First Time in Boulder

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:

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:

A drive up Flagstaff Mountain is the easiest way to get an aerial view of Boulder and to have a secluded mountain picnic.

Description:

Just west of downtown, the winding road up the mountain provides stunning panoramic views of Boulder, Denver, and the eastern plains after a beautiful drive or a strenuous bike ride. There are many picnic tables just off the road where you can park and walk for a few minutes and find yourself in a relatively quiet and secluded area. Flagstaff Mountain also has mountain bike trails and popular climbing routes, as well as the Summit Nature Center (open weekends in the summer) and an outdoor amphitheater. The Flagstaff House, one of Boulder's most upscale restaurants, is also situated on Flagstaff Mountain, which affords it incredible views and quite a romantic atmosphere.

Our Local Expert Says:

The best place to walk, jog, or bike in Boulder, the Boulder Creek path is always busy with active Boulderites.

Description:

The Boulder Creek Path runs from east Boulder up Boulder Canyon Dr. as it winds itself through the foothills. The path is paved as it meanders through town and then becomes gravel and dirt as it heads up into the mountains. The Boulder Creek Path is popular with joggers and cyclists because of its beautiful scenery; so enjoy the sights but you'll have to head further out of town if you're seeking solitude. There are many places along the way to stop and enjoy the sounds of the Boulder Creek, or to stop at a table or bench and have a picnic. In the summer time, head to Eben G. Fine park along the path just west of downtown where there is a playground for kids, picnic tables and grills, and a great area for tubing down the creek (there are some small cascades, so if the kids want to go, put a helmet on them and stick them in your lap).

Our Local Expert Says:

Chautauqua Park is the best place to get a stunning view of the Flatirons. Take a picnic and enjoy the park, or explore the Chautauqua Community; eat at the community dining hall and catch a concert at the historic Chautauqua Auditorium.

Description:

This picturesque park located at the base of the Flatirons has many trailheads that are the gateways to the Rocky Mountains. The park is a wonderful place for walking, picnicking, and people-watching. The park is part of the Chautauqua community, an idea built from the Chautauqua movement popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that was based around adult education that attempted to provide entertainment and culture for the whole community. The Boulder Chautauqua community opened in 1898 and contains a public dining hall, lodging, a community house for local events, and the beautiful Chautauqua Auditorium, which houses the esteemed Colorado Music Festival in the summer, as well as other concerts throughout the year.

Our Local Expert Says:

Help to preserve the annual Bike Shorts short film festival simply by attending! If the edgy films inspire a need for critical discussion, herd your friends into the neighboring Dushanbe Teahouse for some maté and movie criticism.

Description:

The Boulder Outdoor Cinema redefines going to the movies. Once a week during summer months, viewers set up lawn chairs and blankets on the green behind the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art and prepare to make noise. Yes, moviegoers are encouraged to sing along and call out lines from the film. The Applause-O-meter and contests like "Best Film Related Costume" promote audience participation and a lot of fun. A different classic or cult favorite runs each week. Past features have included The Wizard of Oz, War of the Worlds, and Pee Wee's Big Adventure. All shows are suitable for family entertainment.

Our Local Expert Says:

Pack your own picnic for an instant dinner theater on the green, or purchase "Falstaff's Fare" in advance—check online for details. Literature and theater buffs will love the talkback discussions, held after most shows, with the director and crew. Take a free tour of Shakespeare Gardens, which grow herbs mentioned in the plays.

Description:

Considered one of the top three Shakespearean festivals in the United States, this 2-month annual event attracts more than 40,000 theatergoers between late June and late August. Held since 1958 in the University of Colorado's Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre, and indoors at the University Theatre Main Stage, it offers more than a dozen performances of each of four plays. Actors, directors, designers, and everyone associated with the productions are fully schooled Shakespearean professionals. Tickets run from $7 to $54 for single performances, with series packages also available.

Our Local Expert Says:

“Picture Rock” is located just at the start of the pathway to Boulder Falls, and is named because the naturally eroded hole in this rock has framed countless visitors’ faces.

