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Location/Region: Front
Range Colorado. Located 40 minutes North West of Denver.
Founded: 1858
Location: Boulder is nestled in the foothills, where the
rolling plains meet the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Centrally
located within an hour of Denver, Denver International Airport,
Eldora Ski Resort and Rocky Mountain National Park. A few hours
from many of Colorado's world-famous ski resorts, making Boulder
the ideal Colorado destination.
Boulder Colorado
Elevation & Size: 5,430 feet (Denver is 5,280
feet); City of Boulder is 27.8 square miles.
Population: 98,000 (there are also an
additional 25,000 students at the University of Colorado).
Weather: Four distinct seasons and over 300
sunny days a year. (More than San Diego or Miami!) Average 83.3
inches of snowfall a year. Average temperature in the summer is in
the 80's and in the winter, 40's.
Average temperature highs/lows:
Spring (March-May) …. 63/35˚ F
Summer (June-August)…..83/55˚ F
Fall (Sept.-Oct.) ……… 72/45˚ F
Winter (Nov.-February)…. 45/23˚ F
Recreation: Recently rated the "#1 Sports Town
in America" by Outside Magazine, offering countless year-round
recreational activities. Take advantage of the 200 miles of public
hiking and biking trails, approximately 30,000 acres of open space or
the Boulder Creek Path, which runs through the middle of town.
Arts & Culture: More than
30 art galleries, 4 local museums, 32 movie & stage theaters and
many festivals, including the Colorado Shakespeare Festival,
Colorado Music Festival and Chautauqua Summer Festival.
Dining: More than 300 restaurants
featuring local, regional and international cuisine.
Accommodations: Approximately 2,000
guestrooms, ranging from rustic cabins to historic Victorian
suites. Whether you are
staying at one of the cozy Bed & Breakfasts
or our largest conference hotel, mountain views and proximity to
activities will ensure an unparalleled experience.
Boulder Trivia:
Among 14 comparable cities, Boulder ranks number
1 in people who walk to work, work at home and drive with more than
one person in the car. It ranks second among those who bike.
Bicycling is so highly regarded in Boulder that
sometimes the city plows the Boulder Creek bike path before they
plow the streets!
Baseline Road is a significant east-west route to
both Boulderites & cartographers, for it marks the 40th parallel on
world maps.
Boulder's Third Flatiron towers 1,400 feet high,
a few hundred feet higher than the Empire State Building, and has
been climbed by people without using their hands, on roller skates,
naked and in 8 minutes (by separate climbers).
The Hotel Boulderado was named by combining
Boulder and Colorado in hopes that no visitor would ever forget
where they had stayed.
A Colorado Daily poll found that seven out of ten
Boulderites own bicycles. Another guidebook states that Boulder’s
bicycle count is approximately 93,000 – almost equal to the total
population!
The Chautauqua Auditorium is an all-wood
structure built in 1898. In the evening, when the Colorado Music
Festival musicians stop playing, you can often hear the
rafters-dwelling owls hooting along with the music.
The Flatiron Mountains got their name by pioneer
women who said they looked like flat, metal irons used to iron their
clothes.
Flagstaff Mountain was named for the flagpole
that sits on top of the summit, which was visible when Boulder was
first settled, as it was a completely treeless plain.
Scott Carpenter, a NASA astronaut, grew up in
Boulder. He named his space capsule after his home on Aurora and
7th. The capsule was Aurora 7.
The University of Colorado at Boulder’s buildings
are built with red sandstone, quarried in nearby Lyons.
With Coors, Anheuser-Busch and local
microbreweries, this area has become the largest beer-producing
triangle in the world.
Robert Redford was a janitor at The Sink, before
moving on to become famous!
Boulder's going to the dogs! Recent visitor
counts to Boulder Mountain Parks found a ratio of 1 dog to every 5
visitors.
