Boulder Colorado - Things to do in Boulder!
Amusement Parks:
Gateway Park Fun Center
The Gateway Park Fun Center is the only facility of its kind in Boulder County. The Center, which covers a combination of 15 indoor and outdoor acres, contains activities for kids and adults of all ages such as miniature golf, go-karts, batting cages, an arcade, and more
Arts & Theatre:
Boulder Ballet
The Boulder Ballet has been in existence since 1982. The Ballet performs on the CU campus in Mackey Auditorium, the Dairy Center for the Arts, and other locations such as schools and special events venues.
Boulder Dinner Theatre
The Boulder Dinner Theatre offers Broadway-quality shows and meals that can be described as fine dining. Audiences sit at dinner tables as the watch the show, and their food is served by members of the cast!
Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company
The BETC is a professional theatre company that predominantly performs at the Dairy Center for the Arts on Walnut Street in Boulder.
Boulder Outdoor Cinema
The Cinema's normal season begins in June and ends in early September. Popular movies as well as independent films are shown on Friday and Saturday nights at this outdoor facility.
Boulder Philharmonic
The 2007-2008 season marks the 50 year anniversary for the Boulder Philharmonic. Every season, the Philharmonic features classic masterpieces as well as new musical works, and it also hosts many famous guest musicians.
Boulder Shakespeare Festival
Every summer for the past 50 years, Boulder has hosted a Shakespeare Festival. Various performances take place in one of two theatres on the CU campus: the Mary Rippon Theatre (outdoors) or the University Theatre Main Stage (indoors).
Center Stage Theatre Company
The Center Stage Theatre Company puts on theatrical performances with casts made up of youth actors. Actors must audition for their roles, and performances normally take place in high school auditoriums.
Fox Theatre
The Fox Theatre is a popular concert hall for music performances. This 700-seat facility has shows several nights a week, and tickets can be purchased either via phone or at select music stores in Boulder and Denver.
Macky Auditorium Concert Hall
Macky Auditorium is located on the University of Colorado campus and is the location of many concerts, ballets, plays, films, and it can also be rented for other purposes.
Nomad Theatre
Many theatrical performances, comedy shows, musical shows, and other types of functions take place at the Nomad Theatre. The theatre has been in existence since 1951, but was revamped and reopened in 1998 with new seating, a better sound system, and much more.
Breweries:
Boulder Beer / Rockies Brewing Company
The Boulder Beer Company was the first microbrewery to open in the United States in 1979. Originally founded by two University of Colorado professors, Boulder Beer now has an alliance with Rock Bottom Restaurants.
Red Stone Meadery
While "Mead" is typically known an old-fashioned drink, the Redstone Meadery has brought this beverage back to modern days. Mead is a honey wine that is fermented, and Redstone Meadery distributes its products to 20 states in the U.S.A.
Twisted Pine Brewing Company
The Twisted Pine Brewing Company has been in Boulder since 1995 and produces pure malt ales. The beer produced at this facility is not available anywhere outside of Colorado.
Walnut Brewery
The Walnut Brewery is known as Boulder's original brewpub. Located just one block from Pearl Street Mall, The Walnut Brewery is a popular spot for locals, students, and out-of-town visitors. Patrons can eat and drink at the Walnut Brewery or take beer home in various sized containers.
Bus Tours:
Banjo Billy's Bus Tours
Tours from Banjo Billy's are approximately 90 minutes long and leave from the Hotel Boulderado. The tour consists of a bus ride around town as well as a historical narration filled with lots of funny, interesting, and spooky (but TRUE) stories about Boulder.
Factory and Informational Tours:
Celestial Seasonings Tea Company
Boulder is home to Celestial Seasonings Tea Company, which is the largest manufacturer of specialty teas in North America. Visitors are welcome to view the tea-making process at the Celestial Seasonings' factory. Reservations are recommended for large groups.
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
NCAR offers a free public tour of its laboratory. The facility is located on a nature preserve and the laboratory tour includes hands-on educational exhibits, a guided tour and/or an audio tour.
Golf:
Coal Creek Golf Course
Coal Creek is open to the public and consists of an 18-hole course perfect for players of all skills and levels.
Flatirons Golf Course
The Flatirons Golf Course is a public course that offers a pro shop, tournaments, league play, and private lessons.
Haystack Mountain Golf Course
Haystack Mountain Golf Course is open to the public. The course is a 9-hole, executive length course which has been open since 1966.
Indian Peaks Golf Course
Open to the public, Indian Peaks Golf Course is a 10-minute drive from Boulder. The course is 18-holes and also offers a driving range, putting green, chipping green, and practice bunkers.