Description:

Boulder Falls is located 11 miles west of Boulder on the north side of Boulder Canyon Drive. In the past, carryalls would bring visitors up for a visit and a picnic, especially after the narrow gauge railroad washed out in the great flood of 1894 and made the area more accessible to pedestrians. Boulder Falls today is still quite lovely, and merits a stop as you head west up the canyon toward Nederland. The torrent of icy cold water occurs where North Boulder Creek plunges 70 feet to enter Middle Boulder Creek. To get to Boulder Falls, follow Canyon Blvd. west into the mountains until you see signs for it. The Falls will be to your right and there is plenty of parking, but take care when crossing Boulder Canyon Drive, as people drive quickly around the mountain turns.

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:

The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse was given to Boulder by our sister city of Dushanbe. Built between 1987 and 1990, more than 40 artisans from cities across Tajikistan created the elaborate, creative elements of the Teahouse, including its hand-carved and hand-painted ceilings, columns, and ceramic panels. The Teahouse serves a delicious international cuisine, including dishes such as Tanzanian Dagaa Seafood Stew, Malaysian Tofu, and Argentinean Skirt Steak. The Teahouse is in central Boulder, just next to Central Park and the Boulder Farmers' Market, making it a perfect place to stop for a midday tea.

Our Local Expert Says:

Great happy hour deals on appetizers and its dark, tavern atmosphere make The West End an ideal restaurant for almost any occasion.

Description:

Be sure to request a table upstairs and get a seat facing the magnificent view of the Flatirons! The West End Tavern even has misting pipes to cool you in the summer as you sit alfresco and soak in the beauty of the mountains. Feel free to ask for recommendations when trying to decide on a bourbon choice--their bourbon menu alone is quite overwhelming.

Our Local Expert Says:

Leaf has some of the best food Boulder has to offer, so don't be scared by some of its unusual ingredients. Who knows, you might discover an entirely new food you love!

Description:

Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant creates delicious meals that vegetarians and omnivores alike will enjoy, although omnivores may not recognize everything on the menu. Leaf uses organic, seasonal ingredients and provides an international cuisine with menu items such as Oaxacan Mole, Jamaican Jerk Tempeh, and Matar Panir. One of Boulder's best health-conscious dining options, Leaf also provides a full bar highlighted by an environmentally-friendly wine list and Boulder's own organic Vodka 14 martinis.

Description:

Just off the Pearl Street Mall, Sherpa's Adventurers is, at first glance, just a house. However, inside the house are a bar, an authentic Tandoor clay oven, and a Traveler's Library and Lounge, where you can peruse Sherpa history and photos. Another unique aspect of Sherpa's is that you can book Himalayan treks and volunteer opportunities. With its delicious, well-priced food, its interesting atmosphere, its outdoor seating area, and its proximity to the Pearl Street Mall, Sherpa's is a real Boulder gem.

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!

Our Local Expert Says:

This theater is one of the best in town because it offers both ample seating and ample dancing room, making it an ideal venue for everyone.

Description:

This posh venue has graced downtown Boulder since 1906. Originally opened as an opera house, the historic building underwent a massive renovation in the 1980s. Located just off the Pearl Street Mall, the complex hosts nightly concerts, film screenings and other community events. National Public Radio hosts the popular weekly environmental and musical radio show E-Town here. While it remains a popular venue for local entertainers, the theater's cabaret-style seating, preserved art deco ornamentation and state-of-the art sound and lighting system attract national and international artists. Call for a schedule, or check the Web site to order tickets online.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Boulder Dinner Theater even offers something for the kids -- The Kid Kabaret.

Description:

Three levels and about 285 tables surround the thrust stage at this popular venue. The theater puts on an average of four musicals per year and wins numerous yearly awards from the Denver Drama Critics Circle. Come here for an evening of elegant food and phenomenal acting. Following traditional dinner-theater style, the actors double as the wait staff. A delicious meal is served before the show, and dessert is served during the intermission. Try the Chicken Cordon Bleu or prime rib, scrumptious desserts and after-dinner drinks.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is arguably the most beautiful venue in Boulder, so be sure to check out the calendar while you're in town to find something to your liking.

