Guidebook for Boulder
Food Scene
Boulder has turned into a major foodie hub. There are too many places to list, especially downtown with new ones popping up all the time. We've just listed some of the more well known or iconic Boulder spots. Just note that for places downtown you'll often need reservations for many places or you'll often face an hour long wait or more. Some places don't take reservations, so it's good to arrive early, add your name to the waitlist and then take a walk around downtown while you wait for their call
bartaco
1048 Pearl StBest tacos in Boulder with nice patio for people watching
Great breakfast and lunch spot. Fills up early in the mornings. Grab a table next to the river. Also adjacent to Saturday Farmer's Market
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The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
1770 13th StGreat breakfast and lunch spot. Fills up early in the mornings. Grab a table next to the river. Also adjacent to Saturday Farmer's Market
A cheap breakfast spot. More diner quality food, but they have toys for kids, and you can eat here cheap as a family. Also, popular with locals and families and college kids so get here early. Many entrees come with 2 sides such as french toast or pancakes as your sides, making it cheap to feed a family.
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Walnut Cafe
3073 Walnut StA cheap breakfast spot. More diner quality food, but they have toys for kids, and you can eat here cheap as a family. Also, popular with locals and families and college kids so get here early. Many entrees come with 2 sides such as french toast or pancakes as your sides, making it cheap to feed a family.
Very popular breakfast spot with locals and college kids and visiting families. Plenty of options, and cheap kids menu, but surrounded by some new hotels making it popular. Get there early or plan to wait 30-40 minutes
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The Buff
2600 Canyon BlvdVery popular breakfast spot with locals and college kids and visiting families. Plenty of options, and cheap kids menu, but surrounded by some new hotels making it popular. Get there early or plan to wait 30-40 minutes
Another popular breakfast spot. One of the best menus and good for people watching, but again, get there early or plan on waiting 30-60 minutes for a table.
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Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
6315 W 104th AveAnother popular breakfast spot. One of the best menus and good for people watching, but again, get there early or plan on waiting 30-60 minutes for a table.
GREAT happy hour. This is a small local place that's been around forever, but it's tiny, so it fills up fast. If going for happy hour, get there by 4pm or expect to wait. Gets crowded so not kid friendly. Probably some of the best seafood in Boulder
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Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar - Boulder
928 Pearl StreetGREAT happy hour. This is a small local place that's been around forever, but it's tiny, so it fills up fast. If going for happy hour, get there by 4pm or expect to wait. Gets crowded so not kid friendly. Probably some of the best seafood in Boulder
Amazing views of the Flatirons on their upstairs patio deck!
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Amante Coffee
2850 Baseline RdAmazing views of the Flatirons on their upstairs patio deck!
One of the nation's top restaurants, Frasca offers refined Northern Italian plates based on locally sourced ingredients paired with top-shelf wines. THE place to go on a date, whether the first, or 50th anniversary. Don't forget to check out it's baby sister, Pizzaria Locale, right next door for a classic Napoletana pizza in an elegantly casual setting that offers excellent selections of beers, wines, and amaro-based cocktails.
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Frasca Food and Wine
1738 Pearl StOne of the nation's top restaurants, Frasca offers refined Northern Italian plates based on locally sourced ingredients paired with top-shelf wines. THE place to go on a date, whether the first, or 50th anniversary. Don't forget to check out it's baby sister, Pizzaria Locale, right next door for a classic Napoletana pizza in an elegantly casual setting that offers excellent selections of beers, wines, and amaro-based cocktails.
Great views out over Boulder. Meals are pricey, but it's not too bad if just getting drinks and apps out on the patio to enjoy the great views, especially at sunset
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Flagstaff House
1138 Flagstaff RdGreat views out over Boulder. Meals are pricey, but it's not too bad if just getting drinks and apps out on the patio to enjoy the great views, especially at sunset
Another good taco spot, and nearby. Lots of tasty homemade salsa choices
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McDevitt Taco Supply
4800 Baseline RdAnother good taco spot, and nearby. Lots of tasty homemade salsa choices
Basically a food hall with many choices, and the pizza on the top floor is supposed to be excellent. Fantastic views from the rooftop. Can get very crowded around happy hour or weekend evenings, but we've often been able to find a table somewhere without a wait at any time of day.
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Avanti Food and Beverage Boulder
1401 Pearl StBasically a food hall with many choices, and the pizza on the top floor is supposed to be excellent. Fantastic views from the rooftop. Can get very crowded around happy hour or weekend evenings, but we've often been able to find a table somewhere without a wait at any time of day.
