A College Kid’s Guide to Boulder
To be completely honest, when my high school guidance counselor suggested I apply to Boulder, I was shocked. I had never considered the school or even been to the state of Colorado. After countless visits to schools on the East Coast, nothing was clicking, so I applied to Boulder in hopes of something new. After I was accepted, my father and I visited Boulder and immediately fell in love with everything the area had to offer. Now, as a Sophomore, I can confidently say that Boulder has an unlimited number of options for everyone. Whether you love to ski, snowboard, hike, rock climb, thrift shop, jam out at a concert, or explore downtown, Boulder has it all. Here is a list of my favorite things to do in Boulder based on location or specific activity:
Pearl Street
Pearl Street is a darling area perfect for a special occasion meal, shopping, or a quick escape.
Where to Eat: The first meal I had in Boulder was at Salt, a farm to table restaurant with a menu that revolves around seasonal produce. Hapa and Japango are two Japanese restaurants with surprisingly good sushi. I was surprised, too—I never would’ve considered Colorado to be such a sushi spot. Snooze is the ultimate brunch place; my freshman year roommate and I came here almost every weekend. Zoe Ma Ma holds a special place in my heart. This tiny family-run Chinese and Taiwanese restaurant never disappoints; plus, it’s inexpensive! Rocket Fizz Boulder is the best place to satisfy your sweet tooth; you will quite literally feel like a kid in a candy shop. Rocket Fizz has everything from chocolate to gummy candy. Bar Taco, West End Tavern, Pasta Jay’s, Foolish Craig’s Cafe are just a few other must-try restaurants.
Where to Shop: Pearl street has all the big brand-name stores such as Urban Outfitters, Free People, Patagonia, Billabong, and beyond. But what I love most about shopping on Pearl is the abundance of small businesses and boutique stores. If it were up to me (and my bank account), I would be the poster child of Island Farm, my favorite bohemian boutique. Other favorites include Ramble on Pearl, Elison Rd, and Earthbound Trading CO.
What to Do: Pearl Street has multiple bookstores and coffee shops; every single one is special in its own way. There are also numerous art galleries, funky hat stores, fun sock stores, CBD shops, and several street performers to enjoy while walking up and down the strip.
The Hill
The Hill is the closest hub to campus, offering affordable meals, a theater, and a few shops. The Corner is my go-to restaurant for a casual dinner. The chicken pesto sandwich and teriyaki bowl are my all-time favorites. Boss lady Pizza has excellent pizza, which means a lot coming from a native New Yorker. Cosmos Pizza and Bova’s are perfect for late-night eats; both places are staples for every Boulder student. Taco Junky has excellent food, but the personal margarita pitchers are even better. The Sink, Illegal Pete’s, and Peckish are classics, perfect for any type of craving. The Hill is also home to the Boulder Theater, a venue that hosts concerts and shows movies—I got to see my favorite band, Summer Salt, perform live during my freshman year. There are also a handful of coffee shops at The Hill, each of which is a great place to do work.
Hiking
Chautauqua Park is about a twenty-minute walk from campus and has a ton of trails for every level. It has the most amazing views of the Flatirons; whether you are hiking with a friend or by yourself, Chautauqua Park is the perfect place to get away and thoroughly enjoy nature.
Skiing & Snowboarding
Only thirty minutes away, the closest mountain to Boulder is Eldora. This spot is perfect if you want to hit the slopes between classes or just go for a run. Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Winter Park, Loveland, and Breckenridge are pretty close by and great for a half or full-day trip. Students are eligible for discounted ski passes, but season passes are a little pricey; if you are a dedicated skier or snowboarder, it’s definitely worth it. It is also pretty standard for students to go to Aspen, Vail, and Crested Buddle, Colorado’s notorious ski towns.
Denver
Denver is vast; parts of it look like suburbs with many family homes, and it’s not what you would imagine a typical city to look like. Since I’m from New York, this took me a while to get used to. Boulder students get a free bus pass, which will take you anywhere you want to go in Colorado. Freshman year, when my friends and I didn’t have cars, we regularly used this pass to travel to Denver for the day. My favorite area is around Union Station, right where the bus drops you off. The station itself has adorable shops and a hotel that I dream of staying in. As for dining, I suggest just looking up whatever type of food you want in whatever area of Denver you are in. There are so many places to try, and I go somewhere new every time I visit. The 16th Street Mall is filled with pretty seasonal decorations, shops, and restaurants. There are also a ton of museums throughout downtown Denver. Both the Sante Fe and River North Arts Districts have fantastic street art, restaurants, and shops. Lastly, Cherry Creek, a little bit farther from downtown Denver, has an amazing mall, art galleries, dining, and hotels.
Red Rocks
If you don’t go to Red Rocks once during your time at Boulder, you didn’t go to school here. Red Rocks is the ultimate concert venue. Coming from a short person—I’m five feet tall—this place is my favorite for shows since it is set up in tiers, and there is no fight for trying to see over the six-foot person standing in front of you. Catch the sunrise or sunset and take in the fantastic view. I recently found out that Red Rocks also offers fitness classes such as yoga!
Other
Lost Gulch Lookout is the most picturesque place in Boulder. My friends and I usually get a large Cosmos pizza with spicy ranch and drive up to the lookout to enjoy some food and the view. I don’t climb or mountain bike, but I have friends who do, and they can do both activities in Boulder. If either of these piques your interest, I suggest joining a club through the university. Boulder Creek is a small river that flows from one end of Boulder to the other. When it’s warm out, this is the best location to gather with friends to cool off or raft down the creek. Lastly, there is a local farmer’s market on Wednesdays and the weekends during the Fall and Spring. There is a ton of locally sourced produce and street food to indulge in.
Coming from New York, Boulder was a completely new experience. I am in love with every aspect of this place. No matter what you like, there is something for you to do. Ultimately, this place is special to me because it allows everyone to be themselves and do what they love most.
