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Boulder Colorado - Overview

One of America's Top Small-City Destinations

Boulder is enriched with natural beauty, hip urban culture and a vibrant love of the outdoors.   TripAdvisor named it one of the "Top 25 Destinations in the US" and one of the "Top 100 Destinations in the World."  It is located at the base of Colorado's mountains - exactly where the mountains meet the plains.  Getting to Boulder is a snap; it is only 40 minutes from Denver International Airport and 35 minutes from downtown Denver.  This town of 103,000 residents feels much smaller as it is compact and walker friendly.

Renting a bike is a fun way to see the town and experience Boulder as a local.  The Boulder Creek Path meanders right through historic downtown and follows along Boulder Creek.  Some of it is paved, some is dirt and there are spots to stop, get off your bike and enjoy the creek.   In addition to this path, Boulder has more than 300 miles of biking and hiking trails. 

Many of the hiking and biking trails are located in the wide open spaces that surround Boulder.  Back in the 1960's, residents chose to tax themselves to buy and protect the land surrounding the city.  Today, there are 45,000 acres of land that await discovery.  Bird watchers, photographers, hikers, dog walkers, even hard core mountain bikers enjoy the land that is just 5 minutes from downtown.    

Winter in Boulder is surprising.   Hotels offer their lowest rates, there isn't much snow on the ground and the university is in session giving the town hip, young energy.  The city is compact with an intimate small-town feel and very walker-friendly.  If the weather is warm, bike rides and hikes are the norm.  Skiing is 30-minutes away at Eldora Mountain Resort and most Boulder hotels offer packages that include lift tickets.  National Geographic Traveler magazine named Boulder one of the Top 10 Winter Towns in January 2011.

While Boulder is known to be one of America's most enthusiastically outdoor-recreation-focused communities, it is also a top dining destination. Named "America's Foodiest Town" in October 2010 by Bon Appetit, Boulder has a thriving, world-class restaurant scene. 

Pearl Street is where some of the award-winning restaurants are and mostly, it is the heart and soul of Boulder.    Pearl Street runs perpendicular to the mountains right through historic downtown Boulder.  Four blocks of the street are closed to traffic and make up the area known as the Pearl Street Mall where street entertainers, flower beds, benches and the best people-watching in the state are found.  Most of the restaurants, shops and galleries are independently owned and green practices are used here - some shops are wind powered and the WiFi is free and solely solar-powered. 

Lodging options range from swanky urban hotels to mountain cabins and everything in between.

Thank you for considering Boulder as a destination.  We appreciate it.

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