Heading out to Boulder in Colorado? Splendid choice. Boulder is like the Colorado version of San Francisco – home to green gurus, an innovating tech scene and outdoor climbing heroes. This little student hub also oozes a funky and artistic vibe and with the mountains in its backyard, Boulder is worth a visit no matter the season.
I didn’t find it difficult picturing myself living out here either. After exploring Colorado for three weeks I think this was my favourite small town in the state. So go for it! And if you only have one day; here’s where to find quintessential Boulder!
9 am – Teatime at Celestial
Although mornings are for coffees – well… at least they are in my case – a visit to Celestial Seasonings is thé way to start your day in Boulder. Located at the Sleepytime Drive – named after it’s best-selling tea – this factory just represents what Boulder is all about – organic stuff, mixed with a hint of liberalism and all of it sold with a creative swung.
I loved the visit to this factory. The tours you can take every half an hour are super fun, for free and not too long (30 minutes, if I remember correctly). You’ll learn about the entire process of how a tea bag is created, can have a look inside the factory and see the famous teabag drawings in the gallery.
The best of all is the Peppermint Room for sure. Once you step inside, it really feels like this scent is refreshing you inside out. This green stuff gets you on a different kind of high. No wonder they need to keep this stuff apart from the other leaves and herbs.
Of course the tour lands you off at the shop, which sells teas at a better prices than the stores do in general. No matter the age – I think this visit is fun to everyone!
11 am – Boulder Farmers Market (Saturdays only)
Ahh who doesn’t love a little Saturday morning market. Do as the locals do and head out in the morning to stack up upon fresh, local goodies. Boulder’s market is located in the central park of the town and has a bit for everyone. Depending on the season, you’ll find fresh fruits in here along with snacks, bread and handcrafted jewellery. Don’t visit this market in the afternoon – as most of the stands will be gone after 2 pm.
12 pm – The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Once you’re done shopping, strike down at the nearby Dushanbe Teahouse. “What?! More tea?!” you might think. No worries, you can order anything up here. Plus, this is a place you mainly want to visit for the experience.
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind place in Boulder – this is it. The Dushanbe Teahouse will transport you to Central Asia, if only for a little while. Dushanbe is a twin sister of Boulder and though I’m always wondering what that exactly means, they really gave substance to the concept in Boulder.
The looks of the place are just magnificent – both inside and out. You’ll find tiles made in Tajikistan, gorgeous carved columns, painted beams and a lovely little pond.
Make sure you make prior reservations if you want to attend the traditional Afternoon Tea.
2 pm – Pearl Street
Being a four block no-traffic shopping promenade, Pearl Street is the heart of Boulder for sure. Don’t expect big chain stores though – this road is being preserved for the die-hard boutique shoppers.
You” find an eclectic mix in here with lots of home-made ice cream shops, benches for people watching, stores for outdoor gear, gorgeous flower banks, a shop with fossils from the rockies, lots of street performers, a shop with Peruvian alpaca sweaters and Colorado souvenir shops.
Just walk around and soak up the vibe as entertainment is all around at Pearl Street.
Not sure what this fellow was doing↓ … but I liked it.
5 pm – Chautauqua Park
It took me a bit to write this name correctly down in one flow. I don’t know where the complicated name is derived from, but I do know that Chautauqua Park is a favourite among the locals. And I can understand why. The view on the city is quite awesome from up here. You can clearly see how green Boulder is. The houses just disappear under the trees.
A couple of trails in the park lead you along this iconic peak and the meadows beneath it. Great if you want to leave it all behind you for a bit. As wilderness is all around Boulder, we even saw a black fox in here! Quite cool.
7 pm – Rayback Collective
Getting hungry? Although slightly out of town, visiting Rayback Collective is a neat way of ending your day in Boulder.
A couple of food trucks are lined up outside and serve you all kinds of comfort food. To top that off, order a decent pint of beer inside. Dogs are allowed too, and they will entertain you for sure during the night!
Whatever your trip will look like, I hope these tips will help you out – enjoy Boulder!
Here’s where to find Boulder’s best!
