After living there for about 6 months a few years back, and having been back a bunch of times since then, I can say there are plenty of fun things to do in Boulder, Colorado.
Located about a 45-minute drive northeast of Denver (it’s a great place to visit on a road trip from Denver), this mid-size city enjoys a fabulous position in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. It’s a favorite place to live for anybody who has an active lifestyle and wants the outdoors.
In the heart of Boulder, you will find hiking and biking trails; the creek is a fun place to walk or run, and the city is very child-friendly.
The presence of the largest university in Colorado State makes it a fun, thriving place to live and explore. Add to this several eclectic cafés, good bars, and excellent restaurants, and you will want to put it in your Colorado itinerary!
Curious to discover all the unmissable things to do in Boulder, CO? Just continue reading, and I will reveal all its secrets!
The Best Things To Do In Boulder, CO
Go hiking in the Flatirons
The five slanting sandstone slabs known as the Flatirons are situated west of Boulder. Originally called the Chautauqua Slabs, they were thought to be called “the Flatirons” because they resembled an old clothes iron.
It’s estimated that the rocks date back 300 million years but were tilted to their form between 35 and 80 million years ago.
They’ve become a symbol of Boulder and are popular with rock climbers and hikers alike. There are many trails in and around the Flatirons for you to embark on – it’s definitely one of the most popular things to do in Boulder. I went there all the time when I lived in Boulder!
You can totally hike the Flatirons independently. However, if you want a guided troup hike you won’t be disappointed. I recommend this Half-Day Rocky Mountain Hike – This personalized hike will take you to a beautiful hiking trail. Depending on skill and preferences, the group has leniency on the exact route and trail you go on.
Stroll around the University of Colorado at Boulder Campus
This is one of my favorite places to visit in Boulder. I used to go all the time as my ex went to school there, and I did much of my undergraduate thesis research at its library.
Set on the backdrop of the Flatirons, the University of Colorado, Boulder, boasts a charming campus full of history and is ideal for a stroll on a sunny afternoon.
Founded in 1886, before Colorado became a state, two cities – Boulder and Canon – competed to host the university. Boulder won, and Canon got the runner-up institution: Colorado State Prison.
Situated just south of Pearl Street Mall, the campus is leafy and filled with historic attractions. From the Old Main, a Tuscan Vernacular Revival-style building dating to 1876, to the Mary Rippon Theater and the 1923 Macky Auditorium, it’s a pleasant place to wander.
Stargaze at the Fiske Planetarium and Science Center
Also situated on the Campus grounds is the Fiske Planetarium and Science Center. Opening its doors in 1975, this impressive building hosts the USA’s largest planetarium between Chicago and Los Angeles.
Come to the planetarium for presentations, see interactive films, and listen to talks conducted by leading researchers. It’ll really get you excited to explore the universe!
There’s an ever-changing list of events going on; sometimes, you may even be able to catch a theatrical production or musical performance, so make sure to check in advance.
Explore Pearl Street Mall
The beating heart of Boulder, Pearl Street Mall, is where all the city’s action occurs. If you take a trip to Boulder, you’ll likely find yourself here at some point – it’s one of the unmissable places to visit in Boulder.
The red-brick pedestrianized mall runs four blocks from 11th Street to 15th Street and is home to a cluster of local stores, breweries, restaurants, and other interesting attractions.
Home to around a thousand businesses, it’s the perfect place for foodies to explore and has a vibrant downtown atmosphere.
Chill out in Chautauqua Park
A landmark of the city, the founding of Chautauqua Park has a history that dates back to when Boulder started preserving the wildlands – more than a century ago. As well as its stunning natural scenery, Chautauqua Park features historical hotspots, wood cabins, and a quarry.
But it’s not just about the history. Situated right in the middle of the city, here you can hit up any number of walking trails and bike tracks, or you can do as locals do and play a round of tennis or put together a picnic to enjoy on the grass – it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Boulder.
Looking for a guided tour? You will enjoy this Best of Boulder E-Bike Tour – This exciting e-bike tour takes you to all the main spots around town, including Chautauqua Park. The tour also has some good viewpoints of the Flatirons Mountains and stops at several other destinations.
Discover a world of tea at Celestial Seasoning Tea Factory
I think I lost count of how many times I have visited this tea factory. I even won mugs and t-shirts at some point during guided tours where the guide would ask us curiosity questions. So, tea fans rejoice: you can sample all your favorite brews here in Boulder. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Boulder.
Celestial Seasoning Tea Factory is North America’s largest herbal tea manufacturer, brewing up 1.6 billion cups of tea annually!
