Explore Boulder Colorado

Boulder Colorado is a college town north of Denver. Agnes had a research internship there so The Gardener and I took a trip to see her! There are lots of interesting things to do in Boulder Colorado. Arts, tech, outdoor recreation, research, healthy food, and music are all in the mix.

Attractions in Boulder Colorado

Leanin’ Tree Museum and Sculpture Garden of Western Art is a private collection of paintings and sculpture from the Leanin’ Tree greeting card company. I enjoyed our peaceful time here, being inspired. Tip: cool place to play Pokemon Go! http://www.leanintreemuseum.com/

You can tour the Celestial Seasonings tea factory and try samples of all their beverages in the tea room while viewing the paintings that provided their box art for so many years. The gift shop is huge and a super place for finding gifts and souvenirs of your Boulder trip. http://www.celestialseasonings.com/visit-us

CU-Boulder

University of Colorado or CU-Boulder is a major resident of Boulder Colorado. A gorgeous winding campus with distinctive architecture serves 30,000-plus students. Be sure to see Old Main and Macky Auditorium. The nearby neighborhood called The Hill is the funky neighborhood adjacent to CU. It’s a fun hangout for students and the home of the Fox Theater, a renowned music venue. http://www.colorado.edu/visit/ http://www.thehillboulder.com/

The Colorado Chautauqua National Historic Landmark opened in 1898 and has been running Chautauqua programs ever since. Events include music, theater, dance, talks, and film. You can rent rooms or cottages for a historic getaway. https://www.chautauqua.com/

Pearl Street

Pearl Street Mall is a downtown Boulder Colorado area where 4 blocks are closed to traffic. If you are driving west on Pearl Street you will have to go right on 15^th Street. If you turn left on Spruce you can start looking for on-street parking (parking meters) or there are parking decks all around the mall area. It’s fun to walk and explore for art, food, music, books, and more. https://www.boulderdowntown.com/

I recommend Boulder Book Store and Peppercorn for kitchen and home goods. The Hotel Boulderado on Spruce Street has fantastic historic atmosphere (opened 1909) with a beautiful stained glass ceiling. I rode the elevator that connects the lobby and the mezzanine. You have to call a bellman to operate it for you! Try the restaurant Spruce Farm and Fish or the historic Corner Bar.

Boulder Creek

Boulder Creek runs all through town and has a path alongside and is used for kayaking, fishing, and tubing. We enjoyed driving west into Boulder Canyon. There are pullouts for parking all along the way and you get to see some very nice rapids and Boulder Falls. The Gardener likes flyfishing so he enjoyed searching for some good trout spots. http://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/insider-guides/boulder-creek/

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Boulder Colorado map

Grabbing a bite

An enjoyable part of Boulder is that many of the places to eat are also attractions!

Avery Brewing: The Tap Room has with its many taps has a very interesting menu. The food includes the beers. We loved the lilikoi (passion fruit) cheesecake and beer! You can also tour the brewery.

Along with daily meals, the Roadhouse Boulder Depot serves brunch Saturday and Sunday with amazing red velvet pancakes. The building began in 1890 as Boulder’s train depot. It’s been moved twice in its life and now lives near the east side of Pearl Street near the railroad tracks and the bus, bike, and trail hub.

The Buff Restaurant is a wonderful spot for breakfast with griddle cakes and Buffaquiles with chili, cheddar, eggs, guacamole, and corn chips – gluten free! They have good coffee and cocktails too.

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Shine Restaurant is a Paleo and vegan 100% gluten-free kitchen. Potions are “intentional beverages” similar to saying an affirmation. I tried the Fairy Bubbles for joy, mirth, and fanciful states of being. It contains love, pomegranate, lemon, honey, and hibiscus. The dairy-free raw cheesecake has a crust made with almonds, dates, and coconut.

Oak at fourteenth has a great seasonal menu and inventive cocktail program. I especially enjoyed their riff on a Pimm’s cup. A large menu of shared plates make this affordable for trying yummy gourmet dishes.

Dushanbe Teahouse: Constructed in Tajikistan as a sister-city gift, the teahouse is a beautifully decorated getaway near Pearl Street. Menu is an international tour with shish kabobs, Cuban sandwich, udon, and bulgogi. They are also famous for their tea blends.