Every year, Boulder Mountain Parks core area
receives 1.8 million visits. If that many people made a human chain,
it would stretch from Boulder, Colorado to New York City!
In the past, Chautauqua Meadow has served as a
cattle pasture, golf course, backdrop for the "Mork & Mindy"
television show and a ski area with rope tow, all before it was
protected as a natural grassland.
In 1967, Boulder became the first city in the
United States to tax itself for funds to be used specifically for
the acquisition, management and maintenance of Open Space.
The Denver Post once described Boulder as "The
little town nestled between the mountains and reality."
Local Attractions
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.
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse 303.442.4993
"This is a gift to the people of Boulder to make their
souls happy..." The Teahouse, which officially opened May 15, 1998, is a
gift from Boulder’s sister city, Dushanbe, Tajikistan and is the only
one of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Handcrafted by over 40 Tajik
artisans, the Teahouse is a feast for the eyes with its vibrant colors,
patterns and furnishings. The Teahouse features an eclectic,
international menu and teas from all over the world.
Celestial Seasonings Tea Company 303.581.1202
Welcome to the world of tea. Take a free, 45-minute
factory tour of Celestial's tea making process, from package design to
production, and sample the newest flavors to hit the market. Be sure to
stop by the unforgettable “Mint Room” for a sinus-clearing sniff and the
Art Gallery, displaying Celestial’s original paintings and teapot
collection. The tour ends in the Celestial Gift Shop. Located at 4600
Sleepytime Drive. Tour times: Monday through Saturday on the hour from
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Sunday on the hour from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Leanin' Tree Museum of Western Art 303.581.2100
Boasting the largest, privately-held collection of
western art in the country, Leanin' Tree offers a wide selection of fine
art including cowboy, Native-American and wildlife subjects, desert and
mountain landscapes, and bronze sculptures. Each painting and sculpture
in the collection has detailed information about the particular piece,
the artist and how the work was acquired. Leanin' Tree is also one of
the largest publishers of western, wildlife and regional interest
greeting cards, which are all available in the gift shop. Open 7 days a
week, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free.
Chautauqua Park Historic District 303.442.3282
At the base of the Flatiron Mountains lies a
100-year-old tradition. Chautauqua Park offers a playground, hiking
trails, breathtaking views, delicious meals at the historic Dining Hall
and entertainment, including lectures and performances at the Community
House. Chautauqua is also home to the Chautauqua Summer Festival and the
esteemed Colorado Music Festival, which are held in the Chautauqua
Auditorium.
Farmer's Market 303.910.2236
Offering fresh fruit, flowers, veggies and delicious
edibles, the Farmer’s Market provides a place for locals to sell their
products in a friendly, fun environment. Twice a week, residents and
visitors can fill their bags with goodies. Saturdays 8:00 – 2:00 and
Wednesdays 4:00 – 8:00 (April thought October)
Pearl Street Mall (Downtown) 303.449.3774
Stroll along our popular pedestrian mall and enjoy a
great selection of restaurants, bookstores, boutiques and sidewalk
cafés. Also popular are the seasonal art shows, craft fairs, musical
presentations and street performers who entertain enthusiastic crowds
with their antics. Let Bongo the Balloon Man make an animal creation out
of his colorful supply of balloons, challenge the Zip Code Man to guess
your hometown just by telling him your zip code, or watch the unusually
flexible contortionist fold his body into a small box.
E-Town 303.443.8696
Artists like James Taylor combined with interviewees
like Jimmy Carter create a one of a kind, live radio show, which gives
the “E-chievement Award” to an individual or organization around the
country who has found positive solutions to challenges in their
communities. E-town airs on 110 radio stations around the country and
usually tapes on Sunday evenings at the Boulder Theatre.
National Center for Atmospheric Research
303.497.1174
NCAR's work focuses on weather phenomena, storms,
climate, atmospheric chemistry and the sun. The world famous architect
I.M. Pei designed the building that houses NCAR. Free, guided-tours of
the facility are available Mon-Wed, noon, year-round, as well as a
scientific store featuring weather related educational items.
