Budget Boulder

Description:

Author: Jess

Day 1 - Boulder

If you’re on a budget, the University Inn is going to be your best option. It has some of the least expensive rooms in Boulder and has a prime location, located within walking distance of both the CU Campus and the Pearl Street Mall. If you’re looking for something a bit cozier, try the Greenwood Bed & Breakfast. It’s a bit outside of Central Boulder, but it offers excellent views of the mountains. If you’re lucky enough to be in Boulder on a Saturday in the summer, your first stop must be the Boulder Farmer’s Market. Here you can sample snap peas, cheeses, and kombucha to your heart’s delight, and grab a cheap breakfast burrito or some pastries from the Market’s food court area (and stop by Jamaica Joe’s little trailer for a hot or cold cup o’ Joe). Pick out some ingredients for a picnic while you’re wandering through the market and then stop in the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art—or BMOCA, as the locals call it—which is free during the Farmer’s Market (get there at 11 a.m. if you want a guided tour). Next, drive over to Chautauqua Park and join the many Boulderites who will be undoubtedly spending their Saturday afternoon picnicking here at the base of the Flatirons. Either spend your time lazily people (and dog) watching, or, if you’re feeling more energetic, follow a trail from Chautauqua Park up into the mountains to get an aerial view of the town. After an adventurous day in the mountains, try Sherpa’s Adventurers for dinner. The portions are reasonably-priced and are big enough that you’ll likely have some left over for a snack the next day, especially if you order some of their delicious naan. After dinner, head to the Boulder Outdoor Cinema, located in one of the parking lots that you just earlier saw filled with people headed to the Farmer’s Market. Bring a folding chair or a blanket and a pillow and stake out a spot for the movie as you watch the sunset. If you’re still up for more fun after the movie, head over to Sushi Zanmai just off the Pearl Street Mall for some sake and some Saturday night karaoke, always popular with the college kids.


1

Best Western Golden Buff Lodge

Location:

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1725 28th Street
Boulder, CO 80301

Phone:

+1 303 442 7450


2

University Inn

Location:

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1632 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

+1 303 417 1700


3

Greenwood Bed and Breakfast

Location:

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1540 Patton Drive
Boulder, CO 80301

Phone:

+1 303 442 2122


4

Boulder Farmers' Market

Location:

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13th Street
Between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

+1 303 910 2236


5

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art

Location:

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1750 13th St
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

+1 303 443 2122


6

Chautauqua Park

Location:

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Ninth Street & Baseline Road
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

303 442 3282


7

Flagstaff Mountain

Location:

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Flagstaff Mountain Road
Flagstaff Mountain Road
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

+1 303 441 3408


8

Sherpa's Adventurers

Location:

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825 Walnut St.
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

303 440 7151


9

Boulder Outdoor Cinema

Location:

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1750 13th Street
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

303 447 9308


10

Sushi Zanmai

Location:

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1221 Spruce St.
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

303-440-0733 

Day 2 - Boulder

On Sunday morning, head to Pearl Street and get one of Illegal Pete’s huge breakfast burritos (before 10:30 a.m.). Then, spend the rest of your morning window-shopping and soaking in the sights and sounds of the Pearl Street Mall. The best street performers will be out by the Court House on 13th and Pearl, so be sure to swing back through there a couple of times to catch the various shows. For lunch, try heading a few blocks east of the walking part of the Mall to Snarfs, a local sub shop with outdoor seating. After lunch, head to the Boulder Creek Winery and enjoy their free wine samples. The Mountain Sun is a local favorite for dinner, serving up reasonably-priced tasty pub fare with plenty of vegetarian options and delicious beers brewed on-site. On Sunday nights, they have free music, so get there for a late dinner and play some of their board games while you sample their brews and hold onto your spot for the show.


1

Illegal Pete's

Location:

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1320 College Avenue
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

+1 303 444 3055


2

Pearl Street Mall

Location:

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Pearl Street
Pearl St. from 11th to 15th sts
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

+1 303 442 1044


3

Snarfs

Location:

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2049 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

303 444 7766


4

Boulder Creek Winery

Location:

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6440 Odell Place
Boulder, CO 80301

Phone:

303 516 9031


5

Mountain Sun

Location:

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1535 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

(303) 546-0886

Day 3 - Boulder

After a night out at the Mountain Sun, there’s no better hangover breakfast than Dot’s Diner, which serves up well-priced meals and big portions. Next, head out to Celestial Seasonings to try their free tea samples and to catch one of their free tours. Grab a snack at the Celestial Seasonings Café before you head around the corner to The Leanin’ Tree Museum of Western Art, where admission is free to both the museum and the sculpture garden. If you don’t mind hanging out with the college crowd, go on up to the University Hill to the Sink for their Wind Power Happy Hour, which features $2 drafts from the delicious microbrewery, New Belgium. For dinner, wander a few blocks down the Hill toward Pearl Street and stop in Khow Thai Café, a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that serves authentic Thai food at reasonable prices.


