edit Boulder Travel Guide

• Chautauqua Park, at Baseline Ave and 8th Street. Located at the base of the Flatiron's rock formation. For a minor hike, take the trail to the 3rd Flatiron. This hike will show you sweeping vistas of town and an up-close and personal look at the Flatiron's rock formations. During the summer months, the Boulder Symphony performs at Chautauqua, with the mountains as a stunning backdrop.
• Rock Climbing Front Range Climbing offers climbing trips through the Colorado Front Range, including Boulder Canyon.
• Pearl Street Mall. This four block long downtown pedestrian walking mall is surrounded by historic buildings containing shopfronts and restaurants. Along Pearl Street you will find many boutiques and independent shops featuring everything from clothing to trinkets and art. Also along Pearl Street are some national chain shops, and several street performers. For food, the Pearl Street area offers a large variety of cuisines from around the world, and is priced from $8 to $30 per person.
• University Hill. This small area is located West of Broadway across from the main campus of the University of Colorado at Boulder. Commonly referred to as just 'The Hill,' the area caters to college students with a variety of restaurants and bars, and services such as barbershops, bookstores, and coffee houses. There are also several entertainment venues that showcase up-and-coming talent from around the world.

These days, Boulder wears several hats: as a university town, home of the University of Colorado at Boulder and others; as a hi-tech town that is rapidly spawning bedroom communities in outlying farm towns; and as a center of alternate culture, with various new age institutions, Naropa University, meditation centers, Buddhist centers, and the like. What perhaps distinguishes it most from other cities of similar size in the United States, however, is its status as a mecca for serious athletes, many of whom have made their home here for the conditioning advantages of high altitude, combined with businesses, facilities, and a community that provide opportunities for serious training and competition. Even the average nine-to-fiver Boulderite is much more likely than the average American to be a serious cyclist, runner, skier, etc., and you will see the difference as you're about town.

Boulder is placed in the Front Range region of Colorado here, even though it is virtually contiguous with Denver. This reflects the reality that it's the "front door" to the mountainous country to the west, with many outdoor attractions, and also the fact that there are all manner of cultural differences between Boulder and Denver.

Boulder is easily reached from Denver International Airport via car or bus. The public Regional Transportation District (RTD) 'AB' bus runs hourly between DIA and Boulder. The AB bus is a clean, safe, and easy way to get to town, and the route 'B' bus runs between Boulder and Denver. Boulder is only 20 miles from Denver, and is an easy drive via US highway 36.

By Car

If you choose to drive around town, be aware that there is heavy traffic on the main throughfares, and parking downtown can be a bit tight. There are a number of city-owned garages tucked behind the buildings downtown. Keep your eyes open for the large green "P" signs outside their entrance ramps, as they don't look like parking garages from the outside. Be careful parking in the University area, as tickets can be quite expensive. Also note that one can be fined for smoking in one's car and the fine is a bit steep, although I've never heard of anyone who's been fined before. Boulder's police are vigilant about drunk driving, so try to keep out of the car when you find yourself tipping down a local microbrew or two.

By Mass Transit

Boulder has decent mass transit for such a small city. Boulder and Denver share a common mass transit system, known as RTD.

By Foot

4 very distinct seasons, with a moderate to cold winter. The Boulderites motto is "if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it'll change". The moral: Always carry a jacket.

Boulder has a dry climate and during any season, dehydration can be a problem for visitors and residents alike. Drink plenty of water. If you go hiking in the evening, bring two quarts of water. At night, tempatures drop remarkably, so bring warm clothing if you'll be out at night. (This is true even during summer months.) Be aware of mountain lions while hiking (statistics).

Police

Fire Department

Hospitals

Crime

Boulder is very low crime and has no bad neighborhoods, but use common sense. University Hill, which is bordered by Baseline, Broadway, and Canyon can become raucous in the evenings, especially on weekends. Downtown Boulder, especially at night, is frequented by panhandlers, which can at times be aggressive but are not dangerous. Aggressive panhandling is illegal in Boulder, and you may report it to the police. Throughout the hiking trails and near University property, Boulder has black posts lit with a blue light that have emergency phones in them that only dial 911.

Smoking

• Downtown covers a large area, with the Pearl Street Mall (see below) at its core. Downtown features shopping, eating, and entertainment for all ages. Be sure to check out the restaurants on Walnut Street, between 9th Street and Broadway, as they offer several good options just off the Pearl Street Mall. Also check out the West End of Pearl Street, between 8th Street and the Pearl Steet Mall, as it offers additional shopping and more restaurant options. For home furnishings, make sure to check out Pearl Street's East End, from the Pearl Street Mall to 20th Street. Stop by the Boulder Farmers Market on 13th St., between Canyon and Arapaho Avenues, on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings - an experience not to miss.
• University of Colorado at Boulder. The flagship institution of the state of Colorado, CU-Boulder (as it's called locally) has a 600-acre campus, with beautiful gardens and buildings tucked away in its mainly pedestrian core that's worth a visit. Check out the Heritage Center located in the Old Main building, for a look at the history of CU. There are also art galleries and museums located throughout campus.
• Boulder Creek Path. This miles-long path sits on the banks of the Boulder Creek, cutting right through the middle of town. Along this path you will find beautiful walking, biking, and other forms of recreation. In the downtown area, pick up the path at Civic Park, located on Broadway, between Canyon and Arapaho Avenues.

It should be noted that it is also a very expensive place to take up residence as the City of Boulder, as well as Boulder County, has strict zoning and building regulations that limit developement.

• Denver