We're so excited to host you for a long weekend in Boulder, Colorado. From the beginning, we’ve been planning this weekend to make it easy for you, our guests, to come in and enjoy your time in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. If you haven’t yet, please check out the travel and accommodations page to learn more.
This page is for planning activities outside of those listed on the Events page (oh, and you should check that one out too!). Below, you’ll find some quick hitters of our favorite spots in Boulder that we think you should check out.
Coffee
- Boxcar Coffee Roasters: A must-visit coffee shop with an awesome wine and cheese shop inside. Don’t miss the grab-and-go sandwiches—they’re amazing!
- Rapha Clubhouse Boulder: If Boxcar is too busy, head next door. It’s a cozy spot with plenty of seating, excellent coffee, and bike races always playing on TV.
- Alpine Modern Café: A little outside of downtown, but absolutely worth it for the a great breakfast and bolder in the heart of a lovely neighborhood in Boulder. Enjoy sitting under the trees with stunning mountain views.
- Dry Storage: Our new favorite coffee shop - they have amazing baked goods and other food options, many of which are Japanese-inspired. Located off the Boulder Creek Path, it’s a perfect stop if your adventure that day was a bike ride. They also serve beans roasted by Devoción Coffee, an old favorite of Joey’s.
Favorite Restaurants
Breakfast
- Lucile's Creole Café: Hands down our favorite brunch spot in town.
- Village Coffee Shop: The best greasy spoon in Boulder, perfect for a classic diner experience.
- Woodgrain Bagels: Fresh, wood-fired bagels with creative toppings and spreads—perfect for a quick, delicious breakfast.
- Moe's Bagels: A Boulder classic for hearty, no-frills bagels and schmear, loved by locals for decades.
Lunch/Dinner
- Pizzeria Alberico: Our go-to for amazing pizza.
- Rosetta Hall: A chic food hall with a variety of great options and a rooftop bar. Good for larger groups.
- Cozobi: A modern take on traditional Mexican cuisine, with handmade tortillas and perfectly balanced cocktails. Trendy with great food.
- The West End Tavern: A Boulder staple for hearty food and drinks.
- T/ACO: One of the best spot in town for tacos and a marg.
- Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery: A laid-back spot with great beer and food. Bit of an 'old-Boulder' funky feel.
Nightlife
- The Bitter Bar: Our favorite cocktail bar, opening daily at 5 PM.
- Bohemian Biergarten: A really enjoyable beer garden with great selection of German beer and food. Often times there's live bands in the back.
- Avanti Food & Beverage: Another great spot for drinks, plus excellent food options.
- Pub and Cellar: Boulder’s best place to play pool and darts in a basement. It's a staple of of most nights out on Pearl Street. Go grab a beer and enjoy!
- Dark Horse Bar: A Boulder institution a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the visit.
- The Sink: A classic Boulder hangout with tons of character.
- The Rayback Collective: A fantastic beer garden with a rotating selection of food trucks.
Outdoors
- Mount Sanitas East Ridge and Sanitas Valley Loop: A classic Boulder hike that you can start right from downtown.
- Royal Arch Trail: The quintessential Boulder hike with incredible views at the top.
- Boulder Creek Path: Rent bikes from University Bicycles and explore this beautiful trail system. For something more adventurous, text Joey about mountain biking or road cycling.
Cultural
- Boulder Farmer’s Market: One of the best local experiences Boulder has to offer. Open Saturdays from 8 AM to 2 PM and Wednesdays from 4 PM to 8 PM (seasonal). It's a great place to grab breakfast, with amazing food tents offering everything from fresh pastries to hearty burritos. This will also be an included activity on the Events page—don’t miss it!
- Pearl Street Mall: A vibrant pedestrian street with shops, street performers, and great spots to grab a bite or a drink.
- Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA): A small but excellent museum showcasing contemporary art in a beautiful setting.
- NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research): A fascinating spot to learn about weather and climate science, with scenic trails nearby.
- CU Boulder Walking Tour: A guided tour of the University of Colorado Boulder campus, highlighting its paths, notable buildings, and beautiful trees.
- Local Music Venues: Check out the iconic Fox Theatre and Boulder Theater for live performances.
- eTown: A unique mix of live music and radio show recordings hosted in Boulder.
Linda Plunkett's Favorite Thrift Stores
- TRU Thrift Shop: A treasure trove for bargain hunters, benefiting a good cause.
- Boulder Thrift Store: A local favorite for unique finds.
- ARC Thrift Store: A staple for second-hand shopping with a great selection.