This is a nice hangout spot in Gaithersburg. The parking is plenteous and free! This is a great spot to accommodate all ages and there are some nice hotels that surround the lake. Rain or shine, night or day you will find yourself mesmerized by the breathtaking views of the lake and its surrounding ambiance. read more

Rio - Shopping Centers Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

The employees at the carousel were super nice and fun. They took song requests and played the Veggie dance song upon request which was a good thing. They also gave us highfives on our way out. The vibe here is nice and welcoming. read more

Nice lake area to walk around. The lakes have ducks and fish if you are interested in seeing some animal life. Merry go round is $6 for small child and it was free for adult to ride with the child. There are lots of bars and restaurants that border the lake along with the AMC movie theatre and a new Dave and Busters that is opening in July. They are continuing to expand this area with new restaurants and areas to hang out. When the weather is nice, walking around the lake/boardwalk almost feels as if you are on vacation. read more

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I love coming to Rio after work to enjoy some nice fresh air! In the spring, summer, and fall Rio is the place to be. It an open, outdoor mall with a slew of restaurants, shops, and bars. There is also a large lake, a jungle gym, a bird feeding stations -- there's something here for the whole family. The selection of stores is nice: a few clothing stores, candles, books, odd and ends. The Target (which has everything anyone could ever need) is great for running errands while enjoying the outdoors. There is a nice variety of restaurants: a couple nicer places to sit down for the more mature crowd and some cheaper bars for the more lively crowd. I've been to a number of them for happy hours and I've been satisfied every time. For Pokemon players, Rio is a dream -- lots of stops, three gyms, and tons of spawns! Definitely visit and take a couple of walks around the lake. read more

The Carousel Grand Opening Join us in celebrating the grand opening of the Carousel at RIO Washingtonian presented by Shady Grove Adventist Hospital on Saturday, May 31, at 11am. Family entertainment, strolling Dixieland band, and much more throughout the day! read more

It's well-lit and great to walk around any time of day or night. I stayed at all Marriott hotels at the Rio-the courtyard, residential inn, and spring hill suites. It's a nice touristy area and also a nice local treasure to those who consider Gaithersburg their home. read more

I came to Rio Washingtonian Center on a Sunday to meet a friend around 1pm. It was pretty busy during this time but not overly packed. They have several stores for shopping and many restaurants. There is a lake, playground, and places to walk around and sit. They also have paddle boats, merry go round (which was closed when I went in January), and a movie theater. It was nice to walk around over the bridge and do some shopping! We also had some coffee at Starbucks and grabbed a bite to eat at Uncle Julios Rio Grande. There's plenty of street parking and garage parking (all free). I parked on the second level of the parking garage near Target. The first floor was pretty full but there were plenty of places to park on the second floor. I believe the parking garage was 6 floors. read more

Love this center. Beautiful and fun! Can't wait until the weather gets warmer to take the kiddos for the merry go round and paddle boats. So many fun options for eating and shopping. Been here four times since moving and we have loved it each time. read more

Great place to get outside and enjoy some fresh air, as well as shopping and dining. It's especially nice during COVID if you want to do something without necessarily being jammed into huge crowds. I will say that it is MUCH more crowded on the weekends. Great things to do during COVID at the Rio: 1) Dine - many of the restaurants have outdoor seating with patio heaters. Some of the restaurants that offer outdoor seating include: Copper Canyon Grill, Guapo's, Uncle Julio's, Yardhouse, Corner Bakery, Silver Diner, Nando's, Tara Thai, California Pizza Kitchen 2) Shop - everything is open and didn't feel too overly crowded, especially the bigger stores, like Target and Kohls. 3) Walk - the lake is wonderful to take a stroll around and there are plenty of geese and ducks to observe, as well as a nice fountain in the lake and benches to sit upon. 4) Pokémon GO - if you like Pokémon Go, this is a MEGA destination - so many stops and Pokémon to catch. We love coming here as a family, especially during Pokémon events to hang out and then grab some food. I see lots of other fellow Pokémon people here regularly. 5) People watch - this is also a great space to just find a nice bench, read a book and watch all the happy kids and dogs prancing by. Definitely worth a few hours on a sunny day to get outside. I recommend a week day over the weekend because of crowds, but it's nice either way. read more

