2 days in Boulder...what to do?

[Idunn]

Boulder, CO offers some great hikes. You might hike there from town, or drive (in which case a small fee from Boulder Parks for parking), in either case the view from Flagstaff mountain is truly panoramic. This mountain is directly west of town, overlooking it. The drive or hike, or bicycle trip, up is lovely. Once there find the amphitheater that overlooks the town far below. You'll understand why.

Directions couldn't be simpler: Head west on Baseline Rd and continue on as it winds its way up the mountain side. Perhaps a mile on (give or take) you'll feel well up, the road will seem to crest down, and just to your right is the entrance to the Park with a sign denoting as much. If hiking, trailheads are at the edge of town/base of mountain. There is limited public parking there, or one can make other arrangements.

From this Park it is also possible to find a vantage looking west to the front range, and a fair sight that. Picnics and other whimsical pastimes the order of the day.

[suzco]

Walk or bike (if you have a bicycle with you or rent one) along the Boulder Creek Trail, for a feel for everyday life in Boulder. It runs roughly east-west through the city, heading up the canyon towards the west.

[kryptos]

You already have a lot of really great replies, so I'll just chime in with one restaurant suggestion- stop at the Med for happy hour. They do great tapas. My favorite Boulder hike is Royal Arch (Denver Hiking Examiner: Hike of the Week: Royal Arch) which is a little steep but very rewarding.

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by suzco

Walk or bike (if you have a bicycle with you or rent one) along the Boulder Creek Trail, for a feel for everyday life in Boulder. It runs roughly east-west through the city, heading up the canyon towards the west.

I second that and, if you're fit enough, I would start the trail down by the library and walk as far along it as you can - it runs for about 4 miles I think.

Also, just take a stroll down Pearl Street. If you get here while the tulips are still in bloom it can be quite a spectacular sight to see the riot of colour all the way down the pedestrianised area. Plus take a walk in the evenings. The street theatre artists may be out and about by now and they're always entertaining.

Have a drink in and wander around the Boulderado hotel; check out the stained glass ceiling in the main entrance.

Drive up Boulder Canyon to Nederland and make a short stop at the Boulder Falls along the way.

[suzco]

Originally Posted by kryptos

You already have a lot of really great replies, so I'll just chime in with one restaurant suggestion- stop at the Med for happy hour. They do great tapas. My favorite Boulder hike is Royal Arch (Denver Hiking Examiner: Hike of the Week: Royal Arch) which is a little steep but very rewarding.

Great suggestions all.

Royal Arch is one of the hikes accessible from Chautauqua; another of my favorites there is Mallory Cave.

For a popular everyday hike, try Mt. Sanitas (trailhead on Mapleton Ave), it's 1.5 miles straight up, with a 1250 or so foot elevation gain. Very popular, crowded with hikers and runners.

[98stage2]

Wow! What an incredible list of things to do...maybe I should make it a week trip.

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions so far. I'm looking forward to coming out and seeing it all first hand for myself...

[movementarian]

Grad school eh, ? Walk around campus, try to meet a professor in your department or some students in the program. Talk to the students and ask what they think of their program and how things like the career center are. Honestly, I'd say Boulder is a really hard place to beat for a cool place to go to school. So if you're only here for a year or two and your program looks like a quality one, believe me, you'll have a good time in Boulder. I'm struggling to think of a town that is more fun to go to school in. If its a PHD program and you'll be here a long time, stay a week and check out everything...

If you're a flatlander looking for a hike, as mentioned, Royal Arch is alright. I'd more do a quick hike up the mentioned Mt. Sanitas or somehow try to do a Mesa Trail shuttle hike starting at NCAR going downhill to Chataqua park - its mostly downhill and mellow. Those three hikes are some of the closest to downtown.

Two days really isn't a lot of time - hit campus, do a hike, do pearl street, do boulder creek, do farmers market (if its a saturday), maybe see the stores on 29th street. If the weather is nice, find a good rooftop restaurant - some of those and good ideas for a day trip are mentioned here:
Day in Boulder | Downtown Boulder Colorado

[boulderama]

Consider checking out a concert at either the Fox, or Boulder Theatre. Boulder pound for pound has an amazing music and restaurant scene. I feel it's the best town in Colorado for these two things.Boulder is often included in the line up with much larger cities for touring music/and performance artists.