National Institute of Standards and Technology
303.497.3000
Come for a tour of this facility and view the Atomic
Clock, the clock that sets standard time nationwide. Tours are available
on Thursday's at 1pm, by reservation only. Reservations must be made TWO
WEEKS prior to arrival. No Drop-Ins. Tours take approximately 1 1/2
hours.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
303.497.3333
Take a tour of the NOAA facilities and find out how
weather patterns are predicted and affect our lives. Public tours are
offered once a week on Tuesday at 1 p.m. and last about one hour.
Admission is free and reservations are not needed.
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art 303.443.2122
Enjoy contemporary art exhibits featuring local and
visiting artists. During the summer months take advantage of the Outdoor
Cinema program! Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., closed
Sunday, Monday and holidays.
Dairy Center for the Arts 303.440.7826
Representatives from various local art groups are
exhibited and housed in this multi-media complex. For art lovers of all
kinds, this multidisciplinary art center is worth the visit. Enjoy the
many exhibits or participate in one of the several dance, theater or
music classes offered.
www.dairy.org
Boulder Museum of History 303.449.3464
This museum captures Boulder's history from the
conquest of the American West to the present day. Look through
photographs, artifacts and a costume gallery showing how Boulder became
the town it is today. Open 10 am - 4 pm Tuesday through Friday, and noon
- 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Columbia Cemetery
History buffs will delight in the array of colorful
western characters that are laid to rest here, such as the infamous
gunslinger, Tom Horn. It's the perfect place for a peaceful stroll,
anytime of year. Located near downtown Boulder, between 9th and College
Streets.
www.findagrave.com
Gateway Park Fun Center 303.442.4FUN
Fun for all ages, Gateway Park offers go-karts,
batting cages, miniature golf and more.
Activities are just a few dollars each and provide entertainment for the
whole family.
Mapleton Historic District 303.444.5192
View the exterior of homes dating back to the late
1800's located near the Downtown area. Take a self-guided walking tour
for free, or inquire about a guided tour with "Historic Boulder." Guided
tours are offered May through August.
"Mork & Mindy" House
Feel like testing your TV trivia? The exterior of this
Mapleton Hill home was used in the well-known TV show, “Mork & Mindy,”
starring Robin Williams.
Rockies Brewing Company 303.444.8448
Ever wonder how beer is made? Come see the process
from start to finish in the country's oldest operating microbrewery and
sample a few of the brews! Try the award-winning Singletrack Copper Ale
or Buffalo Gold. Free tours are offered Monday through Saturday at 2
p.m.
Redstone Meadery 720.406.215
Mountain Honey Wine - The spirit behind human's first
fermented beverage is alive and well in Boulder, Colorado. Mead or honey
wine, wine fermented from honey, is now officially being made in
Boulder. The mead can be purchased to-go from the Meadery and at local
liquor stores and restaurants. Tasting Room Hours: Wednesdays-Fridays
3:30 pm - 6:30 pm (With a 1/2 hour tour each Wednesday-Friday at 3:00
pm); Saturdays 1 pm - 4 pm (With a 1/2 hour tour each Saturday at 12:30
pm). 4700 Pearl Street, #2A.
Boulder City Parks Trails
System 303.441.3408
From a
meandering path to a challenging climb, trails for all ages and
abilities are well-maintained in Boulder's park system.
Not-to-miss areas include Chautauqua Park, Flagstaff Mountain
and six-mile Mesa Trail. Stop by the ranger station located in
Chautauqua Park for additional trail information and don’t
forget a water bottle and sunscreen!
Boulder Creek Path
Take a walk, bike or in-line skate along this local,
scenic path. Located parallel to Boulder Creek, between Arapahoe Avenue
and Canyon Boulevard, the path is great for both recreation and people
watching. The west end of the path winds out of the city and up through
Boulder Canyon for four miles.
