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Boulder Travel Guide

Inside ScoopFrom Boulder Locals

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Boulder OVERVIEW
Boulder is a mere 25 miles from Denver, but it is not considered a suburb. Rather, it is a world unto itself. Locals jokingly call it “the bubble” or “25 square miles surrounded by reality.” A Boulder vacation encompasses the best of Mother Nature, the charm of a smaller town, and easy access to Denver and the Rocky Mountains. Located in a broad valley set against the eastern slope of the Rockies, Boulder does seem to be a world apart. It is physically separated from surrounding communities by a ring of green space. It’s pioneering Open Space and Mountain Parks Department manages tens of thousands of acres of public land that is laced with recreational trails. The three side-by-side slabs of striking red sandstone known as the Flatirons are the local symbol. But Boulder is more than just a pretty face. Its about 100,000 residents are among the best educated, fittest and most politically progressive in the country. The Pearl Street Mall, one of the country’s first pedestrian malls, is the ...See More centerpiece of downtown, lined with unique, locally owned shops and restaurants. Just a few blocks away is the main campus of the University of Colorado. Some 30,000 students give brainy, beautiful Boulder an overlay of youthful energy, enthusiasm and great nightlife. Not surprisingly, many students stay around after graduation. The city is aggressively, emphatically green. Boulderites embrace alternative energy, alternative transportation, conservation and recycling. The climate for entrepreneurship is favorable, as well. A local incubator has enabled people to hatch new business of various types, and more than 40 percent of Colorado’s venture capital has helped fund Boulder start-ups. Innovation and energy radiate. It seems as if everyone in town finds time to run, cycle, hike, climb and work out in the city’s several public and private health clubs. Boulder is also a practical jumping-off point for day trips to Denver and to Colorado Springs and all of their appeals, and the scenic splendor and outdoor recreational opportunities of Rocky Mountain National Park and the Indian Peaks Wilderness are within an hour’s drive.  See Less
BEST IN Boulder TRAVEL
from our Editors
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  • Millennium Harvest House BoulderWith 269 rooms, this hotel—formerly just the Harvest House—ranks as a giant by Boulder hotel standards. The attractive...
  • The Dark Horse Bar & GrillTucked away next to a highway exit and behind a strip shopping center and a hotel, the Dark Horse still attracts hordes...
  • Boulder Open Space & MountainBoulder’s mountain backdrop is a procession of aesthetic peaks—not high by Colorado standards but dramatic as they rise...
  • AOL Travel Editors test hundreds of travel experiences at all price points. See their recommendations and make the most of your trip...
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