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One-Day Tour of Boulder

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You already know about the mountains, the ridiculously fit citizens and the alternative lifestyles that Boulder is famous for-- but at the heart of the people's Republic is a wealth of great restaurants, beautiful parks and places to see in the downtown area.

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Author: James Dziezynski

Day 1 - Boulder

If you only have one day in Boulder, it's worth your while to sample what the city offers both culturally and naturally. Whether you are escaping Denver or just want to see what all the fuss is about, this itinerary is a good intro to Boulder. Start off your day with a good breakfast--Dot's Diner is classic diner food that is filling and easy on the wallet. If you'd like something a bit more exotic, try Lucile's where a mix of American and Caribbean food makes for some tasty meals, served in the atmosphere of an old-style Victorian house. Be warned, there can be a bit of a wait on weekends so try to get there early. The rest of your morning is encouraged to enjoy some of Boulder's natural beauty. A thrilling drive up Flagstaff Road offers spectacular views of the city and the mountains to the west and has several pull outs to stop and take pictures, including a parking lot with some short hiking trails at the summit of Flagstaff. At the base of Flagstaff's curvy road is the fabled Chautauqua Park, where open fields blend into dozens of hiking trails that line the base of the Flatiron rock formations. Most days you'll be able to see rock climbers scaling the inclined rocks and there are hiking trails to the summits of the peaks that rise above them. Another great option for those who want to hike instead of drive is to visit Mount Sanitas, a modest little dog-friendly mountain whose parking area is found off of Mapleton Drive on the west side of town. Fit hikers will be able to summit the peak in less than an hour and enjoy great views from the top. A loop trail comes down into a flatter valley trail for those who don't want to gain the 1,500 ft. plus of elevation to the summit. After getting some fresh air, head downtown to the Pearl Street Mall, where you can easily spend a leisurely afternoon perusing the assortment of shops, restaurants and exhibition galleries. The Boulder Contemporary Art Museum is just off of Pearl St. and showcases a lot of great art in a small building. You can also head up the paved path along Boulder Creek to Settlers' Park and take in the fresh air while people watching (or taking a quick dip in the creek). Trattoria's on Pearl St. is a fantastic dining option if you're a fan of exquisite Italian food. If pub fare is more of your thing, you can't go wrong with the Hungry Toad, just down the road from the Pearl St. Mall. For nightlife, Pearl Street has several happenin' bars and establishments as well as the Boulder Theater, which features a variety of musical acts, movies and shows. The Catacombs offers live music and a good bar scene with room to breathe. If live theater is your taste, the Boulder Live Dinner Theater has fantastic performances with good meals to boot. No matter how you balance nature and culture, Boulder is a place you'll want to visit again and again--this primer only touches the tip of the iceberg of what's going on in one of America's premier outdoors cities.

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Location:

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1430 Pearl St
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

+1 303 544-0008

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Location:

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2115 13th Street
Boulder, CO 80302

Phone:

303 443 0486

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