1

Dot's Diner

Location:

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2716 28th Street
Boulder, CO 80301

Phone:

+1 303 449 1323


2

Celestial Seasonings Tour

Location:

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4600 Sleepytime Drive
Boulder, CO 80301

Phone:

303-581-1202


3

Leanin' Tree Museum of Western Art (The)

Location:

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6055 Longbow Dr
Exit Jay Rd. and Longmont Diagonal
Boulder, CO 80301

Phone:

+1 303 530 1442


4

Sink Restaurant and Bar (The)

Location:

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1165 13th Street
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

303 444 7465


5

Khow Thai Café

Location:

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1600 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

303 447 0273

Day 4 - Boulder

Start off your morning at Lucile’s, a charming restaurant just off Pearl Street with huge breakfasts. (If you go on the weekend, be prepared for a long wait, but a Tuesday should get you sat right away.) While they don’t mention it on their menu, it is possible to order a half portion of their breakfasts, which should be enough food considering the size of the biscuit that comes with the meals. After breakfast, take a walk along the Boulder Creek Path to Eben G. Fine park at 1st (between Arapahoe Ave. and Canyon Dr.), one of the jewels of the Boulder Parks that includes picnic shelters, restrooms, bike paths, lots of shade, a jungle gym, and direct access to the Boulder Creek. If it’s warm, Eben G. Fine Park is a great place to float down the Boulder Creek, although the cascades do make it more adventurous than some would like. (The Conoco gas station at Broadway and Arapahoe sells high-quality tubes for $12/ea. Although there are places that rent tubes on Canyon Dr., if you’re planning on going down the river more than once, it may be more economical to simply buy your tubes.) From Eben G. Fine Park, drive west up Canyon Dr. and enjoy the lovely scenery. Stop at Boulder Falls, which will be on your left, and see the cold water of North Boulder Creek plummet 70 feet into Middle Boulder Creek. On the way back down, stop and park in any of the parking lots and have a wander around. The trails are well-marked and you will undoubtedly be joined on them by many active Boulderites, even on a weekday. For dinner, go to the west end of Pearl Street to Juanitas, a local’s favorite with overflowing portions and complimentary chips and salsa. Tuesday night is Trivia Night in Boulder—put on by Geeks Who Drink—and, believe it or not, you have two choices of where to go for this. Catacombs Bar, beneath the historic Hotel Boulderado, is one of CU students’ favorite dive bars. Happy Hour is from 4:30-9 p.m. featuring $1 wells and $2 you-call-it. Your second option is Harpo’s Sports Grill, a local hangout with Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. and the trivia quiz starting just after at 7 p.m. Whichever you choose, you’re sure to have a blast drinking and engaging in a friendly competition against other geeks who drink.


1

Lucile's

Location:

view in google maps
2124 14th Street
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

+1 303 442 4743


2

Boulder Creek Path

Location:

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Parallels Arapahoe Avenue
55th St. and Pearl Pkwy., to the mouth of Boulder Canyon
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

+1 303 441 3200


3

Boulder Falls

Location:

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Canyon Blvd
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

+1 303 441 3388


4

Juanita's Mexican Food

Location:

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1043 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

303 449 5273


5

Catacombs Bar

Location:

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2115 13th Street
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

303 443 0486


6

Harpo's Sports Grill

Location:

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2860 Arapahoe Avenue
Boulder, CO 80303

Phone:

303 444 9464

Day 5 - Boulder

To recover from your evening of cheap, delicious Mexican food and cheap, delicious brews, why not start off with a healthy breakfast at the Walnut Café, followed by a hike? The South Side Walnut Café is a local favorite, serving up dishes with healthy options such as soy cheddar cheese, tofu scrambles (instead of eggs), and granola pancakes. After breakfast, stay in South Boulder and hike around the National Center for Atmospheric Research (or N-CAR, as the locals call it). Stop inside and pick up a brochure that will allow you to guide yourself around the complex. The scenic nature trails surrounding NCAR contain learning stations that explain weather patterns, and if you’re interested in taking a tour, be sure to get there by noon. (Note: tours run only on Mondays and Wednesdays.) Head back to Central Boulder and get some tea and a light snack and the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, a unique part of Boulder that is not to be missed. Then, spend some time relaxing across the street in Central Park until the Farmer’s Market begins at 4 p.m. Wander back through the market again if you’d like—it is much calmer on Wednesday evenings than on Saturday mornings—and then head to Pearl Street to the Boulder Café for Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. (until 7 p.m. in the bar). Nearly all drinks are half-price, and there is a substantial list of half-priced appetizers, including fondues and the raw seafood bar. Stick around Pearl Street and enjoy the free live music that takes place on Wednesday evenings during the summer from 7-9 p.m. in front of the Boulder County Court House (on the 1300 block of Pearl Street). If you’re hungry again after the concert, stop by Pizza Coloré just behind you for a slice.


