Boulder Things to Do

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I loved going on a brief hike in Chautauqua. Be warned, if you are not used to the elevation you will run out of air quick, so be sure to bring water and a sweater/jacket because it is cool. It's nice to bring a lunch so that you can relax on one of the trails and continue going. I've gone on two trails, one leading up to a high elevation where there is minimal bouldering at the top where you can sit down and overlook the entirety of Boulder (very beautiful especially in Autumn!) Or, the longer hike which is great in Spring with the budding flowers (be warned if you have allergies, you may want to take the other trail).

The hike does not take too long and you will notice a lot of runners taking the trail as a daily regimen. Despite the popularity, you are often left by yourself or with your group to enjoy the trail and laugh along. The air is fresh, and you feel very much in-tune with nature. I recommend all the trails. If you look at the website I have provided it shows various hiking trails available around Boulder.

If you are feeling hot in Boulder then drive to Rocky Mountain National Park and have a snowball fight. This will cool you down. The temperature drops 3.5 degrees for every 1,000 feet you travel up or 600 miles you drive north. When youdrive up Rocky Mountain National Park it is the equivelent of driving to the Arctic Circle in a couple of hours.

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Tour the Celestial Seasonings factory and find out about this company that is as much a Boulder Icon as the Flatirons.

At one time Celestial Seasonings was the foremost sponsor of Cycling in the USA. This teapot is a reminder of that. Theyalso sponsored a Mini-Classic for young cyclists too.

The heart of Boulder is the Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a multiblock section of Pearl Street in downtown Boulder that is closed to vehicular traffic. This section of Pearl Street is full of interesting shops and fun bars and restaurants. It is also a good place for people watching, with its eclectic mix of yuppie suburbanites, college kids, and granola/hippie folks.

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Chautauqua Park is an active center of music, art, and drama. Originating in Chatauqua, New York. Throughout the summer, there are special programs in the arts. The day we visited, there was on-going practice for a theater production for the next month and a gathering of college age people. They rent homes for short and long term use in the park. Unlike many Chautauqua's, this one is unfenced and open so you can easily walk the grounds and see the homes and meeting spaces.

The Chautauqua Institution was opened in 1874, founded by inventor Lewis Miller and John Heyl Vincent. It was one of the first non-profit arts communities in the country. The charming 19th century institution has attracted a variety of diverse resident artists and lecturers, including George Gershwin, Lucille Ball, and Horace Greeley. All presidents from U.S. Grant to Bill Clinton have given speeches at the Institution.
See: About.com: Cleveland, Ohio

Other Chautauqua 's
Remington, Indiana
Chatauqua Institute, New York

Hiking and sun. Boulder is located on the edge of the Front Range and a series of 'hogback' ridges form the western edge of the city. This creates great opportunities for hiking, riding, and getting out doors. On the day we were there, it was in the upper 90's F (low 30's c). No shade was visible, but the paths were busy. We decided to walk around the Chataqua Park (next tip) and enjoy the shade and being outdoors.

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Four blocks of public walks, with a few cross streets. Shady and cool on a hot day. The streets are lined with small shops of all sorts. Restaurants abound and depending on the day of the week, there may be a farmers market stretched the length of the mall, or a art fair, or handcrafters. An hour or a day, you can find things to do and places to relax and enjoy the people around.

The buildings that line this stretch of town range in age from the late 19th Century to the early 20th Century. Besure to notice the Architectural beauties along this street

The Hill is Boulder's version of the district found in pretty much all college towns with all the bars, shops, eateries, book stores, copy shops, and other places that spring up on the edge of college campuses. It's OK, but it pales in comparison to Aggieville in Manhattan, Kansas. The thing that really bothered me about it is that it sits right next to a very busy and loud street, which pretty much kills the atmosphere. Still, I've have a good time going out there at night, so it's not all bad. If you're looking for a more pleasant experience, try Pearl Street instead.