2017-12-14 04:01:06
Playfully referred to as the People’s Republic of Boulder, this foothills city is known for progressive attitudes stemming from its hippie heyday. Today it’s characterized by scientific research centers, the University of Colorado, artsy folk and hyper-athletic citizens. MORNING The pedestrian Pearl Street Mall (1) is the city’s hub. Fuel up at any of a dozen coffee shops alongside students and freelancers clicking away on their laptops. Then, spend time strolling along Pearl Street, lined with historic buildings that now house boutiques and longtime-favorite shops. Try to stop yourself from watching the mall’s buskers and talented open-air performers. For more shopping, head to Twenty Ninth Street, an outdoor mall headlined by H&M, The North Face and Apple. Or hook up with Boulder Walking Tours to see Boulder through its neighborhoods, historic areas and open spaces. Saturdays and Wednesdays April–October, stroll Boulder Farmers’ Market (2), with a strict sell-what-you-grow policy and a lovely setting next to Boulder Creek. Chefs are often spotted shopping here, so you may taste market veggies during dinner. If you dig the market, you might also appreciate the The Boulder County Farm Trail — 20 farms and other places where you can pick berries, pet animals, take a tour, check out a farm stand, picnic in a barn or take a class. AFTERNOON Head next door to the Dushanbe Teahouse (3) to admire the intricate paintings and carvings adorning this building, shipped piece by piece from Boulder’s sister city in Tajikistan. Have a bite to eat and order a pot of tea from the exhaustive menu. Then discover the hiking trails in National Historic Landmark Chautauqua Park (5), with options to suit every level of hiker and up-close views of the Flatirons — the slanting slabs of red sandstone that are Boulder’s most recognizable landmark. Stop into Chautauqua Dining Hall (4), which has been serving Boulderites since 1898. EVENING Boulder is one of the reasons Bravo’s “Top Chef” filmed its most recent season in Colorado, so dinner at one of the city’s restaurants is a must. Wander around Pearl Street for plenty of award-winning options, including Provençal-inspired Mateo; Pizzeria Locale’s Neapolitan pies (brought to you by the chefs at another Pearl Street favorite, Frasca Food & Wine); or The Kitchen (6), an eco-friendly bistro that pairs food with decadent brews. For more ideas, visit boulder coloradousa.com, where the city’s chefs describe their favorite ways to explore the city. After, visit a brewery to taste the local suds and take a tour — there are more than 20 now, pretty serious for a town of 100,000 people! Pick up a Boulder Beer Trail brochure at area visitor centers, take a walking tour from Boulder Brew Tours or catch a ride on the Colorado Brewery Bus. Then head to OAK at fourteenth, where Vanity Fair-featured mixologists demonstrate the art of handcrafted cocktails for your sipping pleasure. Another thing brewing in Boulder is kombucha. Stop into Rowdy Mermaid (7) for a tangy taste of this fermented tea that’s full of probiotics, beneficial yeast and enzymes. Or check in to the Rayback Collective (8), a food-truck park/beer garden/live-music venue that’s drawing those in the know east of downtown. WINTER FUN While not a traditional ski town, Boulder was named a “Top Winter Town” by National Geographic Traveler for its proximity to skiing and downtown vibe. The magazine cites the ability to ski nearby Eldora Mountain Resort in the morning and head back down to town for a hike or bike ride in the afternoon. Non-downhill skiers love Eldora’s Nordic Center, which offers lessons and trails designed specifically for cross-country skiing, skate skiing and snowshoeing. And back in town, winter hikes abound in the city’s foothills. SIDETRIPS Boulder is also close to Rocky Mountain National Park (1 hour), Eldorado Canyon State Park (15 minutes) and Golden Gate Canyon State Park (45 minutes). You can confidently claim that Nederland, just a half hour outside of Boulder, will be unlike any other town in your vacation repertoire. Case in point: Each March Frozen Dead Guy Days celebrates the remains of a man who died of a heart attack in 1989. His family keeps his body preserved in dry ice in the hopes that future science can revive him. Celebrate Ned’s nutty culture with craft brews, art and live music. Stroll downtown and experience the ambiance by browsing around local shops and restaurants. STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Boulder (page 189), Eldorado Springs (page 195), Louisville (page 200), Lyons, Superior, Westminster (page 206) QUICK TIP In springtime, the flowerbeds all along Pearl Street Mall bloom with more than 15,000 tulips. It’s tough to predict when the buds will bloom at their peak, but it usually happens around mid to late April — and it is a sight to see!
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