Boulder is a city at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, in northern Colorado. To the west, the trail-lined Flatirons are craggy rock formations overlooking the city. Downtown’s pedestrian Pearl Street Mall includes art galleries, cafes, restaurants and boutiques. The University of Colorado Boulder campus is home to the Fiske Planetarium and the Museum of Natural History, with zoology and anthropology exhibits.
Here are my top five favorite things to do in Boulder:
Pearl Street Mall
It's hard to imagine a visit to boulder without a stop in Pearl Street. It is Boulder heart and soul where visitors and locals come to walk around in this wonderfully charismatic four-block-long pedestrian mall. Colorful, bright flowers fill the mall almost the entire year and street performers, with a multitude of talents, make the Pearl Street Mall one of the best people-watching destinations anywhere.
Stop here to walk around and just take in the ambiance of the Pearl Street walking mall.
There are some really cool shops and good eateries along the way.
The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
This is considered one of Boulder's most attractive and popular tourist destinations. Well it's busy all the time but worth the try. Either you are a tea lover like me or you are looking for great food in a beautiful atmosphere, this is your stop.
The cultural point about this tea house that it was completely built by hand in Dushanbe, Tajikistan as a gift to their sister city, Boulder. It was disassembled and sent halfway around the world to be rebuilt in Boulder as a symbol of friendship and cultural exploration. So if you are just fun of interior design and beautiful architecture, the tea house is a must visit.
The Flatirons
Boulder's most iconic landmark, the Flatirons, not only bring beauty to the area but offer several outdoor activities. Either covered with snow, red and warm during sunny days, the Flatirons are Boulder's Landmark and It is hard to find a more stunning view than that of the Boulder Flatirons. The views here are among the best in Colorado, the trails are well marked and maintained. Every direction is a post card view! This is a must stop in the Boulder area!
Don't ignore it - ever!
Boulder Farmers' Market
This is the perfect way to experience Boulder like a local. Many local farmers are looking to sell farm-fresh produce directly to the public. Shoppers are guaranteed the best selection of locally grown, seasonal produce, eggs, cheeses, meats, herbs, flowers, and gourmet food products available in Boulder County.
This place is just a delight to walk through, sample the goods, and get great ideas for things to make with locally sourced, organic produce. Fun and tasty food trucks there as well. This is not an inexpensive market, but everything is so fresh that whatever you decide to buy will be good for quite a while. It’s definitely worth a visit even if you’re in town for just a few days.
Museum of Boulder at the Tebo Center
Boulder is known for its innovations and here is somewhere where they attempt to show just how that came about. Environmental, technological and medical thinking all have deep roots here and it's amazing to see how it all started. To get an idea of how Boulder became the outdoor-lovin', health-obsessed, eco-conscious and tech-savvy city it is today, you should stop here. And you'll learn it all through fun, interactive exhibits. An innovative space that's also dedicated to hosting popular traveling exhibitions, art shows, and events, it's best to carve out a couple of hours to see it all.
Where to eat?
There are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops in Boulder. My favorite restaurant is the French Brasserie Ten Ten where the service combined with the unique recipes and the trendy design make this place my all-time top eatery place in Boulder.
I'd recommend the Mariniere: it's Mussels cooked with sour cream and lemon topped with french fries.
It’s not hard to guess why Boulder earned the title the Happiest City in the U.S. by National Geographic. Fondly referred to as “the city nestled between the mountains and reality,” It is an absolute escape from the everyday life of Denver.
I'd recommend this destination even if you come to Denver for a short visit. You won't regret it!!
Safe travels :)