BOULDER

Visit INSTAAR's home city


Boulder

Foothills Setting

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. The city lies at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains surrounded by a belt of preserved open space. The base elevation is 5,430 feet (1,655 meters).

Variable Weather

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.

Earth Science Organizations

Boulder is 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).

(Image above: Boulder Flatirons. Casey A. Cass, CU-Boulder)

More info

 
Above is a 3-minute video overview from the Boulder Convention & Visitors Bureau. Watch it on YouTube.

Additional links for visitors:
Boulder Wikipedia Entry
More Visitor Information

Around Boulder Info on INSTAAR website
More Visitor Information - CU Boulder
Boulder Magazine

To Do

A few of the many places to consider visiting:

National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)

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

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

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

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

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art

BMOCA is dedicated to significant art of our time. 1750 13th St, adjacent the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse.

Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory

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

Chautauqua Park

Hike beneath the Flatiron cliffs or eat in the historic Dining Hall. Near 9th and Baseline.

Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks

Boulder is surrounded by more than 50,000 acres of protected land. Access includes more than 150 miles of trails.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

World-class museum of natural history about 45 min from Boulder.

See Nearby Mountains page »

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or email us at
ArcticWS@colorado.edu

Supported by
The US National Science Foundation
Division of Polar Programs

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