This is such a beautiful outdoor shopping and entertainment mall. There are 2 easy to access parking garages here. All the store fronts are very inviting. Rio Lakefront has an AMC Rio Dine In Cinemas 18 and a Yard House restaurant, a Barnes & Noble, Kohl's, Dick's Sporting Goods, Target, Kung Fu tea and a yet to be experienced Washingtonian Center playground. The Target, Dick's Sporting Goods & Barnes & Noble stores offer a friendly and very pleasurable shopping experience. The employees that I encountered in these stores were friendly and helpful. Also I have not been to a movie theatre since I moved here to Silver Spring Maryland from Cincinnati Ohio in August. I would love to try out the AMC Cinemas 18 at Rio Lakefront and see one of the many good movies that are hitting theatres now. The only thing that this outdoor mall is missing is the Cheesecake Factory! Until next time be kind to each other. #riolakefront @yelpdc read more

Rio - Lego #architecture #starwars #thebeatles#warhol #barnes&noble #riolakefront #riolakefront @yelpdc - Shopping Centers Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

This is a good place to spend an afternoon or an evening shopping and dining or just waking around. There are quite a few stores to shop at and plenty of food options from full service restaurants to coffee shops and even place for dessert and ice cream! It's beautiful during Summer with the carousel for kids, boat ride on the lake, and music concerts at the plaza stage. This place had definitely improved from when it opened first and we love spending time at here! read more

Such a nice place to come and take the family out. They have several restaurants on the water (think of a pier except on a lake) as well as nearby in Crowne plaza. You can also take a stroll around the lake and setup a picnic on the grass. There's a carousel for kids but it was closed when we went (perhaps due to Covid). There's boats you can take on the lake and that was operating normally. Playground is being renovated for 2021. Free parking with many garages nearby ! read more

Rio - Grass area on far end of the lake - Shopping Centers Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Rio is a fun place to spend some time. It's a little bit commercial with a lot of chain stores and restaurants. There is a Kohl's, Target, Dick's Sporting Goods; and restaurants like Copper Canyon Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, and Uncle Julios. There is a movie theater, which we enjoyed some years ago and understand it has been remodeled since our visit. Rio was built around a man-made lake with an easy walkable path around the lake, a playground, a carousel, a train, and paddle boats for the warmer weather. Rio has a lot of activities around the holidays. There are some nice hotels in Rio and when you walk around the lake you frequently hear foreign languages, hopefully of tourists enjoying the area. There is plenty of parking, shopping and dining so a nice area just to spend a day. read more

Nice outdoor shopping area for families with kids. They have a cool train ride that goes around the water. There aren't that many shops or restaurants, but it's a nice spot with cool opportunities to hang out or walk around. read more

Rio - Shopping Centers Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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Rio is a very artificial, very boring locale. There is a large amount of free parking, but it can fill and navigating it can be painful. Can't say the lake they built holds much attraction, and most of the stores and restaurants are mediocre entries of big box corporate stuff. There are much better places in Maryland and the District to eat, shop, and watch a movie than Rio, and I don't see any real attraction to being able to do all of those things next to each other. I've been in when they had a screening of a movie that I really wanted to see, or as a last resort after other shopping failed, or when the power went out and I needed some AC. read more

We stay at the Courtyard Marriott here several times a year. I like that there is so many dining options here as well as a Target. The boardwalk is nice to walk down in the evening as well. Parking usually isn't too bad either. Some of the restaurant prices can be a bit high. You are paying to be at this location. read more

Rio - Outside Uncle Julio's. - Shopping Centers Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

