Boulder, CO Road Trips

These days, Boulder wears several hats: as a university town, home of the University of Colorado Boulder and others; as a hi-tech town that is rapidly spawning bedroom communities in outlying farm towns; and as a center of alternate culture, with various new age institutions, Naropa University, meditation centers, Buddhist centers, and the like. What perhaps distinguishes it most from other cities of similar size in the United States, however, is its status as a mecca for serious athletes, many of whom have made their home here for the conditioning advantages of high altitude, combined with businesses, facilities, and a community that provides opportunities for serious training and competition. Even the average nine-to-five Boulderite is much more likely than the average American to be a serious climber, cyclist, runner, skier, etc., and you will see the difference as you're about town. Boulder is in the Front Range region of Colorado and is virtually adjacent to Denver, except for its buffer of Open Space Parks which border the city and provide it shelter from its growing surroundings. This reflects that it is the "front door" to the mountainous country to the west, with many outdoor attractions, including a medium-sized ski resort less than an hour from the city limits, and also the fact that there are significant cultural differences between Boulder and Denver beyond its liberal politics. Boulder is known for its outdoors and the residents with one of the healthiest lifestyles in America.

1 University of Colorado Boulder. The flagship institution of the state of Colorado, CU (as it's called locally) has a 600-acre campus, with beautiful gardens and buildings tucked away in its mainly pedestrian core that's worth a visit. Check out the Heritage Center located in the Old Main building, for a look at the history of CU. There are also art galleries and museums throughout campus.

3 Colorado Buffaloes, 2150 Stadium Dr. (ticket office), ☏ +1 303-492-8337, [email protected]. CU's sports teams are among the city's best-known attractions, competing in seven men's and 10 women's sports, mostly in the Big 12 Conference. The biggest draw is the football team, which has had a rich tradition (as well as the larger-than-life personality of current head coach Deion Sanders), though it's struggled to regain its prominence. Men's basketball, and to a lesser extent women's basketball, are also significant draws. Football plays at 1 Folsom Field; the athletics ticket office is on the first floor of the Champions Center, attached to the stadium. The basketball teams play at 2 CU Events Center. Boulder Creek Path. This miles-long path sits on the banks of the Boulder Creek, cutting right through the middle of town. Along this path you will find beautiful walking, biking, and other forms of recreation. In the downtown area, pick up the path at Civic Park on Broadway, between Canyon and Arapaho Avenues. In the summer, many parts of the creek become popular swimming holes. You can buy (and fill) inner tubes at local gas stations, should you want to have a down-the-creek journey. It follows Boulder Creek, making this path anything but boring. 4 Chautauqua Park, At Baseline Ave and 8th Street.. At the base of the Flatiron's rock formations. For a minor hike, take the trail to the 3rd Flatiron. This hike will show you sweeping vistas of town and an up-close and personal look at the Flatiron's rock formations.

1 Efrain's II, 1630 N. 63rd St, ☏ +1 303-440-4045. This restaurant is a small dive that serves up excellent, authentic Mexican food. A little out of the way on the east side of town, it is well worth the drive. (updated Jan 2019) 2 China Gourmet, 3970 North Broadway, ☏ +1 303-440-3500. Just north of town, China Gourmet is a local restaurant that has been serving up great Chinese food at reasonable prices for years. 3 Khow Thai, 1600 Broadway, ☏ +1 303-447-0273. M-F 11AM-3PM & 5-10PM; Sa Su 4-10PM. Tucked into a small space on the east side of Broadway just south of Arapahoe Ave, this restaurant has repeatedly been voted the best Thai food in Boulder. Not expensive and really good, especially the green curry. The owner is surprisingly anti-vegan, so don't expect gracious substitutions or a warm reception. 4 The Kitchen, 1039 Pearl St (at the west end of the street), ☏ +1 303-544-5973. M-F 8AM-close; Sa Su 9AM-2PM, 5:30PM to close. A fantastic neighborhood bistro that sources most of its food from local growers and producers. Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Check out Monday night's Community Dinner, a $35 prix fixe meal that's off-menu, served family style around a huge table -- it's the best deal in town for the variety, quality, and quantity of food (reservations recommended). 5 Kim's Vietnamese Food to Go, 1325 Broadway St, ☏ +1 303-442-2829. M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su closed. A fantastic Asian hole-in-the-wall. It's a little shack facing broadway in a parking lot.

1 The Sink. The sink is a Boulder institution with its colorful walls, great food and stories past (Robert Redford was the janitor) it attracts a large crowd for burgers, beer, gourmet pizza, and drinks almost every day of the week. Bring a black magic marker, and you can sign your name on the ceiling like generations of graduating CU seniors. Do not write on the walls, though. (updated Feb 2016) Mountain Sun/Southern Sun. Two locations in Boulder. The original Mountain Sun is on the east end of Pearl Street while newer location, called the Southern Sun, is in South Boulder at the intersection of South Broadway and Table Mesa in the Table Mesa Shopping Center. Some excellent beers (particularly the Java Porter) and often excellent Boulder granola music. Remember that it's a cash only bar. Boulder Beer. Claims to be Colorado's first microbrewery, but there is no doubt that their beers have been around forever in Boulder. Brewery/Pub is in north Boulder (in what always seemed an odd location) near the train tracks and off of Valmont near Foothills Parkway. They make great beers and have excellent happy hour deals. Walnut Brewery. Many classic beers that Boulderites rave about years after they leave Boulder. Located in the heart of Boulder on Walnut St, near 11th. Parking can be a pain in this area; best to use the parking garage across the street and hope for validation of your ticket. 2 Frasca's Food and Wine, 1738 Pearl St, ☏ +1 303-442-6966. World-class Northern Italian cuisine. The tasting menu can be pricey, but the food is astounding. $40-80.

