Boulder Colorado: Seeing it like a local

A Quick Overview

As seen by a local

There are tons of sites filled with the hot tourist spots (and yes, many locals like them, too, so some worthy ones will be included) but this lens is a view into what the working Boulderite sees and does with our time outside the cubical.

This lens will show you the fun, the food and the familiar places we, the locals, like to visit.

Downtown Boulder: Many of us work, play and shop in the downtown area. Visitors may have heard of the Pearl Street Mall, but it takes a local to know which places have the best food and the most reasonable prices. Or maybe you want to have a business meeting with a high end client and need Internet access, as well as a healthy breakfast.

This famous pedestrian mall has that and so much more.
Boulder Weekly: Find out what Boulder is up to with our version of the Village Voice - Boulder Weekly is our only independent magazine. This investigative newsweekly gives you a real insight into what is happening locally - from politics to play time. For area movies, music, restaurant and more...

They Came from Out of Town

A few years ago, I had friends come from NY to join our Thanksgiving feast. They got off the plane in heavy ski jackets over turtlenecks, bundled with hats, gloves, scarfs, and asking if they should have worn their longjohns.

They expected it to be bitter cold, worse then the grayness they had left behind, back East.

By noon, they found themselves stripped down to t-shirts and jeans, taking a casual stroll down Boulder's outdoor "walking mall" - the flower beds still covered with a beautiful deep dusting of snow, while the former Main Street turned brick walkway was clear and dry. Finding themselves basking in the sun, my friends were blown away to realize what they needed most was sunscreen - which we promptly got them, along with lots of water to keep them hydrated.

Two of the most important things about visiting Boulder: The sun is strong and the altitude is high. This means you need sun protection all year round and plenty of fluids (H2O, not beer).

The combination of sun and altitude can take negative affects on people who don't take the warning. Altitude sickness and sun stroke can affect you in many ways - headaches, nausea, dehydration, can turn a pleasant visit to a hospital stay - so drink the water, even if you normally don't and garnish the sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses when outdoors for more than 15 mins.

Oh, yeah and it can be cheaper to drink here, because until the altitude adjustment kicks in, you feel alcohols affects quicker - seriously, slow down and enjoy. Your wallet and your head will appreciate it in the morning.

To Catch A Show

Where to go when you are new to the scene

Boulder has a lot of great venues to see shows, here are a few of my favorites with a little history of each.

Boulder Theater: This is a beautiful art deco hall. Its roots go back to Boulder's hayday, opened in 1906 as Curran Opera House by wealthy billboard sign owner James Curran.

In 1981, the theater was renovated into a state-of-the-art concert hall.Care was given to preserve the art deco ornamentation, including the hand-painted murals and fresco ceiling.

When I got to Boulder in the early 90s, it was the place to be.

A list of my favorite shows over the years include Tori Amos, Johnny Cash with his wife June Carter, and comedian Jake Johannsen.

Today, among other events, the Boulder Theater is home to E-town (an old-time radio variety shows which highlights successes and heroes relating to environmental issues) and Baby Loves Disco(a child-proof disco for toddlers and their folks to get down and boogy. I swear, it's a blast if you have kids). They also still have great musical acts from Lucinda Wilson to Ziggy Marley and movies from Al Franken to Warren Miller's ubiquitous annual snowriding film from the inventors of the genre.
Fox Theatre: Originally constructed in 1926 as the Rialto Theatre, the present owner, Celtic Properties, purchased the building in 1994. It was a couple of years earlier that the Fox Theatre became the whole renown concert venue it is today. Their tagline "Where the Sound is the Difference" let's you know - though they don't have the art deco appeal of the Boulder Theater - they mean business in music.

