Boulder, Colorado is the home of the stunning Flatirons, quirky locals, and the beautiful Pearl Street Mall. During a 3-day weekend in Boulder, you can hike, explore local shops, and try some wonderfully eccentric restaurants.
This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. There are only products included that I truly love. I APPRECIATE your support
Table of Contents
How do I get to Boulder?
Boulder is located just 42 miles from the Denver International Airport making it the perfect weekend trip. From here, you can choose to rent a car or take the Boulder Shuttle. The shuttle departs 13 times daily at just over 50 dollars a person. I’d of course recommend renting a car right at the airport though, so you can fully explore all Boulder has to offer.
Tip! Use the DiscoverCars Search Engine to find the best deals on rentals from the Denver airport.
What is the best time to visit Boulder?
For the best weather, visit Boulder in the early to mid-fall. During this time, Boulder will be cooler without being cold, and there’s a chance you’ll catch the aspen leaves as they turn a warm golden color in large groves (peak fall colors usually Fall in the first 2 weeks of October).
The summer and winter are also great times to visit Boulder, as it’s sunny year-round and the city is used to venturing outside even when the temperatures drop. If you happen to catch Boulder on a morning after a large snowfall, you can sometimes catch a glimpse of the local’s cross-country skiing along the sidewalks.
There are some beautiful spring days in Boulder, but springtime is also famous for muddy conditions as the snow melts.
Where should I stay in Boulder?
You can find some adorable hotels in the Boulder area, especially if you look for a spot near Pearl Street. Here are three wonderful areas of Boulder to consider for your next trip.
Near Pearl Street
Pearl Street is the pedestrian mall in the heart of Boulder, full of shops, restaurants, and local landmarks. The most popular hotel off of Pearl Street is the Boulderado, a quirky and historic spot that is within walking distance of most of the highlights in the city.
You’re likely to pay a bit more for a central Pearl Street location, and you may have to walk several blocks to take advantage of free parking.
Chautauqua Park
The stunning Flatirons are visible from most of central Boulder, and at their base is a large park called Chautauqua along with a restaurant of the same name. From Chautauqua, you’ll be about 30 minutes walking from Pearl Street, but you’ll be in a much quieter and more serene part of the city.
Consider a stay in the Colorado Chautauqua Cottages, where you can cook your own meals. The Chautauqua Cottages are dog-friendly.
East Boulder
The most budget-friendly hotels are located in East Boulder, near the 28th Street Mall and a short drive from Pearl Street. Stay at the Embassy Suites By Hilton Boulder, located near The Buff, a restaurant famous for their heavily discounted mimosas and bloody marys served during weekend brunch.
Sample 3-Day Boulder Weekend Itinerary
Day 1 in Boulder:
Morning:
Start your Boulder weekend getaway with a delicious breakfast at Alpine Modern Cafe. Then head to Chautauqua Park. Here, you’ll find over 40 miles of hiking, a playground, a tennis and basketball court, and a picnic area. I recommend you hike the Chautauqua Trail (3.6 miles) which will take you past several historical sites and give you epic views of the Flatirons.
Afternoon:
After your morning hike, head back into town for an E-bike tour of the city. The 2-hour city tour takes you past some of the best views, historical sights, and Boulder landmarks!
If E-biking is not your thing, you can also explore the city with this fun (and slightly competitive) self-guided scavenger hunt!
Evening:
End your first night in Boulder by wandering around Pearl Street, searching for live music, and eating dinner at Mountain Sun Brewery.
Day 2 in Boulder:
Morning:
Day 2 begins with a delicious and slightly fancy brunch at the Dushanbe Tea House (Saturdays and Sundays only). Here you can admire the beautiful and historical architecture while indulging in a hearty breakfast. After eating, head to the Boulder Bookstore and make time for a stop by the Boulder Farmers Market if visiting on a Saturday during the summer months.
Afternoon:
After a morning of shopping and art, head back into nature to explore Boulder Creek. If the weather is warm, you’ll find people going for a swim in Boulder Creek, especially the western portion where the water is more shallow. Consider buying or renting an inner tube to float down the creek from one of several local vendors. Prices start around $13 for an inner tube.
Evening:
Shopping, art, nature, and swimming… now it is of course time for dinner and beers! Head to Avery Brewery in East Boulder for a brisket plate and a delicious local beer!
Day 3 in Boulder:
Morning:
Get ready for a day of adventure! Grab a quick breakfast at the hotel and grab a sandwich for lunch from Whole Foods or Lolita’s. Then start your drive to Rocky Mountain National Park. At just under 1 hour from Boulder, it’s a perfect day trip! I do recommend getting a pretty early start as all national parks are extremely busy. Be prepared to wait in a long entry line. But trust me… it’s worth it once you’re in!
