Other Places of Interest

National Center for Atmospheric Research

Known as the Mesa Lab the facility is located at the western terminus of Table Mesa Drive and is open year round for free visits to the public. It is wheelchair accessible. Inside there are hands on educational exhibits that can be toured on ones own, on a tour or via audiotour. The facility is adjacent to mountian parks and the grounds are maintained as a nature preserve. There is also a weather trail.

Nature Spot

Chautauqua Park

Chatauqua Park is a public park at the base of the Chautauqua mountains, part of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The park includes a land slide (a special device for visitors to slide down, not the geological disaster where the mountain crashes down the slope!), a dining hall and a performance stage. The meadow is open for hiking. There are many trails that radiate from Chautauqua Park. The park is located at 900 Baseline Road. The dining hall phone number is +1(303)4403776, the box office [more]Chatauqua Park is a public park at the base of the Chautauqua mountains, part of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The park includes a land slide (a special device for visitors to slide down, not the geological disaster where the mountain crashes down the slope!), a dining hall and a performance stage. The meadow is open for hiking. There are many trails that radiate from Chautauqua Park. The park is located at 900 Baseline Road. The dining hall phone number is +1(303)4403776, the box office for concerts and plays is +1 (303)4407666. Admission to the park is free - fees may apply for special events. The park is generally open from sunrise to sunset.

Nature Spot

Walden Ponds

Walden Ponds are a series of several ponds in a former sand mining operation. The ponds are operated by Boulder County. There are several ponds with 2.6 miles of trails within the confines of the park. Parts are open for hiking, horseback riding, fishing and some parts have picnic tables and shelters. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk and admission is free. The entrance to the park is located 5 miles northeast of the city of Boulder near the intersection of 75th Street and Jay Road.

Other Places of Interest

Celestial Seasonings Plant Tour

Celestial Seasonings is a manufacturer of a wide variety of herbal and traditional tea blends. The company offers a free tour of the plant on the hour. Tour hours are 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sundays. Additional information is available from the web site or by phone. After visiting one can stop at the Tea Shop which is also home to a gift shop. It is also possible to enjoy a meal at the Celestial Café. Admission: There is no cost to tak [more]Celestial Seasonings is a manufacturer of a wide variety of herbal and traditional tea blends. The company offers a free tour of the plant on the hour. Tour hours are 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sundays. Additional information is available from the web site or by phone. After visiting one can stop at the Tea Shop which is also home to a gift shop. It is also possible to enjoy a meal at the Celestial Café. Admission: There is no cost to take the tour and parking is free.

Walking / Sightseeing Tour

Peak to Peak Scenic Byway

This scenic byway runs north and south through some of the most beautiful areas along the Front Range. There is no cost to use this road. The byway spans 55 miles with Black Hawk and Central City on the southern terminus and Estes Park on the northern. Nederaland, Allenspark and the ski area Eldora are all near the mountain road. There are view of Long Peak (highest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park) and Mt. Meeker (second highest in the Park). The scenic byway was established in 1918 and [more]This scenic byway runs north and south through some of the most beautiful areas along the Front Range. There is no cost to use this road. The byway spans 55 miles with Black Hawk and Central City on the southern terminus and Estes Park on the northern. Nederaland, Allenspark and the ski area Eldora are all near the mountain road. There are view of Long Peak (highest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park) and Mt. Meeker (second highest in the Park). The scenic byway was established in 1918 and is the oldest scenic byway in the State of Colorado.

Hiking / Mountain Climbing

Bobolink Trailhead

The Bobolink Trailhead is a part of the City of Boulder's Park and Recreation system of trails and open space. This particular segment runs along South Boulder Creek and consists of a combination of habitats including riparian, tall grass and short grass prairie. There is a variety of wildlife in the area including three types of deer (Mule, White Tail and hybrid where the two species have interbred) as well as the ground breeding Bobolink from which the trailhead is named. The webpage i [more]The Bobolink Trailhead is a part of the City of Boulder's Park and Recreation system of trails and open space. This particular segment runs along South Boulder Creek and consists of a combination of habitats including riparian, tall grass and short grass prairie. There is a variety of wildlife in the area including three types of deer (Mule, White Tail and hybrid where the two species have interbred) as well as the ground breeding Bobolink from which the trailhead is named. The webpage includes a map to assist the visitor in locating the attraction as well as a list of regulations. There is no cost to use the trail. It is open seven days a week year round.