Great shows I have seen included Bonnie Raitt with Emmy Lou Harris, Willie Nelson and Daniel Lanois (all on the same night!), local favs from DeVotchKa to Big Head Todd, and national acts who I have loved over the years include Morphine and Soul Coughing. (Yeah, more known bands like Cold Play, Dave Matthews, and David Grey, to name a few, have played this venue, too.) Told you the sound is the experience, bands love playing here.
Macky Auditorium: Macky Auditorium is not only a beautiful venue, but also host to some of Boulder's best events. It is on the CU campus, so people tend to forget about it, but I have had some amazing experiences from seeing the Dalai Lama (what wit and insights, gotta love him) to Russian dancer and choreographer Mikhail Baryshnikov (equally inspiring, in a completely different way). It is home of the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, the Artist Series, the Conference on World Affairs, College of Music band, choir, orchestra, organ, ballet and opera performances, as well as many other events. Oh, and did I mention the ghost of the young college girl killed in the building?

All that and a gorgeous venue to boot! If you can, don't miss the opportunity. More favs included PJ Harvey and Philip Glass doing Beauty and the Beast (2 separate shows, in case it wasn't clear).
Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre: Home for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival since 1958, this place is priceless.

Set in a courtyard, between academic buildings on the campus of CU, this unique outdoor is a great place to see any performance. If you get a chance, go see one of the festival's productions, if nothing else to find this hidden jewel. Of course, the plays themselves are entertaining, as well. In fact, in 1992 CSF was named as one of the top Shakespeare festivals in the nation by TIME Magazine.

They also hold some performances indoors, so make sure you specify you want one of the outdoor events.

Fun things on Amazon that Remind me of Boulder

Let me know if you find these of interest and I will add more

Food for Though - Part 1

Experience Boulder's culinary and ecclectic side

There are so many great places to eat - so, the best way to do this is to give you a sample of restaurants to visit on a given day, in a given mood.

This first set is a sample of less expensive, but highly recommended places that hold old Boulder charm - yes, that means dreads and piercings. For the less adventures types, skip this whole section and head to Part 2.

Breakfast: Dot's Diner: Hardy home-cooked meal meets organic ingredients and healthy non-hydrogenated oil.

Dot's has been around Boulder for many years. They used to be located in a former gas station at the west end of the Pearl Street Mall. I know that sounds odd, but it totally worked. Unfortunately, they had to move (due to redevelopment), but were also able to expand. They now have two locations, one on the hill and one on 28th - I prefer 28th, but that could be because I live closer to it.

The atmosphere is old-time diner, the food and prices are great. Though they have morning staples (like pancakes, eggs, French toast, hash browns and 'to write home about' biscuits), the reason I love this place is because you can substitute tofu for eggs and avocado for sausage to make it a traditional hardy, yet vegetarian, breakfast. So, everyone is happy.

Hardy, healthy and plentiful - you'll need a nap when you've finished your plate.
Coffee and Books:Trident Cafe and Booksellers: OK, you stuffed yourself at breakfast, so take a walk down the Pearl Street Mall and when you get down to the West end, you will find the Trident. Now I am not suggesting you skip the Boulder Book Store, because it rocks in a complete different way. But for an old school view of Boulder(and to find local artists and musicians), this is the place. Browse their Used and Collectable Books, then grab a seat and enjoy their European coffee house drinks and pastries, as well as a large selection of loose-leaf teas.

Great place to show your artist side, bring a sketch book or journal - they even have wireless access (for those who prefer a digital canvas).

And don't forget the courtyard in the back - most people do and its perfect for a quiet conversation.
Lunch: Mountain Sun and Southern Sun: Two great locations, though my recommendation is the Mountain Sun on the east end of Pearl.

Word of Warning: the service can be a bit slow, but the food, finely crafted brews and pricing make up for it.

They also pride themselves on no TV, instead they provide an array of board games to entertain you while you have your long wait for the wait staff.

Note: Southern Sun seems to be quicker and you still get the good stuff, but the original location has a bit more character - and characters - which add to its charm.

My veggie fav is the black bean burger (add BBQ sauce and fresh avocado) and fries.
Dinner: Khow Thai Cafe: Yum! That is all I can say. I almost don't want to give this one away, though, of course it is already rated as Boulder's Best 4 years running. So, I guess it isn't much of a secret.

