Located in Gaithersburg, the RIO Washingtonian Center is a lakefront shopping center with stores and restaurants, providing an entertaining experience for kids and adults of all ages. Whether you came to RIO to pick up a new book from Barnes & Noble, watch a highly-anticipated film at the AMC Theatre or have a delicious dinner at one of many restaurants, RIO is the perfect place to spend a day.
You can stretch your legs as you take a stroll along the RIO lake. There is a carousel and a playground nearby to amuse younger children and you can even go paddle boarding in large colorful ducks and dragons with your family. The lakefront is beautifully lit up at night and over the holidays, a very popular firework viewing area.
During the holiday season, many shoppers flock to RIO in hopes of finding the perfect gift. RIO is home to several stores, including a two-story Target, Barnes & Noble, the clothing store Francesca’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods and the candy store It’Sugar.
Senior Makayla Moore recently visited the area and enjoyed spending time shopping at RIO. “I found RIO to be a charming place to shop with a family-friendly experience. Barnes and Noble is the perfect destination for bookworms like me,” Moore recounted.
When looking for where to go eat at RIO, there are many options. The Corner Bakery has breakfast, lunch, and baked goods. Yard House and Copper-Canyon Grill serve all-American food while True Food Kitchen is a healthy alternative, with many vegan options. Kung Fu Tea is a popular bubble tea shop with a variety of drinks from the classic milk tea to purple yam latte. There are two Starbucks stores in RIO, one in Target and another in Barnes and Noble. MCPS parent Natasha Tur, who enjoys drinking coffee, found it convenient to have a Starbucks nearby while she shops. “I love how I can get a drink in the Barnes and Noble Starbucks Coffee while I read a newly purchased book and take advantage of the free wifi,” Tur exclaimed.
The AMC Cinema offers a comfortable way to watch the newest movies and is the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon. While Dave and Busters offers entertainment for all ages with hundreds of arcade games and the chance for ambitious players to score big and win prizes. For those who enjoy a more laid-back activity, the Muse Paintbar allows for experienced artists and new painters to show their creative side. Every month, the Muse Paintbar offers a calendar of themed events, as well as private parties for birthdays, and artistic friends. If you are feeling daring, RIO also offers indoor skydiving at iFLY. With vertical wind towers, you can feel weightless as you float several feet in the air. iFly isn’t limited to people of all ages, including children as long as you are feeling brave.
Boredom will never come at RIO, the center of entertainment in Gaithersburg. Whether it is shopping, indulging in a meal, or watching a highly anticipated film, it is easy to spend the entire day enthralled by the sights and sounds of the RIO.
Written by Natalie Kiene of Thomas S. Wootton High School
Photo courtesy of Kiana Hajikarimloo of Northwest High School