Boulder Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Boulder, Colorado - CO, USA)

The downtown district is where much of the action in Boulder is to be found, with many tourist attractions spread around Pearl Street, and close by, within the southerly University Hill area, west of Broadway. During Colorado's sunny summer months, Chautauqua Park becomes the place to hang out, where attractions include regular performances by the Boulder Symphony Orchestra, while by winter, crowds of locals and tourists come here with their sleds and head to the Flatirons.

Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and many other seasonal outdoor tourist attractions and activities have long been a major draw card for this part of Colorado, with the paved and traffic-free Boulder Creek Trail being amongst the best available routes. The trails leads through parks, play areas and next the creek itself, skirting the Pearl Street Mall area along the way.

Outdoor Activities / Boulder Creek Trail

Address: Parallels Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, US-80302, Colorado CO, USA
Tel: +1 303 413 7200
Those with mountain bikes will find that the 16-mile / 26-km Boulder Creek Trail is particularly suitable and heads through the downtown district and in a westerly direction, alongside Boulder Creek and towards the Four Mile Canyon. Many other mountain trails are considered off limits to bikes, such as the steep trails around the Flatirons and the Eldorado Canyon. Local hikers tend to favor the Eagle Trail, the Chautauqua Trail and the pathways around both the Walker Ranch and the Green Mountain.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Chautauqua Park

Address: Ninth Street / Baseline Road, Boulder, US-80302, Colorado CO, USA
Tel: +1 303 441 3383
Chautauqua Park is a small and beautiful park, nestled at the western end of the Baseline Road and at the very based of the Flatirons. Hiking trails lead in various directions around Chautauqua Park, reaching attractions such as the Gregory Canyon and also the Flagstaff Mountain. The Mesa Trail is especially popular and easy, stretching for around 7 miles / 11 km between Chautauqua and the Eldorado Canyon. More difficult routes lead to the Bear Canyon, the Fern Canyon and the Shadow Canyon. Look out for the historical buildings dates back to the late 19th century, the Academic Center and the imposing Dining Hall, where you can dine amidst the mountains.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Mork and Mindy House

Address: 1619 Pine Street, Boulder, Colorado CO, USA
Those staying in Boulder who enjoyed watching the American comedy sitcom series of Mork and Mindy, may well be intrigued to learn that Mindy's actual house resides within Boulder, offering a fun way to reminisce about past television comedies. Mork and Mindy was based in this city and filmed between 1978 and 1982, remaining on television screens for the next decade or so. Exterior views of Mindy's home regularly featured in most episodes, and this house is located along Pine Street. Also of interest is the New York Deli restaurant, which also regularly made an appearance in Mork and Mindy, and also now closed, it still standing along Pearl Street.
Open hours: daily - view from exterior only
Admission: free

Boulder Mountain Park

Address: 1 Flagstaff Road, Boulder, Colorado CO, USA
Located on the city's outskirts, Boulder Mountain Park is just 2 miles / 3 km to the southwest and can be therefore reach in a matter of minutes. An area of extreme natural beauty, the park contains many natural attractions, such as the Longs Canyon and the Green Mountain. There are also man hiking trails and a wealth of native flora and fauna, including wild 'boreal' orchids. Keep you eyes open in case you catch a glimpse of distant mountain lions, black bears and woodpeckers.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Central Park

Address: Broadway Boulevard / Canyon Boulevard, Boulder, US-80302, Colorado CO, USA
Tel: +1 303 413 7200
Central Park has become an integral park of local life in Boulder and resides in the very heart of the downtown district, along the Canyon Boulevard, starting at the intersection with the Broadway Avenue. A large expanse of lawn is perfect for relaxing upon, while benches beneath the shade of trees are also available and line the main paths. Seasonal flowers, a wide stream and a series of waterfalls are just some of the other attractions within Central Park. Children are always very interested to explore the genuine Denver / Rio Grande locomotive carriage, which has stood within the park for more than 50 years. For adults, summer concerts are regularly staged in the gazebo, and frequent farmers' markets are also fairly commonplace here. The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art is close by and often of interest.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Address: Eldorado Springs Drive, Eldorado Springs, Colorado CO, USA
Tel: +1 303 494 3943
The Eldorado Canyon State Park lies around 5 miles / 8 km to the south of the city, and on the southern side of the neighboring Boulder Mountain Park, and makes for a perfect day trip during the summer months. Each summer, tourists come to the park in their droves, since this has become one of Colorado's top rock-climbing spots. This park covers just under 900 acres / 365 hectares, and is roughly divided into two main areas, known as the Inner Canyon and the Crescent Meadows. The Eldorado Canyon State Park has much to offer, with imposing mountains, meandering mountain streams, and plenty of peaceful places to sit down and enjoy a secluded picnic. Rock climbers will enjoy the challenging rock faces, as will those who have simply come here for stroll, and some good old peace and quiet. The entrance to the park is sited on Eldorado Springs Drive, off Highway 93.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Fiske Planetarium

Address: Broadway Street / Regent Drive, University of Colorado, Boulder, US-80309, Colorado CO, USA
Tel: +1 303 492 5002
The Fiske Planetarium is located on the campus of Boulder's University of Colorado and contains a wealth of astronomical attractions for stargazers. This is one of the region's biggest planetarium domes and visitors are treated to regular star shows, laser shows, concerts and also lectures by acclaimed space scientists. Each week, the star shows take on a different theme and these range from galaxies far away, to constellations closer to home, around the Solar System. The lobby has been recently transformed into an interactive science museum, where you are able to experience the views of earth seen by orbiting spacecraft.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts for seniors, students and children

Gateway Park Fun Center

Address: 4800 North 28th Street, Boulder, US-80301, Colorado CO, USA
Tel: +1 303 442 4386
The Gateway Park Fun Center is a popular local attraction, with plenty to offer the younger generation holidaying in Boulder. Families and children will always enjoy the two separate 18-hole miniature golf courses, and the go-kart track, which is actually over 610 meters / 2,100 feet in length, making its the longest of its kind in the whole of Colorado. Toddlers and small children will find the 'Kiddie Karts' within 'Kiddie Land' especially appealing, while all visitors will enjoys trying to beat the clock whilst finding four different checkpoints within the 'Human Maze'. Other highlights include baseball batting cages, an adult golfing range, video arcade games, and a snack bar.
Open hours: daily, mid-May to August - 10:00 to 23:00; September and October - 11:00 to dusk; November to February - limited hours and activities; March and April - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free entrance, charge for individual attractions, package ticket 'bundles' available

Scott Carpenter Park

Address: 1505 30th Street, Boulder, US-80303, Colorado CO, USA
Tel: +1 303 441 3383
Named after famous local Malcolm Scott Carpenter in 1962, who as born in Boulder in 1925 and grew up to become one of NASA's first ever astronauts, the Scott Carpenter Park is highly suitable for families, especially those with young children. The park is home to many family orientated attractions and these include a large playground area with a definite lunar theme, an outdoor pool, skateboard ramps, and plenty of areas for a quiet picnic. Scott Carpenter Park is also very popular during the snowy winter months, when locals flock here with their sledges.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free