I really like this area - great for an evening stroll and of course.. an amc that plays my fav Bollywood movies! What's not to love?! Parking can be a hassle sometimes, the garages are tight and are the kind of annoying spirals that make my head spin! Love the fact that they have a South Moon Under and a Francesca's! Nando Peri Peri and of course charming charlie make this an awesome place to visit! read more

Perfect place for you to enjoy your afternoon with your family and friends, specially when they have live music. During the summer it's even better when you are able to lay in the grass. read more

Rio - Shopping Centers Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Took my kids here after a change of plans. It was extremely busy on a Sunday afternoon. We found parking in the Target parking garage. It was a fun time. The kids loved watching the geese in the lake. We rode the free carousel and grabbed popsicles from a food truck nearby. The geese food machine was broken unfortunately. If you can bear the crowds it's definitely worth a visit! Great for families. read more

New places Dave & Busters, Silver Diner and YardHouse adds to the already established Uncle Julios, Copper Canyon, Union Jack, Guapos, and Tara Thai to meet everyone's palate. But all this have added so much to the traffic to this place and parking has become cumbersome. But, still our place to go. read more

I've been to the movie theater several times. I've never had a problem getting a decent seat during opening weekend for movies. The staff is nice and the concession moves pretty fast. I love the restaurant choices. They range from Red Rock Canyon, Joe's Crab Shack and Uncle Julios (to natives the Rio) to Calfornia Pizza Kitchen, Starbucks and more. When the weather is nice I love to walk along the water. I like to watch others on the lake in paddle boats. I will remain a spectator because I cannot justify the money they are asking. Marriott dominates the surrounding area with Sodexho, the Marriott, Residence Inn and a few others that I cannot remember right now. I love to shop at the Target here. This was the first store that I have ever been to where shopping carts have their own escalator. Pretty cool. I recommend the Rio. read more

I agree with everything my fellow Yelpers have mentioned. This place rocks. Washingtonian Center is right off 270 in Gaithersburg and it's such a great area to enjoy with family, friends, colleagues or just by yourself. There's a walking trail that goes around the pond and there are benches to sit down and chill too. I've even seen people bring blankets & relax on the grassy areas when the weather is nice. Plenty of places to eat (most are chains, but they're pretty good). Lots of stuff to do year-round (shop, see a movie, paint pottery, grab dessert, do a wine tasting, etc.). read more

Some of my best memories were spent here. I've been here more times than I can count to eat and have drinks and each time I enjoyed myself and I have tons of great memories because of it. I remember when it first opened and we'd go once a week. Always a great time! read more

Enjoyed taking the family out during Easter. There was some heavy foot traffic but it still didn't feel overly busy. The walk around the lake was fun. Especially being able to feed the huge coy fishes and geese. My family enjoyed playing in the little playground. The scrapped up tire rubber made it safe for kids to fall but could get pretty dirty so don't wear your good clothes. Looks like they are adding some additions to area on top of the carousel. This should be a nice destination for years to come. read more

Rio - Shopping Centers Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Over the years, Rio has played the role of that spot to grab dinner with friends on a weekend, to my office for a couple days a week, to romantic evenings, to rowdy fun and competition with some of the new additions (D&B)! I've had more nights at Rio than I can remember, and it's places like here and Downtown Crown that really make Montgomery County feel like home for this Prince George's boy. Rio has a variety of stores and lakefront restaurants that makes it an all-inclusive type of spot for shopping and dining. Whether you need to get a haul a Target or do a double date at Uncle Julio's, Rio has you covered. Most evenings at Rio end with a stroll around the lake, which contains paddle boats for when the weather permits. There are a number of new additions, including Silver Diner and Dave & Buster's, both near the renovated theater. There are three parking garages along Washingtonian Blvd, as well as a number of smaller parking lots. Rio stretches a good mile and has a Marriott at the heart, for if the night goes late or you have a meeting in town at the Sodexo building. Love Rio! read more

