Larimer Lounge. The bar itself gives off a dive, rocker bar with the stage in the back. And when it’s nice outside, definitely come early and enjoy the beer garden out front! This spot is a local favorite that all visitors will enjoy.

EXDO Event Center (Now REELWORKS DENVER)

What DOESN’T EXDO (now known as Reelworks) do!? From live jazz to rollerskating to fashion shows, you’re going to find it here. Their event schedule is packed with fun things to do and it’s worth checking out what’s happening while you’re in the RiNo area.

Friday Night Bazaar

A monthly happening on Friday nights (the first of every month), Friday Night Bazaar is when many local businesses in the area open their doors for a variety of fun events like art galleries and live music. You can’t beat walking the block and experiencing the fun and creativity to kick off your weekend.

Ultimate Guide to One Day in RiNo

Those are the best things to do in the River North Arts District! Next time you are on a downtown adventure in North Denver, make sure you hit a few of these spots or make a full day out of it! The art is inspiring, the cocktails are creative, and you will find PLENTY to eat. ENJOY!

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What’s Next?

There is surely more to Colorado than Denver! Check out The Best Hidden Gems in Colorado: 14 Towns to Visit. And make sure to check The Manitou Incline off your bucket list!