Boulder is the perfect destination for those who are active in body, mind and spirit. Home to high-tech industries, the Old West can still be glimpsed in this ‘university town’ which is set at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Most visitors to Boulder book a rental car owing to the fine surrounds and fabulous drives in this region. Also, check national travel deals online.
Getting there
Located just over 38kms northeast of the city center is Denver International Airport (DEN). One of the nation’s 10 busiest airports, it is a major hub of North American air travel and has some 20 airlines servicing its five full-service runways. By rail, Denver is accessible daily on the Chicago/San Francisco line aboard Amtrak’s California Zephyr.
The Denver bus terminal is located just north of the capital, with all buses leaving for Boulder. By car rental, Boulder is linked to all the state’s towns and visitor attractions by two highways I-70 (east-west) via highway 36 and I-25 (north-south). Boulder is situated 48kms from Denver.
Key attractions
Boulder Creek Path is a corridor of nature and recreational activities, travelling from Boulder Creek in the mountains and flowing through town. Perfect for walkers, runners, bicyclists and in-line skaters, the path is furnished with bridges and underpasses, eliminating street crossings.
An eclectic multi-disciplinary mixture of creative activity is on display at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. Alternatively, the turn-of-the-century Boulder History Museum, located on University Hill, has an impressive collection containing more than 20,000 artefacts, plus hundreds of thousands of photographs and historical documents of the local history.
Out and about
Rocky Mountain National Park offers the ultimate mountain wilderness, with 13-kilometre treks up to the top of 4,344-metre high Longs Peak, and lovely mountain lakes. Located around 70kms from Boulder by rental car, the park is perfect for overnight stays or daytrips. Eldora Mountain Resort is Boulders own ski resort with cross-country trails and expeditions, as well as runs suitable for all levels. The resort is situated around 33kms out of Boulder. Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge and Steamboat Springs are also popular Colorado ski resorts and there are good national deals on travel from Boulder.
Leisure options
Shop, dine and relax around the four-block, tree-lined esplanade that is Pearl Street Mall. Street entertainers amuse onlookers between the restaurants, boutiques and galleries, both day and night; while the twice-weekly Boulder County Farmers’ Market, easily accessed by car rental, offers something a little more down to earth.
Safety
Visitors to Boulder should be aware of the small dangers of any city, including pickpockets. The range of outdoor activities available here can also be a risk and so we strongly advise you to cover yourself in the case of any eventualities by taking out travel insurance for yourself and anyone else who may be travelling with you.