Must-See Boulder

Where to start? You'll want to make time during your stay for these top things to do in Boulder. And they are just the beginning. Explore more with 48 Hours in Boulder or go deeper with our Insider Guides.

Pearl Street
The Flatirons
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Boulder Theater
Boulder Farmers Market
University of Colorado Campus
Museum of Boulder
E-Bike Tour of Boulder

Pearl Street

The brick-paved Pearl Street is Boulder's heart and soul — a central gathering place where locals and visitors alike come to stroll and shop among the historic storefronts, dine at buzzed-about restaurants, sip coffee, throw back a microbrew or simply people-watch. If you do only one thing in Boulder, walking this pedestrian mall should probably be it.

Accessibility Info

Wheelchairs are available for free check-out at the Downtown Boulder visitor kiosk at 13th and Pearl Street. Visitors will just need to show two forms of ID and can borrow a wheelchair to explore downtown during the kiosk's open hours. Call 303-417-1365 for more information.

Photo by Justin Bilancieri

Pearl Street on a beautiful summer day

The Flatirons

Boulder's beloved Flatirons — those slanting, massive slabs of sandstone that form Boulder's backdrop from just about any angle — tend to have a slightly mystical effect on visitors. We're willing to bet you'll be drawn to them, and the Chautauqua area affords the best way to get a closer look. Gaze up at them from the hiking area's beautiful meadow, where dozens of trails lead off into the foothills, then hike right up into the Flatirons if you are seeking a bit more exercise and adventure.

Accessibility Info

The City of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks program has assembled an excellent set of resources for hikers using wheelchairs, walkers and scooters at AccessibleOSMP.org.

Tree-Hugger Tip

Sticking to the trails prevents harmful erosion and irreversible damage to vegetation and soil. So we ask you to take the road most traveled (much to Robert Frost's dismay).

Hiking Chautauqua Trail

Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

Unless you've been to Tajikistan, you've probably never seen a teahouse like this one. Handcrafted by artisans in Boulder's sister city of Dushanbe, the structure was shipped piece-by-piece from the Tajikistan city and assembled in Boulder. It is an inviting and peaceful place to enjoy one of dozens of types of teas and a bite to eat while taking in the vibrant carvings and paintings that cover every inch of the interior.

Accessibility Info

The Teahouse is wheelchair-accessible.

Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

A Coffee Mecca

Boulder was recently named one of America's hottest up-and-coming coffee cultures by Expedia and is tied with Portland, Oregon, for coffee shops per capita. Check out our Coffee Crawl to see Boulder's 40+ indie coffee shops, all on one map.

Boulder Theater

The historic Boulder Theater has been a stage for music and film since 1906, though in various incarnations. Today, the theater's art deco facade and neon marquee are almost as iconic to Boulder as the Flatirons. And from big-name musical acts like The Lumineers and Brandi Carlile to local faves such as Big Head Todd and the Monsters and The Samples, the Boulder Theater has put on some of the finest shows in Boulder's history.

Accessibility Info

For reserved shows, the Boulder Theater offers designated accessible seating, which is available when purchasing tickets online. For general admission shows, it's recommended to first buy your tickets and then reach out to boxoffice@z2ent.com or 303-786-7030 for seating arrangements.

The famous Boulder Theater marquee

Boulder Farmers Market

The Boulder Farmers Market is the perfect way to experience Boulder like a local. Established in 1986 by a handful of local farmers looking to sell farm-fresh produce directly to the public, the market is a growers-only outlet. Shoppers are guaranteed the best selection of locally grown, seasonal produce, eggs, cheeses, meats, herbs, flowers, wines and gourmet food products available in Boulder County. Open Wednesdays 4pm–8pm, May–October and Saturdays 8am–2pm, April through November.

Accessibility Info

The Boulder Farmers Market, while often heavily trafficked, is wheelchair accessible, including a ramp to the restroom inside the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art.

The Boulder Farmers Market is a local growers-only market

University of Colorado Boulder

Architecturally stunning and full of lovely gathering spaces, the CU campus is worth a stroll through just to admire the setting. But there are also a few attractions that are worthy of your can't-miss list, too: Old Main (the school's original building dating back to 1876), Mary Rippon Theatre (home stage for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival), Macky Auditorium and Fiske Planetarium being chiefly among them. Here's a guide for Things to Do at CU.

Accessibility Info

A map of accessible parking, hearing loops and buildings with accessible entrances on campus at the University of Colorado can be found online at colorado.edu/map.

Photo by Jie Wang

The University of Colorado and its gorgeous mountainous backdrop

Museum of Boulder

Want to see Boulder through a local lens? Make the Museum of Boulder one of your first stops and you'll fully understand how Boulder became the outdoor-lovin', health-obsessed, eco-conscious and tech-savvy city it is today. And you'll learn it all through fun, interactive exhibits. An innovative space that's also dedicated to hosting popular traveling exhibitions, art shows and events, it's best to carve out a couple of hours to see it all. (And don't miss the rooftop, which has some of the best views of the Flatirons around.)

Accessibility Info

Just two blocks off the Pearl Street Mall, The Museum of Boulder offers a variety of accessibility features, including accessible restrooms on each floor, 100% wheelchair-accessible galleries and program spaces, captioning and transcriptions for audiovisual programs, and sensory-friendly materials, including Large-Print Social Narrative and a Sensory Guide PDF.

The Museum of Boulder's Boulder Experience gallery

E-Bike Tour of Boulder

If you’ve never tried an e-bike, you’re in for a treat. You'll feel like a superhero zooming up hills with the greatest of ease. In our e-biking guide, find a selection of fun tours on topics ranging from Boulder's history to its vibrant murals. Not the tour type? You can also rent a bike and find an e-bike-friendly route to ride in Boulder, a famously bike-friendly city with a huge network of bike paths and bike lanes.

Accessibility Info

If you have a mobility impairment and want to try your hand at electric-powered, all-terrain hand-cycling, you can go out for a ride with the City of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) staff. They even have electric power-assist handcycles you can borrow. Learn more here or contact Topher Downham at downhamt@bouldercolorado.gov.

Photo by Gwen Gray

An adventurous tour of Boulder on electric bikes

This list barely scratches the surface of all the things Boulder has to offer. Check out our Things to Do section for more ideas, and be sure to sign up for our visitor newsletter to hear the latest and greatest.