By Shannon Gomes
Boulder is a beautiful city located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Known for its stunning natural surroundings, outdoor recreational scene, and vibrant cultural scene, Boulder is a very desirable place to both live and visit. In fact, when I first visited Boulder in 2017 I immediately thought, “I could live here!” Boulder is also known as one of the “Happiest Cities in U.S.” and is another must-visit U.S. city.
🍂 Best time of year to visit?
Depends on the types of activities you enjoy, but the short answer is anytime of the year! Spring is a great time for hikers; Summer is bustling with tourists with many activity offerings such as biking, hiking and outdoor festivals; Fall is a gorgeous with all the trees turning color; and Winter is a great time to visit nearby mountain resorts to ski or snowboard.
🚙 How to get to Boulder?
Best way to get to Boulder is to fly into Denver International Airport, rent a car and then drive approximately 40 minutes to Boulder.
🏨 Best places to stay?
I love staying at the historic and charming Hotel Boulderado, they even have a Prohibition style bar on the lower level that has such a fun vibe!
Another great option is the upscale St Julien Hotel & Spa.
For more of a budget-friendly option, consider staying the fun Basecamp Boulder Hotel.
🥾 Best outdoor activities?
It’s all about hiking and biking in Boulder!
For hiking, visit Chautauqua Park for scenic hikes to the Flatirons. El Dorado Canyon State Park also offers great spots for hiking, picnicking, and rock climbing. For a list of all the great hikes in Boulder, check out this list.
Biking & mountain biking is also very popular. You can easily rent e-bikes from Boulder B-cycle, you can find their bikes on racks all around the city. You can also go on a city bike tour with companies like JD’s Joyrides and Boulder Bike Tours.
🛍️ Best Shopping?
It’s all about Pearl Street in downtown Boulder. From vintage shops to record shops to outdoor clothing stores to cool boutiques, some of my favorite shops include:
Peppercorn (best kitchen store EVER!)
☕️ Craving coffee?
You’re in luck, Boulder is really into coffee, and good coffee (after all, Boulder is also a college town!). Best coffee shops in town are:
🍵 Prefer tea?
Boulder has one of the most beautiful tea houses that is an absolute must-visit, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. Visit any time of day to enjoy a delicious cup of tea, and be sure to order their Chai – my favorite!
Also, just outside of town you can tour and visit the tea headquarters of Celestial Seasonings. Super fun tour for kids and adults!
🌮 Let’s Talk Food!
Boulder offers a variety of restaurants, offering a wide range of cuisines. My favorite spots include:
River and Woods – delicious! Book a reservation in advance – so good.
The Kitchen – tasty bistro fare and killer cocktails
Audrey Jane’s Pizza Garage – the best pizza in town
Bartaco – great setting, fun vibes, good eats and fantastic margaritas
The Buff – the spot in town for brunch
🍺 Enjoy beer, cider, and mead?
Drive just outside of downtown to visit Avery Brewing Company. You can go on a tour, do a tasting and enjoy a great meal there.
For Cider, visit BOCO Cider that offers a vibrant taproom. And did you think Mead was something people drank only in the Renaissance era? Think again! Redstone Meadery produces the most delicious Mead made from honey. I had a great time years ago meeting the head “mead maker” at Redstone (pictured below).
Boulder is a city that combines natural beauty, a strong sense of community, and a commitment to sustainability, making it a desirable place to visit (and live). There is so much to do, see, eat & drink in Boulder! Highly recommend visiting to see why people love Boulder so much – it’s a must-visit city in my book!
