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Home rule city and seat of Boulder County, Colorado, United States
Photo: Flickr user: waxhawian https://www.flickr.com/people/dwighton/, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Boulder is a college town of about 106,000 in the Front Range region of Colorado. The home of the University of Colorado, the city has a reputation for progressive values and outdoor recreation. It is a very pleasant place to live and visit.
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The flagship institution of the state of Colorado, CU (as it's called locally) has a 600-acre campus, with beautiful gardens and buildings tucked away in its mainly pedestrian core that's worth a visit. Check out the Heritage Center located in the Old Main building, for a look at the history of CU. There are also art galleries and museums throughout campus.
CU's sports teams are among the city's best-known attractions, competing in seven men's and 10 women's sports, mostly in the Big 12 Conference. The biggest draw is the football team, which has had a rich tradition (as well as the larger-than-life personality of current head coach Deion Sanders), though it's struggled to regain its prominence. Men's basketball, and to a lesser extent women's basketball, are also significant draws. Football plays at Folsom Field; the athletics ticket office is on the first floor of the Champions Center, attached to the stadium. The basketball teams play at CU Events Center.
This miles-long path sits on the banks of the Boulder Creek, cutting right through the middle of town. Along this path you will find beautiful walking, biking, and other forms of recreation. In the downtown area, pick up the path at Civic Park on Broadway, between Canyon and Arapaho Avenues. In the summer, many parts of the creek become popular swimming holes. You can buy (and fill) inner tubes at local gas stations, should you want to have a down-the-creek journey. It follows Boulder Creek, making this path anything but boring.
At the base of the Flatiron's rock formations. For a minor hike, take the trail to the 3rd Flatiron. This hike will show you sweeping vistas of town and an up-close and personal look at the Flatiron's rock formations. During the summer months, the Boulder Symphony performs at Chautauqua, with the mountains as a stunning backdrop. The Chautauqua Auditorium is a large wooden building constructed in 1898, and there is a restaurant (the Dining Hall) which was built at the same time.
During summer time, it is popular to go tubing on Boulder Creek. Either rent from Whitewater or buy a tube at a local service station (the service station at NE corner of Arapahoe Avenue and Broadway is very popular for tube purchase. It also has a free air hose if your own tube needs inflating).
Every Thursday during the summer, a lot of people gather up in front of wahoo's restaurant and go around the city with bikes. Each week they have a different theme to wear.
Green Mountain, Bear Mountain Trails.
Take the tour through this famous tea company. Check out the mint room, it is very intense.
A great music venue on the hill. Has been nominated for best venue in the US.
Flagstaff Mountain is a must-do. Follow Baseline Road West up the mountain, it is a windy, long road but the view is breathtaking. From up top, there is a beautiful view looking down on Boulder. The view from the other side is the Rocky Mountains. There are picnic areas, an amphitheater, bike and walking trails, Summit Nature Center, the Flagstaff House and views that you can not get anywhere else. A great place to relax or enjoy with friends.
Good walking and biking trail, but the unique feature of this trail is that there are prairie dogs everywhere!
Eldorado Canyon State Park is a local state park to see the wilderness and beauty of this Colorado area.
21 miles west of Boulder. This easy to get to mountain (via car or RTD) is a local ski resort if travelers do not want to make the 2 hours trip to the main Colorado mountains.
Boulder CVB
Offering visitor information for your next visit to the area, including maps, hotel information, dining guides, meeting information and more. Visit one of our two visitor kiosks for brochures and maps, Davidson Mesa Overlook, several miles southeast of Boulder on US 36 or Pearl Street Mall, in front of the Courthouse between 13th and 14th streets.
This restaurant is a small dive that serves up excellent, authentic Mexican food. A little out of the way on the east side of town, it is well worth the drive.
Just north of town, China Gourmet is a local restaurant that has been serving up great Chinese food at reasonable prices for years.
Tucked into a small space on the east side of Broadway just south of Arapahoe Ave, this restaurant has repeatedly been voted the best Thai food in Boulder. Not expensive and really good, especially the green curry. The owner is surprisingly anti-vegan, so don't expect gracious substitutions or a warm reception.
A fantastic neighborhood bistro that sources most of its food from local growers and producers. Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Check out Monday night's Community Dinner, a $35 prix fixe meal that's off-menu, served family style around a huge table -- it's the best deal in town for the variety, quality, and quantity of food (reservations recommended).
A fantastic Asian hole-in-the-wall. It's a little shack facing broadway in a parking lot. Kim makes everything fresh in front of your eyes and the place is very homey and fits in well with Boulder lifestyle. A hit among college students, it's a great place.
A great place to enjoy a cup of tea and enjoy architecture from half way around the world. The food is moderately portioned and deliciously prepared. In the summers, outside dining is available, and when the rose garden is in bloom it is amazing.
A favorite for students of CU-Boulder, there is a location on the Hill, close to Jones Drugs, across the street from the CU Economics Building, and one on the far east side of the Pearl Street Mall. Economically priced, very generously proportioned Mexican food and beer. Perfect college town restaurant. The burritos are out of this world.
The classic American tavern is reborn! The rooftop deck is open (weather permitting), affording remarkable views of the Flatirons beneath 300 days of sunshine a year. Visit the Boulder locals' favorite for a cold brew and some good eats.
For a more expensive meal, visit Brasserie 1010, on Walnut Street downtown, where French-inspired cuisine is served in an elegant setting with delicious daily specials.
