• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Colorado Brands
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Mine Tours
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Public Parks
      • Scenic Drives
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos with Lodging
    • Dude Ranches
    • Hot Spring with Lodging
    • Wineries with Lodging
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
Boulder Colorado
Pearl Street in Boulder.

Boulder, Colorado

FacebookTwitter

Boulder is nestled at the base of the iconic Flatirons and is loaded with natural things to do. It’s a big city of about 104,668 people as of 2020 and consistently appears on many “best places to live” lists due to its laid-back lifestyle, beauty, and endless recreation.

If you want a blend of both city and outdoors, Boulder might be perfect for you. Boulder features a booming tech industry and blooming recreation around every corner. It resides at 5,328 feet of elevation in Boulder County.

History

Boulder CO Aerial View
Aerial view of Boulder.

Boulder was home to Native Americans before it was populated during the gold rush. Back on Oct. 17, 1858, a group of people seeking gold camped near the entrance of the Boulder Canyon. In just about a year, they formalized a company called the Boulder City Town Company, which was headed by the first president A.A. Brookfield. The competition during the gold rush was intense.

Since it was also a mining supply town, many tried to acquire lands and homes in the area. Eventually, the residents built railroads, hospitals, and schools to cater to the needs of the community. A local town government was also elected. In 1880, Boulder’s population finally passed the 3,000 mark, which was the minimum requirement for a city to be formally established.

Boulder Colorado Circa 1900
Boulder, Colorado, circa 1900.

Boulder was known to be a thriving community. One of its main attractions at the time was the very first private school in the area, Mount St. Gertrude Academy. Neighboring visitors would travel via the railroad to bring their children to this school because of its comprehensive educational system.

Tourism also picked up. By 1905, it was evident that the town had a booming opportunity in tourism. In 1906, the funding for the construction of the very first first-class hotel was raised. It was not complete until Jan. 1, 1909, when Hotel Boulderado opened for business.

Come the 20th century, new residents came to Boulder to enliven the community. Beautiful public amenities and parks were built, as well as new neighborhoods and shopping centers. Even though the town has experienced continued growth over the decades, the local government and communities are still adamant about maintaining their historical heritage and natural parks.

Learn more about the things that make Boulder famous.

Main Attractions

Pearl Street Mall, Colorado
Pearl Street Mall, Colorado. Photo: Kent Kanouse

Celestial Seasonings – Free tours daily of the world’s most advanced tea production plant. See how teas are blended, packaged, shipped, and participate in tastings. There is also a Tea Shop and Celestial Cafe with breakfast and lunch.

Chautauqua Park – If you’re looking to hike Boulder’s famous Flatirons, most treks start from this park. There are several trails, plus an expansive lawn for year-round enjoyment. Additionally, you can grab a meal at the Chautauqua Dining Hall.

Pearl Street Mall – Boulder has its own promenade lined with colorful shops and restaurants. It’s the perfect place for an evening stroll to experience the vibrancy of Boulder.

University of Colorado – The town is home to the University of Colorado, the state’s largest university. Head over to Folsom Field to catch the Buffs take on Pac 12 rivals.

Read about the top things to do in Boulder.

Recreation

South Boulder CO Aerial View from Bear Peak
Aerial view of South Boulder from Bear Peak.

Camping –

  • Head 30 minutes southwest of town to find the Gross Reservoir. The lake offers fishing and motorless boating, and there is a primitive campground with 20 tent-camping sites.
  • A winding drive toward Nederland and Ward will lead you to Brainard Lake Recreation Area. This gorgeous land has multiple lakes, hiking, and 47 RV sites to choose from.
  • Read about the camping near Boulder and Nederland.

Disc Golf – Discover the top disc golf courses near Boulder, Denver, and Colorado Springs.

Fishing –

  • Walden Pond is only 15 minutes from town and offers peaceful fishing in a few different ponds. It is common to catch bass, catfish, and rainbow trout here.
  • Boulder Creek can be accessed right in town, but you’ll have more luck if you hike toward Boulder Canyon. It is a great spot for fly fishing.
  • Boulder Reservoir sits right to the north of town and has water stocked with crappie and catfish. They have boat rentals and ice fishing as well.
  • Read about the lakes and rivers to fish near Boulder.
Boulder CO Flatirons Winter Sunrise
Winter sunrise of Boulder’s flatirons. Photo by: Jesse Varner

Hiking –

  • Boulder Canyon trail can get pretty busy because of the prime location of its trailhead, but don’t let that deter you. It’s an easy 2-mile hike that’s perfect for getting some fresh air.
  • The Enchanted Mesa trail has gorgeous views of the Flatirons and is about a 3-mile loop.
  • Sugarloaf Mountain is a local favorite right near Boulder. It takes an average of 45 minutes to complete and the peak offers great views of the town.
  • Read about the hiking trails near Boulder.