The factory is out in the Gunbarrel neighborhood, northeast Boulder. You can actually go and tour their factory and see what the company has been up to for its 40 years of history.
It’s a multi-sensory experience (definitely the case when you enter the peppermint room!), where you can take in a gallery exhibiting product designs of the past, see the factory where 8 million teabags are produced daily, and even get the option of sampling more than 90 different types of tea.
The best part? It’s free!
Get lost (not literally) in Eldorado Canyon State Park
Close to the city, the Eldorado Canyon State Park encompasses 885 acres of nature across two separate sections: the Inner Canyon and Crescent Meadows. It’s a very popular location for rock climbers, who come here to enjoy some of the best rock climbing in the area.
If that’s you, you should make time to visit: Eldorado has more than a thousand technical rock climbing routes!
But if you’re not into rock climbing, there are still miles of picturesque trails that weave through land and take in some of the park’s spectacular scenery. Bring a picnic and make a day of it.
Tackle Flagstaff Mountain
Standing at 6,983 feet (2,128.5 meters) above sea level, Flagstaff Mountain rises high above Downtown Boulder. You don’t have to be content with admiring it from afar, though – you can climb it if you feel up to the challenge.
Its location just to the southwest of Downtown means that Flagstaff Mountain is easily accessible.
After a fairly challenging ascent, the top will reward intrepid climbers with an epic view out across the Continental Divide and Boulder plains below. You may also spot wildlife along the route, from deer to bobcats!
Hike Mount Sanitas
Mount Sanitas is a well-loved natural playground for Boulderites. Located just north of Downtown, this mountain is slightly smaller (6,863 feet, or 2,092 meters) than Flagstaff and easier to hike.
There are various trails on offer, accessible for various levels of hiker, including short routes and longer hikes.
Because of its popularity, when hiking here, you’ll probably come across a whole cross-section of locals, from trail runners to mums out with their kids for the day. When I lived in Boulder with my (now ex) boyfriend, I’d take our dog for a hike there almost every day!
Admire some creativity at the Museum of Contemporary Art
Away from hiking and eating, Boulder has a pretty cool art scene, which you can check out at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA). This small gallery has been going strong since 1971 and is housed inside a historic red brick building dating back to 1906.
Perusing the interesting collection here is an excellent way to spend an afternoon; it plays host to pieces from regional and international artists alike, with new collections exhibited every season. The admission fee is relatively low, so it’s well worth a visit, even if you’re on a budget.
Learn all about the history of the city at the Museum of Boulder at the Tebo Center
Situated in a former Masonic lodge in Downtown Boulder, near the Pearl Street Mall, this is where you can learn all about the history of Boulder through hands-on exhibits.
There’s an interactive gallery offering an insight into the city’s past, present, and future, including information about the Arapaho people – the native inhabitants of the land.
You can learn how Boulder established itself as a health retreat earlier and then glimpse the city up high on the museum’s rooftop.
Whether or not you’re a museum person, I always recommend visiting one within your first few days in a new destination. You can learn a lot about the history and nature of the place, and you might be surprised by what catches your attention.
Take a day trip to Estes Park
One of the best things to do in Boulder is to get out of town! Plenty of mind-blowing destinations nearby are just waiting to be explored. One of these is Estes Park – I used to go there all the time when I lived in Colorado and never tired of it!
This charming border town of Rocky Mountain National Park is just under an hour by car from Boulder. Once you arrive, you can stroll around town along the riverfront Main Street, stop for a coffee and a bite to eat, and take the Estes Park Aerial Tramway for incredible views.
There are dozens of easy-access hikes from here, and the scenic Peak-to-Peak Highway is a good way to drive between Estes Park and Nederland.
There’s also a lot of wildlife in and around Estes Park. It’s common to see a roaming moose in the town center. Just respect the animals, stay away, and admire them safely from afar if you encounter anything.
Too many tourists are walking straight up to an animal to take a selfie or try to pet them. They are wild animals, and not only can they hurt you, but it’s extremely disrespectful to them.
Soak up the views from Panorama Point
If you’re a fan of good views, then you should definitely make a beeline to Panorama Point during your trip to Boulder. Though you can hike up to this point, many drive up for nighttime views across the city.
It’s a great place to come for sunset in Boulder; the city illuminates as the sun goes down. If you’re more of a daytime person, bring a picnic and enjoy the views with a picnic at one of the benches here. You can even see beyond Boulder, with vast, open scenery to soak up from this vantage point.
Colorado is known for its scenery, so it would be a shame to miss such an integral viewpoint of Boulder.
