Denver: RiNo Street Art Walking Tour & Central Market Stop

Summary

See Denver’s street art up close with local stories and food stops

You’ll walk through Denver’s RiNo district with a local guide who knows both the art and the artists, see nearly 100 murals (and learn their backstories), talk neighborhood change, and end at Denver Central Market for food or drinks. Expect real stories, unexpected details, and maybe even a laugh or two along the way.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely turned the corner in RiNo when our guide, Sarah, stopped us in front of a wall that looked like it was still drying — the paint smell sharp under the late sun. She knew the artist (she actually waved at him across the street), and told us how he’d started tagging as a teenager before getting his first legal mural here. I didn’t expect to hear about city politics and neighborhood change right away, but it came up naturally as we walked past old warehouses now turned into coffee shops. You could feel the tension in some of the pieces — not just color, but protest and pride mixed together.

I kept noticing little things: a sticker half-peeled on a lamppost, someone’s dog barking from behind a chain-link fence, the way Sarah would pause mid-story if she spotted something new since her last tour. We must’ve seen dozens of murals — she said nearly 100 if you count every alley and side wall. At one stop, another local joined in to explain why one mural kept changing (apparently there’s an unspoken rule about painting over certain faces). I tried to pronounce “RiNo” like they do here; Li laughed when I tried to say it in Mandarin — probably butchered it.

The last stretch took us down an alley that was rougher than I expected — broken glass crunching underfoot, spray cans left behind like breadcrumbs. It all felt very alive, not staged for tourists. We ended at Denver Central Market, where the air changed from paint fumes to fresh bread and coffee. I grabbed something sweet from one of the stalls and just sat for a minute, letting it all settle in. There’s still this one mural with blue eyes staring out that I keep thinking about days later.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Denver's street art and culture

• Walk through RiNo Art District
• View 20-30 murals and street art
• Discuss neighborhood changes and impact
• End at Denver Central Market
• Eat or drink at gourmet food hall

Top questions

How long is the Denver graffiti walking tour?

The tour lasts around two hours on foot through RiNo Art District.

Where does the street art tour end?

The tour ends at Denver Central Market, about half a mile from where it starts.

Is this graffiti tour wheelchair accessible?

Most of the route is paved and accessible; some alleys may be challenging but many wheelchair users have completed it successfully.

Do you meet any local artists during the tour?

You might spot artists at work or hear stories about them from your guide who knows them personally.

How many murals will we see on this walking tour?

You’ll see nearly 100 pieces including stops at 20–30 major murals along with smaller works.

Does this include food or drinks at Denver Central Market?

No food or drink is included; you can buy what you like from any of the 10 eateries after the tour ends there.

Are custom or private tours available?

Yes, custom times and private tours are available by email or phone inquiry.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walking tour through Denver’s RiNo Art District with plenty of stops for stories behind each mural, plus time to explore (and eat) at Denver Central Market after finishing together as a group.