Accommodations

Large hotel and spa property
Beautiful grounds of the St. Julien Hotel and Spa in Boulder, CO. Photo by: facebook.com/stjulienhotelandspa

This section contains referral links. If you click through and take action, we may receive a commission, at no additional cost to you.ย 



Booking.com

Hotel Boulderado – For more than 100 years this historic 3-star hotel has served downtown Boulder. The beautiful property has maintained its historic charm and has a cafe for the public to enjoy.

St Julien Hotel & Spa – Luxury 3-star accommodation that hosts some of Boulder’s top live music during the summer months.

Bradley Boulder Inn – A serene weekend getaway located in the heart of downtown. This adults-only B&B offers a complimentary hot breakfast and a wine and cheese happy hour each day.

Boulder A-Lodge – Also known as the Boulder Adventure Lodge, it’s a hostel located a couple of miles from downtown in Fourmile Canyon.

Read about the best hotels in Boulderย and the luxury 3 and 4-star hotels in Boulder.

Read about theย cabins to rent near Boulder, Lyons, and Nederland or the top bed and breakfasts in Boulder.

Dining

Outdoor dining area
Outdoor dining area and front entrance of OAK, a restaurant in Boulder, CO. Photo by: facebook.com/oakatfourteenth

OAK – A New American restaurant serving eccentric dishes in an airy, open space. They also have a great cocktail and wine list to enjoy.

Flower Child –ย Everything in this colorful restaurant is made from scratch with local ingredients. Their menu is very flexible for all diets including vegan, vegetarian, and paleo.

Sherpaโ€™s Adventure Restaurant and Bar Kitchen –ย If you’re feeling adventurous, Sherpa’s has a menu full of unique Himalayan cuisine.

Read about the best bars in Boulder, the top microbreweries, and the wineries and cideries near Boulder.

Read about the vegan/vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Boulder.

Check out these Boulder date ideas to combine with your dinner night.

โ€‹โ€‹Special Events

Beer festival crowds in front of vendors
Crowds at the Boulder Creek Festival held annually in May. Photo by: facebook.com/bouldercreekfestival

Mar – Boulder International Film Festival – Usually held Thursday through Sunday, this festival features parties, food, and a look at the top new international films.

May – Boulder Creek Festival – A three-day festival held during Memorial Day weekend along Canyon Boulevard. Local vendors sell food and other products, there is live music, and events like a rubber duck race down Boulder Creek are also hosted.

Jun – TEDxBoulder – TED-style talks and performances held at the Chautauqua Auditorium in early June.

Jun-Aug – Colorado Shakespeare Festival – Three months of theatre plays in Boulder, showcasing the performances of William Shakespeare and other famous authors.

Jun-Aug – Colorado Music Festival – Six weeks of concerts to delight the classical music lover, held at Chautauqua Auditorium from late June to early August.

Jul – JUL-IPA – All July, Boulder’s Western End Tavern celebrates badass IPA beers. The Kick-Off Party on July 1st and the Rooftop Party at end of the month are fun events. Proceeds benefit charity.

Aug – Boulder International Fringe Festival – Twelve-day art festival celebrating a wide variety of arts including theater, music, and dance, held in mid-August.

Aug – Boulder Craft Beer Festival – This is a beer festival uniquely suited to the lifestyle of its local residents. In addition to beer, partake in lawn games, yoga, and fresh food. It’s held in mid-August.

Aug – Opera in the Park – Boulder Opera presents a free Saturday night of opera performances in the Boulder Bandshell in Central Park, held in late August.

Oct – Handmade In Colorado Expo – Weekend of local Colorado artists selling their crafts in Central Park, held in early October.

Read about the top events in Boulder.

Boulder CO The Hill
“The Hill” in Boulder. Photo by: David Shankbone

Activities near Boulder

Amusement:

  • Gateway Park Fun Center

Bars:

  • DV8 Distillery

Biking:

  • Valmont Bike Park

Brewery Tours:

  • Avery Brewing
  • Left Hand Brewing
  • Upslope Brewing

Colorado Brands:

