Where to Stay in Boulder, Colorado (Best Areas for Visitors)

 7 Best Neighborhoods and Areas to Stay in Boulder

Most people looking for hotels in Boulder are going to want to stay near CU or along Pearl Street in downtown Boulder. 

CU – short for University of Colorado Boulder – is the largest college in the state. College buildings and students make up a big part of the city and contribute to its laid back vibe. If you’re looking for places to stay in Boulder, Colorado that are near campus, you’ll want to look at The Hill, just next to CU.

If you want to be in downtown Boulder and be near all the sightseeing and Boulder landmarks, you’ll want to stay in the Pearl Street neighborhood. 

This map shows all of Boulder’s neighborhoods and might be helpful as you consider where to stay in Boulder. 

Pearl Street Mall Neighborhood

👉 Best Area For Tourists | ✨ Best Pearl Street Mall Hotels: St. Julien Hotel & Spa • The Bradley Boulder Inn • Hotel Boulderado • Basecamp Boulder

If you’re visiting Boulder for the first time, you want to stay near the Pearl Street Mall! The area is an outdoor pedestrian mall in downtown Boulder that stretches many blocks and is full of things to see and outdoor areas where kids can play.

You’ll be within walking distance of lots of restaurants, bars, and shops. A bike and walking path along Boulder Creek is also within walking distance. 

The mall is the historic center of Boulder, with lots of beautiful buildings and, always, views of the Flatirons looming in the distance. The area is especially beautiful in spring when hundreds of tulips bloom all along the pedestrian streets of the mall. 

Pros of Staying in the Pearl Street Mall Neighborhood:

• The center of the best stuff to see and do in Boulder
• Pedestrian and bike-friendly
• Close to bars, restaurants, and shopping

Con of Staying in the Pearl Street Mall Neighborhood:

• Hotels can be pricey, especially during peak travel periods

University Hill Neighborhood

👉 Best Area For Visiting Univ. Colorado Boulder | ✨ Best University Hill Hotels: Boulder University Inn • Hilton Garden Inn Boulder • Hyatt Place Boulder

If you’re headed to visit a student at CU or going to watch the Buffs play at Folsom Field, University Hill is the best place to stay in Boulder, CO. The college town neighborhood is close to CU and you can walk or bike to make of the places on campus. Just be aware – “The Hill” is an actual hill and you may need to stop and catch your breath while walking it!

While at University Hill, you’ll be near the great dive bars and funky shops that always seem to surround college campuses. Be sure to grab a meal at The Sink, where Robert Redford once worked as a janitor before getting kicked out of CU. 

Pros of Staying in the University Hill Neighborhood:

• Close to CU
• Lots of bars, restaurants, and shopping

Con of Staying in the University Hill Neighborhood:

• Parking is hard to find (and probably not free!)

Chautauqua Neighborhood

👉 Best Area For Local Hiking | ✨ Best Chautauqua Area Hotels: Colorado Chautauqua Cottages • Boulder University Inn

The Colorado Chautauqua is a National Historic Landmark that encompasses hiking trails that include a hard but rewarding hike up the Flatirons for amazing views of Boulder and the Rockies.

The area also has cottages built in 1925 for rent, and you can eat at the delicious, historic Chautauqua Dining Hall. The park originally hosted performances, concerts, and lectures, and still has concerts, films, and other events to this day. 

Pros of Staying in the Chautauqua Neighborhood:

• Lots of hiking
• Quieter and calmer than downtown

Con of Staying in the Chautauqua Neighborhood:

• Need to drive to get to most bars, restaurants, and shopping

North Boulder

👉 Best Area For Arts & Breweries  | ✨ Best North Boulder Area Hotels: Hampton Inn & Suites Boulder North • Holiday Inn Express Boulder • Residence Inn by Marriott Boulder Canyon Boulevard

North Boulder is popular with young families, and trendy businesses like breweries and wineries are sprouting up in the area. This area used to be industrial, but is now being transformed by small businesses moving into the region. There are also plenty of restaurants and shops to browse. 

