Things To Do
Pearl Street/ Downtown Boulder
Walk down the pedestrian mall of Pearl Street and explore its shops and restaurants. Our favorites: Oskar Blues (beer and pub food); T/aco (street tacos and strong/cheap house margs); The Kitchen Next Door (yummy food all around); Bitter Bar (cocktails); The Corner Bar (great happy hour offerings); Peppercorn and Art Mart (gift shops).
Boulder Creek Tubing
A fun activity for kids and adults alike! Rent inflatable tubes (or borrow some from us) and make your way to Eben G. Fine Park between Canyon Blvd and Arapahoe. Walk along the creek path to the put-in (you can't miss it if you walk along the water), take the plunge and enjoy the exciting ride (the rapids may look intimidating, but they're totally manageable).
Chautauqua Park & Dining Hall
Stroll around the trails of Chautauqua Park in South Boulder to get up close and personal with the Flatirons, then hit the historic Chautauqua Dining Hall for brunch or lunch. Try to snag a seat on the deck.
Wonderland Lake Walk
A mellow walk around Wonderland Lake in North Boulder. Bring water and wear sunscreen—there's not much shade.
Betasso Preserve Hike/Trail Run
An undulating trail system above Boulder that offers beautiful views, shade, and low-key hiking/trail running. Stick to the Canyon loop for a 3-mile trek, or tack on the Benjamin loop for a 9-mile workout.
Estes Park & Rocky Mountain National Park
If you have wheels and time, head up to Estes Park, gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. The drive up to Estes takes about an hour but is very scenic. Downtown Estes boasts cute little shops and is worth a stroll. Rocky Mountain National Park requires an entrance pass ($25), and be aware that the park gets extremely crowded on weekends (long lines to enter the park). Try to visit on a weekday or make sure to get an early start.
Breweries & Tap Rooms
A smattering of our faves in the area: - Avery Brewing, Gunbarrel: Great beer, some of the best food, and a fun outdoor hang-out spot. Also offers brewery tours. - Ska Street, Boulder: Some of our favorite beers and cocktails, yummy food, plenty of outdoor seating. - Oskar Blues, Boulder: Right on Pearl Street, good beer, great wings and burgers. - Rayback Collective, Boulder: One of our favorite summer hangouts; a hipster tap room with a plethora of beer options, fun beer garden and rotating food trucks. Kid-friendly. - Sanitas Brewing, Boulder: Hoppier beers with big outdoor space and excellent taco truck. Local's tip: Rent a bike and do a self-guided brewery tour. Most of these breweries are located right off of Boulder's awesome rec path system.