Festivals and Fairs:
Boulder Asian Festival
The Boulder Asian Festival takes place annually in August on the Boulder County Courthouse lawn.
Boulder Creek Fest
The Boulder Creek Fest is a three-day festival consisting of events, activities, food, entertainment, and more than 500 vendors.
Boulder County Fair
The first Boulder County Fair was held in 1869, and has been an annual event ever since!
Boulder Creek Hometown Fair
Held annually each Labor Day weekend, this fair features arts & crafts vendors, a chili cook-off, pie-eating contests, carnival rides, and much more.
Boulder Fall Festival
The Boulder Fall Festival is a three-day festival in early October that offers food, music, Oktoberfest brews, and children's activities.
Boulder International Festival
The Boulder International Festival is a free festival in June including performances by people of many nations as well as international vendors.
Boulder International Film Festival
An annual festival in February, the International Film Festival includes feature films, short films, documentaries, animated films, and student films.
Colorado Music Festival
The Colorado Music Festival takes place in Chautauqua Park during the month of July. The festival has been occurring annually for over 30 years.
Rocky Mountain Tea Festival
This annual event includes tea tastings, tea tours, tea dinners, tea bazaars, and children's teddy bear tea parties.
St. Patrick's Day Festival
An annual event that takes place each year on St. Patrick's Day.
SOBO Summerfest
The Boulder County Aids Project sponsors this yearly fundraising event.
Strawberry Festival Antique Show
Held each year on the weekend after Mother's Day since 1970, the Strawberry Festival Antique Show features antique exhibitors as well as all sorts of strawberry delicacies.
Hiking/Biking/Rock Climbing/Fishing:
Bear Peak
Bear Peak is located in the foothills of Boulder. It features a seven mile hike and intersects with several other trails.
Betasso Preserve
Betasso Preserve covers almost 800 acres and is a place very popular with bike riders.
Boulder Canyon
Boulder Canyon is a popular spot for rock climbers.
Boulder Creek
Boulder Creek is a popular place for fishing and inner-tubing.
Boulder Creek Path
A path that runs parallel to Boulder Creek, the Boulder Creek Path is commonly used by bikers, joggers, and walkers.
Eldorado Canyon
Eldorado Canyon is a popular area for very challenging rock climbing.
Flagstaff Mountain
Flagstaff Mountain is located west of Boulder and is a prime location for rock climbers.
Four Mile Creek
Four Mile Creek contains several trails for hikers of many different skill levels.
Green Mountain
Contains a 3.3 mile trail great for hikers interested in excellent views of Boulder and surrounding scenery.
Greenbelt Plateau
Greenbelt Plateau has a 1.5 mile hiking trail that provides fantastic views of Boulder.
Gregory Canyon
There are several trail options in Gregory Canyon, many of which intersect with other trails.
Left Hand Creek
Left Hand Creek offers several hiking, biking and rock climbing options.
Mallory Cave
Mallory Cave offers a steep (but short) hike that ends at a cave.
Marshall Mesa
Marshall Mesa is a great location for hiking, and many trails intersect with other popular trails.
Mesa Trail
Mesa Trail consists of a 6.1 mile hike that can be described as "moderate" with lots of climbs and descends.
Meyer's Gulch
This area contains a 5-mile biking trail that is relatively easy.
Mount Sanitas
This 3.1 mile loop trail is considered to be moderate-difficult. It's located one mile from downtown Boulder.
North Teller Farm
North Teller Farm contains several hiking trail and is a very popular place for fishing.
Panorama Point
Panorama Point is located off Flagstaff Road. It can be accessed by car and provides an excellent view of Boulder.
Rattlesnake Gulch
Located inside of Eldorado State Park, Rattlesnake Gulch offers rock climbing areas and hiking trails.
Realization Point
Realization Point is located about 3 ½ miles up Flagstaff Road and offers several hiking trail options.
Royal Arch
The trail that leads to the arch begins in Chautauqua Park.
Sawhill Ponds & Walden Ponds
This is an area with many ponds, offering hiking trails as well as several fishing areas.
Settler's Park
Settler's Park offers several hiking trail options as well as picnic tables. No bikes or off-leash dogs are allowed here.
South Boulder Peak
Located between Eldorado Springs and Chautauqua Park, the hiking trails at South Boulder Creek offer excellent views.
Walker Ranch
A 3,000 acre park that is popular with bikers looking for a challenging ride.
White Rocks Trailhead
Located in the White Rocks Nature Preserve, this trail offers hilly terrain.
