Schmap Boulder Strolling Around Downtown

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Boulder - Strolling Around Downtown
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The Pearl Street Mall is Boulder's civic center. Generations mingle among the tree-lined brick walkways, historic buildings, sidewalk cafes and shops. The scene is like no other, and a typical summer day includes: tourists feeling at home with the locals; college kids shopping at trendy boutiques, and drinking microbrews on restaurant patios; protesters protesting; the disenchanted urban youth, pierced and leather clad, discussing tattooing; hippies promoting love; religious groups singing, dancing and handing out an assortment of informative literature; transients catching naps on the courthouse lawn; vendors peddling veggie hot dogs and mineral water; poets reciting verse; mimes, Blues guitarists, saxophone players, jugglers, fire-eaters and people dressed as stuffed animals competing for your loose change; young prodigies, fresh from band class, padding their allowances on the mall; and kids and toddlers practicing future climbing techniques on a small playground strewn with big rocks. The scene can border on bizarre, but to enjoy Boulder best, try not to understand it. At times the town seems confusing, even paradoxical. But the contradictions, the liberal and conservative mix, make Boulder an interesting place to simply experience. After a taste of the mall, roam around the other streets of downtown. A new discovery lies around every corner, from quaint galleries to exotic restaurants. Art lovers can head over to 13th Street to the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. Music lovers can take in a show at the Boulder Theater or pick up some vinyl at Bart's. Food connoisseurs have an overwhelming choice of fine regional dining, brewpubs and local joints.

After exposing the senses to Pearl Street and the surrounding vicinity, travel the flagstone walkways into the historical Mapleton and Whittier neighborhoods for a look at regal Victorian homes. The districts occupy a hill above Downtown and offer stunning views of the city and the Flatirons.

A number of local facilities offer guided and self-guided tours. The Daily Camera, the city's local newspaper, offers insight on the journalistic process, providing extensive tours of the preparatory and production areas. NCAR and the National Institute of Standards and Technology feature both self-guided and guided treks. Celestial Seasonings, Boulder's homegrown herbal tea maker, offers daily tours and tastings. The Rocky Mountain Brewing Company, the town's first beer maker, pours free samples as the tour explains the secret art of the microbrew.

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Bart's CD Cellar

Independent CD shop

1015 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
United States
+1 303 447 8150
http://www.bartscdcellar.com/

Forget the mall chain stores and so-called super shops; if you are really into music, and in Boulder, you need to check out Bart's CD Cellar. Located just off the Pearl Street Mall, this thriving independent has two floors of music: a sprawling first floor devoted to second-hand music of every genre, including a large selection of jazz and world music, and an upstairs vault of vinyl. The staff looks and talks like they have all served time as roadies, and possess the music knowledge to prove it. So if you are looking for something you have never heard before, they can make excellent recommendations.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Bart's CD Cellar photo by Heather Philipp

Photo: Heather Philipp

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art

Excellent collection in small space 1750 13th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
United States
+1 303 443 2122
http://www.bmoca.org/ Located in a historic two-story warehouse, the museum exhibits modern creations by local, national and international artists. Featuring three diverse viewing areas and more than 10,000 square feet of space, the non-profit museum acts as a local educational center promoting the aesthetic importance of visual and performing art. The space is also a haven for developing artists and hosts an array of photography, cinema and theatrical programs. A funky on-site gift shop is a great place to browse around after checking out the latest show.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Dan Reynolds
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Photo: Marguerite Kahrl

Boulder Theater

Music, film & history 2032 14th St
Boulder, CO 80302
United States
+1 303 786 7030
http://www.bouldertheater.com This posh venue has graced downtown Boulder since 1906. Originally opened as an opera house, the historic building underwent a massive renovation in the 1980s. Located just off the Pearl Street Mall, the complex hosts nightly concerts, film screenings and other community events. National Public Radio hosts the popular weekly environmental and musical radio show E-Town here. While it remains a popular venue for local entertainers, the theater's cabaret-style seating, preserved art deco ornamentation and state-of-the art sound and lighting system attract national and international artists.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Celestial Seasonings

Worldly tea 4600 Sleepytime Drive
Boulder, CO 80301
United States
+1 303 530 5300
http://www.celestialseasonings... The famous maker of herb and traditional teas offers daily tours of its manufacturing facilities. Highlights include the herb garden, teapot collection and an art gallery exhibiting original paintings designed for the colorful tea packages. Enjoy a fresh cup of tea in the Celestial Cafe, and shop for souvenirs in the Tea Shop and Emporium. The complex is roughly a 10-minute drive from downtown Boulder. Admission is free. Children must be at least five years old.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Downtown

Boulder
United States
Boulder's historic civic center serves as a gathering place for the entire city. Anchored by Pearl Street, a vibrant thoroughfare boasting a magnificent four-block pedestrian mall, downtown brims with tourists, but is also a lively haven for the eclectic locals. The tree-lined promenade, long ago a refuge for drunken cowboys and prostitutes, is alive with cafes, galleries, brewpubs, restaurants and every type of shopping imaginable. Musicians and performers clutter the Pearl Street Mall vying for attention. It is not uncommon to see a flower child plucking a guitar, small groups of blue-haired urban punk rockers, and even a peaceful band of Hare Krishnas camped on the courthouse lawn along this four-block stretch. Locals pour into downtown nightly to relax and shop. An array of small boutiques and interesting gift shops complement the few national retailers and 15 bookshops.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Flatirons

Geological landmark and popular climbing spot 3198 Broadway (Parks Department)
Boulder, CO 80302
United States
These giant, Pennsylvanian red sandstone slabs rise as a dramatic backdrop to south Boulder and are the town's best-known geological landmarks. The alluvial deposits thrust upward into jagged peaks almost 70 million years ago, during the birth of the Rocky Mountains. Today, residents and visitors alike enjoy hiking around the base and climbing the front face of The Flatirons. Towering 1400 feet above Boulder, the Third Flatiron is one of the most popular climbing routes in North America.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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National Center for Atmospheric Research

Learn about the weather 1850 Table Mesa Drive
Boulder, CO 80307
United States
+1 303 497 1371
http://www.ncar.ucar.edu/ Established in 1960 to examine and explore world weather patterns and climate, NCAR (pronounced en-car) is a PhD peppered working environment, housed in a landmark building. It also doubles as an educational center packed with interactive displays to amaze adults and kids alike. The scenic nature trails surrounding the complex contain learning stations that explain weather patterns. Brochures allow you to guide yourself, and tours are available at noon on Monday and Wednesday. Admission is free.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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National Institute of Standards and Technology

The nation's timekeeper 325 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80302
United States
http://www.nist.gov/ Searching for the precise right time? Then step into this unassuming Bauhaus structure and set your watch to the atomic clock—the nation's official timekeeper. Ultimately this educational haven is a place for researchers to develop ways for business, industry, science and government to advance technically. Though most people come to simply take in the tick and tock of the famous clock, the facility does offer a 90-minute guided tour. Self-guided tours are also welcome. Admission is free.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Pearl Street Mall

Shopping Boulder style Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
United States
+1 303 442 1044 One of Boulder's most treasured landmarks, this outdoor pedestrian mall boasts an array of boutiques and shops peddling an assortment of goods, from music to kites to trendy clothing. Located in the heart of the city, the tree lined, brick walkway also features a regular host of street performers and unusual Boulder characters. After shopping for the perfect present or browsing one of the art galleries, spend the afternoon on one of the many cafe patios. Sip your favorite beverage, soak in the sunshine and take in the street activity. A play area for children features an assortment of boulders to climb on.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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