1

Walnut Café

Location:

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3073 Walnut St.
Boulder, CO 80301

Phone:

303-447-2315


2

National Center for Atmospheric Research

Location:

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1850 Table Mesa Dr
Boulder, CO 80307

Phone:

+1 303 497 1371


3

Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse (The)

Location:

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1770 13th St.
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

303 442 4993


4

Central Park

Location:

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Broadway Boulevard and Canyon Boulevard
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

+1 303 413 7200


5

Boulder Café

Location:

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1247 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

+1 303 444 4884


6

Bands on the Bricks

Location:

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Pearl Street Mall
Boulder, CO 80302

Day 6 - Boulder

Start off your day with breakfast at Foolish Craig’s Café, an eclectic place in Downtown Boulder serving up delicious breakfast burritos and crepes stuffed with yogurt and fresh fruit. Next, head south on Broadway and take the scenic drive toward Red Rocks Amphitheater, easily one of the most breathtaking outdoor concert venues in the country. (If a band that you like is playing while you’re in town, tickets won’t be cheap, but it may well be worth the money to experience music in this unique amphitheater.) Tours cost $6 for adults and $3 for children/seniors; call the visitors center to verify tour times. Entrance to the park is free, and the Trading Post Loop hiking trail is 1.4 miles and goes through spectacular rock formations, valleys, and a natural meadow. The Ship Rock Grille, located on premises and open from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., serves up entrées ranging from $8-14. So, while this may not be the cheapest option, it is certainly the most convenient if you get hungry while you’re there. Drive back into Boulder and head straight for the Redstone Meadery, a local brewer of honey wine. Their tasting room is free and is open from 12-6:30 p.m. during the week, so stop by anytime for a taste. If you want to catch one of their free tours, arrive at either 1 or 3 p.m. Next, head to The Mediterranean, or “The Med”, for their infamous Happy Hour (3-6:30 p.m.). Choose from their list of delicious tapas, all half-price, or get a $3.50 pizza Margherita. While you’re down there, window-shop along the west side of Pearl Street—but be careful, the west side is notorious for its high-end shops and restaurants! After dinner, try out Blues & Greens for some evening entertainment. Check out what bands are playing while you’re in town, as they have music nearly every night of the week (most nights are free, but occasionally they get bigger names in on Fridays and there is a cover charge—see their online music calendar for details).


1

Foolish Craig's Café

Location:

view in google maps
1611 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80202

Phone:

303 247 9383


3

Redstone Meadery

Location:

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4700 Pearl St., Unit 2A
Located 1 block northeast of the Pearl St. exit off Foothills Pkwy
Boulder, CO 80301

Phone:

720-406-1215


4

Mediterranean (The)

Location:

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1002 Walnut Street, Suite 101B
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

303 444 5335


5

Blues & Greens

Location:

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800 28th St.
Boulder, CO 80303

Phone:

303.443.3322

Day 7 - Boulder

Start off your last day in Boulder with a Boulder standard: Turley’s. Turley’s serves up local, organic foods, natural meats, and Nest Fresh eggs that all make for a delicious Boulder breakfast (grab a seat on the patio if it’s nice out, which it almost always is!). Next, grab your swimsuits and drive out to the Boulder Reservoir, where you can go swimming and lounge on the beach. Admission is $6 for adults, with additional costs for renting row boats, canoes, kayaks, and windsurfing boats. Bring along a picnic for lunch if you’d like, or just grab some snacks from the snack bar while you’re there and then head to V.G. Burger’s for lunch. A vegan “food fast” restaurant with delicious eats that even an omnivore will enjoy, V.G.’s serves up tasty burgers, dogs, fries, and chili. (Their fries are baked, not fried, so eat as many as you want! And be sure to try their hemp ice cream shakes—they’re a meal in and of themselves.) After you’ve digested, head to the west end of Pearl Street to University Cycles (at 8th and Pearl) to rent bikes for the rest of the day ($15 for 4 hours). Bike west along the famous Boulder Creek Path through beautiful Boulder Canyon, or head east and stop at the Millennium Harvest House (right past the tennis courts) for a drink, and a view of the fish at the underwater observatory under the bridge. For dinner, head back to Foolish Craig’s, which, in addition to having delicious breakfasts, also has a tasty dinner menu. Happy Hour is from 3-5 p.m. on weekdays, and the warm brie with the house pear-apple marmalade is a must-try. Or, if you’d prefer something a little more exotic, head just south of the CU Campus to the Taj, an Indian restaurant with a stunning view of the Flatirons serving up tasty food at reasonable prices. For your last night in Boulder, catch a show at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. (If you’re lucky enough to be in town during any of their preview shows, your tickets will be 50% off—check the online calendar for show dates). While this may be one of your pricier nights in Boulder, if you can afford it, the quality entertainment and the unique atmosphere are well worth the price.


1

Turley's

Location:

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2805 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80301

Phone:

+1 303 442 2800


2

Boulder Reservoir

Location:

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5100 North 51st Street
Boulder, CO 80301

Phone:

+1 303 441 3456 / +1 303 441 3468


3

V.G. Burgers

Location:

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1650 Broadway St.
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

+1 303 440 2400


5

Underwater Fish Observatory

Location:

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1345 28th Street
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

+1 303 413 7200


7

Taj Restaurant

Location:

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2630 Baseline Road
Boulder, CO 80305

Phone:

+1 303 494 5216


8

Colorado Shakespeare Festival

Location:

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277, University of Colorado in Boulder
Boulder, CO 80309-0277

Phone:

303 492 0554

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