Another food hall. More upscale than Avanti and I prefer the food here. Extremely crowded in the evenings though, but typically wide open mid-day. Also has a nice rooftop
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Rosetta Hall
1109 Walnut StreetAnother food hall. More upscale than Avanti and I prefer the food here. Extremely crowded in the evenings though, but typically wide open mid-day. Also has a nice rooftop
One of Boulder's iconic and well known restaurants. One of the better rooftops for a drink. Personally I'm not as much of a fan of their food compared to other restaurants, but it's fine, but the margaritas are excellent and well known (and strong so be careful), and the rooftop is very nice (and popular)
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Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
1101 Walnut StOne of Boulder's iconic and well known restaurants. One of the better rooftops for a drink. Personally I'm not as much of a fan of their food compared to other restaurants, but it's fine, but the margaritas are excellent and well known (and strong so be careful), and the rooftop is very nice (and popular)
Parks & Nature
Just 10 minutes by car from the house. Iconic Flatiron views and trails suitable for all ages and abilities. Also a popular spot for local rock climbers. Consider going to brunch at nearby Chautauqua House and get a table on the deck. They also host summer concerts with a number of popular performers and symphonies
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Chautauqua Park
9th StreetJust 10 minutes by car from the house. Iconic Flatiron views and trails suitable for all ages and abilities. Also a popular spot for local rock climbers. Consider going to brunch at nearby Chautauqua House and get a table on the deck. They also host summer concerts with a number of popular performers and symphonies
Estes Park is a town in northern Colorado. It’s known as a base for the Rocky Mountain National Park, home to wildlife including elk and bears, plus miles of trails.
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Estes Park
Estes Park is a town in northern Colorado. It’s known as a base for the Rocky Mountain National Park, home to wildlife including elk and bears, plus miles of trails.
Stunning park at the head of the Boulder Creek and Boulder Creek Path with a variety of recreational amenities, including a playground, open turf, a picnic shelter and little pools to dip in. Check out the tubers floating down the creek on a hot summer day!
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Eben G. Fine Park
101 Arapahoe AveStunning park at the head of the Boulder Creek and Boulder Creek Path with a variety of recreational amenities, including a playground, open turf, a picnic shelter and little pools to dip in. Check out the tubers floating down the creek on a hot summer day!
Flagstaff Mountain is a foothill on the eastern flank of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, a mere 3.5 miles away! There you'll find gorgeous day and night views of Boulder, Metropolitan Denver, and the surrounding mountains. There are hiking and bike trails, picnic areas, the Summit Nature Center, and an outdoor amphitheatre.
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Flagstaff Mountain
Flagstaff Mountain is a foothill on the eastern flank of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, a mere 3.5 miles away! There you'll find gorgeous day and night views of Boulder, Metropolitan Denver, and the surrounding mountains. There are hiking and bike trails, picnic areas, the Summit Nature Center, and an outdoor amphitheatre.
Arts & Culture
This is about the only place in Boulder showing independent films, but they also have plays, comedy, musicals, etc. Check their listings
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Dairy Arts Center
2590 Walnut StThis is about the only place in Boulder showing independent films, but they also have plays, comedy, musicals, etc. Check their listings
It is the mission of BDT Stage to provide live, Broadway-quality musical theatre entertainment with fine dining to create a unique experience for groups, families and all discerning theatre goers.
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BDT Stage
5501 Arapahoe AveIt is the mission of BDT Stage to provide live, Broadway-quality musical theatre entertainment with fine dining to create a unique experience for groups, families and all discerning theatre goers.
Another live music spot, located on the 'Hill" near campus
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The Fox Theatre
1135 13th StAnother live music spot, located on the 'Hill" near campus
This takes place every summer at CU Campus, not far from the house. Tickets are probably difficult to get, but you can probably find someone reselling them on Craiglist or Stubhub
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Colorado Shakespeare Festival - Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre
277 University AveThis takes place every summer at CU Campus, not far from the house. Tickets are probably difficult to get, but you can probably find someone reselling them on Craiglist or Stubhub
There's a summer concert series. https://coloradomusicfestival.org
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Chautauqua
There's a summer concert series. https://coloradomusicfestival.org
This is the main music venue in Boulder located downtown. There's music almost nightly
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Boulder Theater
2032 14th StThis is the main music venue in Boulder located downtown. There's music almost nightly
Essentials
Typically the most expensive grocery store in town, but best place for organic products. Lots of little restaurants inside also and local people watching.
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Whole Foods Market
695 S BroadwayTypically the most expensive grocery store in town, but best place for organic products. Lots of little restaurants inside also and local people watching.
If you just need a general grocery store, this is the best one and just a 5 minute drive away. There are others such as Safeway near us, but King Soopers has everything, including decent organic produce and prices are better than Whole Foods
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King Soopers
3600 Table Mesa DrIf you just need a general grocery store, this is the best one and just a 5 minute drive away. There are others such as Safeway near us, but King Soopers has everything, including decent organic produce and prices are better than Whole Foods
Best, local-feeling, grocery store, almost completely organic and sustainable.
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Natural Grocers
2685 Pearl StBest, local-feeling, grocery store, almost completely organic and sustainable.
Drinks & Nightlife
Summer Events. Check out https://www.allthingsboulder.com/summer-events-in-boulder
World famous music venue. 30 minute drive from the house depending on traffic. Get there early to enjoy tailgating before performances.
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Red Rocks amphitheater
18300 West Alameda ParkwayWorld famous music venue. 30 minute drive from the house depending on traffic. Get there early to enjoy tailgating before performances.