Zanmai is a traditional sushi house with the best rolls in town. Reasonably priced, watch as sushi chefs prepare your meal at the sushi bar. For the best deals, go to Happy Hour, from 5PM-6:30PM or all day Sunday. Try the Z-Number 9 and the Firecracker role or for an appetizer try the green mussels.
Tucked up on Flagstaff Mountain, the Flagstaff House has breathtaking views of the City of Boulder just below it. Visit for cocktails, dessert, or stay for a full meal, the views will astonish you. Located up Baseline Ave, on Flagstaff Mountain, just 3 minutes outside of town. The checks are as steep as the Flat Irons, but if you are just visiting Boulder, this is a definite must!
On the east end of the Pearl Street walking mall, the Mountain Sun is well known for homebrewed beers, but also serves seriously tasty American fare. In the last 5 years, it built a sister restaurant in South Boulder, the Southern Sun, that is roomier and even more raucous. It's loud and filled with earthy Boulder locals. At dinner no matter what day of the week, you may wait for 20–30 minutes for a booth, but their quesadillas, nachos, salads, burgers, pizzas, and vegetarian options are sure to please every time. (Note: Neither the Mountain or Southern Sun accept credit cards, and can be flaky about out-of-state checks. Both have ATMs onsite.)
A high quality restaurant since 1969, serving excellent dishes from prime rib to lobster ravioli. On the west side of 30th street.
Run by Pemba Sherpa, this restaurant is just outside off Broadway and Pearl. Featuring authentic Nepalese food that is made fresh to order, this restaurant is a must of Boulder.
Home to Top Chef Season 5 winner Hosea Rosenberg.
In the Safeway shopping center on the corner of 28th and Iris. Locally-owned cafe serving locally roasted Organic Fair Trade Coffee, local food and pastries, naturally brewed Sanctuary Chai and locally Micro-Blended Tea.
Traditional Argentinian empanadas carefully crafted with local, natural ingredients and delectable recipes and served in an adorable ambiance soaked with Argentinian culture. Sip on a traditional mate while watching a soccer game, or sit on their beautiful patio and admire Boulder's iconic foothills. A local legend!
The sink is a Boulder institution with its colorful walls, great food and stories past (Robert Redford was the janitor) it attracts a large crowd for burgers, beer, gourmet pizza, and drinks almost every day of the week. Bring a black magic marker, and you can sign your name on the ceiling like generations of graduating CU seniors. Do not write on the walls, though.
Two locations in Boulder. The original Mountain Sun is on the east end of Pearl Street while newer location, called the Southern Sun, is in South Boulder at the intersection of South Broadway and Table Mesa in the Table Mesa Shopping Center. Some excellent beers (particularly the Java Porter) and often excellent Boulder granola music. Remember that it's a cash only bar.
Claims to be Colorado's first microbrewery, but there is no doubt that their beers have been around forever in Boulder. Brewery/Pub is in north Boulder (in what always seemed an odd location) near the train tracks and off of Valmont near Foothills Parkway. They make great beers and have excellent happy hour deals.
Many classic beers that Boulderites rave about years after they leave Boulder. Located in the heart of Boulder on Walnut St, near 11th. Parking can be a pain in this area; best to use the parking garage across the street and hope for validation of your ticket.
World-class Northern Italian cuisine. The tasting menu can be pricey, but the food is astounding.
A total dive pub with beer, burgers, and bands. The walls are plastered with memorabilia and whirling machinery. The ceiling is lined with suspended hearses.
A brewery with a small tap room on site.
The most affordable downtown lodging option. It is one of three hotels downtown- the other two are upscale establishments (Boulderado and St Julien). Rooms are clean and spacious. Has wireless internet, a business center, and an outdoor swimming pool.
This hotel offers amenities for business travelers and vacationers alike.
Across the highway from campus (there's a pedestrian underpass), has a good view of the mountains.
Bed and breakfast in the heart of Boulder offers organic breakfast, fine teas, private baths and ecologically-conscious hospitality.
Offers high quality executive rental apartments and homes backed by superior customer service. Housing Helpers corporate rentals are more comfortable, convenient and affordable than a hotel.
Next to the University of Colorado. This hotel features lodging guestrooms and suites, a restaurant, bar, and meeting and event space.
Free breakfast, indoor pool & hot tub, pet-friendly, full kitchens.
Spacious rooms. Onsite dining & pool.
This historic 1870s mansion/castle was built of local stone and log construction. The Alps is now luxurious and completely remodeled into a three-star bed and breakfast country inn. The Alps offers complimentary gourmet breakfast, afternoon tea, evening desserts, high-speed internet, local and domestic long-distance calling.
A three-star getaway one block off the Pearl Street Mall.
This three-star hotel is the luxury experience in downtown Boulder.
This four-block-long downtown pedestrian walking mall is surrounded by historic buildings containing shopfronts and restaurants. Along Pearl Street you will find many boutiques and independent shops featuring everything from clothing to trinkets and art. Also along Pearl Street are some national chain shops, and several street performers. For food, the Pearl Street area offers a large variety of cuisines from around the world, and is priced from $8 to $30 per person.
Purchase lift tickets, season passes and retail items on your way up to the Resort.
Boulder's only remaining dedicated record store. Sells records, CDs, DVDs and more.
By bus
By train
By car
Boulder is roughly 30 miles from downtown Denver, via I-25 and highway 36, AKA the Boulder Turnpike.
By bike
Boulder is connected to downtown Denver by US 36 Bikeway, as well as to Longmont by the LOBO trail.
By car
If you choose to drive around town, be aware that there is heavy traffic on the main thoroughfares, high numbers of pedestrians (cyclists) and parking downtown can be a bit tight.
By bike
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