If it is too crowded for you, and you have a craving for Thai, there is a new Thai restaurant that just opened (Oct 2006) on Canyon and 28th - but I can't recall the name of it. If you leave a guest book note and remind me, I will find out for you in the near future - it is definitely competition - but since it is a different area of town, both should co-exist happily with their own regulars.

Day-tripping outside our 16 Square Miles

They say Boulder is 16 Square Miles surrounded by Reality, discover the reality

Though Boulder is great (and I could name a million reasons never to leave), if you must, here are a few close by places to visit.

Red Rocks
There is no better place than Red Rocks to see a show, period.

If you are old enough to remember the U2 video, you know the signature layout - a musical venue carved between towering red sandstone rocks - I like how their site describes it: "With Mother Nature as the architect, the design of the Amphitheatre consists of two, three hundred-foot monoliths (Ship Rock and Creation Rock) that provide acoustic perfection for any performance."

Even if there isn't a show, you have to go up there and see how amazing this place is - take a hike, bring a picnic, walk the stage... And if there is a show, no matter where your seats are, do yourself a favor and walk to the top seats after dark to watch the moon raise and the stars appear (both in the sky and on the stage).

There is no better environment to see a show in the world.
Stanley Hotel at Estes Park
Yep - that is correct, the place that inspired Stephen Kings "The Shining" - but that is not the only reason to visit.

The hotel itself is a gorgeous example of Georgian architecture. It has spectacular views in every direction and it is less than six miles away from Rocky Mountain National Park. It has a great history, including a museum, and yes, there are the stories of ghosts.

However, my favorite part is a combination of the drive up, (if you like slow scenic drives up a one lane mountain), the elks who lounge around town, and the magnificent views from the hotel itself.

Estes Park is a cute little town, as well, so save time to explore it - but the main attraction remains the Stanley.
Highlands Square

I took this off their site, because it read well:
"Highlands is one of Denver's oldest neighborhoods, originated by Scots pioneers near the turn of the 20th century. Highlands is located in northwest Denver, with 32nd and Lowell as the commerce central of the neighborhood. In addition to marvelous craftsman and Victorian area architecture, Highlands offers the finest in eclectic shopping, fine dining, personal services, and great neighborhood events."

But the reasons I go back are Pizza Alley - one of the few authentic pizza places in Colorado (I know, NY snobbier, but true) and the independent book store, Cultural Legacy Booksellers. Both are worth the trip, but there is so much more to this quaint little section of Denver.
Nederland
Though Nederland is worth the trip for the views alone, there are actually a couple of great restaurants like Kathmandu's authentic nepali (nepalese)
and indian cuisine.

For you skiers, it is just minutes from Eldora Ski Area. And of course, It also is home to Grandpa Bredo Morstoel, more commonly known as "The Frozen Dead Guy."

The best explanation I could find about this was at The Legends of America website.

There is also a documentary made about it called "Grandpa's Still in the Tuff Shed" - which I think you can buy from the Nederland Chamber of Commerce
Prospect New Town
Prospect, Colorado's first New Urbanist community is just outside of Boulder on a former tree farm in Longmont. They basically built an old town style neighborhood, with a town center at the heart of the the residential area. The streets were set up with views of the mountains in mind, and to keep the traditional town center a five minutes walk from any place in the neighborhood.

The added bonus is the "green" factor (no not money, but it does cost to live there), they built it would minimize negative impacts on the land. This won it the Governer's Smart Growth Award for its innovative alternative to suburban sprawl.

The reason I like it is the speciality stores like
House Gifts & Decor: Ultra Chic & Unique. Gifts for all ages, home decor, fab jewelry, toys and much more. A great alternative to picking up the customary T-shirt for friends back home to shove in their closet. Great for holiday gifts, too. And the town is lovely to walk around and dream of living in.

Food for Thought Part 2

A little pricer, a little cleaner (less dreads, I mean). Here is a sample of doing Boulder in style, for those who can afford it.

Breakfast: The Kitchen Cafe: It has a loft-like feel, old world charm and has been named the one of America's greenest restaurants.

