A beautiful day in Downtown Boulder

Looking out my office window, I’m thrilled to see the amount of foot traffic on the bricks this afternoon. Pearl Street’s pedestrian mall is hopping with activity! Now that our wind storms have died down, it’s a beautiful afternoon. Couples, friends and families are enjoying the sunny weather (many are coatless) and browsing all of the fantastic post-holiday sales and promotions Downtown Boulder retailers are offering. If you are reading this posting, please finish it but then get up here today, tomorrow or as soon as you can and enjoy the day with us!

Here are a few tips for some not-to-be-missed spots. If you are driving here, take 28^th Street and head west on Pearl Street. When you get to 16^th Street, make a left and park in the parking structure on your right. This puts you at the end of the East End and beginning of the Pearl Street Mall. (For a complete listing of Downtown Boulder parking options, visit: www.boulderparking.com)

In the East End, you will find some excellent retail therapy (e.g. Violette, besos, Two Sole Sisters, Starr’s Clothing, Real Baby), wonderful gift and accessory shops (e.g. Momentum, Bliss, Willow), great places to grab a cup of Joe (e.g. The Cup, Laughing Goat) and some of the best dining anywhere (Frasca Food and Wine, Dish, Bimbamboo, Aji, Mateo, Leaf – Vegetarian Restaurant). There are also many one-of-kind specialty shops (Boulder Army Store, Starfish, Feather Thy Nest). Those feeling creative should stop in Color-Me-Mine and explore the artist within and those who need to show their hands and feet some loving should make an appointment at Ten20 Spa.

From the East End, the pedestrian mall (the bricks) is steps away. The bricks run from 15^th Street to 11^th Street. Among the shops (e.g. Into The Wind, Pedestrian Shops, Peppercorn, Weekends, Savvy, Boulder Book Store, Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery, Art Mart, Powell’s Sweet Shoppe) and restaurants (e.g. Trattoria on Pearl, Antica Roma, Boulder Café, Lazy Dog), there are play areas for children to enjoy and plenty of benches to sit back relax and people watch! Don’t forget to stray off the bricks to find other great businesses (e.g. Melt, Tee and Cakes, Savory Spice, Tough Luck Cowboy, Little Mountain Outfitters, Unseen Bean, Black Cat).

Just past the bricks is Pearl Street’s West End. Cross the street and wonder between 11^th and 8^th streets for more fun shops (e.g. University Bicycles, Farfel’s Farms, Chelsea Elena Ciccone, Urban Outfitters, blink gallery, Bart’s CD Cellar, Two Hands Paperie, West End Gardner) and restaurants (e.g. Juanita’s Mexican Food, Tahona Tequila Bistro, The Kitchen, Pasta Jay’s, Sushi Tora, Jax Fish House, West End Tavern and Centro Latin Kitchen). Don’t forget all that Walnut Street has to offer (e.g. Jill’s, The Med, Boulder ChopHouse, Brasserie Ten Ten ). On your way back, stroll past the Boulder Theater and wonder by Rembrandt Yard then head over to the Hotel Boulderado and soak in the holidays in their beautifully decorated lobby. Stop by Downtown Boulder’s Visitor Information Center or visit us on line (www.boulderdowntown.com) for even more ideas and suggestions…See you soon!