Fun Things To Do In Boulder Colorado

National Center For Atmospheric Research

ONE DAY in BOULDER Colorado | Things to DO, EAT & SEE

Learn about climate science at this laboratory surrounded by scenic hiking trails

| Phone: 497-1000 | Website | Hours: 8 am 5 pm daily | Entrance: Free

NCAR has a Mesa Laboratory and Visitor Center that offers tours and allows visitors to check out the exhibits and learn about atmospheric science and research. You can learn more about weather and climate science here, too.

Pro Tip: NCAR is currently not allowing tours or visitors at the Visitor Center visit their website for updates.

The Peoples Crossing Park

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This picturesque park is a low-key hang for locals and visitors alike.

A wonderful way to spend some time outdoors and bask in the beauty of the parks gorgeous setting,

The Peoples Crossing Park is one of the most fun things to do in Boulder.

Serving as the heart of a network of trail and rock formations, the park provides visitors with plenty of opportunities for both excitement and relaxation.

Whether looking for a thrilling adventure or just a serene place to enjoy the views and rest, The Peoples Crossing Park is a top pick.

The parks vast open spaces are the perfect place to have a picnic, read a book, or throw/kick a ball around.

The surrounding Red Rock trails are perfect for hiking and nature observance.

Park amenities include restrooms, a picnic area, and ample parking.

One of the most iconic places to spend a day outdoors in Colorado, The Peoples Crossing Park is a must-see.

Address: Boulder, CO 80302, United States

The Dairy Center For The Arts Boulder Co

Housed in an old dairy plant, the Dairy Center for the Arts represents all the arts under one roof: dance, theatre, music, cinema, visual art and more. As Boulders largest multi-disciplinary arts center, this unique performance venue and gallery space offers the community a chance to experience and enjoy a variety of captivating and exhilarating artistic performances as well as high-quality visual art.

The centers three galleries exhibit the works of over 80 regional, national, and international artists in juried shows each year. The center also hosts special presentations by specific artistic groups including Imagine Colorado, art teachers, and the Boulder Art Association. The center also offers a unique arts education program for children called Kids at The Dairy.

This program is designed to introduce young children to live performances across all artistic disciplines with the aim of making the arts more available to children.

2590 Walnut Street, Boulder, Colorado 80302, Phone: 303-440-7826

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Molly Brown House Museum

Jim Lambert / Shutterstock

You might already know of the Unsinkable Molly Brown, who survived the Titanic sinking.

However, her life has so much more to it than that event.

At the Molly Brown House Museum in Denver, you can learn about one of the most notable women Colorado has ever known.

Molly Brown should be especially admired for her activist efforts, especially with advocating for increased educational access.

Her home is also a truly great place to explore as well.

Many interesting items can be found here, such as vintage clothing and artworks.

A trip here is one of the most fun things to do in Colorado.

The best way to describe Molly Brown would be determined.

She knew that there were causes too strong to ignore.

The Molly Brown House Museum is open from Wednesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is $14 for adults, $10 for children, ages 6 to 18, and $12 for military members, college students, and teachers.

Address: 1340 Pennsylvania St, Denver, CO 80203, United States

What Are The Best Outdoor Activities In Boulder

Hiking is number one: there are so many fun and beautiful places to hike in and around Boulder, including Chautauqua, NCAR and Boulders spacious mountain parks. Other outdoor activities include: tubing Boulder Creek, stand up paddleboarding at Boulder Reservoir, paragliding, fishing, biking, rock climbing and more.

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Hike The Trails At Chautauqua

The first thing anyone should do when arriving in Boulder is to get an up-close peek atThe Flatirons, Boulders signature mountain range that has long served as a symbol of this one-of-a-kind town. The best place to do that is Chautauqua, an iconic local park that also houses a historic dining hall, concert auditorium, and rental cottages with mountain vistas. Hike the trails, toss the disc around, or just enjoy the views over brunch on the dining hall deck. You cant go wrong either way.

What To Do With Kids

Some of the popular attractions for kids in the mall are the Pop-Jet Fountain and Animal Sculptures.

Let your tots run in and out of the fountains as they anticipate sprays and splashes of water.

Dont forget to pack extra clothes and a towel.

Better yet, bring their swimsuits.

After drying off, take them to see the enormous bronze animals displayed on the malls grounds.

If youve got toddlers, bring them over as these stone animals are a hit with little climbers.