Description:

Macky Auditorium is the venue of choice for many orchestras. One of the most popular groups to perform here is the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra. Guided by internationally acclaimed director, Theodore Kuchar, who leads the prestigious Australian Festival of chamber music, this philharmonic has long been recognized as one of the finest in the country. Guest appearances have featured the likes of Itzhak Perlman, Mstislav Rostropovich, Yo Yo Ma and Sarah Chang. For details check the website.

Description:

Blues & Greens serves up locally-produced ingredients in tasty dishes including vegetarian cuisine. This restaurant, located in the Boulder Outlook Hotel, creates every dish using fresh, organic vegetables and grains. True to their name, Blues & Greens offers live music featuring many local bands as well as national performers, mostly with a blues flavor. Their menu and atmosphere create a positively enjoyable dining experience and a great place to go for some exciting nightlife.

Our Local Expert Says:

The West End undoubtedly has one of the best rooftop patios in town, making this venue an ideal spot during the summer.

Description:

A comfortable rooftop patio makes this bar one of the city's most memorable places to relax and watch the sun set behind Boulder's picturesque Flatirons-the dramatic sandstone rock slabs that represent the beginnings of the Rocky Mountains. Located one block west of the Pearl Street Mall this popular tavern features an array of Mexican dishes, burgers, wings and other American bar fare.

Our Local Expert Says:

A drive up Flagstaff Mountain is the easiest way to get an aerial view of Boulder and to have a secluded mountain picnic.

Description:

Just west of downtown, the winding road up the mountain provides stunning panoramic views of Boulder, Denver, and the eastern plains after a beautiful drive or a strenuous bike ride. There are many picnic tables just off the road where you can park and walk for a few minutes and find yourself in a relatively quiet and secluded area. Flagstaff Mountain also has mountain bike trails and popular climbing routes, as well as the Summit Nature Center (open weekends in the summer) and an outdoor amphitheater. The Flagstaff House, one of Boulder's most upscale restaurants, is also situated on Flagstaff Mountain, which affords it incredible views and quite a romantic atmosphere.

Our Local Expert Says:

Chautauqua Park is the best place to get a stunning view of the Flatirons. Take a picnic and enjoy the park, or explore the Chautauqua Community; eat at the community dining hall and catch a concert at the historic Chautauqua Auditorium.

Description:

This picturesque park located at the base of the Flatirons has many trailheads that are the gateways to the Rocky Mountains. The park is a wonderful place for walking, picnicking, and people-watching. The park is part of the Chautauqua community, an idea built from the Chautauqua movement popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that was based around adult education that attempted to provide entertainment and culture for the whole community. The Boulder Chautauqua community opened in 1898 and contains a public dining hall, lodging, a community house for local events, and the beautiful Chautauqua Auditorium, which houses the esteemed Colorado Music Festival in the summer, as well as other concerts throughout the year.

Description:

Inspired by the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park, I. M. Pei designed this striking pink-sandstone building, which overlooks Boulder from high atop Table Mesa in the southwestern foothills. (You might recognize the center from Woody Allen's Sleeper; scenes were shot here.) Scientists study such phenomena as the greenhouse effect, wind shear, and ozone depletion to gain a better understanding of the earth's atmosphere. Among the technological tools on display are satellites, weather balloons, interactive computer monitors, robots, and supercomputers that can simulate the world's climate. There are also hands-on, weather-oriented exhibits and a theater. The Walter Orr Roberts Weather Trail outside the building's west doors takes visitors on a .4-mile, wheelchair-accessible loop along a path with interpretive signs describing various aspects of weather and climate plus the plants and animals of the area. The center also houses a changing art exhibit and a science-oriented gift shop. Allow 1 to 2 hours.

Our Local Expert Says:

The West End undoubtedly has one of the best rooftop patios in town, making this venue an ideal spot during the summer.

Description:

A comfortable rooftop patio makes this bar one of the city's most memorable places to relax and watch the sun set behind Boulder's picturesque Flatirons-the dramatic sandstone rock slabs that represent the beginnings of the Rocky Mountains. Located one block west of the Pearl Street Mall this popular tavern features an array of Mexican dishes, burgers, wings and other American bar fare.