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It is an aging open air mall but retains the charm of a lakeside attraction The restaurant selection is okay I see that it is welcoming more good service options It is our family's walk in the park location in the evenings It has its anchor stores to meet sporting and everyday retail expectations The boutique shops are average There are lease space that are detracting I hope those get filled to add zest to the mall Competition is strong from adjacent open mall Crown Farm with more dining options I hope the mall can reinvent itself The additional phases to adjoining retail residential venues may make this mall less attractive Change is inevitable Adaptation is vital read more

What a great shopping center, very clean and a lot to do! I had do much fun walking around and taking pictures. I love the walk they have, all the places to take pictures and the duck and geese feed you can buy. They also have a great selection of shops! read more

Whether your from here or from out of town, the Rio is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. It's right off exit 9 on 270 and has plenty of parking. The Washingtonian Center (Rio) is a bunch of restaurants and stores on a lake. Its completely family friendly but also has a few bars to entertain the later crowd. If your coming in the summer, it has a full carousel, playground, paddle board, and a schedule of performances for both children and adults. There is a great walking path around the lake that is about a mile long. There are also several restaurants on the lake where you can sit outside. Its also a perfect spot to pick up a few things. Rio has a Target, Kohls, Dicks Sporting Goods, Charming Charlie's, and a few small boutique stores. Whenever I take family from out of town here, they always enjoy it. Its a really well planned out entertainment area and I'm glad to have it so close to home! read more

Maryland, USA. It`s pretty much the focal point of all-things-boring. Unless you live by the beach, your "funtime" pretty much revolves around Saved by the Bell re-runs in your living room. In this state of ultimate dullness, Rio has been my knight in shining armor. Lets start with food. Rio has over 12 resturants; 5 of which are waterfront! The variety is mind-blowing. Mexican, Indian, Iranian, American, Asian, Seafood, Italian, Thai... the list goes on! Rio is like the United Nations of GRUB! The best part...? All the food is amazing! (Personally, I must recommend Village Green Kabob. Gotta represent the Iranians!) Need some dessert? Try Maggie Moo's Ice Cream... or Lindt for some mouth-watering deeeeeelightful Swiss chocolate. Coffee & Sweets? Corner Bakery is right on the Corner, literally. Or step into Barnes and Noble for coffee and a book. Still working on the christmas shopping? Try Target ... Kohls ... Peir 1? Or many one of the maaaaaaaany smaller retail stores. Chico's might help. If you`re looking for my gift... head over to the Wine Shop, PRONTO! For the more athletically, uhhh ... skilled & willing (hehe, lazzzzy...) head over to Galyan's for some cute sports apparel before your oh so gruesome workout at the HUGE Sport & Health Club. They have everything. I promise. Basketball, Tennis, Badmittion, a Pool, a Sauna... Not so into the whole workout scene (don`t worry... i`m right there with you!). NO WORRIES! The Washington Golf Center is riiiiiiiight there! Golf not your thing? (Still with you!) Loews Cineplex... The theater has 18 screens! & honestly, running to catch the movie is all the workout i need =) Overall, Rio is miraculous. The view and atmosphere are perfect, the water puts it all together, and everything you need is in one stop. So get over the Kelly & Zack drama, leave the Slater-drooling to Jessie and go get yourself a real life ... at RIO! read more

Dear Rio, I've watched you grow up and mature into an ubiquitous suburban "town center". In a way, I guess it's better then what you used to be. A little ghetto wannabe strip mall with a skeevy arcade center with few dining choices, but at least then, you were unique and different. You weren't the most original kid on the block, but you didn't shop at Benneton and wear swatches either. Now you've grown a certain gentrified polish, with a cupcakery and timid mid-level upscale food chains to your name. I suppose that this is a good thing; lord knows that I hit up your Target all the time, but part of me misses the younger, sillier, free-er you. But then, I too have grown older, more boring and bland, so I guess I can not fault you for doing the same. I just hope that somewhere deep in your vaguely whitewashed, over-planned, suburbian soul, the spark of what was, is still alive and will surprise me someday. I doubt it though. Sincerely, ~F read more

