4 Best Shopping in Boulder and North Central Colorado, Colorado

Among Boulder's many outdoor equipment stores, Neptune is the longtime local favorite that has been outfitting Boulderites for rock climbing, skiing, camping, and mountaineering since 1973. It’s the real deal, and shopping here comes with a direct view of the Flatirons. The shop is home to one of the largest selections of climbing gear in the country, and it displays one of the largest collections of mountaineering artifacts in the world in its on-site museum. Bonus: Refuel on food, local beer, and coffee at the Neptune Café and Bar.

A Boulder institution, McGuckin Hardware stocks home appliances and gadgets, hardware, and a mind-boggling array of outdoor merchandise. The seemingly omniscient salespeople know where everything is.

Gear up with kayaks and SUPs in summer or snowshoes in winter at this year-round shop.

The Boulder branch of REI sells a broad range of outdoor equipment, and rents snowshoes, bear canisters, and trekking poles. The store also has full-service professional bike and ski/snowboard shops, offering maintenance and repair.