Boulder for Teens

Boredom Busters

Interactive experiences are where Boulder really shines. Play mini golf, drive go karts, hit the batting cages or play arcade games at Gateway Park Fun Center. If it's not vacation without a pool, check out our pools page.

Teens who love climbing can check out Movement Boulder, one of the biggest indoor climbing gyms in the U.S. Right nearby is Rayback Collective, a food truck park where kids can play cornhole while parents relax by the firepit.

Get creative with a modern stained-glass class at Colorado Glassworks, paint pottery at Color Me Mine or jewelry making at Nomad Bead. Head to Boulder Public Library’s BLDG 61 makerspace for 3D printing, screenprinting and more. Or check out Fiske Planetarium on the CU Boulder campus for immersive space shows and fun laser events set to the music of artists like Chappell Roan and Taylor Swift.

Fresh-Air Fixes

Even screenagers have to put down their phones and look up in Boulder because the scenery is so stunning. No Boulder trip is complete without a selfie session in front of the Flatirons, so head to Chautauqua, also a great starting point for hiking, with trails for all levels (and on summer weekends, there’s a convenient shuttle). Another great family hike is Anne U. White, which has shade, a babbling brook and no cell service.

Have bike enthusiasts? For a unique outing, the free Valmont Bike Park has three pump tracks and miles of trails for riders of various levels. Take it up a notch with a Boulder e-bike tour. You'll zoom around town effortlessly and learn about the city's history and fascinating trivia along the way. Mountain biking trails abound, too, as do places to rent bikes and gear. For skateboarders, the Scott Carpenter skate park is *chef’s kiss*, with Flatirons views.

If you're looking for a whole-family adventure, go on a hike-and-paint tour with a local artist through Abstract Adventures’ half-day tours. There’s also the Boulder Farmers Market on Saturdays, with local snacks, art and live music. 

Shop the Vibes

Teens tend to love exploring Pearl Street, Boulder’s famous pedestrian shopping district. It’s home to both big-name brands like Urban Outfitters and Athleta alongside mostly local boutiques and shops. Browse the irresistible bins of toys, puzzles and gadgets (for all ages) at Into the Wind, browse racks packed with fresh trends at Savvy, find a favorite artist’s poster at PosterScene, or browse the vinyl at Paradise Found Records. The street performers make the whole shopping scene extra entertaining.

Another hot spot is the Twenty Ninth Street shopping center, which has incredible views of the Flatirons and a mix of popular brands like Sephora, Nike and Apple, mixed in with trendy fashion retailers such as Madewell, Anthropologie and Nordstrom Rack. Extras like live music in the summer and a Cinemark theater for post-shopping entertainment seal the deal.

Have a teen who likes thrifting? Score some major cred by pointing them to our Thrift Stores page, where every thrift store in town is listed. 

Keep 'Em Fed

Time to eat? Start with The Sink, a funky, graffiti-covered pizza joint on The Hill (where students hang out across from the University of Colorado Boulder) that’s been serving locals and celebs for decades. Bartaco on Pearl Street is another fun place, with great music, décor (they use woven baskets as lighting pendants) and, of course, tacos!

For growing teens with big appetites, try Pasta Jay’s for piles of delicious pasta, Pasta Press for made-fresh-right-before-your-eyes noodles and sauces, or Snarf’s for sizable subs.

Teens into global flavors will like Sherpa’s for Tibetan cuisine or Hapa Sushi Grill and Sake Bar, where you can peer over the counter to watch the sushi chefs at work. Boulder also has loads of casual spots with great vegetarian and vegan options, like Zeal, Leaf or Flower Child. Want something to spark convos over dinner? These restaurants were featured on TV shows.

Sweet Rewards

If your crew is craving something sweet, stop by Gelato Boy on Pearl for ultra-creamy scoops in rotating seasonal flavors—think roasted banana or honey lavender. Boulder Baked is another teen fave, serving warm, gooey cookies and brownies until midnight. For a memorable stop, try Peace, Love & Chocolate, a fairytale-like shop filled with artisanal truffles and sipping chocolates.