Visit Boulder: Top 7 Things to Do in Boulder, CO

Colorado is one of the most beautiful states in the US. With lakes, forests, and lots of mountains, you can never go wrong with a trip to the Centennial State. In particular, Boulder is renowned for its scenic views, outdoor activities, and its beautifully preserved downtown.

Here are 7 of the best things to do in Boulder. In reality, you can never go wrong with getting outside and going for a hike, but let us point you in the right direction and you’ll never have a moment of boredom.

1. The Flatirons

You can’t do Boulder without visiting the Flatirons. These huge slanting sandstone hills dominate the landscape in Boulder and you can get a great view of them with a quick drive outside of the city to the Chautauqua region.

The gorgeous green meadows at their feet are peaceful and make for a great place to go on a beginner’s hike or a bike tour. There are literally dozens of trails littering the foot of the Flatirons, so if you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you can spend a whole day exploring the area.

2. Boulder Farmers’ Market

What better way to experience life as a local than hitting the Boulder farmers’ market?

This isn’t just any old small-time farmers’ market. USA Today rated it the best farmer’s market in the country, so if you find yourself in Boulder on a Wednesday evening between May and October or a Saturday morning between April and November, make your way to Boulder’s downtown Central Park and don’t forget your reusable shopping bag.

Having been in operation for almost 35 years, you know you’re getting the best selection of farm-fresh produce, eggs, cheese, meats, herbs, flowers, and other food products in the region. Take your groceries back home or to your Airbnb and whip up a healthy dinner; you’re bound to be hungry after all that hiking.

3. Pearl Street Mall

Downtown Boulder is home to dozens of shops, restaurants, bars, and breweries. Full of novelty items and great souvenirs, the Pearl Street mall is another great spot to kill an afternoon or evening, especially if you’re a keen shopper, eater, or drinker.

If you’re coming into Boulder for the day from Denver and you don’t have time to see all of the sights, Pearl Street is probably your best bet for a quick sightseeing trip. This historic and well-kept downtown area is always busy-but-not-too-busy with foot traffic.

Grab a pint of a delicious local brew, eat at one of Boulder’s buzzy new restaurants, or just walk around and people watch. You can’t go wrong with a day out on Pearl Street.

4. Go On a Bike Tour

Boulder is undoubtedly one of the best destinations in all of America if you’re into hiking, skiing, climbing, and of course, mountain biking. At Boulder Bike Tours, we offer many bike tour options for any level of expertise, so you can have a great biking experience through the many trails around Boulder and in the city itself.

All of our tours include an expert local guide, a hardtail bike rental with a helmet (which you can upgrade to a full-suspension mountain bike), water and snacks, and transportation throughout Boulder. We like to customize our tours based on our customers’ interests, so contact us to start working on your bike tour today.

We also offer e-bike tours through the city of Boulder, so if you’re more interested in seeing what the city has to offer, this is definitely for you. We’ll take you through all of the historic neighborhoods, through Pearl Street, and the Boulder Creek Path and Canyon.

5. Breweries Galore

Colorado is home to some of the best craft breweries in all of America and even the world. Boulder has the 2nd most microbreweries per capita in the entire country.

Some of the bigger names in the city include Avery Brewing Co. and Oskar Blues Brewery, both of which have grown from small operations in the Boulder region to become world-renowned for their quality and craftsmanship. A quick Google search will show you all of the breweries in Boulder, which are too many to name, frankly.

6. Museums, Etc.

Museums are always a great way to get to know the cultural history of a city and Boulder is no different. The Museum of Boulder with its interactive exhibits will take you through the history of Boulder, showing you how it became the progressive and beautiful city that it is today.

Another popular thing to do in and around Boulder is going stargazing. Once you’ve gotten your fill of the big open skies, take a trip over to the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado, Boulder campus. They have loads of free exhibits, perfect for the entire family.

Other popular museums in Boulder include the Leanin’ Tree Museum of Western Art and the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

7. Day Trip Into Denver

Boulder is a fulfilling destination, there’s no doubt about that. If you want a little taste of something different, however, you can always take a day trip into Denver by renting a car or taking a bus. It’s only a 45-minute drive, after all.

Denver is home to even more of the country’s best breweries, museums, and restaurants. The Denver Art Museum is a great spot to kill an afternoon, but the best way to see the city is on foot. Head down to Union Station and take a stroll up through Larimer Square for some evening drinks at one or more of the many breweries.

No Shortage of Things to Do In Boulder

As you can see, there’s no shortage of amazing things to do in Boulder. No matter what kind of person you are, there’s a fun activity for you, so start planning your Colorado excursion today and don’t forget to book your bike tour with us at Boulder Bike Tours.