Outdoor Art Experiences in Boulder

For Boulderites, the line between nature and art beautifully blurs. The striking 300-million-year-old Flatirons have long been a muse for artists near and far, and many local creatives find inspiration in Boulder's rivers, prairies, wildlife and weather. It’s not uncommon to see a painter set up trailside, attempting to capture the light on the land. Here are some experiences for visitors who want to explore the very-Boulder intersection of art and the outdoors.

Hike, Paint, and Then Hike Some More

Discover your inner artist (or, if that's too tall an order, at least get out of your comfort zone) trailside with a guided hiking and painting experience led by professional artists from Abstract Adventures. Not only will these local creatives take you on the most scenic, artistically inspiring trails, you will also learn the basics of painting and return with a unique canvas piece that will forever remind you of your trip to Boulder. See what it's like.

Watch a Literary Classic Performed Live in the Forest

This is not your average theater outing! During Arts in the Open, you’ll follow actors through the magical ponderosa pine forests above Chautauqua Park as a play unfolds right in front of you on the trail. The moderately paced hike/play typically lasts about two hours and takes place during the summer and fall, and there's nothing else quite like it.

Build a Bouquet Fresh From the Field

Experience the wild at your fingertips with a flower workshop at Boulder Flower Farm. June through October, the farm hosts flower-arranging classes in their idyllic farmhouse using freshly cut stems from their colorful fields that are teeming with zinnias, sunflowers, phlox, snapdragons and more. Learn the essentials to building a compositionally sound and visually appealing bouquet and bring your living creation home (dried bouquets make for stunning wall hangings!).

An Outdoor Gallery: Boulder’s Public Art

Let Boulder’s buildings and alleyways be the canvases you peruse, perhaps with a coffee in hand. With hundreds of vibrant murals and dozens of outdoor sculptures and public art pieces, you can soak up some of that infamous Colorado sun, take in epic Flatirons views and get a dose of our artistic and cultural richness — all without leaving downtown. Read our Public Art Walking Tour page or Guide to Boulder’s Murals to learn where to go and what to see.

Create Mindfully In and With Nature

Designed for folks who want to explore their creativity in an intentional and nature-focused way, Art in the Wild workshops will let you sample a variety of mediums and techniques while being grounded by guided visualizations and reflection exercises. Their workshops range from foraging for natural pigments, to collaging with flower cuttings, to creative journaling under a canopy of trees.

See Shakespeare Under the Stars

Imagine watching an actor recite “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet...” under a starry mountain sky on a crisp summer evening. The Colorado Shakespeare Festival takes place in the open-air Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre, a beloved Boulder tradition and enchanting way to experience the magic of Shakespeare and the stunning scenery Boulder is known for. The festival typically runs from June to early August each year.

[Insert Your Artistic Adventure Here]

Feeling inspired by these unique combinations of art and the outdoors? Don't let us hold you back! We encourage you to freestyle and let your imagination plan a day of art and nature in Boulder. A few ideas to get you going: get your art supplies from Guiry's (their art section is in the back of the shop); pick up a beautifully bound journal or writing utensil from Two Hands Paperie; grab provisions from Lucky's or Lolita's; or find a book of local poetry for inspiration from Trident Booksellers & Cafe. Get out on the trail, and don't forget to Leave No Trace. Check out these easy hikes to get you started.