Kate and Jamie's Boulder Guide
Our favorite things in Boulder
Places to eat, shop, and things to do.
An amazing selection of high end charcuterie, cheeses, wines, beers, and freshly baked breads. Shares a space with Boxcar Coffee. On fridays they serve pretzel dogs. Get one. Or, get two.
56 locals recommend
Cured
1825 Pearl StAn amazing selection of high end charcuterie, cheeses, wines, beers, and freshly baked breads. Shares a space with Boxcar Coffee. On fridays they serve pretzel dogs. Get one. Or, get two.
It's called Ideal Market, but it's really a miniature Whole Foods with a great selection of fresh produce and other delicious foods. (303) 443-1354
156 locals recommend
Ideal Market Boulder
1275 Alpine Ave.It's called Ideal Market, but it's really a miniature Whole Foods with a great selection of fresh produce and other delicious foods. (303) 443-1354
Owner and Master Sommelier Brett Zimmerman runs the best wine shop in town. http://www.boulderwine.com/
20 locals recommend
Boulder Wine Merchant (The)
2690 BroadwayOwner and Master Sommelier Brett Zimmerman runs the best wine shop in town. http://www.boulderwine.com/
Food Scene
Hands down the best coffee (and pastries) in town, located on East Pearl a short walk from our house. Limited outdoor seating is great for sunny mornings.
131 locals recommend
Boxcar Coffee Roasters
1825 Pearl StHands down the best coffee (and pastries) in town, located on East Pearl a short walk from our house. Limited outdoor seating is great for sunny mornings.
The best pizza in town, with thin and chewy/cripsy crust. made in a giant wood burning oven made from Italian stone. Also a great place to sit at the bar and eat appetizers. Always busy, make a reservation if you can. (303) 442-3003
149 locals recommend
Pizzeria Locale
1730 Pearl StThe best pizza in town, with thin and chewy/cripsy crust. made in a giant wood burning oven made from Italian stone. Also a great place to sit at the bar and eat appetizers. Always busy, make a reservation if you can. (303) 442-3003
THE BEST fine dining in town, serving modern Italian food inspired by the Friuli region. 2016 James Beard finalist for best restaurant. Expensive and totally worth it. Make a reservation far in advance, ask for the chef's table. (303) 442-6966
106 locals recommend
Frasca Food and Wine
1738 Pearl StTHE BEST fine dining in town, serving modern Italian food inspired by the Friuli region. 2016 James Beard finalist for best restaurant. Expensive and totally worth it. Make a reservation far in advance, ask for the chef's table. (303) 442-6966
Great family friendly food, with healthy options for kids and adults. We love the garlic smasher potatoes and the kale chips.
(720) 542-8159
68 locals recommend
Next Door American Eatery
1035 Pearl StreetGreat family friendly food, with healthy options for kids and adults. We love the garlic smasher potatoes and the kale chips.
(720) 542-8159
A lovely sunny place to sit outside and caffeinate on a sunny morning. They also have pastries and sandwiches. Sometimes there is live music on Sunday mornings.
131 locals recommend
Spruce Confections
767 Pearl StA lovely sunny place to sit outside and caffeinate on a sunny morning. They also have pastries and sandwiches. Sometimes there is live music on Sunday mornings.
Jax is an institution. Super fresh Seafood, killer oyster bar, and a the best ahi appetizer in town.
