Boulder is an ideal base camp, no matter what your travel profile. Set at the foot of the Flatirons--the flat rock formations on the front range of the Rocky Mountains--you’ll find active pursuits, places to see, dining and shopping experiences, and a multitude of ways to relax, that will earn a thumbs up from even the most finicky travelers in your crew.
Getting there is easy enough. Boulder is a mere 30-minute drive from Denver International Airport. Home to the University of Colorado, as well as many high tech and research companies, the town has a creative, yet laid back sensibility—the Austin, Texas of Colorado, if you will.
Stay:
The century-old Hotel Boulderado offers handsome architecture, a fine-dining restaurant, a casual eatery, and a cocktail speakeasy in the basement. St. Julien Hotel and Spa is often referred to as the premiere hotel of Boulder. Here you’ll find magnificent views in opulent surroundings and a 10,000 square-foot spa. Or, choose one of the all-suite hotels adjacent to the college campus, like the spiffy new Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder. Book a room with a balcony that faces the Flatirons, and enjoy the premium view.
Getting Active:
Explore some of Boulder’s more than 60 parks and 155 miles of hiking and biking trails, including the popular Boulder Creek Path, Mount Sanitas and Sanitas Valley Loop Trail, and Doudy Draw. Try your hand at fly fishing through Front Range Anglers, who’ll patiently work with first-timers to ensure your outing is a success.
Shop and See:
Spend a day exploring Pearl Street Mall, a four-block pedestrian mall brimming with name brand stores, local shops and attractions.
For car lovers, the Shelby American Collection is a must-see, featuring dozens of historically significant (and totally cool) cars, including Shelby Mustangs, Cobras, and Ford GT-40’s. Only open a few hours each Saturday, it’s worth arranging some time in your itinerary to see.
Eat:
Quaint coffee shops abound in this college town, including The Laughing Goat, Gabee Coffee, and Boxcar Coffee Roasters, to name a few. If tea is your drink—and even if it’s not—you’ll want to visit Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse to see the amazing Tajik architecture and sample a few of the more than 100 loose-leaf and sachet teas.
Known for its innovative, meat-driven menu, spend an evening at Blackbelly Market Restaurant for its house-cured meats and the fresh cuts from its butcher shop next door. For a fun, pub vibe, visit the popular West End Tavern. If brunch is your thing, try Foolish Craig’s, a beloved, local hangout that has garnered not one, but two visits from Guy Fieri. Or, pull out all the stops and experience award-winning northern Italian restaurant Frasca, on everyone’s list as Colorado’s best. (To dine here, you’ll need to reserve months in advance and put down a refundable deposit.)
Day Tripping:
--Winter Park
Located in Winter Park Mountain Lodge, Grand Adventures offers an exhilarating, guided Continental Divide snowmobile tour. You can “ride the Divide,” with tours topping out at up to 12,000 feet, overlooking Fraser Valley with views of the Continental Divide. Tours run through early May, and in warmer months, off-road vehicle tours are offered along many of the same routes.
--Estes Park
The Stanley Hotel is fascinating in its own right, even if it weren’t the hotel that inspired writer Stephen King to write his iconic novel, "The Shining." Take the one-hour tour to learn its history, along with exciting tidbits that connect the hotel to movies, television, and celebrities. There's a waiting list to rent the infamous room 217 (room 237 in the Kubrick film). If you’re wanting to stay over Halloween, the room is booked for the next 7 years!
Just outside of town is the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado’s most popular national park. Stop by the Beavers Meadows Visitors Center, a National Historic Landmark designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, then take a drive on Trail Ridge Road to see wildlife and the magnificence of the Rockies.
Denver
Your vacation is not complete without spending time in Denver to shop, dine and enjoy all this energetic city has to offer. Savor an espresso at Little Owl, and take in its stunningly modern interior. Stay at the convenient and comfortable Grand Hyatt Denver, or live it up at the Ritz-Carlton, which is home to Elway’s steakhouse, where the sides are as delectable as the hand-cut Prime steaks. For fine Mediterranean cuisine, experience the James Beard award-winning Rioja, one of the most inspired restaurants in the city. (Read about how you can win City Lifestyle’s “Visit Denver” 3-Night Weekend Getaway in this issue.)