Explore Downtown Boulder
Welcome to the Heart of Boulder.
This is where downtown energy meets outdoor serenity. Where a morning trail run turns into an afternoon browsing local shops—and ends with dinner under twinkle lights. Where lattes are poured with care, creativity flows through every storefront, and the creek keeps time like a local soundtrack. The heart of Boulder beats through small businesses, beloved restaurants, street performers, festivals and friendly hellos. Downtown is the pulse of the Boulder community—and you’re always invited to join. In every direction, there’s something meaningful waiting: a mural, a trail, a moment of joy. This is where locals gather, visitors linger, and memories are made. From longtime shopkeepers to new favorite restaurants, from iconic street art to spontaneous live music—every corner tells a story of creativity, connection, and pride. Welcome!
Explore Boulder
Whether you're a frequent visitor or a first time guest, come experience Downtown Boulder and all there is to offer.
Situated in the heart of an energetic city is beautiful, historic Downtown Boulder. Surrounded by the stunning Flatiron Mountains and with the crystal clear Boulder Creek steps away, Downtown Boulder is filled with amazing shopping, dining and entertainment options – there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. With over 1000 businesses, Downtown Boulder is well-maintained with a clean, inviting and delightfully charming atmosphere. Just 30 miles from Denver, Downtown Boulder offers fun and excitement for locals and visitors alike! Watch the CBS Sunday Morning feature, "Pursuit of Happiness" here.
At the center of Downtown Boulder is the Pearl Street Mall, a wonderfully charismatic four-block-long pedestrian mall that is celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2022. Colorful, bright flowers fill the mall almost the entire year and street performers, with a multitude of talents, make the Pearl Street Mall one of the best people-watching destinations anywhere. The seductive sights, smells and sounds of the Pearl Street Mall, along with the East End & West End districts, amplified by the rush of Boulder Creek winding its way through the heart of town are more than enough to ignite a lifetime love affair with this one-of-a-kind mountain oasis.
There’s a lot happening in Downtown Boulder, which means that there are a lot of different ways you can spend your time here. The good news is that no matter what you’re into, Downtown Boulder can provide you with an experience that feels like it was handcrafted with just you in mind. Foodies fall head over heels for Boulder’s incredible restaurant scene that Bon Appétit called “The Foodiest Town in America”. If you love to shop, there are over 140 retailers downtown, 80% of which are locally owned and operated.
Stroll into one of the many local coffee shops and you might see entrepreneurs sitting next to Olympic athletes along with a few locals fresh from their outdoor yoga class. Bring your bike, kayak or your fly rod to enjoy Boulder Creek and the trails that run through downtown on their way from the mountains to the plains. Speaking of mountains, you can hike one just a few blocks from Pearl Street. Or, if you just like to relax, you can take up a seat on Pearl Street Mall where world-class street performers and musicians will entertain you till the sun goes down.