Sights in Boulder
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University of Colorado at Boulder
It is possible for prospective students and curious visitors to tour one of the finest public universities in America, and one of the best schools overall. It's a beautiful campus set above downtown, on what is known as the Hill. Free tours begin with a one-hour informational session followed by a 90-minute walking tour.
As you stroll, remember you are moving in the footsteps of notable alumni such as astronaut Scott Carpenter (one of 17 astronauts with CU diplomas), Apple's Steve Wozniak, Sidney Altman (one of six Nobel Laureates), Robert Redford (didn't graduate), South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone (smoked a ton of dope, did graduate), actor Jonah Hill (stop…
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Chautauqua Park
This historic landmark park is not just the gateway to Boulder's most magnificent slab of open space (we're talking about the Flatirons) it also has a wide, lush lawn that attracts picnicking families, sunbathers, frisbee folk, and – gasp – even studious students from CU down the road. It also gets copious hikers, climbers and trail runners.
This was once an important site for the inspired rural educational organization, the Chautauqua movement. These days, it's a park, a lodge and an auditorium where world-class musicians perform each summer.
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Naropa University
Founded by Tibetan Buddhist master Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche who escaped Tibet and climbed over the Himalayas into India as a young man. In 1970, at just 30, he began presenting teachings in the US and founded the Naropa Institute (which became Naropa University) in 1974. It offers a contemplative education in psychology, environmental studies, music, performing arts and more.
Naropa is also home to the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics, co-founded by his fellow Beat Allen Ginsberg, and poet Anne Waldman.
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Central Park
Spanning from the northern edge of downtown to the Contemporary Art Museum at 13th Street, and encompassing the public library, a twice-weekly seasonal farmers market, and a large swatch of the Boulder Creek bike trail, it's hard to avoid this park. And really, why would you want to? It's a nice spot for a picnic and a nap.
Here is a long blade of lush lawn, ample shade and sun and a ramp leading to the Boulder Creek trail and the creek itself.
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Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
A historic brick house divided into three galleries filled with evocative modern art. Mixed-media exhibits can include such whimsy as neon installations and life-sized cards, while strange fashion concepts are displayed in the costume and wardrobe gallery upstairs. All exhibitions are temporary and rotate every three months. Admission is free when the farmers market blooms out the front on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
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Flagstaff Mountain Trailhead
A trailhead and parking area just below the summit (elev 7283ft) and a short drive from downtown Boulder with great Boulder and Denver views to the east and spectacular Continental Divide Views to the west. From here you can access a handful of fun hikes to even better vistas. There's a reason people get married up here.
If Flagstaff Summit Rd is closed for winter, park on Flagstaff Mountain and hike 0.6 miles to the top.
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Boulder Reservoir
When you're this far from the ocean, the reservoir is where folks come to suntan, swim, boat, and wakeboard. Unfortunately there were no boating or wakeboarding concessions open at research time, so you may have to settle for a dip. And on the right day at the right time, that will be good enough, we assure you.
Dogs are not allowed into the park between May 15 and Labor Day, but are allowed in during the off-season.
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Boulder History Museum
History buffs will want to breeze through this simple but informative museum, home to a substantial collection of old photos and documents that offer glimpses into Boulder's past. It also hosts special exhibitions on such subjects as the 'History of Flight in Colorado,' 'Influential Women in Boulder's Past' and, gulp, 'Pocketbook Anthropology: The History of Handbags.'
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Butterfly Pavilion
With four indoor exhibit halls and acres of outdoor gardens fluttering with over 1200 butterflies from all the jungles and rainforests of the world – not to mention furry tarantulas, armored scorpions and fuzzy millipedes – this spot is a whirl of color, excitement and joy for the kids and mom and dad too.
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CU Wizards
Science can be cool, and kids dig the free monthly shows put on by CU's Wizards program. The science-based shows such as 'Physics of Sound' or 'Magic of Chemistry' are free, and held on one Saturday per month. Shows are geared toward fifth- to ninth-graders.
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Pearl Street Mall
This pedestrian mall, and the surrounding blocks, are the heartbeat of downtown with most of the best shops, cafes, restaurants and bars within its orbit. Kids love the pop-jet fountain at the eastern end, while the best eateries are at the western edge.
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Sunflower Farm
Set in the nearby suburb of Longmont, this 50-acre working farm with century-old barns strewn across the land welcomes families to Farmfest (their child-friendly program). Help feed baby animals, collect eggs, ride ponies and climb their giant treehouse.
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Eben G Fine Park
A pleasant small park along the banks of Boulder Creek. Very popular with tubers.
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Anasazi State Park Museum
The pieced-back-together jars and jugs on display are just a few of the thousands and thousands of pottery shards excavated at the Coomb’s Site in the 1950s. Today it’s the petite Anasazi State Park Museum, where you can wander parts of the site itself, inhabited from AD 1130 to 1175. The ruins aren’t as evocative as some in southeastern Utah, but the museum is well worth seeing for the re-created six-room pueblo, pottery gallery and exhibits about the Ancestral Puebloan (or Anasazi) peoples. There’s a seasonal BLM desk (435-335-7382; 9am-5pm Apr-Oct) where you can talk to rangers and get backcountry road updates.
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