I have spent a lot of time in Colorado visiting family over the years, and it is always so lovely! If you are looking for some fresh mountain air, amazing food, and a cute, funky town, Boulder is the place. The downtown area is filled with boutiques, trendy restaurants and entertainment. While visiting Boulder, you will find plenty of adventurous activities as well as leisurely options, so there is something for everyone. There is also a buzzing nightlife downtown if you want to have some fun after enjoying the mountains. Boulder is much easier to get to than other popular towns (such as Breckenridge or Aspen), if you are flying and want to minimize travel time.
I visit at least twice a year, and I have never run out of things to do, no matter the season! Boulder is a beautiful place with such a strong culture, it is so fun to experience. The landscapes are stunning, the people are laid back and there are plenty of options for every budget. I have so many fond memories here, and I always look forward to my next trip.
How to Get There
Fly into Denver International Airport (DEN) and then Boulder is about a 40 min drive. You can get to Boulder either by Uber (~$45-80 depending on the time) or by the AB1 bus ($10). If you are renting a car, but be weary that picking up your rental car from the DEN airport can sometimes take forever, so you will need to be patient! Having a car in Boulder is not necessary, unless you are planning on doing day trips.
When to Visit:
If you are going to visit Colorado, Boulder is a must! The best time of year to go is April-October, as the winter can be quite cold and snowy. Each season has something wonderful to offer. I love the wildflowers in the spring, the warmth in the summer, and the colorful leaves and snowy mountain tops in the fall. Choose a season based on your favorite weather! I would recommend a minimum of three nights here, or longer, depending on how many day trips you want to fit in. If you are going to Boulder during ski season, it is worth mentioning, that is it not super close to any ski mountains. It is doable for a day trip, but it will be an +1 hour in the car each way. If you are looking for a ski vacation destination, I would recommend looking at Breckenridge, Vail, Winter Park or Keystone (blog coming on this soon!). Boulder is a better destination for hiking, shopping, eating and relaxing, than for skiing.
To Stay:
Boulderado: Historic and luxurious hotel situated in the heart of downtown Boulder
St Julien: High-end and stunning hotel with iconic views of the Flatirons
Residence Inn by Marriott, Boulder Canyon Boulevard: Only 1 mile from Pearl Street, this is a great, more budget-friendly option and is a good accommodation for families. You can get rooms with kitchenettes and that sleep up to 6 people. Also if you have Marriott points, you can maybe cash in on a free or discounted room!
AirBnb: If traveling with more than 2 people, I always lean towards doing an Airbnb! There are so many cute houses and cottages for rent in Boulder.
To Eat:
My Neighbor Felix: An upbeat and delicious, sit-down Mexican restaurant on Pearl Street. This is a great spot for margs!
Rosetta Hall: A modern food hall offering 8 restaurants, two bars and a rooftop. There will be something for everyone, and it is great for large groups.
Alpine Modern Café: Old cottage turned coffee shop, I always like to stop here on my way to Chautauqua for their amazing avocado toast and a latte.
Japango: One of my favorite sushi restaurants ever, I would highly recommend a stop here. It is a buzzing eatery with an extensive menu and high quality fish.
Salt: Everything they serve is farm to table and locally sourced with a focus on sustainability. Aside from that, the American style food is also amazing and the restaurant is in the heart of Pearl Street.
Woodgrain Bagel & Deli: This is a modest and casual bagel spot, great for grab-and-go breakfast. Come here for delicious, hand-rolled, wood-fired bagels, with gluten-free options! This is a modest and casual breakfast spot, great for grab-and-go.
Dragonfly Noodle: Quick and casual ramen joint with house made noodles, great for lunch or an easy dinner. It is probably my favorite Ramen ever!
Cafe Aion: Located "on the hill", near the university, I love Cafe Aion for casual and delicious Spanish fare. The tapas and paella are amazing and the restaurant is super cute.
Organic Sandwich Co.: A quick and yummy sandwich place on Pearl Street, it is perfect for grabbing lunch and taking it hiking.
Flagstaff House: Located at an elevation of 6,000 feet, the Flagstaff House offers amazing views, American food and great drinks. It is a bit more expensive, so I would recommend just grabbing a drink or snack, and taking in the view!
Wonder: If you are looking to cleanse with fresh pressed juices and smoothies, Wonder is amazing! Everything I have had from here has been great, but do note, it is a little pricey.
To Do:
Hike Chautauqua Park: One of the most famous landmarks in Boulder, visiting Chautauqua is a must! You will start here to hike up to the famous flatirons. There are hikes for all levels, but a friendly reminder that hiking at altitude (depending on where you are from) is generally a bit tougher.
Shop Pearl Street Mall: Pearl Street is the heart and soul of Boulder, and you will likely spend lots of time here on your trip! There is amazing shopping, lodging, restaurants, and entertainment. I recommend staying close to here if you have the chance!
Run/Walk along Boulder Creek: On a nice sunny day, I love to grab some lunch and picnic with friends or read a book on the creekside. If you are feeling adventurous, you can also innertube in the creek, but be warned, the water is super cold! There is also a running/walking path along the creek if you are looking for a good place to exercise.
Boulder Farmers Market: The Farmers Market is very lively, with a multitude of different vendors. It happens on Saturdays from April 1 – November 18 at 8 am – 2 pm. If you are visiting from out of town, this is a great place to get unique and local souvenirs to take home. Also if you want a quick and delicious lunch, there are a ton of amazing food vendors.
Day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park: A world renowned national park, the Rockies are definitely a bucket list item. It is located just 1 hour from Boulder, and very doable as a day trip. I would recommend stopping in Estes Park (a cute mountain town) for a bite to eat and then enjoying a hike in the park. If you aren't into hiking, you can also rock climb, horseback ride, and go fishing. If time permits, it is definitely worthwhile to make the trek up to the park.
Concert at Red Rocks: Although not technically in Boulder, Red Rocks is only 40 minutes away, and well worth the drive. It is a very famous concert venue, and for good reason. It is an outdoor amphitheater situated in the red rocks, and the views are stunning. Many famous artists play here, so I would see who is in town on your visit!
Avery Brewing Co.: Avery is a popular local beer and you can visit the taproom & restaurant nearby. Enjoy a cold beer on the patio and a bite to eat! It is only 15 minutes from Pearl Street.
Flagstaff: You can hike or drive up to Flagstaff for panoromic views of Boulder. It is quite a windy road, but a great spot for sunset or a picnic.
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