Things to Do in Boulder
Premium lifestyle anchor · Independent city
Dining & Nightlife
- Restaurant Count
- 300+ (named 'America's Foodiest Town' by Bon Appétit)
- Breweries & Taprooms
- 20+ (Avery, Upslope, Mountain Sun, Sanitas)
- Coffee Shops
- Very high — Ozo Coffee, Boxcar, The Laughing Goat, Trident
- Farmers Market
- Boulder Farmers Market (Sat mornings Apr–Nov, 150+ vendors)
- Food Trucks
- Active — Pearl Street and events
Notable Restaurants
- Frasca Food and Wine (1 Michelin star · 2025 James Beard Outstanding Restaurant)
- The Kitchen (farm-to-table pioneer)
- Flagstaff House (fine dining with panoramic views)
- Oak at Fourteenth (modern American)
- Basta (Michelin Bib Gourmand)
- Jax Fish House (seafood)
- Lucile's (Creole brunch institution)
Arts & Entertainment
- Community Center
- Dairy Arts Center (theater, gallery, cinema), Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA)
- Museums
- CU Museum of Natural History, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Leanin' Tree Museum of Western Art
- Live Music
- Boulder Theater, Fox Theatre, Chautauqua Amphitheater, eTown Hall
- Theater
- BDT Stage (dinner theater), Local Theater Company
- Public Art
- Extensive — murals, sculptures, and installations throughout downtown and CU campus
Annual Events
- Bolder Boulder 10K (Memorial Day — 50,000+ runners)
- Colorado Shakespeare Festival (CU campus, summer)
- Colorado Music Festival (Chautauqua, summer)
- Boulder International Film Festival (March)
- Boulder Arts Week (April — citywide)
- Pearl Street Arts Fest (July)
- Boulder Creek Festival (May)
Parks & Outdoors
- Chautauqua Park — 40+ mi trails to Flatirons
- Boulder Creek Path — 5.5 mi greenway
- OSMP — 46,000 acres, 155 mi trails
- Boulder Reservoir
- Eldorado Canyon — 15 min
Pet-Friendly Living
- Off-Leash Dog Parks
- Valmont Dog Park, Foothills Community Dog Park, East Boulder Dog Park
- Pet-Friendly Trails
- OSMP allows dogs on-voice (trained recall) on most trails — 155+ miles
- Vet Clinics
- 15+ (Boulder Veterinary Hospital, Indian Peaks Vet, VEG 24-hr emergency)
- Pet Stores
- McGuckin Hardware (legendary local), Petco, pet boutiques on Pearl Street
- Dog-Friendly Patios
- Most Pearl Street and downtown patios welcome leashed dogs
FAQ — Boulder
What outdoor recreation is available in Boulder?
Boulder offers Chautauqua Park with 40+ miles of trails to the Flatirons, the Boulder Creek Path (5.5-mile greenway), and OSMP with 46,000 acres and 155 miles of trails. Boulder Reservoir provides water recreation, and Eldorado Canyon State Park is 15 minutes away. The city has 300+ miles of bike lanes and multi-use paths.
What dining options are available in Boulder?
Boulder has 300+ restaurants and was named ‘America’s Foodiest Town’ by Bon Appétit. Notable dining includes: • Frasca Food and Wine — 1 Michelin star, 2025 James Beard Outstanding Restaurant • Flagstaff House — fine dining with panoramic views • Basta — Michelin Bib Gourmand • Lucile’s — Creole brunch institution • The Kitchen — farm-to-table pioneer The city also has 20+ breweries and taprooms, including Avery, Upslope, and Mountain Sun.