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Adventure West St Vrain Creek Tubing

For fun with the older kids, take a family-friendly float on the Saint Vrain Creek. Rent a tube for use in the Playpark or shuttle upstream with our Tube/Shuttle Bundle and kick-back and enjoy the ride! Adventure Wests Saint Vrain Creek location in Longmont offers walk-up or reservations for tube rentals, but reservations are required for the tube shuttle bundle as there is limited space on the vans. The tube shuttle takes you to the put-in and outfits you with a commercial grade river tube and complimentary lifejacket . Enjoy a 1 1/2 2 hour float with a few small manmade rapids in the playpark area. This 2-mile picturesque journey takes you through protected natural areas to an easy takeout on the Greenway where the shuttle will meet you and conveniently take you right back to your car or feel free to keep your tube and enjoy the tubing playpark as long as you like! Adventure West Longmont is open Friday Monday, 10 AM 5 PM.

Saunter Down Pearl Street

Best Things to Do in Boulder, Colorado

Spend a morning, afternoon or evening exploring downtown Boulders main street a pedestrian-only thoroughfare lined with historic buildings that house a variety of local shops, galleries and eateries. Catch a street performance, do some window shopping and enjoy the bustling atmosphere there is sure to be some prime people-watching. And if youre in town at the right time of year, the Pearl Street mall also hosts a number of free local events, such as Casual Fest, an independent artist market and local music festival.

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Spend A Day Outside At Eldorado Canyon State Park

Many tourists visiting Boulder opt to group their trip with a visit to nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, located a short 45-minute drive north of town. However, the popularity of the national park has skyrocketed in recent years, and reservations are now required for summer visitation. Luckily, a fantastic alternative to the national park is located just 20 minutes south of downtown Boulder: Eldorado Canyon State Park. This unsung gem is a hiking, biking, climbing, and trail running paradise. Check out trails like Doudy Draw, Marshall Mesa, or the Continental Divide Overlook for incredible views of the Flatirons and the Continental Divide in any season.

Amazing Day Trips From Boulder Colorado

By Lia Garcia | February 20, 2022

Please double check what’s open before your trip and follow all local vax & mask guidelines to keep yourself and others safe! Also, ads are how we pay our bills and keep our blog free for you to enjoy. We also use affiliate links if you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Boulder, Colorado is a charming college town tucked into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, just 30 minutes away from Denver. Its also one of the best jumping-off points for anyone looking to explore Colorados many attractions.

When we visit Colorado, we frequently base ourselves in Boulder for a few reasons: its a bit cheaper but with nearly all of the amenities of Denver its sooo close to mountains , hiking trails, and myriad outdoor adventures and most importantly, one of my best friends has lived there for several years, so weve had an excellent excuse to visit many times.

Through all those visits over the years, weve had the chance to explore many of the incredible towns and parks surrounding Boulder. This list of the best day trips from Boulder includes all of our favorites, plus a few that we havent had the chance to explore yet!

One notable absence? Denver. I left it out because A) its too obvious and B) Denver really deserves its own post, because there is SO much to see and do there. But if youre looking for a few Denver suggestions, weve got some in our Colorado getaway guide!

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Colorado Towns: Colorado is full of great small towns and cities. Less than a two-hour drive from Boulder is Colorado Springs, where you’ll find the Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and a whole host of other attractions to explore. If your travels take you to the southwest corner of the state, check out our article on things to do in Durango, one of the best mountain towns around.

Colorado Outdoors: Start your travel planning by reviewing our list of the Best Places to Visit in Colorado. This guide will point you in the right direction in any season. Find the best parks, towns, and things to do across the state. Skiers should be sure to see our piece on the Top Ski Resorts in Colorado for all the details to help plan your ski vacation.

Accommodation: Whether you want to spend time at spa, around a pool, skiing, golfing, or just relaxing, you can find what you are looking for here. See our top picks for the Best Resorts in Colorado. Many visitors begin their vacation in Colorado in Denver. To get the layout of the city and suggestions on hotels, have a look at our article on Where to Stay in Denver: Best Areas & Hotels.

Telluride Mountain Village Gondola

Craig Zerbe / Shutterstock

You can see Colorado from a stunning height by taking this gondola ride.

Connecting the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village, it doubles as a lift for skiers, snowboarders, and mountain bikers as well as those who just want to see the exquisite San Juan Mountains.

Youll see why Colorado is one of the most beautiful states when you take this gondola ride.

This might not be one of the best things to do if you have a fear of heights.

However, if youre able to handle yourself, you should find its a very incredible experience.

For 13 minutes, you can have a view thats greater than any youve possibly ever experienced.

Those who love altitude are sure to love the Telluride Mountain Village Gondola.

It provides so much beauty and so much wonder.

This gondola runs every day from 7 a.m. to midnight.

Rides are free.

Address: W San Juan Ave, Telluride, CO 81435, United States

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Boulder Theater & Fox Theater

Once an old opera house, the Boulder & Fox Theaters are referred to locally as The Fox.

These theaters are one of the best Boulder attractions and are the coolest places in town to experience live music.

The Fox Theater brings world-class entertainment to life with vintage films, live music, and a variety of other events.

In the past, the Boulder Theater has hosted acts from The Killers, The Fray and John Mayer, just to mention a few.

