DFP Leaderboard: City

The Boulder Flatirons and an audience of summer sweet peas

Boulder Hero

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Boulder's Chautaqua Park and the Flatirons in winter

Farm Dinner in Boulder

Diners enjoy craft beer at Sanitas Brewing

Mountain biking the scenic High Plains Trail

The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

Peak to Peak Scenic Byway

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<p>Boulder’s first settlement was established in 1858 by gold seekers in what is today called Settler’s Park. But it wasn’t long before the town turned its attention from mining its natural surroundings to protecting them. In 1898, the Colorado Chautauqua was built at the foot of the <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/insider-guides/flatirons/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">Flatirons</a> mountains. It was a family retreat created in the tradition of national Chautauquas of the time, focusing on nature, culture and music. In the same year, the town moved to officially protect the land surrounding the Flatirons. Then in 1967, Boulder became the first city in the U.S. to tax itself for funds to be used specifically for the acquisition and preservation of open space. </p>
<h2>Hiking &amp; Recreation in Boulder</h2>
<p>Today, there are 45,000 acres of unspoiled outdoor beauty for visitors to explore via 300 miles of <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation-in-boulder/hiking-in-boulder/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">hiking</a> and <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation-in-boulder/biking-in-boulder/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">biking trails</a>. A visit to the <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/insider-guides/guide-to-chautauqua/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">Chautauqua</a> area today will put you up close and personal with the city’s iconic Flatirons. Here, you can hike up into the piney foothills and earn views of the lush Boulder Valley, patchworks of sprawling farmland and the red-tiled rooftops of the University of Colorado. Even in winter, visitors can do as the locals do and head outside, with plenty of opportunities for <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/winter-activities-in-boulder/5-winter-hikes/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">winter hiking</a>, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and skiing at nearby <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation-in-boulder/skiing-near-boulder/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">Eldora</a> ski mountain.  </p>
<p><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/10-outdoor-adventures-try-boulder">10 Outdoor Adventures in Boulder</a></p>
<h2>University of Colorado Boulder</h2>
<p>Boulder’s cultural landscape was transformed with the opening of the <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/things-to-do-at-cu/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">University of Colorado</a> in 1867, laying the groundwork for the Boulder of today: a forward-thinking college town with a thriving tech startup and creative communities. Along with this progressive mindset comes a wealth of <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/restaurants/foodie-checklist/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">dining</a>, <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/shopping/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">shopping</a> and <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">artistic</a> outlets.</p>
<h2>Boulder Restaurants, Breweries &amp; More</h2>
<p>Much of the fun centers around historic downtown <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/insider-guides/pearl-street/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">Pearl Street</a>, a brick-paved pedestrian corridor that’s always alive with street performers, acclaimed restaurants, and dozens of independent shops. Two blocks away is the <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/insider-guides/farmers-market/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">Boulder Farmers Market</a>, named the best in the country by readers of <em>USA Today</em>. </p>
<p>Need a refreshment after all that? Boulder has more breweries per capita than any city in the country. Come sample over two dozen craft breweries on the <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/restaurants/boulder-brewery-winery-and-distillery-tours/brochure-pdf/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">Boulder Beer Trail</a>. Or, if you’re not into beer, try tea at an elaborately carved Persian teahouse, the <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/listings/boulder-dushanbe-teahouse/661/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse</a>. </p>
<h2>Things to do in Boulder</h2>
<p>When you’re not hiking, eating, drinking or shopping, you can catch a dance or theater performance at the <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/listings/dairy-arts-center/1529/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">Dairy Arts Center</a>, browse dozens of <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/galleries/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">galleries</a> and see big-name music acts at the <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/listings/boulder-theater/1535/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">Boulder Theater</a> or <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/listings/fox-theatre/1205/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">Fox Theatre</a>. Rich cultural events abound, too, such as the annual <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/listings/colorado-shakespeare-festival/225/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">Colorado Shakespeare Festival</a> and <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/listings/colorado-music-festival/227/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">Colorado Music Festival</a>. Fascinating science tours are available at the <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/listings/national-center-for-atmospheric-research-(ncar)/375/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">National Center for Atmospheric Research</a> and the <a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/listings/national-oceanic-and-atmospheric-administration/707/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a>, just two of several federal research labs that call Boulder home.</p>
<h2>Want More?</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/hotels/?utm_source=colorado_com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=city-page">Find Boulder, Colorado, hotels</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/2-days-boulder">More ideas for what to do in Boulder with this two-day itinerary</a></p>


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<p>A laid-back lifestyle, breathtaking views of the Flatirons and Rocky Mountains and celebrated culinary offerings are just a few reasons that make Boulder one of Colorado’s most beloved cities.</p>