Pros of Staying in the North Neighborhood:

• First Friday Art Walks showcase local artists
• Breweries, wineries, and small businesses

Con of Staying in the Chautauqua Neighborhood:

• More suburban-feeling than Pearl or The Hill

Twenty Ninth Street

👉 Best Area For Shopping  | ✨ Best Twenty Ninth St. Hotels: Embassy Suites By Hilton Boulder  • Boulder Marriott

There’s lots of shopping at Twenty Ninth Street – it’s an outdoor shopping mall district with brand-name stores. It also has gorgeous views of the mountains beyond.

Twenty Ninth Street isn’t far from CU or downtown Boulder but it has a completely different vibe with its modern stores. In summer, there are outdoor concerts and live music.

Pros of Staying in the Twenty Ninth St. Neighborhood:

• Lots of shopping
• Plenty of places to eat or grab coffee

Con of Staying in the Twenty Ninth St. Neighborhood:

• Lots of chain stores and restaurants

South Boulder

👉 Best Area For Parks  | ✨ Best South Boulder Hotels: Hilton Garden Inn Boulder • Residence Inn by Marriott Boulder Canyon Boulevard • Boulder Marriott

South Boulder is a calm suburban area with plenty of outdoor parks and trails. The Rocky Mountain foothills loom above the area, providing a beautiful backdrop for everything that goes on there!

Play disc golf at Harlow Platts Community Park, or walk around Viele Lake to get some fresh air. There are also several pubs and restaurants where you can grab a pint or get some lunch.

Pros of Staying in the South Boulder Neighborhood:

• Lots of outdoor parks & trails
• Quiet and laid back

Con of Staying in the South Boulder. Neighborhood:

• Lacking the nightlife of downtown

Gunbarrel

👉 Best Area For New Breweries  | ✨ Best Gunbarrel Hotels: Boulder Twin Lakes Inn • Hampton Inn & Suites Boulder North

Gunbarrel is known for their delicious craft beer scene. You can also check out Twin Lakes, and the Boulder Reservoir, where you can ​​boat, swim, fish, or walk along the loop trail. 

Pros of Staying in the Gunbarrel Neighborhood:

• Lots of hiking & outdoor activities
• New breweries

Con of Staying in the Gunbarrel Boulder. Neighborhood:

• Removed from downtown

Tips for Staying in Boulder

Bring layers

It’s a common joke in Colorado that if you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes. During all four seasons here, you can get warm sun and cold breezes. In fact, it has snowed in every month of the year at some point here!

Layers are key for spending a day exploring Boulder and the surrounding areas. Thin, warm layers you can easily take on and off are going to make your exploring much more comfortable. And, of course, you’ll want a backpack to carry them around!

⛰️ Read Next: Best Places to Stay in Colorado

Always wear sunscreen

Cloudy days can trick everyone into forgetting to sunscreen up, but you can easily get burned on those days! If you’re here in winter, reflection from snow can make UV rays even more intense. You’ll definitely want a sunscreen formulated for your face, plus a sport sunscreen for the rest of your body!

You Can Go Hiking Right From Town

One of the wonderful things about Boulder is all of the many hiking trails close to Boulder. Several of the best ones don’t even require a rental car – the trail entrances are close enough to downtown that you can just go by foot! 

Boulder is a Great Day Trip Base

With that said, if you do have a car, Boulder has very easy access to the mountain and makes a great base for exploring the nearby nature. Check out my guide to the best trips to take for a day from Boulder for some ideas. 

Denver and Boulder Have Very Different Vibes

If it’s your first time in Colorado, it’s definitely worth considering spending some part of your trip staying in Denver too. There are many more hotels in Denver compared to Boulder to choose from.

For tips on what to do, eat, and more, check out our full Denver travel guide.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Boulder

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Hopefully, this look at areas and hotels in Boulder has given you a good idea of the neighborhoods where you want to narrow your search. Pearl Street and The Hill are the most popular choices for hotels in Boulder, because they’re near a lot of spots people want to visit. 

However, the serenity of The Chautauqua, the shopping along Twenty Ninth Street, and the up-and-coming areas of North Boulder are all interesting places to consider as well.

Once you’ve determined where to stay in Boulder, Colorado, be sure to check out my extensive list of things to do in Boulder, as well as the best hikes in the area. If you’re staying for more than a day or two, you may also want to check out this list of the best day trips from Boulder to the surrounding areas.