Brett and I went to Boulder a few weeks ago for a wedding. We only stayed two nights since we spent the first half of the trip in Golden, Colorado (read my Golden travel guide!). Between all the wedding festivities, it was a quick trip. Nonetheless, I wanted to share my Boulder, Colorado travel guide to inspire your next visit to Boulder.
Where To Stay:
We stayed at Hotel Boulderado, and I wish we had more time to explore the hotel. Built in 1909, this upscale hotel is known for its stained-glass ceiling and historic charm. It was the first luxury hotel built in Boulder, and if you love history, this hotel offers free self-guided history tours. I loved wandering the hotel and checking out all the original artifacts. Fun fact: Helen Keller is among many famous figures that have stayed here!
Our room had charming Victorian-style decor, a spacious sitting area, and a wet bar. I wish we could’ve stayed another day to relax and enjoy more. Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the prime downtown location that makes it a 2-minute walk to Pearl Street Mall.
What To Do:
Visit the farmers market. Every Saturday, there are local vendors from 8 am to 2 pm, April through November. I love a good farmers market, and even though we weren’t getting groceries, we snagged some coffee and pastries.
Walk Pearl Street Mall. When visiting Boulder, one must stop at Pearl Street Mall — a pedestrian-only area filled with mostly locally owned businesses. And home cooks must pop into Peppercorn; I could’ve stayed there all day browsing through the cookbooks.
Have a drink at License No. 1. It feels like a step back in time with the elegant charm of the early 20th century in this underground speakeasy-style bar inside Hotel Boulderado. When we went, it was poppin’ in this hidden gem!
Where To Eat:
Flower Pepper — I was craving authentic Chinese food, so we popped in as soon as we arrived in Boulder. Brett liked his chicken sesame noodles, but I found my duck noodle soup bland. I’d also recommend ordering takeout rather than dining in as the restaurant is relatively small.
Centro Mexican Kitchen — This is a fun restaurant along Boulder’s iconic Pearl Street Mall. The bustling bar serves delicious cocktails, and all the food I tried was fantastic. It’s also a great space to host celebrations and events.
Spruce Farm & Fish — We came for brunch because it worked best with our schedule, but I’d love to go back and try their dinner menu (I’m eyeing that 1/2 rack of lamb!). I was craving all the seafood when we went, and if you’re an oyster lover like me, you must order the oysters.
Flagstaff House — It’s the perfect place for a wedding (or just a romantic dinner). We celebrated with our friends here, and it was gorgeous! Also, the filet mignon was one of the best I’ve ever had.
This post is just a slice of what Boulder offers, and we wish we had a couple more days to explore. If you have any questions or additional recommendations, please leave them in the comments! xo
Thank you to Hotel Boulderado for hosting our stay. As always, all opinions are my own.
Kelly, you are a pack of travel knowledge. Your travel guide is really awesome and one of the best I’ve found so far.
Wow, this town looks so cozy! I’ll definitely visit there soon. And that hotel… It looks incredible! Thanks for this great post!
This looks so pretty and fun. I’ve never been, but someday!
You guys look lovely! What a pretty view in the background and that hotel looks fabulous. It sounds like you had a great trip.
Boulder is on my bucket list, hoping to visit it whenever I decide to go to Colorado’s highest point (another bucket list I am working on). Anyway, that food looks delish!
We were supposed to have a conference there in September, but it got changed so it stays on the travel list. Love the dress you wore to the wedding!
That’s really cool Helen Keller stayed at the hotel. It looks like a cool one! Thanks for sharing.
Lauren
Wow that hotel looks absolutely stunning! I actually really want to visit Boulder so I’ll have to check it out
Boulder is one of my favorite cities! I love Pearl Street
Boulder is so awesome, love Pearl Street! Looks like you had an amazing time. The hotel looks fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
I enjoyed your travel guide for Boulder, Colorado and the hotel looks amazing!! I have been to Denver and Colorado Springs but never to Boulder. I will have to make a visit!!! Thanks for sharing!!
I’m really enjoying reading about your Colorado trip. I moved to Colorado 10 years ago and still haven’t seen a lot of it. This hotel looks fabulous. I’ve been to Pearl Stree Mall but I don’t think I’ve been on market day. I’m putting it on my summer to-do list!
Exploring in my own state is something I want to do more of. Last year I went to see the <a href="https://tucandream.com/wild-horses-of-colorado"<Wild Horses of Sand Wash Basin if was so much fun actually wild horses!
Hotel Boulderado! That name is excellent, really tickled me. The ceiling in the foyer had an Art Deco vibe to my mind, love the look of it and would definitely consider staying there after seeing your pics.
Great post! I loved all of the photos of the hotel and Pearl Street Mall looks like somewhere I’d love to browse!
I love the historic look of the hotel. It seems like a great place to visit.
Love this! I live in Colorado Springs and have always wonder what there is to do beyond Denver. Gotta check Boulder out!
Boulder is definitely on my bucket list! That hotel looks amazing!
Wowww can you plan my next vacation? This post was amazing!
Wow! Boulder looks awesome. I’ve been to Colorado many times but have only spent a few hours here. I’m saving this post for a future trip!
That hotel is absolutely stunning! Very charming!
What a beautiful place and even more beautiful pictures! I have a goal of visiting all 50 states and this might have to be where I go for Colorado!
Boulder looks like a great town! The pictures are amazing. I will have to add it to my list of places to visit! Thanks for the info!
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These look like some fun things to do in Boulder!
I love historic hotels and this one in Boulder looks beautiful! Looks like there are lots of great food options nearby and who doesn’t love a farmers market!
I live in Colorado and have stayed at Hotel Boulderado! It is a beautiful and historic hotel and actually, its dining room also had delicious food. There is a lot to see and do in Boulder and I do hope you will return for a visit someday.
A place to visit next time is the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. I’ve blogged about it recently.
Very informative article! Boulder looks beautiful and your photos did a great job of conveying that!