Museums:
Boulder History Museum
Located in the University Hill area, the Boulder Historical Society and Museum has been one of most substantial history museums in the area since 1944. The museum has a collection of more than 35,000 items, all related to the history of Boulder. Most items were donated by former and/or present Boulder families.
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
What was once an arts center that featured works by local artists is now a facility that showcases contemporary pieces by artists known nationally and internationally. Over the past decade, the museum has undergone significant renovations and expansions in order to display more art.
Fiske Planetarium
Located on the University of Colorado's campus, the Fiske Planetarium is a facility where students as well as the general public can partake in and/or watch astronomy lessons, laser shows, live talks, special events, and star shows.
The Leanin' Tree Museum of Western Art
Only a 15 minute drive from downtown Boulder, the Leanin' Tree Museum of Western Art features 250 paintings and 150 bronze sculptures. The works exhibited at the museum are the private art collection of Ed Trumble. Trumble was the founder of the Leaning Tree Corporation which has produced greeting cards since 1949.
University of Colorado Museum
CU's museum is part of the school's museum science educational program. The museum's collection contains several million objects related to anthropology/archaeology, botany, entomology, paleontology/osteology, and zoology.
Parks:
Apocalypse Skate Park
This is a popular skate park for locals and visitors. Pads and helmets are required, and are available for rent. The park is closed November through mid-March due to cold and/or snowy weather.
Boulder Reservoir
The Boulder Reservoir is a great place to hang out on the sand, have a picnic, or rent a canoe, row boat, paddle boat or kayak and spend a day on the water. There is a daily gate/entrance fee for this park.
Central Park
Located at the intersection of Broadway and Canyon, Boulder's Central Park is a popular hang-out area for people wanting to relax and/or people watch. Inside of the park is an old train car that has been sitting there since the early 1950s.
Chautauqua Park and Auditorium
Chautauqua Park has been open since 1898. There are three Chautauquas left in the United States today, but Boulder's is the only one in the western part of the country. A "Chautauqua" is a facility which brings lectures, performances, concerts, classes, and exhibitions to people living in small towns and/or cities.
Scott Carpenter Park
Scott Carpenter Park contains a popular skate park that is open every day from sun up to sun down. The park is open to the public and free to use. In addition to many other amenities, the park also offers a pool during the summer months and a graffiti wall for artists to utilize.
Shopping:
Boulder Farmer's Market
The Boulder Farmer's Market takes place every year on Saturday mornings from April through November, and Wednesday evenings from May through October. Typical items sold are locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, cheeses, and wines. Baked goods and prepared foods are also available for purchase.
Flatirons Crossing
Flatirons Crossing is a large retail center located in between Denver and Boulder. The mall is relatively new and is anchored by Macy's, Nordstrom and Dillard's. The mall contains 1.5 million square feet of shopping space.
Pearl Street Mall
Located in Downtown Boulder, Pearl Street Mall is a pedestrian-friendly mall that spans four street blocks. Along the mall there are several unique restaurants, bars, boutiques, bookstores, and much more. The Mall is also famous for its many (friendly and talented) street performers.
Twenty-Ninth Street Retail District
The Twenty-Ninth Street Retail District is one of the newest shopping areas in Boulder. It's located where Boulder's Crossroads Mall once stood. The District includes stores, restaurants and entertainment venues. The anchor store is Macy's and a large movie theatre is expected to open in late-2007.
Skiing:
Eldora Mountain Resort
Eldora Mountain Resort is the closest downhill ski area to Boulder. The Resort has 12 lifts, 680 acres of terrain, and a top elevation of 10,800 feet.
Sports Teams:
University of Colorado Buffaloes
The University of Colorado has the following competitive sports teams: basketball (men and women), cross country, football, golf (men and women), skiing, soccer, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Information about each team as well as ticketing information can be found on the CU Buffs website.
Vineyards:
Augustina's Winery
Augustina's winery was the first winery to open in Boulder in 1997. The wine is completely produced by one woman. The grapes used to make Augustina's wines are all from Colorado family-owned vineyards.
BookCliff Vineyards
BrookCliff Vineyards has been in operation since 1999. The vineyards are 33 acres large and produces grapes for Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and much more. The wines are sold at the Boulder Farmer's Market as well as several wine festivals, liquor stores, and several restaurants.
Boulder Creek Winery
The Boulder Creek Winery was established in 2003. The Winery offers tours of their facility as well as a wine tasting room so that patrons can sample and learn more about the wines produced.
Outdoor Pools
- Scott Carpenter Pool -1505 30th Street - 303-441-3427
- Spruce Pool - 2102 Spruce Street - 303-441-3426
- Boulder Reservoir
Dining
Clubs and Night Life
Fishing
Rock Climbing
