RiNo Murals Are Cool But These 5 Spots Are Even Better

Everyone does the RiNo art walk. Takes the same photos at the same murals. Posts the same “Denver is so artsy!” caption.

RiNo IS cool. But Denver has street art everywhere, and some spots are actually better than RiNo.

Here are the places where locals actually go to see new art.

1. The Alley Between 11th and 12th on Santa Fe

Why it’s better: Art changes constantly, actually underground

When to go: First Friday art walks or random Sunday afternoon

This isn’t Instagram-pretty art. It’s real graffiti. Tags, throws, pieces. The stuff that gets buffed and redone.

The alley connects galleries on Santa Fe. During First Fridays, artists are actually painting. You can watch.

No tourists here. Just locals who actually care about street art, not photo ops.

The vibe is completely different from RiNo’s curated walls.

2. South Broadway Underpass Art

Why it’s better: Huge pieces, walkable stretch, zero crowds

When to go: Morning for good light

The underpasses along South Broadway from 6th to Alameda have massive pieces. We’re talking full wall productions.

Nobody goes here except people who live nearby. You can actually look at the art without someone taking a yoga pose photo.

Start at the 6th Avenue underpass. Walk south. Each underpass has different artists, different styles.

The acoustics in the tunnels make everything echo. Weird but cool.

3. The Crush Walls (Not During the Event)

Why it’s better: High-quality art without event crowds

When to go: Literally any time except September

Everyone knows about Crush Walls event in September. What they don’t know is the art stays up all year.

The walls are scattered around RiNo and beyond. Larimer between 24th-30th. Brighton Boulevard. Random walls in Five Points.

Go in winter. Nobody’s there. Same art, no crowds, better photos.

Plus you can actually find parking.

4. Colfax Avenue Between York and Colorado

Why it’s better: Mix of sanctioned and unsanctioned art

When to go: Weekend mornings

Colfax gets ignored because it’s “sketchy.” But the street art is incredible.

Business walls, electrical boxes, random surfaces. It’s not organized or pretty. It’s real city art.

The old Smiley’s Laundromat wall changes monthly. The dispensary walls have professional pieces. Random tags fill the gaps.

This is what Denver street art looked like before it got trendy.

5. Baker Neighborhood Random Walls

Why it’s better: Neighborhood art, not tourist art

When to go: Bike around on Sunday

Baker doesn’t advertise its art. It’s just there. Garage doors, sides of buildings, alley walls.

Start at South Broadway and 3rd. Zigzag through the neighborhood. Every other block has something.

These aren’t commissioned pieces for Instagram. They’re neighborhood kids practicing. Local artists experimenting. Actual community art.

You need a bike to see it all efficiently. Walking takes forever.

Beyond Murals – Other Art Spots

Meow Wolf’s Exterior

Everyone goes inside. The outside has art too. Changes regularly. Free to walk around.

The Art Park at 40th and Blake

Tiny park with rotating sculptures. Never anyone there. Weird pieces that make you think.

Union Station Underground Tunnels

The pedestrian tunnels have rotating exhibitions. Literally underground art. Most people rush through.

When RiNo Is Actually Worth It

I’m not saying skip RiNo. Just be strategic:

Early morning: 7-9am. Empty alleys. Good light.

Weekday afternoon: 2-4pm. Locals on lunch, tourists elsewhere.

First Friday: Embrace chaos. It’s fun if you expect crowds.

Winter: Cold keeps crowds away. Art looks good with snow.

The Photo Reality

Those perfect RiNo photos you see? Here’s the reality:

• They waited 20 minutes for crowds to clear
• They cropped out the trash cans
• They definitely edited the colors
• They didn’t show the construction next door

The other spots I mentioned? No waiting. No crowds. Just art.

How to Actually Find Street Art

Don’t use Instagram guides. Everyone uses those.

Walk alleys. Best art is always hidden.

Look for buffed walls. Fresh buff = new art soon.

Talk to gallery workers. They know where artists are painting.

Check electrical boxes. Tiny canvases everywhere.

The Local Move

Here’s what Denver locals actually do:

Park in Baker. Grab coffee at Metropolis. Walk to Santa Fe art district. Check the alleys. See what’s new.

Then walk up to RiNo via the river path. See the touristy stuff. End at Denver Central Market for food.

You see everything, avoid driving between spots, and actually walk through neighborhoods.

Why This Matters

RiNo turned street art into a tourist attraction. Which is fine.

But Denver’s actual street art scene is bigger than one neighborhood. It’s in alleys, under bridges, on random walls.

The best pieces aren’t on any map. They’re not hashtagged. They might be gone tomorrow.

That’s what makes them worth finding.

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What’s your favorite hidden art spot in Denver? Always looking for walls I haven’t seen.

Next: Cherry Creek Trail Changed How I See Denver – another local secret worth exploring.