Boulder

There’s so much to do in Boulder, including hiking, shopping, and sightseeing. Your biggest challenge will be picking just a few things!

• Eldorado Canyon State Park – Eldorado Canyon State Park has the best of Boulder’s outdoor activities and views! Hike, bike, and more.
• Pearl Street Mall – Pearl Street has shops, restaurants, bars, and great places to sit and watch people.
• University Of Colorado Boulder – Visit the museum-like CU Heritage Center, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, or a football game.  
• Chautauqua Park – Chautauqua Park is home to some of the best hikes in Boulder. It also has biking, tennis, and more.
• Boulder Creek – Boulder Creek runs through downtown, with a bike or walking path and plenty of spots to sit. 

👉 Explore all the things to do in Boulder.

⛰️ Day Trips

• Denver – Visit museums, grab a cocktail, or see Red Rocks and go for a hike in the nearby foothills. 
• Nederland – Tons of the best Boulder-area hiking trails and amazing drives make this a great short trip!
• Rocky Mountain National Park – Wildlife, hiking trails, and perhaps the best mountain views anywhere in the state.
• Hot Sulphur Springs – One of the closest hot springs to Boulder makes for a great day trip.

👉 See the full list of the best Boulder day trips.

🏘️ Neighborhoods

• Pearl Street – The heart of historic downtown Boulder and the best place to stay. 
• North Boulder – An up-and-coming place for young families and small businesses, with breweries and restaurants. 
• Central Boulder – A good location to get to everything in Boulder, with nearby restaurants, hotels, and attractions.

🍸 Bars

• The Bitter Bar – A cocktail lounge that prides itself on simple, unstuffy cocktails, with friendly, welcoming staff.
• DV8 Distillery – A self-proclaimed queer bar featuring comedy, drag shows, art installations, and delicious drinks.
• Pearl Street Pub and Cellar – Pearl Street dive bar with cheap food, music, and a buffalo head everyone kisses when they turn 21.

🥾 Hikes

• Flatirons Vista Trail – A flat, easy trail with amazing views of the Flatirons and lots of wildflowers in season.
• Eldorado Canyon Trail – A moderate-to-difficult trail with gorgeous canyon views that ends at Boulder Creek. 
• Mount Sanitas – A short but steep trail with spots for bouldering and beautiful views at the summit.

👉 Read full guide to best hikes in Boulder.

🗓️ Best Time to Visit

Boulder, like Denver, can get late snow but also pleasant days mid-winter. Pack plenty of layers – you may need them all in one day. 

• 🍂 Fall – Local college football, mild weather, and fall foliage make this the perfect season to visit.
• 🌼 Spring –  Tulips cover Pearl Street, and trees are budding. The weather is unpredictable, but there are mild days.
• ❄️ Winter – Definitely cold, but there are plenty of outdoor activities and nearby skiing. 
• 🌞 Summer –  Lots of festivals, an outdoor farmer’s market, tons of hiking, and outdoor activities. 

🚌 Getting Around

Boulder prides itself on being eco-friendly, and you can get to many places without needing a car. Here’s how to get around:

• 🚶‍♀️ Walking – Boulder’s WalkScore is 57. Pearl Street and CU Boulder are suited for walkers. 
• 🚗 Driving – You don’t need a car unless you want to head outside the city to hike or visit.
• 🚇 Public Transit – Boulder has a local bus network and a system connecting with Denver and beyond. 
• 📲 Ride Share – You can get Uber and Lyft rides, though they’ll cost more at peak times.
• 🚴‍♀️ Biking – Considered one of the most bike-friendly cities, with lots of paths and bike lanes.
• 🛴 Scooters – Boulder partnered with Lime and there are e-scooters in various parts of the city.

👉 Tips & Things to Know

• 💧- Stay hydrated – The altitude, combined with city walking and outdoor activities can dehydrate you before you know it. Drink plenty of water!
• ⛰️ – Take time to acclimate – If you’re hiking or doing other activities, you may get out of breath. It’s the altitude! Take it slow at first.
• 🌦️ – Check the weather – Colorado gets snow in May and warm days in winter. Check the weather each day and pack plenty of layers. 
• 😎 – Always wear sunscreen – Don’t let cool weather fool you – you can get a nasty sunburn just about any day in Boulder. Sunscreen up!
• 🌿 Know the 420 rules – Boulder has many dispensaries, but you can’t smoke pot in public places. Rentals will often specify if they allow it.

🧳 What to Pack

• 🧥 – Layers – It can snow in the morning and be sunny in the afternoon! Bring plenty of layers, especially if you’ll be outside.
• 🧢 – A hat – A good hat will shield your eyes and protect your face from sunburn. 
• 🥾 – Hiking boots – If you plan to hike the trails around Boulder, sturdy hiking boots will save your feet and ankles. 
• 🧴 – Lotion – Colorado’s dry air will do a number on your skin! Bring a nice, thick lotion and keep it handy.
• 🚰 – Water bottle – Between the elevation and the exercise you’re likely getting, it’s important you stay hydrated!

🤓 Facts & Info

• Census Population (2020) – 330,758 
• Time Zone – Mountain Time (UTC -7 / UTC -6 during daylight savings)
• Area Codes – 303, 720
• Airports – Denver International Airport (DIA)
• Nickname – The People’s Republic of Boulder (said in jest)
• Demonynm – Boulderite
• State – Colorado
• Country – United States of America

💵 Costs & Budgeting

• 3 Star Hotel Room – $95-$290/night
• 1 Bedroom Apartment Rental – $66-150/night
• Rental Car – $75+/day
• Public Transit Ticket – ~$2.60 ($6 to airport from center)
• Ride Share from Downtown to Airport – $60-70
• Take Out Meal for Two – $24-30
• Sit Down Dinner for Two – $60-80
• Draft Beer – $6-10