  • Backpackers Pantry
  • Bhakti Chai
  • Bobos Oat Bars
  • Bookcliff Vineyards
  • Boulder Beer
  • Boulder Canyon Natural Foods
  • Boulder Cookie
  • Boulder Organic Ice Cream
  • Celestial Seasonings Tea Company
  • Chocolove
  • Cocktail Punk
  • Colorado Spice
  • Colorado Teardrops
  • Evol
  • Holden & Hay
  • Keen One Quinoa
  • Made In Nature
  • Moksha Chocolate
  • Open Road Snacks
  • Redstone Meadery
  • Roofnest
  • Settembre Cellars
  • Skinny Crisps
  • Stanley Brothers
  • Studio Shed
  • Udis Gluten Free
  • Vapor Distillery

Concerts:

  • Chautauqua Auditorium

Distillery Tours:ย 

  • Boulder Spirits by Vapor Distillery (2mi)

Dining:

  • Chautauqua Dining Hall
  • The Sink

Factory Tours:

  • Celestial Seasonings Factory Tour

Federal Lands:

  • Boulder Creek
  • Brainard Lake Recreation Area (25mi)
  • Gross Reservoir (15mi)
  • Indian Peaks Wilderness
  • Roosevelt National Forest
  • Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park (38mi)

Ghost Towns:

  • Caribou (19mi)
  • Corona (21mi)
  • Apex (36mi)
  • Nevadaville (38mi)
  • Russell Gulch (44mi)

Hot Springs:

  • Eldorado Springs Pool (8mi)
  • Indian Hot Springs – Idaho Springs (39mi)
  • Read about the hot springs near Boulder.

Landmarks:

  • Flatirons

Museums:

  • Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
  • CU Museum of Natural History
  • Fiske Planetarium

Paragliding:

  • Red Tail Paragliding

Performing Arts:

  • Boulder Theatre
  • Fox Theatre
  • Longmont Theatre Company (15mi)

Public Parks:

  • Boulder Reservoir Regional Park
  • Chautauqua Park
  • Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat

River Tubing and Kayaking:

  • Boulder Creek

Rock Climbing:

  • Boulder Rock Club
  • Movement Gym Boulder
  • Spot Bouldering Gym

Scenic Drives:

  • Lariat Loop Byway (20mi)
  • Peak to Peak Byway (16mi)

Shopping:

  • FlatIron Crossing (10mi)
  • Pearl Street Mall

Ski Areas:

  • Eldora Mountain Resort (17mi)

State Parks:

  • Boyd Lake State Park (32mi)
  • Eldorado Canyon State Park (11mi)
  • Golden Gate Canyon State Park (32mi)
  • Saint Vrain State Park (23mi)

Towns:

  • Allenspark (35mi)
  • Bellvue (51mi)
  • Denver (27mi)
  • Eldorado Springs (8mi)
  • Fort Collins (46mi)
  • Golden (20mi)
  • Greeley (54mi)
  • Lafayette (11mi)
  • Longmont (15mi)
  • Loveland (32mi)
  • Lyons (16mi)
  • Nederland (16mi)
  • Niwot (9mi)
  • Ward (19mi)

Transportation:

  • Lyft
  • Uber

Waterfalls:

  • Boulder Falls

Wine Tastings:

  • Bookcliff Vineyards
  • Redstone Meadery
  • Settembre Cellars

Latest in Boulder

Pikes Peak Sunset Colorado Front Range

Colorado’s Front Rangeโ€“โ€“Much More Than Big Cities

Spend any amount of time in Colorado, and you’re likely to come across the term “Front…

Colorado’s Front Rangeโ€“โ€“Much More Than Big CitiesRead More

Ironman 70.3 Boulder, Colorado

The Top Events in Boulder, Colorado

Boulder is home to many top events and festivals spanning a wide range of interests that…

The Top Events in Boulder, ColoradoRead More

Famous Colorado Murders Adolph Coors 3rd Golden Bridge Missing Crime Scene

Six Notoriously Sinister Crimes that Altered Life in Colorado Forever

Oftentimes when people think of Colorado, the Rocky Mountains and magnificent ski resorts come to mind.…

Six Notoriously Sinister Crimes that Altered Life in Colorado ForeverRead More

Image of a person playing disc golf at A-Basin in Colorado

The Best Disc Golf Courses near Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs

Over 80% of Coloradoโ€™s population lives near the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, in cities…

The Best Disc Golf Courses near Denver, Boulder, and Colorado SpringsRead More

View more Boulder articles

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. โ€”and never miss out again.

Boulder County

  • All Towns
  • Boulder County
  • Allenspark
  • Boulder
  • Eldorado Springs
  • Erie
  • Jamestown
  • Lafayette
  • Longmont
  • Louisville
  • Lyons
  • Nederland
  • Niwot
  • Pinecliffe
  • Ward
  • Wondervu

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Ski Resorts
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides

Copyright © 2023 ยท Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise