19 Photos That Prove Boulder Is the Ultimate Destination for an Outdoor Adventure

Because Boulder has 300-plus sunny days in a year, there are limited excuses to get outside and take in the unobstructed views, and many restaurants and breweries capitalize on their geographical situation. After a long day on your feet, you can kick back at one of Boulder’s many breweries overlooking the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

A lot of Boulder residents time their day’s activities to catch sunrises and sunsets. With more than 60 urban parks, the city offers a lot of opportunities to catch a nice view even if you’re not summiting a mountain. Of the more notable parks is Valmont Bike Park, a 42-acre natural cycling haven.

With over 45,000 acres of preserved land and 151 public trails, Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks is an outdoor sanctuary that gives visitors access to diverse wildlife and scenery.

Even in the winter, in part thanks to the reliable sunshine, Pearl Street is an energetic hub of art, shopping, and nourishment. Special events are scheduled from the start of November through the Lights of December Parade, which features a guest appearance by none other than Santa Claus.

Hopefully, with sustained effort and community collaboration, everyone can continue exploring the great outdoors in Boulder for years to come.

Boulder is known for its civic and environmental consciousness, striving to support residents and sustainability practices. Restaurants, like Pizzeria Locale, follow suit and often partner with local and family-operated farms to bring patrons the freshest ingredients, with changing menus to match the season and uphold a high standard of quality.

Great bands come through Boulder, and you can catch a concert at the Boulder Theater or the Fox Theatre. For a live music experience you'll never forget, check out the Gold Hill Inn. The old tavern is in a mining town just up the canyon from Boulder and puts on bluegrass shows on Friday nights throughout the summer. You can also attend a murder mystery dinner, but reserve in advance, because they tend to sell out. 

Because of its diverse geological settings, Boulder is regarded as a top destination for rock climbing, cycling, mountain biking, running, paddle boarding on Boulder Reservoir, and kayaking. 

In addition to the trails and parks, the city, which is situated at the base of the Rocky Mountains and to the east of the Flatirons rock formations, provides many kinds of organic playgrounds.

If it's too cold to be outside or you just need to stretch those sore muscles, Boulder has one of the highest rates of yoga studios per capita in the country. Studios offer everything from hot yoga classes to HIIT variations.

Boulder is serious about protecting its wildlife, so people are asked to remain on the marked trails and avoid contact with any animals they may come across. There’s even a city ordinance designed to ensure black bears and humans can safely coexist in the urban environment.

Even if you choose a trail at random and begin to wander, you’ll probably stumble upon some of Boulder’s natural inhabitants. Made up of versatile terrain, the city provides a lot of different animals with comfortable ecosystems and shelters and is home to at least 59 mammal species, more than 100 bird species, and a good amount of reptiles and amphibians.

Camping is a natural fit with the laid-back, hippie persona of Boulder. Speaking of: recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado, and there are numerous dispensaries you could visit before an overnight expedition.

In the heart of Boulder, people flock to the bustling Pearl Street. Ambling down block after block — four of which are pedestrian-only — you’ll find craft and tchotchke stores nestled between major brands and plenty of food and drink options, many of which have outdoor seating and patios. On particularly nice days, street performers, outdoor art displays, and people-watching can provide more than enough entertainment on their own.

The Boulder community and local government are dedicated to preserving the environment and residents can join initiatives that deal with climate change, energy conservation, sustainable ecosystems, waste reduction, and water conservation.

Instead of holding people back, winter in Boulder provides the opportunity to snowshoe, cross-country ski, ice climb, or visit the nearby Eldora Mountain Ski Resort, located 30 minutes outside downtown. 

Beyond Pearl Street, people can continue a night out in a variety of ways. As the home of the University of Colorado Boulder, the city has a lively nightlife scene, which you can cater to your own preferences. You can find everything from dive bars in a neighborhood near campus called The Hill to live bands at the St Julien Hotel & Spa on Friday nights.

No matter what your sport is, you can always find another enthusiast equally obsessed and eager to join in on the fun. Even when it’s below freezing, you’ll still pass a fellow runner on the trails.