The incredibly beautiful campus of the University of Colorado Boulder, just 45 minutes from the Denver airport, sits surrounded by the spectacular Rocky Mountains. Boulder is a public institution founded in 1876 and home to a large student undergraduate population just under of 28,000. Boulder is considered by many as one of the best places to live in the U.S. with a lively downtown and tons of hiking and biking trails. Aspen, Cooper Mountain, and Vail are just a few hours away, offering endless skiing opportunities all winter long.

Visitor Information: Tour Boulder

Transportation: Fly into Denver International airport, approximately a 45 drive to campus. Rent a car, take a taxi or do as the students do and use the Boulder Super Shuttle, a van service or The Regional Transportation District's (RTD) bus service from the airport called the SkyRide.

Stay: Our first choice is the St. Julien Hotel and Spa centrally located in downtown Boulder, with gorgeous views of the Flatiron Mountains. If you are making a weekend out of your stay, consider a visit to the spa, named one of Conde Nast Traveler's Top 75 Spas. Another top choice, The Hotel Boulderado is a historic, landmark property with an ideal location steps from the Pearl Street Mall. Families also check in to the Boulder Marriott, Homewood Suites by Hilton, and the Hyatt Place Boulder.   

Coffee: Mingle with students in the morning on campus as they start their day.  There is a Starbucks in the University Memorial Center, also home to CU’s bookstore, in case you want to purchase some gear. The Laughing Goat is in the Norlin Libray.  The Bakery, a retail establishment inside the Center for Community, Boulder’s largest dining hall is a student favorite. Downtown Ozo Coffee, located right on Pearl Street, is everyone’s favorite for the best coffee in Boulder hands down.

Breakfast: The Buff is a family owned Boulder institution popular with both students and locals for hearty American breakfast fare. Some say it is the best breakfast, not just in Boulder but in all of Colorado. Enjoy a beignet and other Creole-Cajun staples at Lucile's located in a cozy Victorian house. Snooze is a super popular Colorado mini-chain, be prepared for a wait at busy times. Tangerine focuses on farm fresh food, one student told us “order the banana chai smoothie and one of the egg dishes that cover an entire menu page!”

All Day Dining: It’s a backyard party every day at The Rayback Collective featuring some of the area’s best food trucks and a taproom pouring beer, cider and wine.The Collective is more than a bar or food space, it’s an eclectic mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, and has become a community hub with live music, trivia nights, even lawn games. Everyone from young kids to older adults will have a good time here! The Collective is open seven days a week starting at 7 am, check the schedule to see what food trucks and events are there the day you plan to visit.

Lunch: The Kitchen Next Door serves locally sourced food in a casual, pub like atmosphere. From the team behind beloved Frasca, Pizzeria Locale serves delicious classic Napoletana style wood oven pizza. Enjoy Greek themed Mediterranean small plates at The Med. Onion soup and Nicoise salads are featured alongside burgers at Brasserie Ten Ten, a French-style eatery.  

Dinner

Casual: Winner of Bravo’s Top Chef, Hosea Rosenberg, is the man behind Blackbelly Market, a community staple and one of the hottest tables in town. The hearty menu features food sourced from the chefs own livestock and produce. Students like Riffs for its relaxed atmosphere, attentive service, and creative American menu. Centro has excellent Mexican fare and delicious margaritas. Everything is seasonal using local ingredients cooked in a wood-fired oven at Italian Basta showcasing small plates, excellent pizzas, and more substantial entrees. 

A Step Up: Oak at Fourteenth is a winning combination of a beautiful space, an impressive wide-open kitchen, and food to match--an excellent choice for either lunch or dinner. The Kitchen calls itself a “community bistro”, an apt description as its one of Boulder’s most popular restaurants—on everyone’s top restaurant lists. Frasca delivers a fine dining experience, specializing in the food from the northeast of Italy. Black Cat is an elegant bistro, an authentic farm to table experience with many of the food coming directly from Chef Eric Skokan's 130-acre farm. (His more casual Bramble and Hare is another great choice, with a few small plates and a daily changing three-course farm dinner menu.) 

Local Attractions: Visit Old Main built in 1876, the first building on CU's campus, now home to the CU Heritage Center, a museum of the university's history. Spend some time wandering and shopping the Pearl Street Mall a pedestrian only street. On Saturdays, there’s an abundant farmer's market right on Pearl Street. Go for a hike on Chautauqua Mountain, bring your camera for some gorgeous shots. For an itinerary of things to do in Boulder, click on our Daytripper 365 itinerary here.