Planning Your Time

You could pass a weekend or a month in this area and still leave stones unturned. At a minimum, spend a long weekend in Boulder, exploring the trails, eating and drinking to your heart's content, and people-watching along the Pearl Street Mall. If you have a bit more time, explore the nearby mountain towns of Nederland and Lyons for a few days. In both small towns, hiking trails will reward you with scenic views, alpine lakes, and wildlife, and the historical downtowns are lined with quirky businesses. Or you might venture east and north, respectively, from Boulder to the beer-loving cities of Longmont and Fort Collins, which both boast famous breweries with free tours. It's also easy to explore all these areas on a visit that includes nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.