Hey downtown,
The first few months of 2025 are flying by which means summer is approaching! If you’re like me, you’re already putting together a list of things you want to do. If you need a little inspo, I have some ideas to share with you. And if you can't wait until summer, I also provide ideas that are perfect for any season. Here are 25 of my favorite ideas on how to make the most of your time downtown:
1. Two things I love: espresso martinis and the summer sun. Luckily, The Post Chicken & Beer combines these two lovely things effortlessly! I will be spending many brunches at The Post enjoying their $20 bottomless espresso martini deal. (This offer is also available for peeps who love mimosas and bloody marys.) Outdoor dining, brunch and martinis, what else could I ask for?
2. I can’t wait for the Boulder County Farmers Market to return on Saturday, April 5th (until November 22nd). Whenever I need groceries, I head over to 13th Street for a Saturday stroll through the market. I love enjoying the weather while supporting local farms and related businesses by buying produce that is as fresh as can be. I usually take a break from the shopping to enjoy some of the delicious food trucks too. It is always my favorite way to turn an errand into a fun activity for the day. (If you can’t make it on a Saturday, you can head to their Wednesday markets starting May 7th through October 8th.)
3. Spruce up your Monday blues by getting off your phone and taking part in Boulder Out to Lunch Day, happening the last Monday of each month. Personally, I use this day as an excuse to enjoy a Prosciutto Caprese from Organic Sandwich Company! For more ideas on where to grab a bite, check out our Bites on a Budget Page - full of yummy and cost-friendly deals.
4. Taste of Pearl is less than a month away, happening April 6th! If you haven’t done so already, buy your tickets to this exclusive food, wine and shopping event now. Go on a journey downtown enjoying samples and sips from some of your favorite restaurants and beverage partners, while exploring one-of-a-kind retail spots. You will not regret attending this community-favorite event. *Must be 21 years old or older!
5. Wake up the tulips alongside local fairies and elves at the Tulip Fairy & Elf Festival on Sunday, April 27th from 1 to 5 PM. Bring your kids downtown for the magic that is this festival. There will be live performances from special guests like the Tulip Fairy herself along with Jeff and Paige and special activities such as face painting stations, all for your kids to have a day full of fun.
6. If puzzles are a pastime of yours like they are mine, challenge yourself this summer by grabbing a unique one from Liberty Puzzles. I have never seen puzzles like this before, the unusual shapes of the pieces make the experience all the more fun. A picnic set up with one of these puzzles sounds like the perfect way to spend a summer day. I think I’ll even put in an order for my own custom puzzle to make it extra special, you should do the same!
7. On Saturday, May 17th & Sunday the 18th, the Firefly Handmade Spring Market will be in full motion along the Pearl Street Mall. There will be 90+ artists, makers and designers setting up shop for you to come by and find some one-of-a-kind creations. I think I’ll head downtown to find the perfect gift for Father’s Day!
8. Our downtown Beer Trail is a fun thing to do with your friends any day. Take a stroll downtown while stopping in some of your favorite local restaurants for a quick beer to cool off. I plan on taking my friends on this trail myself to celebrate CU graduation!
9. Boulder Creek Fest is taking place from Friday, May 23rd - Sunday, May 26th. This event has so much to offer, from a music line-up to shopping to food trucks, what a way to spend some time in the community. If you want to learn more, sign up for their emails here.
10. Thinking you might need a reset? Unwind with a staycation at the Hotel Boulderado or St Julien Hotel & Spa. I love spending a night in a hotel and pampering myself at the spa. Take advantage of these local spots and treat yourself to a night off (or two) this summer.
11. The Museum of Boulder has the perfect opportunity to celebrate Boulder Pride with their new Bending the Arc Exhibit. This exhibit recognizes Boulder’s story of LQBTQ+ rights, a subject in which I hold very dear to my heart. I will be taking some time to stop by this exhibit this June. While there, Proclaiming Colorado’s Black Lives will still be up and running, and totally worth the stop. Take some time this summer to educate yourself with these beyond-important exhibits.
12. This June and July, Bands on the Bricks returns downtown and I can’t wait to attend for the first time. Every Wednesday night from June 11th - July 30th, the 1300 block of the Pearl Street Mall will be filled with the sounds of local artists during this free concert series. My birthday is June 25th which ends up being on a Wednesday this year so I will be planning on celebrating by attending this rocking event, lucky me!