Stroll along Boulder Creek Path
When you want to stretch your legs and enjoy the city’s surrounding beauty, you should take a stroll along Boulder Creek Path. Running for 5.5 miles (short of 9 km), this urban trail begins at 55th Street in the east of the city and all the way to Boulder Canyon in the west.
Along the route, the trail follows the creek through the central part of town and the countryside. As you stroll, you’ll pass several historic landmarks along the way. Today, it’s a favorite for local runners and those who want to explore with friends.
It certainly was a favorite of mine – when I lived in Boulder, I’d go there all the time for a run with my ex-boyfriend’s dog (unless I was hiking!).
Try the suds at Avery Brewing Company
The Avery Brewing Company was founded in 1993 and has been a staple of Boulder’s brewing scene ever since. They aim to create the perfect beer, so if you’re a beer lover, this should be on your list of things to do in Boulder.
This long-established brewery is now very popular and even offers tours, so if you’re interested in the brewing process, you can visit and learn all about how the magic happens. Or, if you’d prefer to sample a few different brews, simply swing by their taproom.
Grab a table on the outdoor patio and order food with their award-winning beer. After all, their slogan is “Beer First. The Rest Will Follow,” so you might as well get a cold one, sit back, and relax.
Make your way to Golden
Another great day trip from Boulder, Golden is just a half-hour drive from the city. This aptly named former Gold Rush town, tucked away in the Rocky Mountains is a friendly place to visit to learn about one of Colorado’s most historic towns.
With the town slogan of “Where the West Lives”, spending the day here is about soaking up the Gold Rush atmosphere.
The Gold Rush is a unique time in American history and has inspired hundreds of movies and TV shows. It brought so many people to the West, even though many miners lived challenging lives with demanding work.
But some argue the Gold Rush helped create “The American Dream.” Anyone could find gold in America; if they did, they were set for life.
You can visit the Golden History Museum and Park to learn about pioneer life and culture, hit up the Colorado Railroad Museum, and sample a fresh brew at Coors Brewery. You’ll even find the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, among other attractions, here.
Splash around at Boulder Reservoir
Boulder Reservoir is a local favorite place to chill out and kick back on a mountain backdrop. On a sunny day, you’ll find people kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, laying out on the beach, and meeting with friends around this man-made lake. There’s also a sandy shoreline for picnickers to spread out a blanket.
If you’re feeling active, you’ll be pleased to know there’s a place to rent water sports equipment or dip in the designated swimming area. And with a number of hiking trails, you can also take a stroll in nature and enjoy the views.
The Boulder Reservoir has four miles of coastline, a maximum depth of 28 feet, and spreads around 7 acres. But the backdrop is the best part about it (other than the fun water activities).
Some beautiful Colorado mountains encompass the Boulder Reservoir. They are not the largest and most impressive mountains in Colorado, but they still paint a pretty picture for your afternoon in the sun!
Browse the produce at Boulder Farmers’ Market
Surrounded by all that countryside, it’s no wonder that there’s some amazing produce on offer at Boulder’s very own Farmers’ Market. This is a great place to visit if you want to see what Boulder life is like as a local. I’d shop there all the time when I lived in Boulder.
This market began in 1986 as a way for local farmers to sell their fresh produce and has now grown to be the largest in Colorado. Here, you can pick up all farm-fresh produce, from cheeses and meats to flowers and wine. You guessed it – it’s where I used to shop when I lived in Boulder!
The Boulder Farmer’s Market is on 13th Street, between Canyon and Arapahoe. However, it’s a little hard to miss as it’s so large and lively most of the time.
This is not only a great way to snack on fresh fruits, vegetables, and homemade goods but also one of the best ways to support the local community.
Catch a performance at the Sunrise Amphitheater
Set in a naturally formed vantage point on the slopes of Flagstaff Mountain, you can get a panoramic view of Boulder and the surrounding area. Its stone benches and stage were added in the 1930s to create the Sunrise Amphitheater as it is now.
If you cannot catch a musical performance here, come for sunrise. True to its name, this is a gorgeous spot to watch the sunrise; you can hike it if you like, but it’s also possible to drive. Watching the sun come up here, surrounded by nature, is truly beautiful.
And for those looking for a special wedding venue, note that this is also a popular spot to get married in Boulder!
Further Readings
Are you planning to visit Colorado? Make sure to read these posts:
- The Best Hikes Near Denver
- The Best Free Things To Do In Denver
- The Best Places To Visit In Colorado
- What To See And Do In Rocky Mountain National Park
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