At 5,430 feet above sea level, acres of vast open space roll into Boulder’s quaint cityscape tucked into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Boulder, Colorado is a college town with a reputation for progressive values, enjoying the great outdoors and thus a very pleasant place to live and visit.

Prospectors found gold in the hills near Boulder in the mid-19th century, and the resulting gold rush of 1859 started the flow of people to this hidden jewel of the Rockies. Dedicated miners settled the area, but now, tourists, athletes, and students flock to the city for its eclectic culture and laid-back atmosphere. Home to the University of Colorado at Boulder, over a third of the population is comprised of students and school staff. Recreational activities abound here, including hiking, camping, rock climbing, biking and running, and events like the Bolder Boulder 10k Run lure thousands of participants each year.

Despite the city’s playful nature, well-rounded Boulder is also known as a principal center for scientific studies, hosting esteemed establishments such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The gold rush may be over, but the thousands of tourists who return year after year say this exhilarating city is still as good as gold.

Feel the Nature in Boulder, Colorado
Recently rated the “№1 Sports Town in America” by Outside Magazine. Boulder is where some of the world’s top runners, cyclists, mountain bikers, and rock climbers choose to call home. Combine all of that with 300 days of sunshine per year, and it’s clear why Boulder is one of the hottest outdoor destinations in the country.

The surrounding Rocky Mountain landscape beckons visitors with easy-to-challenging hiking trails and unparalleled scenic views. A single day’s itinerary might include watching the sunrise from a hot air balloon; paddling a kayak through the middle of town; rock climbing the nearby peaks; mountain biking over rugged alpine trails; tubing or fly-fishing in Boulder Creek; or teeing off at Flatirons Golf Course.

About an hour out of Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park, the South Platte and the Indian Peaks Wilderness add enormously to the choices of climbing and mountaineering available. No matter if you’ve only a few hours to find adventure or an entire day to play, there are plenty of mild-to-wild experiences awaiting you in Boulder, Colorado.

Taste the Food in Boulder, Colorado
Restaurants in Boulder feature cuisine from around the globe, including Mexican, Asian, Italian, and of course, contemporary and continental American. From organic, local establishments featuring “farm to table” food to elegant restaurants offering lavish dishes prepared by award-winning chefs, the quest for a memorable meal ends here. Every type of food and every sort of atmosphere can be found on one of the local menus in Boulder, Colorado.

Top Attractions in Boulder, Colorado
Boulder offers a variety of interesting and entertaining attractions year-round, and many are free or almost-free. There is something for everyone in Boulder, and after spending some time here, it’s easy to see why Boulder sets itself apart from most cities its size.

Rocky Mountain National Park
The highlight of the 415-square mile park is the Trail Ridge Road. Travel 50 spectacular miles over Trail Ridge Road, the nation’s longest continuous road at such a high altitude, and experience incomparable changes in climate, vegetation, and eco-zones. Witness panoramic views of mountain ranges and peaks and close-ups of deer and elk grazing, bighorn sheep, birds, and other indigenous critters.

University of Colorado Museum of Natural History
Learn about the exciting aspects of the history, geology, botany, zoology, and anthropology of the Southwest and the Rocky Mountains at this university museum. Colorado’s heritage is explored in exhibits about fur trappers, Native Americans, buffalo hunters, pioneers, miners, prospectors, and cowboys. View dinosaur fossils, including a triceratops head, as well as a sea turtle shell and Anazazi pottery.

Fiske Planetarium
This notable CU-Boulder landmark features Zeiss, one of the most remarkable stargazing machines in the world. Star shows, lectures, and laser light productions are featured on Thursdays, Fridays, and select Saturdays.

Chautauqua Park
This meadow-like foothills park is ideal for a lazy afternoon with a book, a family picnic, bird watching, or a vigorous hike on numerous trails that will suit any skill level. The hiking trails take you into the Flatirons and the Bluebell Shelter or the top of Flagstaff Mountain. A century old community center occupies the middle of the park. Numerous lectures and musical performances are scheduled, including the Colorado Music Festival, which is held each summer.

Celestial Seasonings
Experience the powerful scent of herbs and teas on a tour offered by this wonderful New Age business. Witness a tea plant assembly line where a thousand bags of tea are blended and bagged each minute. Visit the herb garden, Tea Shop and Emporium, and don’ t forget the café. Tours are offered each hour.

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
This non-profit contemporary arts center exhibits a wide array of current works by local, national, and international artists. Artwork runs the gamut from landscape painting to conceptual installations and everything in between. The multidisciplinary center houses a local theater company and is a venue for avant-garde musical and dance performances.

Boulder History Museum
Originally, this century-old home was the summer residence of a New York merchant. Today, it houses the Boulder Historical Society’s extensive collection of photographs and historical documents, as well as permanent and changing exhibits that include a pre-electric Victorian kitchen, 19th century pharmacy, agricultural, mining and ranching tools, and an antique safety bike designed to keep a lady’s skirts and bloomers out of the spokes. Lectures, classes, and special events are scheduled throughout the year.

Eldorado Canyon State Park
With more than 1,000 acres of land, this park is a favorite site for hiking and horseback riding on 10 beautiful miles of trails with varying degrees of difficulty. The park’s 850-foot sandstone canyon wall is popular with world-class rock climbers. Fish for rainbow trout in the park’s streams or enjoy a relaxing lunch at the picnic area along the creek at the bottom of the canyon.

CU Heritage Center
This university museum is located in Old Main, one of the oldest buildings on the CU campus. Seven galleries house exhibits that display 19th century student life, athletic trophies and photos, and the “Space Room” that features the space suits and artifacts of astronauts that graduated from CU.

National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
Discover the amazing world of meteorology with exhibits devoted to everything from tornadoes to global warming. Sitting atop a mesa bluff, the facility features interactive exhibits, art galleries, a library, cafeteria, and several of the world’s largest and fastest computers. Leading international scientists visit for research purposes.

Shopping in Boulder, Colorado
Visitors will be pleased to discover that shopping in Boulder can include stops by national chains for basics, as well as independent shops and boutiques for more unique purchases. Sometimes malls and shopping centers are the most convenient options, but be sure to check out Boulder’s downtown or historic districts to find the most unusual gifts and trinkets, art, antiques, and clothing. Visitors to Boulder will find an endless variety of shopping opportunities.

Nightlife in Boulder, Colorado
When the sun goes down, Boulder gets its second wind. Neighborhood bars and pubs are popular, of course, but if your tastes run deeper, check out our other Boulder nightlife selections. There are two main areas in Boulder where the selection of bars and clubs are concentrated: The Hill and downtown’s Pearl Street. While each have a distinctive flavor of nightlife, both guarantee a characteristic only-in-Boulder evening.