Top Things to do for a Cheerful Holiday in Boulder
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We shared our favorite things to do and best places to see this holiday season in Boulder, CO. The holidays, when planned well, elevate the spirit!
Whether wrangling animated children along or experiencing a wonderful date night, we invite you to feel overjoyed while traveling in Boulder. (Yogis - don't miss out on our recent guide to the 5 best parks for awesome outdoor yoga in Boulder.)
Thankfully, frequencyRiser’s local experts carefully curated this list of best things to do when visiting Boulder for the holidays in 2017.
The venues, landmarks, retail stores, restaurants and others in this list are selected based on our local insights, reviews and ratings.
Best Places to Visit this Holiday Season in Boulder, CO 2017
We found the top 3 picks for each category below. Mix and match recommendations to create an awesome Boulder holiday itinerary!
- Best Places for Taking Pictures
- Best Places for Yoga & Meditation
- Cutest Stores in Boulder, CO
- Best Things to with Kids in Boulder
- Top Boulder Theaters (Performing Arts)
- Live Music Venues
- Boulder’s Best Trails
- City of Boulder Landmarks
Things to Do in Boulder this Holiday Season 2017
Best Places for Taking Pictures
- Panorama Point on Flagstaff Mountain
- Rating: 4.8 stars (94 reviews)
- Aptly named, from Panorama Point you can see Boulder and the surrounding areas with excellent clarity. Drive up or hike the steep incline from below. Either way, breathtaking views are guaranteed. Bring your camera!
- Address: Flagstaff Rd, Boulder, CO 80302
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- Boulder Creek Path
- Rating: 4.6 stars (83 reviews)
- Boulder Creek runs right through the heart of the city and is a hub for outdoor recreation, markets, festivals and quiet reflection. Near Pearl Street, discover a mix of great urban and nature photo opportunities.
- Address: Boulder, CO 80302
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- University of Colorado at Boulder
- Rating: n/a
- The University of Colorado at Boulder was voted 49 on Best College Review’s most beautiful campuses in the nation. From the sandstone and limestone to the red roofs, to the foothills of the mountains, the architecture and university scene creates a beautiful setting.
- Address: University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309
- Learn More
Best Places for Yoga & Meditation
- Alandi Ashram
- Rating: 5 stars (2 reviews)
- Alandi Ashram, Alandi Ayurveda School and the Alandi Ayurveda Clinic are nestled up against the foothills in beautiful Boulder, Colorado. Founded in 1990 by Alakananda Ma and Sadanandaji, Alandi provides unique and authentic ayurvedic experiences.
- Address: 2457 20th St, Boulder, CO 80304
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- Osho Leela Meditation Center USA
- Rating: 5 stars (2 reviews)
- Osho Leela is a spiritual meditation center in Boulder offering Osho's Kundalini Meditation Monday through Friday at 5:30pm, Dynamic Meditation Saturdays at 7am, and Satsang on Sundays at 10am. Several special events and retreats are also offered throughout the year.
- Address: 1025 Rosewood Ave, Boulder, CO 80304
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- Yoga Pod Boulder
- Rating: 4.9 stars (131 reviews)
- Yoga Pod Boulder offers a variety of yoga styles, including hot yoga, vinyasa, and yin yoga. Locals love this studio’s amazing community of yogis that encompass all ages, all body types and all levels. The yoga teachers have a reputation for being friendly and their ability to appropriately help both advanced and beginner yogis.
- Address: 1750 29th St, Boulder, CO 80301
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Cutest stores in Boulder, CO
- Boulder Book Store
- Rating: 4.7 stars (250 reviews)
- Consistently hyped as the “best bookstore ever,” this spacious 3-level bookstore stocks over 100,000 titles. Plus, Boulder Book Store hosts readings and other events on a regular basis. There’s a book here for everyone!
- Address: 1107 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302
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- Bliss Boulder
- Rating: 4.6 stars (24 reviews)
- Bliss Boulder is a cozy, snug store specializing in housewares, pillows, candles, stationery, jewelry and unique gifts. This place has souvenirs for everyone and gift cards with genuine messages!
- Address: 1643 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302
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- Clutter Consignment
- Rating: 4.3 (46 reviews)
- Clutter Consignment is a colorful store featuring a curated selection of consignment clothes, furniture, art and home decor. Their eclectic mix of wares are fun to explore, mix and match!
- Address: 2500 30th St, Boulder, CO 80301
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Best Things to with Kids in Boulder
- University of Colorado Museum of Natural History
- Rating: 4.4 stars (27 reviews)
- This is a cool little museum in the heart of the CU Boulder campus. See exhibits about the history of Boulder from ancient dinosaur fossils to current scientific findings. If you have kids and have not visited this treasure, do so soon. You and your kids will have a blast! Plus, admission is free.
- Address: Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302
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- Fiske Planetarium and Science Center
- Rating: 4.3 stars (35 reviews)
- Fiske Planetarium is a public museum dedicated to educating the public on astronomy and astrophysics. Great for kids and adults, enjoy awesome shows such as FiskEDM Laser Show, Dark Side of the Moon, and We Are Stars.