80 locals recommend
Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar - Boulder
928 Pearl StreetJax is an institution. Super fresh Seafood, killer oyster bar, and a the best ahi appetizer in town.
The best farm-to-table food in town, located in an off-the-beaten track location a short drive from our place. Head chef Hosea Rosenberg is something of a celebrity, having won Top Chef. 303-247-1000
48 locals recommend
Blackbelly
1606 Conestoga StThe best farm-to-table food in town, located in an off-the-beaten track location a short drive from our place. Head chef Hosea Rosenberg is something of a celebrity, having won Top Chef. 303-247-1000
The more expensive offering from The Kitchen, with fresh, farm-to-table dining. Great location for dinner on the town, and a great brunch on the weekend. Also, a great bar upstairs. (303) 544-5973
220 locals recommend
The Kitchen
1039 Pearl StThe more expensive offering from The Kitchen, with fresh, farm-to-table dining. Great location for dinner on the town, and a great brunch on the weekend. Also, a great bar upstairs. (303) 544-5973
A small but well curated menu paired with an amazing selection of wine in a more intimate location on West Pearl. We love the half chicken. (303) 786-8585
11 locals recommend
PMG
2018 10th StA small but well curated menu paired with an amazing selection of wine in a more intimate location on West Pearl. We love the half chicken. (303) 786-8585
Every wednesday and saturday, from 8am-2pm. Great place to bring kids, with lots of fresh foods, and a large grassy park next to Boulder Creek. On Saturdays, the Museum of Contemporary Art is free.
169 locals recommend
Boulder Farmers Market
13th StreetEvery wednesday and saturday, from 8am-2pm. Great place to bring kids, with lots of fresh foods, and a large grassy park next to Boulder Creek. On Saturdays, the Museum of Contemporary Art is free.
The newest addition to Boulder's culinary scene, they serve finely crafted dishes and excellent drinks. Some of the best (and most expensive) food in town. Great bar too.
18 locals recommend
Arcana
909 Walnut StThe newest addition to Boulder's culinary scene, they serve finely crafted dishes and excellent drinks. Some of the best (and most expensive) food in town. Great bar too.
Get the pork shoulder. Amazing. They also have a late night menu with dished that hit the spot after one too many cocktails.
139 locals recommend
Oak
1400 Pearl StGet the pork shoulder. Amazing. They also have a late night menu with dished that hit the spot after one too many cocktails.
Amazing French inspired food with one of the best happy hours around. Make a reservation if you can, or just walk in a grab a seat at the bar.
102 locals recommend
Brasserie Ten Ten
1011 Walnut StAmazing French inspired food with one of the best happy hours around. Make a reservation if you can, or just walk in a grab a seat at the bar.
Entertainment & Activities
Best gym in town. Indoor and outdoor (saline) pools, as well as yoga, spinning, and other fitness classes. Drop-in passes are available for visiting guests for a fee. 1821 30th St. (303) 501-1700
7 locals recommend
Colorado Athletic Club - Boulder
1821 30th StBest gym in town. Indoor and outdoor (saline) pools, as well as yoga, spinning, and other fitness classes. Drop-in passes are available for visiting guests for a fee. 1821 30th St. (303) 501-1700
One of two public outdoor pools in Boulder, a short walk from our house. Lap lanes for the adults, and a separate pool for kids. Bring towels and a picnic lunch. A long time local neighborhood gem.
24 locals recommend
Spruce Pool
2102 Spruce StOne of two public outdoor pools in Boulder, a short walk from our house. Lap lanes for the adults, and a separate pool for kids. Bring towels and a picnic lunch. A long time local neighborhood gem.
A city-run rec center with two indoor pools -- one for the kids, with a water slide, and another with lap lanes for the adults. Also plenty of exercise / weight equipment. A good rainy day option.
42 locals recommend
North Boulder Recreation Center
3170 BroadwayA city-run rec center with two indoor pools -- one for the kids, with a water slide, and another with lap lanes for the adults. Also plenty of exercise / weight equipment. A good rainy day option.
About 15 minutes away, up at the end of a dirt road, is the Eldo pool. Filled with fresh spring water, and surrounded by old, run down buildings from a past era, it's a throwback experience that is well worth the trip on a hot day.
8 locals recommend
Eldorado Springs Resort & Pool - Closed for Summer 2019
294 Artesian DrAbout 15 minutes away, up at the end of a dirt road, is the Eldo pool. Filled with fresh spring water, and surrounded by old, run down buildings from a past era, it's a throwback experience that is well worth the trip on a hot day.
