Wondering what to do in Boulder on the weekend? Here’s your expert guide!
Boulder, Colorado is a fabulous place to visit for a weekend anytime during the year. The city is known for its beautiful landscape, quirky local culture, and great local restaurants and breweries.
While the summer boasts beautiful sunny skies and abundant hiking, the winter is perfect for snow sports. You can even visit Eldora, a local ski resort, for a day on the slopes.
A weekend is the perfect length of time to spend in Boulder. You’ll have enough time to explore downtown Boulder and Pearl Street, in addition to squeezing in some time in the great outdoors.
Things to do in Boulder on the Weekend
Here are some of the best things to do in Boulder when you visit for a weekend.
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1. Go for a hike
One of the best things to do in Boulder is to go for a hike. Whether you want an easy trail like a stroll through Chautauqua or something more challenging, like the Flatirons, there are trails you’ll love in Boulder.
People move to Boulder because they love outdoor recreation, so you’ll find plenty of locals on the trails throughout the year.
Dress in layers because the weather on the summit can be considerably colder than what you’ll experience at the trailhead.
2. Visit the Farmers Market
During the summer months, you can visit the Boulder Farmers Market. Every Saturday during the summer, local vendors from nearby farms will bring produce, prepared foods, and other goodies to sell at the Boulder Farmers Market.
The market is always lively and fun, and you can find some really fresh produce to enjoy while you’re wandering along Pearl Street or walking along Boulder Creek.
3. Float down Boulder Creek
Boulder Creek is a popular place to walk, run, or cycle throughout the year. During the summer, you can even buy or rent a tube and float down Boulder Creek if the water is low enough.
A popular area for swimming and tubing is near Eben G. Fine Park, just off of the bike path that runs along the creek. Always check the water conditions and follow any posted signs before entering the water.
If the water is moving too quickly for you to tube, you can still cool off by sticking your feet in the water.
4. Wander Pearl Street
Pearl Street is the main pedestrian mall in Boulder, full of shops, restaurants, cafes, and even street performers. Try a handmade truffle from Piece, Love and Chocolate, Boulder’s local chocolatier on west Pearl.
For a unique gift, you can find handmade wooden jigsaw puzzles at Liberty Puzzles. Many of the puzzles are Boulder-themed, with images of the Flatirons or other local landmarks.
There’s a small water park for kids on West Pearl, perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.
5. Have brunch at Lucile’s Creole Cafe
Boulder is known for being a foodie destination, and most of the best spots are located along Pearl Street. For a tasty brunch with a distinctly Boulder feel, head to Lucile’s Creole Cafe.
Lucile’s is famous for their enormous biscuits with homemade strawberry rhubarb jam. The biscuits pair perfectly with a cup of chicory coffee, eggs, and other New Orleans-inspired breakfast dishes.
6. Play in the snow
If you visit Boulder in the winter months, you’ll have the opportunity to play in the snow. Boulder is an outdoor destination throughout the year, so if you visit during cold weather you can make the best of it by going into the mountains. You can cross-country ski or snowshoe in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, or downhill ski at Eldora.
On especially snowy days in downtown Boulder, locals have been known to cross-country ski in the mornings on the city sidewalks.
7. Listen to live music
Boulderites love to listen to live music and support local musicians. You can catch a show at the Boulder Theater, the Fox Theater, or at one of the restaurants or breweries in town that occasionally host live performers.
For a truly unique experience, try to catch a performance at the Gold Hill Inn. This small, historic inn is located in Gold Hill, a small mountain town located just outside of Boulder.
About the author
Amber Haggerty runs Amber Everywhere, a site dedicated to encouraging others to travel. The mission of Amber Everywhere is to help people feel the sort of belonging, purpose, empathy, and expansiveness that travel can offer, especially if approached with the right mindset. Amber is originally from Colorado and now she now lives in Europe and writes about her experiences traveling and living abroad. You can follow her on Instagram at @amber.everywhere.
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