Whenever possible, the ingredients are bought locally and organic. They recycle or reuse nearly 100% (don't ask me what 'reuse' means in a restaurant). And they are actually one of Boulder's finest dining establishments, as well.

Though they have a full menu and are known for their wines, I love this location for a morning meeting. Wireless access let's you find a good excuse to enjoy a lingering, light, fresh breakfast on the expense account (if you are fortunate to have one).

They also have brunch on Saturday and Sunday, as well as lunch and dinner, but go for breakfast and you won't be disappointed.
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse: Beautiful. This building was a gift from our Sister City, Dushanbe, the capital of the Soviet Republic of Tajikistan

Their site explains this project well "From 1987-1990, more than 40 artisans in several cities of Tajikistan created the decorative elements of our Teahouse, including its hand-carved and hand-painted ceiling, tables, stools, columns, and exterior ceramic panels."

The craftsman is stunning, while their teas and food are delicious. Bring a camera and take time to look around, this is an unusual building in our country.

I just saw an episode of a Food Network show that highlighted this venue and their house special desert, which I never had, but plan to try next time I'm there - it looked so moist.
Laudisio: So much for keeping this one a secret. Boulder's finest restaurant (according to this former New Yorker) is now becoming one of Boulder's largest restaurants at the new Twenty Ninth Street retail district.

This is as good a place as any to mention Boulder's new open-air "lifestyle district", as the new mall's website calls it.

But the main point here is Laudisio. If you are looking for amazing Italian food, there is one place in Boulder to visit.

I have always been happy with any dish I chose from their menu, as has just about ever one of my guests - so, definitely check out this authentic Italian restaurant.

Their wait staff, by far, have typically been the most professional in Colorado - I hope they continue this legacy at the new location.

My veggie favorite is the Polenta Boulder. Did I mention yum?!
Cocktails: Corner Bar: Sure, you could go over to Boulder's newest hotspot, St. Julien's T Zero Hotel Bar, but then you would be missing out on a classic Boulder experience, the Corner Bar at the Hotel Boulderado.

Since the hotel opened on New Year's Day 1909, as Boulder's first luxury hotel, the Boulderado has remained one of this towns beloved treasures.

The Corner Bar has that comfortable, unpretentious feel - and if you want a light snack, you can try some of Chef John Platt treats from Q's menu. Q's is the award winning restaurant in the Boulderado, but the little known secret is you can get the same food at a better price when you eat at the Corner Bar. Perfect for a late night snack, to go with that cocktail.

What's your reality?

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Tell Me Something Good

What did you think? Write and let me know!

Since this is my first lens, please let me know how I did.

Should I break it into separate lenses - and if so, how?

Please let me know what you liked or what you'd like to know about Boulder and I will be glad to share more.

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luckycharms Oct 15, 2007 @ 10:47 pm | delete

You forgot Lucille's. For those that want a little Cajun Cuisine in the Rockies! And what is Boulder without the Flatirons? Anyway, you did a great job on this lens!

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bethinkbethany Jun 26, 2007 @ 11:54 am | delete

Thanks Stephanie:
I say go for it! You'll love it here. By the way, when you do arrive, check out V.G. Burgers - they are my new favorite: a vegan burger joint! Who'd a thought? See my blog post on them at: http://lifemaking.wordpress.com/2007/06/03/fast-food-goes-organic/

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Stephanie Jun 26, 2007 @ 11:36 am | delete

i've already decided on moving to boulder next spring, but your review makes me want to move now. i don't really need that $500 deposit back from my lease agreement, anyways... thanks for the good choices on the veg options.

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bethinkbethany Nov 17, 2006 @ 10:51 pm | delete

Thanks Angela!

I appreciate your advice and am also glad to bring back fun memories for you!!! Hope to see you in Boulder some time.

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AngelaHarms Oct 30, 2006 @ 1:25 pm | delete

Nice job! You still need to title a few modules... My husband is from Boulder; we got married in the Rockies near Estes Park (Allenspark, actually). The lens brings back good memories. :)