Things To Do
Rocky Mountain National Park
Fall colors! Elk bugling! A chance to see moose, bighorn sheep, coyotes, bears, and Longs Peak! Rocky Mountain National Park is about an hour's drive from Boulder and well-worth the trip. Hiking options are available for everyone from casual leaf peepers to would-be Alex Honnolds. As of May, RMNP requires timed entry to the park to limit capacity and allow for social distancing. Reservations fill up early, so book ahead. Some favorite hikes: -Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes, a chain of three lakes, each higher up in the mountains, with the last just above timberline—a hike to one or up to all three would make for a great afternoon at a pace that suits you -Alberta Falls, a fairly short but rewarding hike to a spectacular water fall amidst aspen groves with great rocks to stop and have a picnic on -Sky Pond and the Lake of Glass, serious all-day hikes to pristine alpine lakes -Cub Lake, a gentle hike near a meandering stream in the scenic moraine meadow where elk are plentiful
Pearl Street Mall
The Pearl Street Mall is the heart of Boulder. This outdoor pedestrian thoroughfare is a mix of local shops, restaurants, and civic spaces, and runs along Pearl between roughly 9th Street and 19th Street, with central sections closed off to cars. Street performers including magicians, contortionists, the famous Zip Code Man, and balloon artists tend to hang out on the blocks of Pearl between 14th Street and 11th Street. A more detailed map of the area is here: https://boulderdowntown.com/visit/maps
Chautauqua Dining Hall and Hiking Trails
This historic summer getaway has a lovely dining hall serving elegant meals with a fabulous views of the Flatirons. Many of Boulder's best-loved trails, including iconic hikes into the Flatirons, begin from trailheads at the Chautauqua ranger cottage. There's also a playground and huge field for sports. Chautauqua's auditorium hosts world-class music and dance performances and screens films all summer long. (If you've seen photos of visitors with the Flatirons behind them, this is where they took them!)
NCAR Mesa Laboratory
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has a wonderful visitor center with interactive exhibits about climate and weather. Surrounding trails—including a gentle, family-friendly trail with signs throughout explaining weather phenomenon, as well as steeper trails leading up into the mountains—offer spectacular views of Boulder valley. It's also fun to dine in the cafeteria with real live scientists! The building was designed by I. M. Pei and featured in the futuristic Woody Allen movie Sleeper. (Double-check NCAR website for latest on visitor center and cafeteria re-opening from pandemic shutdown; trails are accessible always from just behind the main building.)
The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Artisans from Tajikistan traveled to Boulder to carve, paint, and assemble this gorgeous teahouse, a gift to the city from their Tajik sister city, Dushanbe. The teahouse serves meals as well as an extraordinary assortment of teas, including Emma's favorite black tea, Blue Moon.
Trident Booksellers and Cafe
Iconic beatnik coffeeshop hangout of Allen Ginsberg and Anne Waldman, where Emma once convened the I Hate Jack Kerouac Fan Club. Regulars include Civil War Johnny Depp, Boulder's most famous dog walker, and Emma's dad. Best coffee and spicy chai. We had coffee here the morning before we got married.
Lucile's Creole Cafe
Boulder favorite for Cajun food serving breakfast and lunch. Come for the beignets, stay for the rice pudding porridge! Expect a wait for brunch unless you come early.
Two Hands Paperie
The best art supply and stationery store in the world, period, bar none.
Into The Wind
Single most fun store on Pearl Street, this super-cool toy store specializes in kites, games, and novelty toys. This is the best stop on Pearl Street for families with kids.
Boulder Book Store
Fantastic independent bookstore where Emma work during the summers in college. Explore three stories, including a converted ballroom, of wonderfully-curated books. Great kids' section, too—plus, the second floor is haunted! Insiders also know the bookstore has the best semi-public restrooms on Pearl Street.
Chicken Coop with Chandelier and Buddhist Prayer Flags
Come meet the beauties! A lovely family of hens lives in an ornate chicken coop situated next to the sidewalk. Located on 17th Street between Spruce and Pine (roughly 2124 17th Street, by the big mural of birds), just a block off of Pearl Street.
Sushi Zanmai
Fun, unpretentious, and tasty favorite local place to get sushi. On your birthday, the sushi chefs will generally lower a disco ball and play you "Happy Birthday" on the sax.
Santo
Festive, chic restaurant serving New Mexican style brunch and dinner.
Mustard's Last Stand
A Boulder institution, owned by the family of a high school friend of Emma's, serving hot dogs, burgers, fries, and chili. Ask to borrow a picnic blanket and you can take your Chicago-style hot dog (or a vegetarian or vegan alternative) to eat outside by nearby Boulder Creek.
Lucky's Cafe
Friendly, casual restaurant serving good breakfast, brunch, and lunch. A little out of the way, but less crowded on weekends than some options downtown. We recommend the huevos rancheros and the pancake specials.
Brainard Lake Recreation Area
Brainard Lake and Long Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area are some of Emma's favorite places to hike in Colorado. Definitely less known to tourists than Rocky Mountain, Brainard Lake is popular with locals and so also busy in October with hikers and leaf peepers; Emma's parents recommend coming late in the day to avoid the crowds. Look for moose on the far side of Brainard Lake, take a picnic to eat on the picnic tables, or hike the loop around Long Lake for an especially pretty sampling of high altitude coniferous forest and a meandering stream. Call the friendly rangers for the latest on timed entry and capacity protocols.