Olde Town Arvada. The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities highlights this neighborhood, offering three theaters with seating for more than 1,500 people for a variety of theatrical and music productions. There are also two floors of gallery space for art shows and a permanent museum on Arvada history. Founded in 1904, downtown Arvada gains much of its vibe from its charming turn-of-the-century Main Street Americana ambience, with 26 restaurants and bars, eight galleries, and 14 gift and clothing shops. Dining options range from fine Italian cuisine to an authentic German bakery. Throughout the town, historic markers tell the story of how the town got its beginnings as an agricultural community and grew as railroad and trolley lines from Denver were built.