Boulder Falls
See where North Boulder Creek drops 70 feet into
Middle Boulder Creek, a short distance up Boulder Canyon. Look for the
“Boulder Falls” sign and parking will be to your left. It is a short
hike to the falls, ideal for all ages.
Boulder Reservoir 303.441.3456
Want to go for a quick swim? Boulder Reservoir is the
choice of Boulderites and visitors alike for boating, swimming or
sunbathing. Located in northeast Boulder. Call ahead for boat and
equipment rentals and admission rates.
City of Boulder Open Space 303.441.3440
Looking for a hike with a view of the back range?
Boulder's open space trails will reveal flower-filled meadows in the
summer and snow-capped vistas in the winter. Local favorites include the
Bobolink Trail and the Marshall Mesa Trail. For the cyclist, there are
many trails with varying levels of difficulty. All trails are well
marked for hikers and cyclists alike.
Flagstaff Mountain
A drive up Flagstaff Mountain offers spectacular views
of Boulder, the Front Range and the Continental Divide. Follow Baseline
Road west as it winds upward. There is a parking permit required for
out-of-county cars and rental cars.
Fly-Fishing on Boulder Creek
Toss in a line for a chance at a granddaddy brown or
rainbow trout, all within minutes of Downtown Boulder.
Mountain Biking
If you have a hankering for some outdoor adventure,
Boulder offers a variety of biking trails throughout the area, suitable
for all abilities. Favorites include the Boulder Creek Path, Walker
Ranch and the Switzerland Trail. Bike rentals are available through
local area bike shops.
Tubing on Boulder Creek
Grab an inner tube and hop on in! Cool off by taking a
float down Boulder Creek on those hot, summer days. Tubes are available
from local gas stations for around $10.
Rocky Mountain National Park 970.586.1206
A scenic 45-minute drive away, Rocky Mountain National
Park preserves over 250,000 acres of wilderness area, boasts over 355
miles of trails, stunning mountain vistas, elk herds, wildflowers and
pristine alpine lakes. Both hiking trails and paved roads make this park
accessible for all visitors to enjoy.
University of Colorado at Boulder:
Campus Tour 303.492.7884
With close to 25,000 students, CU Boulder is one of
the West's largest and most prestigious public universities. Guided
tours take place Monday-Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and again on
Saturday at 10:30 a.m., beginning at the University Memorial Center.
Self-guided tour information is also available from the University.
The University of Colorado Natural History Museum
303.492.6892
Located on campus, this museum allows visitors to see
a diverse selection of specimen and artifacts—a must-see for children.
Gaze at dinosaur bones and experience a hands-on exhibit of animal
tracks. Open 9 am. - 5 pm, Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm on
Saturday, and 10 am - 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is free and donations
are gladly accepted.
The Heritage Center 303.492.6329
Located on the 3rd floor of Old Main, the first
building on the CU campus, the Heritage Center is a museum devoted to
presenting and preserving the history of the University. Exhibits
include a space room, featuring 17 astronauts who studied at the
University, and a moon rock on permanent loan from NASA. The Center
boasts other exhibits featuring athletics, architecture and
distinguished alumni. Open 10 am - 4 pm, Monday through Friday and
Saturday from 10 am - 2 pm. Admission is free.
Expand your horizons. Travel the solar system. Search
for distant worlds. Try a different kind of entertainment and enjoy a
laser show set to the tunes of Pink Floyd, the Beatles, Bob Marley, the
Dave Matthews Band or an All Request show, where the audience chooses
the play list. Take a class, learn about the formation of our solar
system, galaxies, black holes and even extra-terrestrials. Classes,
observation sessions, and laser shows take place on Friday evenings,
Saturdays and select Tuesdays. The Observatory is open for telescope
viewing on most Friday evenings, depending on weather. Located on the
University of Colorado Campus.
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