Chautauqua Park This is our top recommendation for hiking in Boulder! There are tons of hikes starting from Chautauqua, and there are always park rangers around to help you find the perfect hike. Our favorite difficult hike is Royal Arch (plan for 3-4 hours and some scrambling), but there are plenty of easier hikes too. Note that you do have to pay for parking, and parking fills up quickly in the summer, but there is plenty of street parking in the neighborhoods around Chautauqua. Don't forget to bring water! Walker Ranch If you drive up into the mountains about 30 minutes, Walker Ranch Loop is a great trail with stunning views. The whole loop is about 8 miles, but if you follow the loop counterclockwise, about a mile in you will reach the river which is a great spot for a picnic or relaxation.
Wonderland Lake If you are looking for an easy walk or run, Wonderland Lake is the place to go! There is a 2 mile loop around the lake with gorgeous views of the foothills.
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse This intricate building was a gift from Boulder's sister city in Tajikistan, and is a delicious spot for a meal or just a cup of tea. It's right by the farmers market so we recommend browsing the market and then stopping by! Pizzeria Alberico We love to get a cocktail and snack here! Their daily happy hour is from 4:00-6:00, and Krista LOVES the arancini! Chautauqua Dining Hall This is a great place to stop for any meal! You can go before or after a hike, but even if you don't go to Chautauqua for a hike, it's worth stopping by to enjoy their patio and views of the Flatirons. Pasta Jay's A great spot with daily specials! The Sink This is a classic Boulder spot on "The Hill", which is the neighborhood by the college. It has been featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, and has been visited by many famous people, including Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain. Moe’s Broadway Bagel Stop by Kyle’s Summer Job for a fresh bagel! Hapa Sushi Santo
License No. 1 This speakeasy-esque spot has live music every night they're open, no cover charge, and they make great cocktails. This is one of Krista's favorite spots to go to in Boulder. St. Julien Lobby Live music in the lobby Thursdays-Sundays! Velvet Elk Lounge Tickets are required in advance, check the website to see who is playing!
Boulder Farmer's Market It's always fun to browse the farmer's market, grab a lemonade, and listen to some music! The farmers market is 8-2 on Saturdays in the summer. This is also walking distance from St. Julien and Pearl street. Pearl Street Mall Walking and window shopping around Pearl Street is probably the most important thing you do while you're here! There's SO many fun shops and restaurants, and if you're staying at St. Julien it's easy to walk over. Boulder Creek In the summer, everyone gathers by Boulder Creek to sunbathe, have a picnic, and cool off in the river. The creek runs through downtown Boulder and can be accessed at multiple places, but a great place to set up is Eben G Fine Park. Some people will buy tubes and tube the river, but note that it is definitely not a calm river- helmets are recommended.
If you're planning on making a longer visit to Boulder, here are a few recommendations within an hour of Boulder! Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park Estes is only 45 minutes from Boulder, and RMNP is just past that! Golden, CO The Coors brewery tour is so much fun (must book tickets in advance on the website), and downtown Golden is quaint and fun to explore.