- Address: University of Colorado, 2414 Regent Dr, Boulder, CO 80309
- Learn More
- Winter Skate
- Rating: 4 stars (1 review)
- Great for kids or a romantic date night, Winter Skate ice skating rink and the surrounding park will be illuminated with more than 225,000 LED lights for the holidays. Lights will be on display starting at 4:30 p.m. daily. The rink opens for the season on Friday, December 1, 2017.
- Address: 1780 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
- Learn More
Top Boulder Theaters (Performing Arts)
- The Dairy Center for the Arts
- Rating: 4.6 stars (102 reviews)
- The Dairy Center for the Arts is a neat old dairy plant house bustling with art galleries, a cinema and theaters for drama, dance and comedy troupes.
- Address: 2590 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302
- Learn More
- The Historic Boulder Theater
- Rating: 4.5 stars (337 reviews)
- Founded in 1906, this art deco landmark is the best venue in Boulder for live music shows and films. Simply a great place to see some of the bigger (and smaller) acts that come through the area. Close to famous Pearl St., there are lots of other things to see and do in the area.
- Address: 2032 14th St, Boulder, CO 80302
- Learn More
- The Nomad Theatre
- Rating: 4.5 stars (22 reviews)
- Quonset hut-style venue hosting local theatrical performances, orchestras and other arts-related events. The theatre has lots of character, with newly refurbished furniture, great amenities in the surrounding community, and friendly and accommodating staff.
- Address: 1410 Quince Ave, Boulder, CO 80304
- Learn More
Live Music Venues
- Laughing Goat Coffee House
- Rating: 4.5 stars (332 reviews)
- This modern coffeehouse serves locally roasted, organic espresso and hosts live acts nightly. The Laughing Goat is home to many local and touring musicians. A great local scene with a good selection of drinks. Also, they have a nice message board in the back to get an idea of what's happening around Boulder.
- Address: 1709 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302
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- Bohemian Biergarten
- Rating: 4.4 stars (272 reviews)
- This rustic, Czech-style bar and restaurant offers a huge beer menu and traditional plates, plus a patio and live music. Bohemian Biergarten is a fun place for a night of beer drinking, pierogi munching, and local music.
- Address: 2017 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
- Learn More
- The Fox Theatre
- Rating: 4.3 stars (216 reviews)
- The Fox Theatre is a live music club with two bars on The Hill in Boulder, Colorado. The ambiance is near unbeatable. See big names here or local bands for an authentic taste of Boulder’s live music scene.
- Address: 1135 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
- Learn More
Boulder’s Best Trails
- Marshall Mesa Trailhead
- Rating: 4.7 (47 reviews)
- Marshall Mesa provides an easy 2.5 mile loop hike with amazing views of the Foothills and front range. Great for families with small kids to advance with minimal elevation gain and some rocky terrain. Explore further by following the trails East towards Superior or South towards Hwy 128.
- Address: 5258 Eldorado Springs Dr, Boulder, CO 80303
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- Realization Point
- Rating: 4.6 stars (47 reviews)
- This scenic point on Flagstaff Mountain has expansive views (don’t forget your camera!) as well as an amphitheater. Realization Point connects to a number of other beautiful trailways, including Flagstaff trail and Green Mountain.
- Address: Flagstaff Rd, Boulder, CO 80302
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- Mount Sanitas Trailhead
- Rating: 4.6 stars (128 reviews)
- Mount Sanitas Trail is a moderate to difficult trail which meanders both sides of the ridge leading to the summit of Mount Sanitas. The southern portion of the trail has several rock climbing areas. Incredible views of Boulder and beyond are the reward for making it to the top!
- Address: Sunshine Canyon Dr, Boulder, CO 80304
- Learn More
City of Boulder Landmarks
- Eldorado Canyon State Park
- Rating: 4.8 stars (563 reviews)
- Eldorado Canyon State Park is a local favorite of the Colorado State Park system. The park has two main areas, the Inner Canyon and Crescent Meadows. It's an easy drive in from Boulder, about 5 minutes into the mountains.
- Address: 9 Kneale Rd, Eldorado Springs, CO 80025
- Learn More
- Folsom Field
- Rating: 4.6 stars (178 reviews)
- Folsom Field is an outdoor football stadium, located on the campus of the University of Colorado in Boulder. Home field of the Colorado Buffaloes, sports buffs must catch a game here in Boulder!
- Address: 2400 Colorado Ave, Boulder, CO 80302
- Learn More
- Pearl Street Mall
- Rating: 4.6 stars (2,650 reviews)
- The Pearl Street Mall is a four-block-long pedestrian mall in Boulder, Colorado. Stretching from 11th Street to 15th Street along Pearl Street, the Pearl Street Mall is home to an eclectic collection of retail businesses and restaurants.
- Address: Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302
- Learn More
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