Stroll or bike down this paved sanctuary right in the heart of Boulder. You'll find locals getting in a workout and lots of families playing creekside. Pick up the Boulder Creek History Tour brochure at a visitor center to make it come to life even more.
The CU Museum of Natural History insect and fossil collections and CU Art Museum's diverse collection of items encompassing over 10,000 years of human history are hidden gems waiting for your exploration. Both welcome visitors with only a suggested donation.
Boulder has seen an explosion of murals in the last few years, with more than 90 popping up in that timeframe. The latest round of 25 in the Street Wise Boulder series all share a theme of social justice. Check out our mural page and look for the “family-friendly” notation to know which are most accessible for families. Or go on this easy downtown walking tour, which takes you by some fun and memorable sculptures and murals. There are plenty of places to stop for snacks and treats along the way, too.
While BMoCA normally charges just $2 admission, the museum is free every Saturday. Boundary-pushing and genre-bending contemporary art exhibitions await your discovery inside this small but worthwhile museum.
While we concede that Pearl Street has lots of tempting shopping (not exactly free), it’s also a great place for a stroll (absolutely free). There are play areas for kids, blossoming flowerbeds in the warmer months, street performers year-round and plenty of benches to sit and enjoy some of the world’s best people-watching.
The minute you see Boulder’s iconic Flatirons (the slanting, reddish sandstone slabs at the base of the foothills), you’ll want to get a closer look. Hike right up to them using the Chautauqua Trail, which traverses a sprawling plot of open space with dozens of other trails of varying levels of difficulty.
Named the No. 1 farmers’ markets in the nation by USA Today, the Boulder Farmers Market is a must-visit on a Saturday morning or Wednesday evening (Wednesdays 4-8pm, May–October; Saturdays 8am– 2pm, April through November). Bring your camera to capture bright displays of flowers and lusciously ripe produce, nibble on free samples ranging from granola to pasta sauce, listen to live music and simply enjoy the effervescent atmosphere.
Thanks to our mild, often clear-skied weather, there are plenty of spots in Boulder to cozy up and gaze at the stars. Grab a hot chocolate and your blanket and check out our list of top spots to stargaze in Boulder.
Photo credit: Vincent Ledvina
Creativity runs deep in Boulder, and the best place to see the community’s artistic outpourings are in the galleries sprinkled throughout town. All along Pearl Street and the surrounding areas are art galleries featuring the best local talent, as well as artists from around the world. Another fun way to view the work of Boulder artists is to participate in the Open Studios Fall Artist Tour, during which artists open their studios and homes to guests for the first two weekends in October.
Located at the summit of Flagstaff Mountain, Flagstaff Nature Center is typically open 10:30am-4pm Friday-Sunday during summer and fall months (June-September). It's a great place to bring the little ones to explore and learn about wildlife, wildflowers and other plants as well as the history of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks through interactive games and activities. Please note, this is a volunteer-staffed facility and isn't guaranteed to be open, but there are always plenty of hikes to do nearby!
There's always something happening in Boulder, and it's often free and open to the public. Browse our events calendar for the full spread (select "Free Events" to filter by category). In the meantime, here's a selection of free events from every season.
