WEEKENDER images : alamy ; getty
BOULDER , COLORADO
A diverse dining scene , walkable city centre and opportunities for outdoor exploration make Boulder an ideal Colorado destination , says Zanny Merullo Steffgen
DAY 1
The best way to start a weekend in Boulder is with some nature exploration on the hiking trails through Chautauqua Park . Here , giant slabs of rock , the Flatirons , seem to lean against the horizon and the tall grasses are encased by forest thickets . Visitors in 2023 will enjoy a historic year as it ’ s the park ’ s 125th anniversary — a celebration of the Boulder community ’ s dedication to preserving its many nearby natural wonders .
Clockwise from top left : Group of succulents in terracotta pots at the farmers ’ market in Boulder ; outside Denver Art Museum ’ s Frederic C . Hamilton Building ; tarot cards with guide book ; a busker ’ s saxophone ; Pearl Street during late summer ; Boulder Flatirons ; University of Colorado ; interior of the historic Hotel Boulderado ; Indian-style spicy scrambled eggs
After a morning of hiking at high altitude — Boulder sits at some 1,600 m — a hearty meal is in order , so head into town for lunch . Choose local favourite , Avanti , and roam around its indoor food court . Here , you can soak in the Colorado sunshine from rooftop tables and pick from seven restaurants and their vastly different menus . Tuck into a Costa Rican rotisserie from Pollo Tico , or fluffy bao buns and fragrant Taiwanese noodle soups from Pig and Tiger .
After lunch , wander through the Pearl Street Mall . In this pedestrian-only area of town , buskers fill the air with music and tarot card readers , or writers of personalized poems will attempt to entice you as you pass . Explore the unique , locally owned stores and the al fresco cafes , and tempt your taste buds perusing menus inspired by more than a dozen world cuisines .
Spend your afternoon browsing through the farmers market for fresh produce and local liquors . Later , dine at Salt for locally sourced steaks , draped in buttery shallots and paired with truffle fries .
DAY 2
Spend your second morning strolling around the historic Mapleton Hill neighbourhood . Here , towering 19th- and 20th-century mansions tell the tales of the gold miners who dominated Boulder in its earliest iteration . The neighbourhood also borders the Mount Sanitas trailhead , a worthy detour if you still have the energy for hiking among the ponderosa pines .
Stop for lunch at Fuji , downtown , which specialises in Japanese and Nepali comfort foods — onigiri , momos , unagi — fused and expertly prepared . From here , head to The Museum of Boulder to take in a permanent exhibit that honours the city ’ s Indigenous origins . It ’ s complemented by rotating exhibits put on by local organizations , teaching about environmental initiatives , Colorado ’ s diasporic history and more . Culture lovers can also visit the art and natural history museums at the University of Colorado , or space out at the planetarium ’ s daily shows .
Before dinner , get another taste of the city ’ s rich history with a visit to the Hotel Boulderado and sip on a strong cocktail in its mysterious downstairs speakeasy , License No . 1 . Then , head to the World Famous Dark Horse Bar & Grill — a Boulder institution . Tuck into an intensely juicy burger patty here or , if you ’ re feeling daring , try the version that ’ s slathered in peanut butter and provolone cheese . The bar and grill , decorated with movie props and oddsand-ends antiques , is an atmospheric spot to spend your evening enjoying bar games and local brews . spring 2023 • 13