Best of Autumn in Boulder

Our Local Expert Says:

See the local flair and fare at the Boulder County Farmers’ Market and check out the website to find dates for the Farmers’ Market Arts & Crafts Fair.

Description:

A local treasure, this is one of the best farmers' markets around. Almost everything can be found here, from freshly roasted green chilies, to gourmet cheeses and wines, to flowers and plants. Much of the food is organic, and all of it is grown by the people selling it. The Farmers' Market also has a food court with delicious prepared foods, picnic tables, and music. Grab some breakfast or lunch and take it over to Central Park to sit in the grass and watch the people. The Market hosts thousands of Boulderites and visitors every week, some who are there to see the sights and take in the smells, and others who are just there to do their weekly grocery shopping.

Our Local Expert Says:

Not only does the Pearl Street Mall have the best shopping in Boulder, but you could spend all day there listening to musicians, watching street performers, and having drinks and people-watching on an outdoor patio.

Description:

This four-block pedestrian mall is a unique and essential part of Boulder. With a wide selection of shops and restaurants, this mall is sure to keep you entertained as you stroll in and out of art galleries, listen to musicians playing free live music, enjoy the shows of buskers (such as the famous Derek Derek), and have a bite to eat on one of Pearl Street's many outdoor patios. It's also a great place for kids, with water spouts that come out of the bricks by 14th street, street performers making balloon art, and big animal statues on which to climb on the east side of the walking mall. In the summer, Pearl Street is host to many events such as Band on the Bricks and the Downtown Boulder Art Fair. The stores also extend both east and west of the walking portion of the Pearl Street Mall, so be sure to continue on to find more interesting stores and restaurants.

Our Local Expert Says:

Located just off the Pearl Street Mall, Belvedere Belgian Chocolate Shop is a real hidden gem that is the perfect place to stop in and take a break from shopping.

Description:

This local, wind-powered chocolate shop offers delicious chocolates made by their Belgian Master Chocolatier, using only the highest quality ingredients. In addition to the regular chocolates, they also offer liquor chocolates, and chocolate beverages. They are an independent, family-run business, and give back to many local nonprofit organizations.

Our Local Expert Says:

Hiking the Flatirons is the quintessential Boulder experience.

Description:

If you fly into Denver airport, the famous foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Flatirons, are undoubtedly the first things you'll notice. The Flatirons provide exceptional hiking, bouldering, and climbing, with rock grades ranging from easy to world-class. Different angles of these iconic mountains can be seen from various spots around the town, and of course an incredible view of the town can be seen by hiking or climbing up the Flatirons. Their red sandstone slabs provide a dramatic background for the town and images of the Flatirons are a ubiquitous symbol of the town of Boulder.

Our Local Expert Says:

While you’re up in “Ned”, be sure to visit the wonderful People’s Mountain Co-op for some delicious local foods.

Description:

Fifteen miles west of Boulder is a small town called Nederland, a place 8236 feet above sea level and filled with small western town idiosyncrasies such as NedFest (a summer bluegrass festival held in a baseball diamond) and Frozen Dead Guy Days (a festival based around a cryogenically-frozen grandfather kept in a shack behind a Nederland resident's house, complete with coffin races and "Frozen Dead Guy" lookalike contests). Enjoy the 40-minute drive up Boulder Canyon Dr. and stop at Boulder Falls on the way. Nederland's open space provides excellent hiking, biking, running, and cross country ski trails, and is close to the Eldora Ski Area. Barker Reservoir is a great place to go fishing, and Nederland's Fourth of July fireworks are displayed over this body of water.

Description:

Located in an old two-story warehouse, BJ's is the perfect place to kick back and relax after a long day exploring the city. The staff is friendly and the casual atmosphere makes it easy to strike up a conversation at the bar. The patio and second floor bar area are great places to watch the people action on the Pearl Street Mall. Sink into a deep dish Chicago-style pizza or a homemade calzone. The menu also includes pastas, salads, sandwiches, burgers and a full bar offering hand-crafted beers like the BJ's Brewhouse Blonde.

Our Local Expert Says:

Located just off the walking section of the Pearl Street Mall, the Mountain Sun is a real local gem.

Description:

This quintessential Boulder restaurant is almost always bustling with Boulderites who love to frequent this brewery/restaurant and enjoy their variety of beers brewed on site. The walls are painted with suns and moons and are covered in tapestries - and if you look up, you can see a Jerry Garcia doll sitting in a hammock. The Mountain Sun is a pub, but it doesn't have any TVs because the owners want to encourage people to meet each other and "discuss the world in which we live". If that sounds a bit too heavy, you can always grab ones of their board games and lose yourself in a nice game of Scrabble!

Description:

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With starters like Portabella French Fries in Truffle Aioli and entrees like Grilled Buffalo London Broil, it's clear that Boulder Draft House doesn't just serve ordinary pub fare. But to compete with all the other restaurants around the Pearl Street Mall serving fancy pub food, The Draft House also offers beer brewed on-site and a lively music scene, the highlight of which...