Parks & Nature
Huge park in beautiful North Boulder. In the summer, it's a great playground for kids, with lots of local families. When there is snow, they groom XC ski trails. 9th and Dellwood Streets, Boulder.
45 locals recommend
North Boulder Park
Dellwood AvenueHuge park in beautiful North Boulder. In the summer, it's a great playground for kids, with lots of local families. When there is snow, they groom XC ski trails. 9th and Dellwood Streets, Boulder.
Beautiful hiking trails at the foot of the Flatirons. Great park with expansive grass, a great place to bring a picnic and let the kids run. Live music and lectures too. https://www.chautauqua.com/
143 locals recommend
Chautauqua
Beautiful hiking trails at the foot of the Flatirons. Great park with expansive grass, a great place to bring a picnic and let the kids run. Live music and lectures too. https://www.chautauqua.com/
Hiking / Biking - Betasso Preserve. Beautiful nature preserve a short drive from town. No mountain bikes allowed on Wednesdays or Saturdays.
41 locals recommend
Betasso Preserve
Betasso RoadHiking / Biking - Betasso Preserve. Beautiful nature preserve a short drive from town. No mountain bikes allowed on Wednesdays or Saturdays.
The best hike in town -- go up the valley trail for a mellow 45 minute "up+back" or climb to the top of Mount Sanitas for a killer workout and even better views.
146 locals recommend
Mount Sanitas Trailhead
Sunshine Canyon DriveThe best hike in town -- go up the valley trail for a mellow 45 minute "up+back" or climb to the top of Mount Sanitas for a killer workout and even better views.
Newly renovated park on Boulder Creek is a great place to take a picnic and a swimsuit. Cool off in the creek and sit in the shade of old growth trees on a hot day.
69 locals recommend
Eben G. Fine Park
101 Arapahoe AveNewly renovated park on Boulder Creek is a great place to take a picnic and a swimsuit. Cool off in the creek and sit in the shade of old growth trees on a hot day.
Drinks & Nightlife
A beautiful replica of a 100 year old Czech beer hall with chunky wooden communal tables serving large European beers in heavy glass mugs. They also serve sausages, fries, and other hearty pub fare.
67 locals recommend
Bohemian Biergarten
2017 13th StA beautiful replica of a 100 year old Czech beer hall with chunky wooden communal tables serving large European beers in heavy glass mugs. They also serve sausages, fries, and other hearty pub fare.
A great place for a drink before dinner downtown. Live music in the lobby of the hotel on some nights. They also have a nice outdoor patio with views of the Flatirons. Get the Tater Tots. Trust me.
85 locals recommend
St. Julien Hotel
900 Walnut StA great place for a drink before dinner downtown. Live music in the lobby of the hotel on some nights. They also have a nice outdoor patio with views of the Flatirons. Get the Tater Tots. Trust me.
Craft cocktails in a cool renovated historic building with outdoor seating. Also serves smaller bar food offerings. http://www.thebitterbar.com/
92 locals recommend
The Bitter Bar
835 Walnut StCraft cocktails in a cool renovated historic building with outdoor seating. Also serves smaller bar food offerings. http://www.thebitterbar.com/
Shopping
Boutique with a beautifully curated selection of mens' and womens' clothing and accessories.
19 locals recommend
Cedar & Hyde Mercantile
2015 10th StBoutique with a beautifully curated selection of mens' and womens' clothing and accessories.
The ultimate local bike shop, with excellent service, and plenty of rental bikes for road and mountain.
37 locals recommend
University Bicycles
839 Pearl StThe ultimate local bike shop, with excellent service, and plenty of rental bikes for road and mountain.
The coolest local bike shop in town. High end custom bikes and great service.
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
2725 Iris AvenueThe coolest local bike shop in town. High end custom bikes and great service.