COME TO LIFE / Boulder ONLY IN BOULDER T WINTER FUN While not a traditional ski town, Boulder’s proximity to skiing at nearby Eldora Mountain Resort, affordable winter lodging prices and hip downtown vibe makes it a primo cold-season destination. Downhillers can schuss down Eldora’s slopes in the morning and head back down to town for a hike or bike ride in the afternoon — and dinner and local brews in the eve-ning, naturally. Non-down-hill skiers love Eldora’s Nordic Center, which offers lessons and trails designed specifically for cross-coun-try skiing, skate skiing and snowshoeing. COLORADO DENVER & CITIES OF THE ROCKIES Playfully referred to as the People’s Republic of Boulder , this foothills city was recently named “Happiest City in the U.S.” by National Geographic and is known for progressive attitudes stemming from its hippie heyday. Today it’s characterized by scientific research centers, the University of Colorado, artsy folks and hyper-athletic citizens. 1 MORNING The pedestrian Pearl Street Mall (2) is the city’s hub. Fuel up at any of a dozen coffee shops alongside students and freelancers clicking away on their laptops. For a quintessen-tial experience, drop into The Tune Up , a place to rent or shop for bikes, get coffee and hear live music. Then, spend time strolling Pearl, lined with historic buildings that now house longtime-favorite shops and restaurants. For more shopping, head to Twenty Ninth Street , an outdoor mall headlined by H&M, The North Face and Apple that also has a new outdoor beer garden called The Barrel. Or hook up with Boulder Walking Tours to see Boulder through its neighborhoods, historic areas and open spaces. Saturdays and Wednesdays April–mid-November, stroll Boulder Farmers Market (1) , 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 at dinner. You might also appreciate the Boulder County Farm Trail — 20 farms and other places where you can pick berries, pet animals, check out a farm stand, pic-nic in a barn or take a class. 2 3 QUICK TIP 158 / Hikers can ride the free Park to Park shuttle to designated areas in and around the Chautauqua Park area. The dog-friendly bus runs on Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day; just park your car downtown or at a free lot on the University of Colorado campus and hitch a ride. 1-800-COLORADO CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: BOULDER FARMERS MARKET, MILES/LISA SEAMAN; PEARL STREET MALL, JONATHAN PHILLIPS; RAYBACK COLLECTIVE; ELDORA MOUNTAIN RESORT.
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2020: Page 158
