Top 10: Free Things to Do in Boulder

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:

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:

Boulder's summer nights are one of the best things about this town, and Bands on the Brick is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the cool mountain air.

Description:

Listen to a great concert as you watch the sun dip behind the Rocky Mountains at the Bands on the Brick concert. The best of Colorado's local bands play on the County Courthouse steps at this weekly summer event. Bring your lawn chair and relax, or get up and dance. Enjoy a variety of talented performers, from the bluesy sounds of Hazel Miller to the eclectic rhythms of Freddi Henchi. Catch dinner before or after the show from one of surrounding Pearl Street Mall restaurants. Admission is free.

Description:

Founded in 1948 as a forum on international affairs, the Conference on World Affairs (CWA) has expanded to encompass nearly every other aspect of life, including the arts, media, science, technology, environment, spirituality, politics, business, etc . Over the years, the Conference on World Affairs has been graced by such personalities as Roger Ebert, Patch Adams, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ralph Nadar, and Henry Kissinger. Attendees can attend free panels, plenaries, and performances on these nearly limitless topics over the course of the week of the CWA.

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:

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.

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:

“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.