The historic Boulder Theater has a diverse and colorful past that continues with a thriving present as one of the premiere concert venues in the nation.
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Boulder Theater
2032 14th StThe historic Boulder Theater has a diverse and colorful past that continues with a thriving present as one of the premiere concert venues in the nation.
Entertainment & Activities
Summer Events. Check out https://www.allthingsboulder.com/summer-events-in-boulder
Unique tour of one of the most famous teas of the US! Make sure to check out the "Peppermint" room!
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Celestial Seasonings
4600 Sleepytime DrUnique tour of one of the most famous teas of the US! Make sure to check out the "Peppermint" room!
Besides being a place to admire the Flatirons, sip coffee, enjoy a movie, shop, eat/drink, attend yoga classes and simply stroll, this outdoor mall also has:
-Children's Play Area, conveniently located next to Starbucks.
-Boulder B-Cycle. Hop on a bike and tool around town for as long as you need. Rent here and drop off at another station so you can enjoy Boulder by bike!
-Pet-Friendly, like most places in Boulder, even the 4-footed furry ones are welcome at Twenty Ninth Street.
-LIVE free music concerts every Friday & Saturday, May 25 – September 1 from 6-9pm in the Central Plaza. Drinks will be offered from The Barrel and a variety of food trucks are there on Saturdays.
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29th Street
29th StreetBesides being a place to admire the Flatirons, sip coffee, enjoy a movie, shop, eat/drink, attend yoga classes and simply stroll, this outdoor mall also has:
-Children's Play Area, conveniently located next to Starbucks.
-Boulder B-Cycle. Hop on a bike and tool around town for as long as you need. Rent here and drop off at another station so you can enjoy Boulder by bike!
-Pet-Friendly, like most places in Boulder, even the 4-footed furry ones are welcome at Twenty Ninth Street.
-LIVE free music concerts every Friday & Saturday, May 25 – September 1 from 6-9pm in the Central Plaza. Drinks will be offered from The Barrel and a variety of food trucks are there on Saturdays.
The Boulder Farmer's Market is a nonprofit organization operating producer-only farmers markets in Colorado since 1987. Our mission is to support, promote and expand local agriculture, making fresh products accessible to our community and strengthening relationships between local food producers and food consumers. Come hungry for local food trucks, ready to listen to music, dip your toes in the Boulder Creek, play on the fields, picnic on the lawns and enjoy shopping for fresh, local produce!
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Boulder Farmers Market
13th StreetThe Boulder Farmer's Market is a nonprofit organization operating producer-only farmers markets in Colorado since 1987. Our mission is to support, promote and expand local agriculture, making fresh products accessible to our community and strengthening relationships between local food producers and food consumers. Come hungry for local food trucks, ready to listen to music, dip your toes in the Boulder Creek, play on the fields, picnic on the lawns and enjoy shopping for fresh, local produce!
This is a good outdoor pool for younger kids and there's a lap pool as well. It costs $7 per day per adult. https://bouldercolorado.gov/parks-rec/spruce-pool
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Spruce Pool
2102 Spruce StThis is a good outdoor pool for younger kids and there's a lap pool as well. It costs $7 per day per adult. https://bouldercolorado.gov/parks-rec/spruce-pool
This is nearby. It has a good kids pool with large slide and lap pools, but it's all indoors. There are also tennis courts, volleyball, handball, and a fun playground. You can also pay about $7 adult per day for access to the gym and pool.
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East Boulder Community Center
5660 Sioux DrThis is nearby. It has a good kids pool with large slide and lap pools, but it's all indoors. There are also tennis courts, volleyball, handball, and a fun playground. You can also pay about $7 adult per day for access to the gym and pool.
Great outdoor pool area. Be sure to check schedules, as there's often only lap swim, with open swim for kids only certain hours of the day. It can get packed on hot summer days. There's also a great park playground area, park, and skate park as well https://bouldercolorado.gov/parks-rec/scott-carpenter-pool
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Scott Carpenter Park
1505 30th StGreat outdoor pool area. Be sure to check schedules, as there's often only lap swim, with open swim for kids only certain hours of the day. It can get packed on hot summer days. There's also a great park playground area, park, and skate park as well https://bouldercolorado.gov/parks-rec/scott-carpenter-pool
This is where people go to rent kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, or go for a swim at the beach. A good place for families to picnic at. It's not free though https://bouldercolorado.gov/parks-rec/boulder-reservoir
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Boulder Reservoir
5100 51st StThis is where people go to rent kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, or go for a swim at the beach. A good place for families to picnic at. It's not free though https://bouldercolorado.gov/parks-rec/boulder-reservoir
Shopping
Nationally known and rated, iconic pedestrian mall. Everything from a splash pad for kids, music, performers, food, shopping, bars and restaurants. An absolute MUST.
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Pearl Street Mall
1303 Pearl StreetNationally known and rated, iconic pedestrian mall. Everything from a splash pad for kids, music, performers, food, shopping, bars and restaurants. An absolute MUST.