Boulder Info

Visitor Information | Skiing |Buses & Taxis |To Do

Visitor Information

Visiting Boulder
Visitor Info
Boulder Dining Guide
Boulder Magazine

Consider staying for a few extra days. Use Boulder as a base to explore the Rocky Mountains or just enjoy the perks of a vibrant university town in a beautiful landscape.

Located 35 miles from Denver, Boulder is a captivating mountain community enriched with natural beauty, hip urban culture and a vibrant love of the outdoors. Proud to be one of Colorado’s foremost havens of commerce, education, and recreation, Boulder is also the home of many research organizations including the University of Colorado, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Geological Society of America (GSA). Boulder lies at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains surrounded by a belt of preserved open space. The elevation is 5,430 feet (1,655 meters). Weather in Boulder can be quite variable and temperature changes of more than 36°F (20°C) are possible within a day. You may want to bring clothes for both sunny and snow-storm conditions.

Skiing

Colorado Ski Resorts
Ski Conditions

If you like to ski, you might want to know that March tends to be Colorado's snowiest month. Colorado has 25 ski resorts, some only 21 miles from Boulder (Eldora). There are also a number of high alpine resorts on and near the continental divide within 1.5 - 2 hours drive (Loveland, Winter Park, Arapahoe Basin, Breckinridge, Keystone, et al).

If you're flying from a low elevation, you may experience typical symptoms like headaches, fatigue or nausea, especially if you travel up into the mountains right away. These symptoms can often be alleviated by spending a few nights in Boulder, drinking extra water, resting, and reducing caffeine, salt, and alcohol intake. Keep in mind that your skin can easily burn when you are skiing at a high altitude.

Buses & Taxis

Boulder has a convenient network of small buses. Particularly useful for Workshop attendees are the HOP (circles town), SKIP (Broadway), JUMP (Arapahoe), and BOUND (30th St). BOUND runs north and south on 30th Street approximately every 30 minutes. Those staying at the Broker Inn can board the BOUND at the intersection of 30th Street and Baseline (a short distance from the Inn) and get off near or at Arapahoe Avenue (very close to INSTAAR). The HOP runs in a loop connecting the Pearl Street Mall, the Crossroads Mall, and campus. HOP buses go every 7-20 minutes, depending on time of day; day and evening routes differ slightly. Bus fares are on the order of 75 cents.

Boulder has several cab companies including Yellow Transportation, which is associated with the SuperShuttle service between the airport and Boulder. Phone: 303.227.0000. Facsimile: 303.443.9309

To Do

A few of the many places to consider visiting:

National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)

-Visitor Center
Located on a breathtaking site at the base of the Flatirons, NCAR offers self-guided tours Monday-Friday 8 am - 5 pm, weekends and holidays 9 am -3 pm. 1850 Table Mesa Drive.

Creek Path

-Total Boulder
The 16-mile long Boulder Creek bike path is a great east-west route for walking, roller blading, bicycling, etc. It can be accessed about 1 block south of INSTAAR along 30th Street. To the west, it roughly parallels Arapahoe Ave, lying a few blocks south of it until Broadway and then about a block north of Arapahoe. Heading west from INSTAAR, it travels beside campus, to downtown and up into the mountains. Heading east from INSTAAR, it travels several miles over flat ground.

Pearl Street Mall

-Downtown Boulder
This pedestrian-friendly outdoor mall hosts an array of galleries, specialty shops, ethnic restaurants, etc. Buskers ply their trade if it isn't too cold (jugglers, magicians, contortionists, clowns). Downtown on Pearl Street between 11th and 15th Streets.

Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

-Inside the Teahouse
Ornately carved teahouse from Tajikistan, dontated by Boulder's sister city Dushanbe. 1770 13th Street, a few blocks south of the Pearl Street Mall

Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory

-Guest tours
Free factory tours Monday - Saturday. The all-peppermint room is not to be missed! Free tea tastings. 4600 Sleepytime Drive, Gunbarrel.

Chautauqua Park

-Boulder Open Space and Mtn Parks
-Trail Map
Hike beneath the Flatiron cliffs or eat in the historic Dining Hall. Near 9th and Baseline.

Rocky Mountain National Park

-Official site
Beautiful, large alpine park located about 1 hour from Boulder in Estes Park.