I always say that a place by the water is always better, and RIO Washingtonian Center is no different. It is even better. So first you can park for free, not that obvious our days. Bring the kids if you want, they will have the best time. I am not that big of a fan for shopping, but here I am ok with just walking around the lake while others dig into the last sales. Great concept, also good food in many of the restaurants here. It is summer, get out. read more

i've been to rio so many times over the years, whether to shop, dine, wine, stroll, or catch a movie. this mega-mall/shopping center has everything i could possibly want or need, and it's also about a 5 minute drive from my parents' place in rockville! the stores/amenities include: +amc lowes cineplex with 18 screens +rio sports & health with standard weight room, small group classes, and a swimming pool +humongous 2-story target +large barnes & noble including their signature cafe +various fashion stores such as ann taylor loft, blue mercury, and chico's +large pond in the middle of the complex which is great for a stroll or jog +various restaurants and cafes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including the corner bakery, joe's crab shack, california pizza kitchen, potbelly and tara thai there's plenty of parking in the various parking structures, the tricky thing is remembering where you parked! also, very convenient to 370 & 270, and many residential areas. overall, a great place to get things done! read more

Free parking! Beautiful, peaceful lakefront Great place to take a stroll, people watch, & feed koi fishes Lots of activities for little ones: train rides, paddleboat, playground, carousel. Variety of stores to keep you interested read more

best place to hang out for locals and out of towners! Plethora of free parking, plenty of sites to see, people to watch, restaurants to rest at; pretty much, you won't be bored here!! read more

It's one of those newer, vacuous, gentrified suburban shopping centers. In other words, if you're an Asian or Latino family, it's a great place for packing the horde in the Jesus van and heading on over for the day to mill about in the middle of every f***ing walkway you can. Older Asian men are advised to always walk with their arms joined behind their backs in that pastoral style, to ensure they are walking in others' ways as slowly as possible. Since there isn't sh*t to do otherwise around town, make sure you make a special day of it, like you're going to the carnival. I know little kids only have about 2 hours of steam before they throw a tantrum, so get them here early and keep them here for 6 hours past nap time, even though you probably live a 20-minute drive away. I would take a date here if I was too passive-aggressive to just dump her. read more

This place has definitely evolved over the past fifteen years! In the past, the Rio center here offered a roller-skating rink and was definitely not as fancy as it is now. Fast-forward fifteen years: no more roller-skating rink, but this place has become a great hang-out spot. Watch a movie, walk around the lake (or paddleboat in it), have dinner, and do some shopping. Very nice! read more

If you're looking for something to do on a sunny afternoon, come here and you'll surely find something that suits your needs. Everything from lunch spots, bars, shopping, a walking trail and lots of kid-oriented activities. Ideal for any summer or fall afternoon! Plus, great photo ops over the bridge. read more

Rio - Shopping Centers Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

I visited Rio Entertainment Center, next to a lake, in Gaithersburg, MD back in mid-September. I visited with my family and it was a nice early fall day when the weather was still warm. The Rio Center offers a number of fun activities, including paddleboating on the lake, riding the little train across the plaza, and a number of stores and restaurants. It's a great place to take kids. I rode the train with my little cousins and it was lots of fun! The kids absolutely loved it and we took tons of cute pics! :) Afterwards, we had dinner at Uncle Julio's Grand Cafe, which was a nice Mexican restaurant with a nice lakefront view. In all, I had a pretty fun experience at Rio Entertainment Center. read more

I love this place...shopping, great place to stroll, beautiful waterfront, all kinds of stuff for kids...a mini train ride, playground, paddle boats...and a movie theater! It has a range of food that is good for grown ups and those with little ones. read more

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If you like sanitized suburbia, then this is the place for you. Being a Midwesterner who grew up in a not-very-large city and regularly shopped at both Kohl's and Target, I won't put this place down too much. It certainly has many dining and shopping options in one place, and the fake lake is a very nice touch. But if you like your hang-out spots to have a bit more soul, then you'll have to look further, as this won't be your place. read more