CU Parents’ Guide to Boulder

Where to Shop for Supplies

Need a hot plate, a broom or some extra hand sanitizer for your student’s dorm room or apartment? Here’s where to go.

• Target (Pearl St. and 28th St.) is the go-to big-box store for move-in supplies. 
• Bed Bath & Beyond (28th and Canyon) is another staple stop for bedding or decor.
• HomeGoods is close to campus (28th and Arapahoe) and has discount kitchenware, office decor, bedding and decor. 
• Trader Joe’s (28th and Walnut) is a favorite grocery store (their cookie butter is proven to help students study better ;) and is very near both Target and Bed Bath & Beyond. Or the closest grocery store to campus is Safeway (Arapahoe Ave. and 28th St.).
• Twenty Ninth Street shopping mall is great for the Apple Store, Nordstrom Rack and plenty of other clothing and home goods shops. 
• University Cycles will take good care of you if you need to pick up a bike for your student.

Things for CU Families to Do

See the Famous Flatirons

Those slanting ochre sandstone formations you see all over CU’s marketing materials are Boulder’s pride and joy. An up-close look at the Flatirons for yourself is a must. Head to Chautauqua Trailhead, where you can take some pictures and go for a hike on an extensive trail network if you like. (On summer weekends, you can ride the free Park-to-Park Shuttle from the CU Regent Lot or downtown to avoid parking hassles.)

Stroll Pearl Street

If the Flatirons are Boulder’s pride and joy, Pearl Street is its heart and soul. With four, brick-paved blocks closed to traffic, this open-air promenade has the energy of a European plaza, lined with dining and shopping, great for people-watching and catching street performances.

Go for a Hike or Nature Walk

Put your feet to a trail for some nature therapy and adventure. Two gentle but spectacularly scenic trails are available at Wonderland Lake or Bobolink Trailhead. If you would like more of a workout, head to Realization Point (be prepared for a short but steep and winding drive up Flagstaff Road) and try Range View or Boy Scout trails. 

Museum of Boulder

If your student’s going to be here for a few years, wouldn’t it be nice to know more about the city they’ll call home? The Museum of Boulder tells Boulder’s story with the most fascinating multimedia exhibits. The museum has spacious galleries that are now open and observing additional safety guidelines.

Taste Tea at the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

How a hand-carved, hand-painted and hand-assembled Persian teahouse ended up in Boulder is quite the story (read it here). You can visit Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse and enjoy a cup of tea — one of dozens of varieties they serve, sourced with care from across the globe. A nice, big, shady patio beside Central Park makes it doable and delightful, even in COVID times.

Public Art Walking Tour

This easy, scenic walking tour will take you on a leisurely stroll down Pearl Street, along Boulder Creek, and back to Pearl in a pleasant loop that should take about an hour, depending on how long you stop to admire the artwork. Boulder’s collection of murals is also constantly expanding, no surprise in America's eighth most vibrant arts community.

Go for a Scenic Drive

A nice mountain drive will give you the broader lay of the land and give you time to chat as a family. We’ve compiled several easy scenic drives here, just be aware there is construction happening on Hwy. 119. Our recommendation would be to do the Estes and Rocky Mountain National Park Scenic Drive. If you are going to drive into Rocky Mountain National Park, be sure to reserve a two-hour timed-entry spot in advance, a step required due to COVID-19. The cost of entry is $27.

Try an Electric Bike Tour

Pedego Bikes in Boulder is open and providing tours to small groups. If you’ve never tried an e-bike, you’re in for a treat. You'll feel like a superhero zooming up hills with the greatest of ease. Their Best of Boulder E-Bike Tour takes you through historic downtown, along the Boulder Creek Path and up to the foot of the Flatirons.   

Where to Eat

Need a great place to treat your student while you’re in town, or a nice place to dine while they are occupied? Try one of these. 

• Café Aion Right next to campus, this is exceptionally good Mediterranean fare in a chic, peaceful space.
• Corrida The view here is unsurpassed, and so is the Spanish-influenced cuisine.
• The Kitchen Boulder’s original farm-to-table phenom.
• River and Woods A pretty courtyard and complexly re-fashioned family favorites.
• Blackbelly A favorite spot in town for meat-focused dishes by a “Top Chef” champion.
• The Sink Robert Redford was once a janitor here. Every inch of the walls are covered in customer artwork, and you’re welcome to add your own.
• Mateo Great downtown location with a flower-bordered patio and delicious French Provencal food.
• Organic Sandwich Great for a quick, to-go bite downtown, but exceptionally delicious.
• Salt Simply delicious, locally sourced New American fare with a flower-lined patio.
• The Boulder Cork A reliable favorite with clubby-feeling, private spaces to chat with your student.

Where to Shop

• Pearl Street and Twenty Ninth Street are Boulder's main shopping districts.
• The Boulder Book Store, Innisfree Poetry Bookstore & Café and Trident Booksellers and Café will keep you browsing the shelves for hours.
• Barbara & Co, Cedar & Hyde Mercantile, Island Farm and Evereve are some of the top women’s shops that moms tend to love.   
• For outdoor gear, the sky’s the limit. There’s one on nearly every corner. Some local faves: Go Far, Neptune Mountaineering, Prana and Topo Designs. Here’s a guide.

Lay of the Land

Boulder is compact and easy to get around, and downtown Boulder is especially walkable. The area next to the University of Colorado is called “The Hill”; you’ll find quick-bite eateries, coffee shops, yoga studios and more here, catering to students. The city is surrounded by 45,000 acres of open space, with forest and foothills always minutes from your hotel door. More Neighborhood Info

More Info on Top Attractions

Get the inside scoop on our Boulder's attractions.

• Guide to the Flatirons
• Guide to Pearl Street
• Guide to the Farmers Market
• Guide to Boulder Creek Path
• Guide to Chautauqua
• Guide to the Teahouse
• Guide to the Boulder Reservoir