It’s a very busy time of year for me at work, but I still managed to get away for a weekend last month to celebrate my friend’s upcoming wedding…at a destination Bachelorette party! In Boulder, Colorado!!
I didn’t know very much about Boulder. I’ve been to Denver before (and loved it) and vowed to visit CO again. When the group decided to go to Boulder, I was excited. There are lots of opportunities for all kinds of adventures!!
CHAUTAUQUA PARK
On Saturday morning, we admired the beautiful scenery at Chautauqua Park and hiked the surrounding trails at the base of the Flatirons. We were expecting it to rain all day, but fortunately the rain held off until later. We had sunny, clear skies and really enjoyed the chance to wander around and talk, stopping here and there to dip our feet in a creek or to admire the views of the Boulder valley. FYI: The full trail to Flatiron #1 is approximately 2.9 miles roundtrip and is rated moderate/strenuous.
BOULDER COUNTY FARMER’S MARKET
Later in the afternoon, we checked out the Boulder County Farmer’s Market. They sell mostly organic fruits and vegetables, beautiful flowers and plants, cheese!, and gluten-free bread and pastries. We learned that Boulder is definitely a gluten-free friendly town. 🙂 You can stop at the various stalls, chat it up with the vendors, and try samples. Everyone was so nice!
Looking at all the displays of colorful and pretty foods was making us hungry, so we made our way to the food tents. “Amaizing” Corn Tamales, Falafels & Gyros, Vietnemese crepes, pupusas…there was something for everyone. It was an overwhelming choice, but I knew exactly what I was going to order after I saw someone walk past me with a bowl of homemade macaroni and cheese with pulled pork and BBQ sauce on top. Never mind that all 5 of us ordered the same thing! We don’t mess around when it comes to mac ‘n cheese.
DUSHANBE TEAHOUSE
We had a delicious brunch at the Dushanbe Tea House, which is a popular tourist attraction. It was a gift created in Tajikistan, shipped piece by piece, and rebuilt in downtown Boulder. I highly recommend having weekend brunch (call ahead for larger parties) or afternoon tea here.
PEARL ST PEDESTRIAN MALL
A few blocks away is Pearl St, a pedestrian street mall in the heart of the city with boutique shops, stores, and restaurants. This is where you’ll find street performers, interesting sculptures, and benches to sit down and people watch.
MESA TRAIL AT SHADOW CANYON
Despite threatening clouds and a forecast of thunderstorms, we set off on an afternoon hike from the South Mesa Trailhead. It rained a little at the beginning, but I’m so glad we didn’t turn back. The wind swept the clouds away so we were able to enjoy a cool breeze on our hike through the canyon and back down the mountain.
The Mesa trail was a relatively easy hike. There were lots of families on the trail, and we even saw a guy hiking with his pet POTBELLY PIG!!!! Haha This was by far my favorite hike.
TIPS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Outdoor adventures, laughs, good food, and great company…a recipe for a great weekend. And Boulder, Colorado was the perfect setting to celebrate friends and life. I hope you, too, can visit one day and experience the breathtaking scenery and relaxed atmosphere. Cheers!
Restaurants: Dashanbe Teahouse, Centro Latin Kitchen, The Med Boulder
Travel Tip: For those of us that work full-time and have limited vacation days, look for flights that leave in the evening on a Friday and return in the early AM on Monday (a red-eye flight). From Boston, Jetblue has nonstop flights to Denver that leave after 5 p.m. on Friday and return on a Monday around 7-8 in the morning. I went straight to work from the airport! I was tired, but it was so worth it. You can also find similar flight schedules with red-eyes back to the East Coast to/from California, Washington State, and Utah.
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