The theater can host up to 600 people but still offers an intimate musical venue that is like no other.

Oak At Fourteenth Boulder Co

Combining Colorados natural beauty with Boulders contemporary dining aesthetic, OAK at Fourteenth is a stylish neighborhood restaurant on Pearl Street.

OAK features a creative menu of local and seasonal New American Cuisine, cooked in a rustic wood-burning oven that gives meat dishes a beautiful smoky flavor and creates a warm and cozy atmosphere in the restaurant. Chef Steven Redzikowski teams up with beverage man Bryan Dayton to bring guests an unrivaled dining experience. Redzikowskis creative menus focus on one-of-a-kind, oak-fired dishes with ingredients sourced from Colorados abundant agricultural landscape.

Bryan Dayton is the man behind the sublime hand-crafted cocktails and impressive artisanal wine and beer list, the perfect accompaniments to OAK at Fourteenths excellent food and inviting atmosphere.

1400 Pearl Street, Boulder, Colorado 80302, Phone: 303-444-3622

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What Are The Best Things To Do In Boulder With Kids

  • Take a hike at NCAR or Chautauqua.
  • Bike your heart out at Valmont Bike Park.
  • Go fishing at Wonderland Lake.
  • Visit Scott Carpenter Parks skate park, pool, and old school playground.
  • Go mini golfing or go karting at Gateway Fun Park.
  • Visit Boulder Public Library for storytime and playtime at the librarys creekside park.
  • Climb the walls at ABC Kids Climbing.
  • Visit the Playzeum and Google Garage at Museum of Boulder.
  • Visit a local farm to pet the animals.
  • Paint your own ceramics at Color Me Mine Boulder.
  • Best Time To Visit Boulder

    One Day in BOULDER, Colorado | Things to DO, Eat and SEE! #BoulderVlog

    If you visit from October through March, theres a good chance youll get to enjoy Boulder looking its best, covered in snow! Luckily, you can head up Boulder Canyon and get to Eldora Ski Area in about thirty minutes to experience some of the best slopes for the best value in the region.

    If snows not your thing, try for mid-to-late-September and plan a mountain drive to see the Aspens turn gold and catch a Buffs football game. The most popular time to visit is definitely the summer when you can spend all day hiking, kayaking, and strolling Pearl Street Mall in the not-too-hot sun.

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    Discover The Pearl Street Mall

    No Boulder trip would be complete without spending time exploring the Pearl Street Pedestrian Mall. Along this four-block mall you will find some of the best the city has to offer. From shopping, bars, restaurants, people watching and more!

    Among the options along the mall, definitely allot some time to check out the iconic Boulder Theater. The theater first opened in 1906 as a venue for opera and silent movies. Still in operation today, its now a hot spot in the city to catch live theater shows, concerts, or even stand-up comedy acts.

    Take your time walking along the mall, popping into whatever shops pique your interest. You can easily bounce from a jewelry shop, an art gallery, candy store, and a local clothing boutique. And be sure to keep your eyes peeled while you explore! Pearl Street is known for having a variety of street performers to enjoy.

    Air Quality In Boulder Colorado

    Boulder Countys air quality is complex because it is affected by the proximity to the City of Denver. It is also affected by smoke from out-of-state wildfires from as far as California. The overall air auality in Boulder Colorado the annual BestPlaces Air Quality Indexfor the Boulder area is 74 . The US average is 58.

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    Beer Wine Cocktails Dessert

    • Glacier Ice Cream is further out on 28th Street than most tourists venture, but once you get a taste youll be glad you made the trek. And you can stop in Boulders famous Time Warp Comics, which is just next door.
    • The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Store on Pearl Street is both a must-see attraction and a great spot to grab dessert, from delectable fudge to apples covered in every combination of chocolate, caramel, and candy that you can imagine.
    • As you walk back toward Pearl Street proper from Rocky Mountain Chocolate, enjoy an Urban Wine Tasting at Silver Vines Winery, only $12 for three glasses.
    • Boulder has more than 145 breweries, which means they have more breweries per capita than any other city in the U.S. Avery Brewing Company has been brewing beer in Boulder for over 25 years and has a singular focus on creating the perfect beer, making it a great place to begin your craft beer exploration. Stop in for a brewery tour, to enjoy a pint of White Rascal or one of their many seasonal beers. They have offer a brewpub menu and a dog-friendly patio.

    Pay Homage To The Mountain Sun

    There is perhaps no more iconic drinking and dining destination in Boulder than Mountain Sun, which opened its funky psychedelic doors on Pearl Street in 1993. While the original location seeks to reopen during the current post-virus labor shortage, its larger Southern Sun location in South Boulder is currently open for both patio and indoor dining. With additional locations in Denver and Longmont, its hard to say youve really done Boulder without a stop here.

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