The Insider’s Guide to Chautauqua

Things to Do  |  History  |  Meaning of the Word  |  Shuttle  |  Insider Tips 

If you’re planning a visit to Boulder, there's a good chance people will say, “Oh, you have to go to Chautauqua!” And you might be thinking, “Sha-what?” 

In Boulder, the term Chautauqua (pronounced shuh-TAW-kwuh) is used to describe a vast area right at the foot of Boulder’s Flatirons mountains. It encompasses the sprawling lawn of Chautauqua Park, the Colorado Chautauqua historic district and the Chautauqua Trailhead, from which 40 miles of hiking trails can be accessed. 

9 Things to Do at Chautauqua

1. Hike!

A vast network of trails leave from the Chautauqua Trailhead and head right up into the Flatirons. The friendly folks at the on-site Ranger Cottage can recommend a hike at your level, plus provide brochures on wildflowers, wildlife and more. There's also a bathroom and water fountain at the cottage.

2. Have a Memorable Meal

Dine on Chautauqua Dining Hall’s beautiful veranda or indoors next to the roaring fireplace. Enjoy this restaurant’s delicious Colorado cuisine, often sourced from the chef’s own farm. 

3. Catch a Live Music Show

The historic Chautauqua Auditorium, built in 1898, hosts folk, rock and pop concerts all summer long. This lofty, wooden structure is acoustically remarkable. It also is the venue for the venerable Colorado Music Festival — several weeks of classical music performances. 

4. Eat Ice Cream 

The General Store (open seasonally) is an adorable, restored cottage that serves espresso, ice cream, locally produced teas, candy, trinkets and sundries.

5. Play or Picnic

In Chautauqua Park, the views are unbeatable and there’s room to run, throw a frisbee and spread out a big blanket or picnic table.

6. Take a Self-Guided History Tour

Use your mobile phone to take an audio tour, which has nine stops and four interpretive panels. Look for the headphones icon on this map to locate the tour stops. To get started, just call 303-952-1600 from your mobile phone and press the corresponding tour stop to start listening. 

7. Take the Kids to a Hike-Concert Combo

On most Monday evenings in the summertime, locally loved musical duo Jeff and Paige host Meadow Music, which starts with a gentle nature hike (leaving from the park at 5:30pm), followed by a lively performance on the green — all designed for kiddos 8 and under.

8. Stay the Night

Book a stay at one of the historic cottages or lodges run by the Colorado Chautauqua Association. You’ll wake up to Flatirons views and hiking right out your door.

9. See a Film or Attend a Talk

The Community House was built in 1918 to serve as the “living room” to Chautauqua residents. Today, the venue hosts intimate concerts, forums, films and educational programs.

Photo: Jonathan B. Auerbach

Colorado Chautauqua's History

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Chautauquas were highly regarded family retreats, focusing on culture, education, music, nature, activities and sometimes religion. In 1898, the Chautauqua movement took root in Boulder when a group of Texans chose the town as a retreat to escape excessively hot Texas summers. Through a collaboration with residents, the Colorado Chautauqua was born, instantly becoming one of the nation’s most beautiful vacation spots

It is the only Chautauqua west of the Mississippi River that has operated continuously since its founding, and it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006. The Colorado Chautauqua was particularly important for the area, because it kicked off Boulder's parks and open space preservation efforts. The day after Chautauqua's grand opening, the city of Boulder purchased the eastern slope of Flagstaff Mountain from the United States Government. Purchasing land for preservation became one of Boulder's top priorities, and still is today. 

In a sense, the story of Boulder itself is inextricably intertwined with the history of Chautauqua. The town's enduring principles on the importance of education, protecting its crown-jewel parcel of land, and broader land preservation efforts remain today and were all spurred by the Colorado Chautauqua.

What Does "Chautauqua" Mean?

“Chautauqua” is believed to be an Iroquois word that described the shape of Chautauqua Lake in New York state. It can mean “a bag tied in the middle” or “two moccasins tied together.” The original gatherings of the Chautauqua Institution happened on this lake, so the group took their name from the setting.

Park-to-Park FREE Shuttle

Headed to the Chautauqua area on the weekend to hike among the Flatirons? Ride the free weekend shuttle, a short, 10-minute-or-so ride to get there stress-free and avoid parking fees. Here's all the information on the Park-to-Park hiker shuttle.

Insider Tips

• Avoid drawing the ire of locals by remembering your Mountain Manners.
• Parking can be very challenging at Chautauqua. June-August, taking the free Park-to-Park bus is your best bet on weekends. At other times, just budget some extra time and be prepared to walk a little farther, or take a ride service like Uber or Lyft. 
• If a Chautauqua Auditorium performance is already sold out, try bringing a blanket and sitting outside the venue on the lawn to catch some sounds on the breeze while you picnic.
• For those visiting here June-October, consider a theater hike with Arts in the Open. Both audience and actors are taken on a scenic hike while scenes from a production are performed along the way.
• There are treasures to be found on trails leaving from Chautauqua Trailhead, including an outdoor living room fashioned from rocks (Woods Quarry Trail), a natural amphitheater (Amphitheater Trail via Bluebell Baird Trail) and a graceful rock arch that frames views of the city below (Royal Arch Trail).