Hiking / Mountain Climbing

Boulder Falls

Boulder Falls is a part of the Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks system. It is located 11 miles west of the City of Boulder on Colorado highway 119. This is known as Canyon Boulevard and it is the main road linking the City of Boulder to the town of Nederland. There is no cost to see the falls, it does require a short hike to the best viewing spot. The land to the west is also part of the system but is currently closed to use.

Restaurants

Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

There is no admission cost to enter this Boulder restaurant. Boulder's sister city of Dushanbe, Tajikistan sent 200 crates of hand carved and painted pieces of structure and furnishings of a traditional Tajik tea house to Boulder. Here with the aid of Tajik artisans that made the trip with the crates the only teahouse of its kind in the Western Hemisphere was assembled. It was expanded to include a restaurant after it was completed in 1998. The restaurant includes a wide variety of dishes for br [more]There is no admission cost to enter this Boulder restaurant. Boulder's sister city of Dushanbe, Tajikistan sent 200 crates of hand carved and painted pieces of structure and furnishings of a traditional Tajik tea house to Boulder. Here with the aid of Tajik artisans that made the trip with the crates the only teahouse of its kind in the Western Hemisphere was assembled. It was expanded to include a restaurant after it was completed in 1998. The restaurant includes a wide variety of dishes for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. The location is directly next door to the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Events / Festivals

Colorado Shakespeare Festival

This annual event is one of the top three Shakespeare Festivals in the United States. It takes place on the campus of the University of Colorado from June until the middle of August. The festival utilizes two venues: the indoor University Theatre, main stage (400 seat capacity) and outdoors at the Mary Rippon Theater (1000 seat). Several different plays are performed on different days and at either venue. Ticket prices vary according to the venue and day / time of performance. In addition, star [more]This annual event is one of the top three Shakespeare Festivals in the United States. It takes place on the campus of the University of Colorado from June until the middle of August. The festival utilizes two venues: the indoor University Theatre, main stage (400 seat capacity) and outdoors at the Mary Rippon Theater (1000 seat). Several different plays are performed on different days and at either venue. Ticket prices vary according to the venue and day / time of performance. In addition, starting in 2007, the festival is putting on a Christmas performance. There are a variety of additional programs which accompany the festival. Examples include a chat with Will Shakespeare, strolling through the Shakespeare Gardens, a backstage tour ($5 cost to defray cost of tour guide) and the Green Show which is music while one dines. Further details are provided at the website.

Events / Festivals

Bolder Boulder

This event takes place every Memorial Day (end of May). It is a 10k run and one of the largest events of its type, following a course through the streets of Boulder and ending at the Folsum Stadium of the University of Colorado. Usually there are approximately 50 000 participants and hundreds of thousands of spectators. Entertainment along the course as well as refreshments, skydivers, flyovers and a 21 gun salute are all included. Fees for runners are $35 and $40 (up till May 11) thereafte [more]This event takes place every Memorial Day (end of May). It is a 10k run and one of the largest events of its type, following a course through the streets of Boulder and ending at the Folsum Stadium of the University of Colorado. Usually there are approximately 50 000 participants and hundreds of thousands of spectators. Entertainment along the course as well as refreshments, skydivers, flyovers and a 21 gun salute are all included. Fees for runners are $35 and $40 (up till May 11) thereafter $43 and $48. Discounts are available for those under 14 and over 61.

Shopping

Pearl Street Mall

Pearl Street Mall is a pedestrianised shopping area in the centre of downtown Boulder. It stretches over 4 blocks from 11th St to 15th St. The city's courthouse is located approximately at the mid-point of the Mall and has gardens and benches for visitors to enjoy as well as a tourist information booth and public toilets. The Mall has many art galleries and boutiques, street cafes and restaurants, and is decorated with flower beds and many sculptures.

Sports Facilities / Stadium

Folsom Field