Afternoon:
After arriving, choose a hike and be prepared to be left in awe! If looking for a moderate hike with epic views, I recommend hiking the Emerald Lake trail (3.2 miles). If hoping to escape some of the crowds and have a more challenging hike, then head towards Glacier Gorge Trail (9.4 miles). Be sure to bring snowshoes and/or crampons if visiting during the fall, winter, or spring (you can rent them at REI).
Evening:
You’ll likely be exhausted after your day of hiking and driving so take it easy on your last night with a quick dinner on the road. If you do still have the energy, you can head back towards Pearl Street for an after-hike hearty meal.
Other things to do in Boulder
- Yoga at the Little Yoga Studio Locals in Boulder love to do yoga, and this little studio set near the 28th Street Mall is very popular. Drop-in classes are $15 and mats are available to rent.
- See a show or concert at the historic Boulder Theater.
- Take a self-guided tour of the murals downtown!
- Boulder is known for some epic stargazing! Check out this stargazing guide for the best spots!
Where to Eat in Boulder
Boulder is home to fabulous food, with options for almost any diet and taste. Most of the best restaurants will be set along Pearl Street, where they’re popular with locals and tourists alike. Some of my favorites are listed below!
- Mountain Sun: Mountain Sun is a small brewery, restaurant, and local landmark, set in a cozy and bustling spot along the eastern end of Pearl Street. Try the Number 1, a Belgian triple that is also one of their bestsellers, and pair it with a tasty burger (or veggie burger, if you’d prefer).
- Lucile’s Creole Cafe: Set in an old house, Lucile’s Creole Cafe serves traditional southern breakfast, lunch, and brunch off of Pearl Street. Be sure to try their biscuits, which you can slather in butter and homemade strawberry rhubarb jam. For adventurous coffee drinkers, try the chicory coffee, a smokey, woody alternative to a standard cup of joe.
- Piece, Love and Chocolate: Piece, Love and Chocolate is a local chocolatier that carries stunning truffles in interesting flavors like pineapple habanero and ‘champagne’ with pop rocks to mimic the bubbles. The jungle-themed storefront is covered in vines, cacao pods, and features pastries, cakes, and the signature truffle case.
Other Tips to know before visiting Boulder
You can park for free, as long as you’re willing to walk: Boulder is a small city, and there is free parking in many of the residential areas. You will have to walk several blocks to take advantage of it, though. Head towards residential areas and read street signs closely.
Don’t ignore the altitude: One of the keys to staying healthy while traveling is staying hydrated, getting plenty of sleep, and being sure that you fit in some exercise each day. Visitors coming from sea level will likely notice the altitude, which can make you feel lightheaded, headache-y, or just generally lousy. These symptoms may progress if you head up into the mountains. Should you start to experience symptoms of altitude sickness, avoid alcohol, drink plenty of water, eat healthy meals, and don’t push yourself too hard physically.
If hoping to road trip around Colorado (or spend more time in and near Denver) check out the Colorado GetOut Pass for discounted entry into over 70 different attractions!
3-day Boulder Weekend Trip Itinerary Recap:
- Day 1: Alpine Modern Cafe, Chautauqua Trail, E-bike tour, Mountain Sun Brewery
- Day 2: Teahouse, bookstore, Farmers Market, tubing down the Boulder Creek, Avery Brewery
- Day 3: Rocky Mountain National Park
Keep Reading::: More Weekend Trip Ideas from Denver, CO
One Weekend In Boulder Isn’t Enough
As you can see, there’s SO much to do in Boulder that one weekend would never be enough to see it all. You can customize your 3-day Boulder itinerary based on what interests you. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty of entertaining activities to create your own fun-filled, jam-packed adventure weekend in Boulder.
What else would you add to this “One Weekend in Boulder” Itinerary?
Tip! Make sure to follow me on Instagram for more USA weekend getaways and dog-friendly adventures!
About the Guest Author
Amber Haggerty runs Amber Everywhere, a site dedicated to encouraging others to travel. The mission of Amber Everywhere is to help people feel the sort of belonging, purpose, empathy, and expansiveness that travel can offer, especially if approached with the right mindset. Amber is originally from Colorado, but now she now lives in Europe and writes about her experiences traveling and living abroad.
Social LinksInstagram: @amber.everywhere
Pinterest: @ambereverywhere
Twitter: @EverywhereAmber
Facebook: Amber.Everywhere
Recent Posts
One Day in Seattle: How to Spend 24 Hours in the Emerald City
With so much to do in an iconic city like Seattle, it can feel pretty daunting when you think about what you want to do and see in such a short time frame. Luckily, this one day in Seattle guide...
Who's in need of a romantic, yet affordable getaway?! (*raises hand*). Traveling is a great way to reconnect and relax, BUT I know that sometimes travel just seems too expensive and out of reach. I...