1 Boulder University Inn, 1632 Broadway, ☏ +1 303-417-1700. The most affordable downtown lodging option. It is one of three hotels downtown- the other two are upscale establishments (Boulderado and St Julien). Rooms are clean and spacious. Has wireless internet, a business center, and an outdoor swimming pool. 2 Rodeway Inn & Suites, 555 30th St, ☏ +1 303-444-3330. This hotel offers amenities for business travelers and vacationers alike. 3 Best Western Plus Boulder Inn, 770 28th St, ☏ +1 303-449-3800. Across the highway from campus (there's a pedestrian underpass), has a good view of the mountains. 4 Briar Rose Bed and Breakfast, 2151 Arapahoe Ave, ☏ +1 303-442-3007. Bed and breakfast in the heart of Boulder offers organic breakfast, fine teas, private baths and ecologically-conscious hospitality. 5 Housing Helpers, 2865 Baseline Rd, ☏ +1 303-545-6000. Offers high quality executive rental apartments and homes backed by superior customer service. Housing Helpers corporate rentals are more comfortable, convenient and affordable than a hotel. 6 Millennium Harvest House, 1345 28th Street, ☏ +1 303-443-3850. Next to the University of Colorado. This hotel features lodging guestrooms and suites, a restaurant, bar, and meeting and event space. 7 Quality Inn & Suites Boulder Creek, 2020 Arapahoe Ave, ☏ +1 303-449-7550. 8 Residence Inn Boulder, 3030 Center Green Dr., ☏ +1 303-449-5545. 9 Residence Inn Boulder Canyon Bouldevard, 2550 Canyon Blvd, ☏ +1 303-577-7300. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon.

Denver International Airport DIA) is the nearest and most practical airport, easily accessible by the AB bus directly from Boulder or alternatively by the Flatiron Flyer and A Line (see By bus below). RTD is the transportation system for the greater Denver area, and offers multiple services to and around Boulder. All RTD buses, with very few exceptions, have bike racks. The Flatiron Flyer is the main commuter service in and out of Boulder. It comes at least every 15 minutes, and buses are very safe and comfortable. The AB is a direct connection from Boulder to DIA via E470. The BOLT is a commuter service between Longmont and Boulder, with a stop in Niwot. The JUMP, 225, and DASH, all run parallel to each other and go east to Erie, Lafayette, and Louisville respectively. The GS is a direct commuter bus between Boulder and Golden. It runs very infrequently. Finally, the NB is a semi-seasonal shuttle that runs only to Nederland in the summer, and all the way to the Eldora ski resort in the winter. Transfort is the transit provider for the city of Fort Collins, and offers a bus service called the Flex to Boulder. There are 3 variations of the Flex, and only the F3X goes all the way to Boulder. The F3X makes express stops in Longmont and Loveland. Bustang is the Colorado's state funded intercity bus service. Bustang offers a summer seasonal route between Denver and Estes Park, which makes stops in Boulder and Lyons. This is the only way to see Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) without a car, short of backpacking in.

Boulder and Denver share a common mass transit system, known as RTD. which won "Best Public Transportation" in a nationwide survey in 2008. You will also notice that a lot of locals use bicycles to get around the downtown (most of the city sights are within 2 miles). Many locals use the "Skyride" RTD bus to get to and from the airport. It's greener and easier. If you choose to drive around town, be aware that there is heavy traffic on the main thoroughfares, high numbers of pedestrians (cyclists) and parking downtown can be a bit tight. There are a number of city-owned garages tucked behind the buildings downtown. Keep your eyes open for the large green "P" signs outside their entrance ramps, as they don't look like parking garages from the outside. Be careful when parking in the university area, as tickets can be quite expensive. Boulder's police are vigilant about drunk driving, so keep out of the car when you find yourself tipping down a local microbrew or two. Watch carefully for the school zones: when the yellow lights are flashing, slow down to 20 mph. Many of the main streetlights have cameras that can capture you running the tail end of yellow lights. Watch out, or you may get tickets in the mail! Boulder B-Cycle. Bike sharing program with stations downtown and near campus. Unlimited rides under 30 minutes. $8/24 hours; $20/7 days..

Boulder has a very low crime rate and has no bad neighborhoods, but use common sense. University Hill, which is bordered by Baseline, Broadway, and Canyon can become raucous in the evenings, especially on weekends. Downtown Boulder, especially at night, is frequented by panhandlers, who can be aggressive at times but are not dangerous. Aggressive panhandling is illegal in Boulder, and you may report it to the police. Throughout the hiking trails near university property, Boulder has black posts lit with a blue light that have emergency phones in them that only dial 911. It is not advised for women to walk alone after 1 AM on the hill or near Pearl St. Mall. Boulder has also had reports of violence against Asians. Boulder has a dry climate and during any season, dehydration can be a problem for visitors and residents alike. Drink plenty of water. If you go hiking in the evening, bring two quarts of water. At night, temperatures drop remarkably, so bring warm clothing if you'll be out at night. (This is true even during summer months.) Be aware of mountain lions while hiking.