13. Live music is one of my favorite things about summertime. While eagerly awaiting Bands on the Bricks, I will definitely be hanging out at some of my favorite places to get my live music fix. The Velvet Elk Lounge, eTown and Boulder Theater are always packed with amazing artists and concerts.
14. I am not much of a runner myself, but if you are, the Pearl Street Mile is the perfect way to honor your passion. On Saturday, June 28th, the Mile happens, with the course taking you in laps around Pearl Street. Whether you're aiming for a new personal best or simply looking for a fun, active way to spend a Saturday morning, the Pearl Street Mile promises an unforgettable experience.
15. Is walking more your speed? Me too. The Street Wise Mural Walking Tour through downtown takes place once a month throughout the summer. Starting at Creature Comforts Cafe, the tour covers murals created by local and national artists, an entertaining way to immerse yourself in some arts and culture on a sunny morning. And, if you show your tour ticket at the cafe, you get 10% off your order, so hang out after and enjoy a coffee or snack. Grab your tickets now to save your spot. Can’t make the guided tours? Check out downtown’s self-guided tours for you to enjoy the magic of downtown’s art scene and more.
16. Can’t make up your mind on where to go for a quick drink? Check out our Happy Hours page, full of ideas for you.
17. Friday, July 11th through Sunday, July 13th, shop small and save BIG at downtown’s Summer Sidewalk Sale. Discover incredible summer deals from your favorite local merchants, both along the bricks and beyond. A perfect opportunity to support downtown businesses and snag some new seasonal finds.
18. If I haven’t said it enough already, I am mostly looking forward to enjoying the amazing summer weather, and what better way to do so than by hanging out on the various rooftops that downtown has to offer? Avanti, Rio Grande, West End Tavern, Corrida and Rosetta Hall are just a few of my favorite places to grab a drink and hang out with some friends while enjoying the incredible views of Boulder, which I will be doing all summer long!
19. Pearl Street Arts Fest is another one to add to the summer bucket list. Friday, July 18th through Sunday, July 20th, a beautiful outdoor gallery is open for anyone to come stroll through. I am always looking for new ways to appreciate art so I am 100% going to see what this fest has to offer. Enjoying art in the summer sun? Yes please!
20. I am a HUGE fan of tacos! And luckily, Boulder Taco Fest is making a return. On August 23rd, enjoy your Saturday by eating some of the best tacos ever. Boulder County vendors will be coming together to give you the greatest taco experience ever and you should absolutely take advantage of this delicious opportunity. Buy your wristbands today.
21. Beat the summer heat and make your commute an adventure with Boulder's annual Tube to Work Day! Instead of the usual traffic jam, imagine floating down Boulder Creek and arriving at your downtown office with a smile and a splash. Keep an eye out for a date announcement - coming soon.
22. Kids need things to do this summer too, so send them on a Tebo Train Ride. Summer rides start Tuesday, May 27th and run Monday - Friday mornings through August 29th. For children ages 10 and under, take them to Pearl in the morning for a free ride where they will get to enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience downtown. I promise you they will leave smiling ear-to-ear.
23. I am always looking for new ways to tap into my creative side so when I heard about Colorado Glass Works, I immediately researched classes to take. And good news, they just listed their summer offerings! I’m thinking of trying one of their one-day beginner workshops and if you’re interested too, check out their workshops schedule.
24. Summer always reminds me of camp and luckily downtown is full of places offering camps for you or your kids all summer long. From a baking summer camp at Food Lab and learning how to DJ with the Museum of Boulder to a 3D art camp at The New Local, one of these places is sure to have something right up your alley. '
25. Nobody wants to think about summer coming to an end… but the perfect way to celebrate school starting back up is with a Pearl Street Stampede. Every time I’ve attended one, I got back into the school spirit and helped make my summer transition so much smoother. Celebrate CU on Pearl with the first Stampede of the season kicking off on Thursday, August 28th!
As you can see, downtown Boulder is bursting with opportunities to make Summer 2025 memorable. I hope this list inspires you to explore all that downtown has to offer. I can't wait to see you soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the best of our beautiful city. Here's to a summer filled with laughter, discovery and the magic of downtown Boulder!
Talk soon!
-Frankie
Tagged: Art, Bars, Boulder, Coffee, Dining, East End, Festivals, Happy Hour, Music, Restaurants, Shopping