Local Recommendations
FIRST THING FIRST: ALTITUDE TIPS
Boulder sits at just over 5,300 feet above sea level — and if you’re coming from lower elevation (especially sea level), your body might need a little time to adjust. Some friendly advice:
- Drink extra water (seriously — like, A LOT of water)
- Take it easy your first day or two
- Don’t be surprised if a cocktail hits a little harder
- Listen to your body: headaches, dizziness, or fatigue are normal signs to rest
We want everyone feeling their best for the big celebration!
While You’re in Town
These are a few of our favorite things
We wanted to share some of our favorite places to stay, eat, walk, and unwind. Boulder is full of good food, amazing hikes and strolls, weird charm, and beautiful views — and we hope you get a chance to enjoy some of it while you’re here.
Places to Stay
A QUICK NOTE ON NEARBY TOWNS
Boulder hotels can be on the pricier side, especially during busy seasons. If you’re looking for more budget-friendly options, we recommend checking nearby towns like Louisville, Broomfield, Longmont, Lafayette, and Superior. They’re all within a 20–30 minute drive of the venue and offer plenty of comfortable, modern hotel options—often at much lower prices.
Chautauqua Cottages
Charming, historic cabins nestled right at the base of the Flatirons. You’ll wake up with trailheads at your doorstep and mountain views all around. It’s peaceful, nature-filled, and one of our favorite places in town. Bonus: the Chautauqua Dining Hall is just steps away — a local gem with really great food, seasonal menus, and the kind of porch you’ll never want to leave. Less than a 15-minutes away from the wedding venue.
Phone
Call 303‑952‑1611
After‑Hours Guest Hotline: 303‑952‑1641
lodging@chautauqua.com
Address
900 Baseline Road, Boulder, CO 80302
Embassy Suites by Hilton
A clean, modern hotel located right in town — close to coffee shops, restaurants, and stores. It’s easy, comfortable, and just a 15-minute drive (or Uber) to the venue. There is a Hilton Garden Inn right next door, as well.
Phone
Call 303‑443‑2600
wbubo-salesadm@hilton.com
Address
2601 Canyon Boulevard, Boulder, CO 80302
The Boulder Broomfield Courtyard by Marriott (Louisville)
Just ½ mile from Louisville’s charming main street—home to coffee shops, restaurants, and local boutiques. Downtown Boulder is just a 15-minute drive west, and the wedding venue is about 20-25 minutes away. Some rooms offer balconies with mountain views.
There’s also a Courtyard in Boulder (closer, but typically pricier) and one in Longmont (a bit farther, a bit more affordable).
Phone
Call 303-604-0007
Hotel Boulderado
Historic charm in the heart of downtown Boulder. Expect vintage details, a beautiful lobby, and a great location for walking and exploring Pearl Street. A 10-minute drive (or Uber) to the wedding venue.
Phone
Call (303) 442‑4344
info@boulderado.com
Address
2115 13th Street, Boulder, CO 80302
St Julien Hotel & Spa
As a hotel: Stylish, luxurious, and centrally located. The St Julien is Boulder’s top-tier stay — walkable to everything with mountain views, a stunning lobby, and onsite spa. Less than 10-minutes away from wedding venue.
As a spa experience: Whether you’re staying there or not, the St Julien Spa is a treat — massages, facials, steam rooms, and the best robes in town. Perfect if you want to unwind a little (or a lot). Appointments can go fast — we recommend scheduling ahead to make sure you get a spot.
Phone
Call (720) 406‑9696
reservationsmgr@stjulien.com
Address
900 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO 80302
A‑Lodge Boulder (Boulder Adventure Lodge)
Just 4 minutes from the venue, A-Lodge offers a casual, cozy stay nestled in the mountains. It’s a favorite for nature lovers — with hammocks, fire pits right next to Boulder creek, and easy access to hiking trails. Bonus: you’re only a short, scenic drive from Nederland, a quirky and charming mountain town known for coffee shops, live music, and stunning views. The A-Lodge also offers creek side barrel saunas!
Phone
Call 303‑444‑0882
info@a-lodge.com
Address
91 Fourmile Canyon Dr., Boulder, CO 8030
Airbnb & VRBO
Boulder has tons of great short-term rentals — from cozy studios to group-friendly homes. Just be sure to book early; October weekends can fill up fast.
🔑 Booking Tips:
- Book early, especially for fall weekends—inventory is limited.
- Check reviews!!
- Explore amenities: Filters for hot-tubs, laundry, group‑size homes, etc
Getting Here & Getting Around
From Denver International Airport (DIA) to Boulder:
The AB1 bus is a reliable, budget-friendly way to get from the airport to downtown Boulder. It runs regularly, takes about 1–1.5 hours, and drops you near central hotels. AB1 Info
Uber & Lyft:
Ride-share options are available at DIA and throughout Boulder. Easy to use, though prices may vary depending on timing.
Rental Cars:
Great if you plan to explore more of Colorado — just note that parking in downtown Boulder and at some hotels may be limited or metered.
Walking:
Once here, Boulder is a very walkable city. The Boulder Creek Path winds all through town and pedestrians have the right of way. Depending on where you stay, there is most likely a restaurant, coffee shop, or yoga studio (it is Boulder!) within a 5-10 minute walking distance. There are also scooters and bikes you can rent throughout the city.
Places to Eat & Drink
Southern Sun:
A classic Boulder pub and one of our neighborhood staples — it’s just a five-minute walk from our house in South Boulder. Home-brewed beer, legendary fries, and that chill Boulder energy. Heads up: they’re cash-only (but there’s an ATM inside). No reservations — just show up, grab a table, and enjoy. Located in the same shopping center as Southside Walnut Cafe & Boxcar listed below. mountainsunpub.com.
Dushanbe Tea House:
One of the most unique buildings in town — a hand-carved, hand-painted gift from Boulder’s sister city in Tajikistan. Lovely food, tea, and a beautiful garden patio.
boulderteahouse.com
The Rio Grande (aka The Rio):
Tex-Mex, strong margaritas, and one of the best rooftop patios in Boulder — perfect for soaking up Pearl Street and Flatiron views.
riograndemexican.com
Avery Brewing:
A relaxed spot with food, outdoor seating, and lots of in-house brews (if that’s your thing). You don’t have to be a beer fan to enjoy the vibe. averybrewing.com
The Chautauqua Dining Hall: A great spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! The food is delicious (farm-to-table) and the views are magical. Erica loves sitting on the porch! chautauqua.com
Brunch & Coffee
The Buff:
A Boulder brunch classic — big portions and really delicious. Don’t skip the pancakes. buffrestaurant.com
Santo:
New Mexican-inspired brunch with flavorful dishes and a calm, stylish space. The green chile is the real deal. If you’re a “Top Chef” fan, the chef and owner, Hosea Rosenberg, was the winner of Season 5! santoboulder.com
Southside Walnut Café:
A friendly, unpretentious, quirky breakfast spot just a five-minute walk from our house — comforting diner-style food, nice views, and an easy place to start your day. walnutcafe.com
Boxcar Coffee:
Modern and stylish ambiance. Known for its matcha, mochas, and highly photogenic toasts. There’s one just around the corner from Southside Cafe, and another location on Pearl Street. boxcarcoffee.com
Sweet Treats
HOT TIP: The MooMobile (Sweet Cow’s ice cream truck) will be stopping by the Saturday BBQ from 1:30- 3pm if you’d like to plan accordingly! We’d love to treat you!
Things to Do
Mallory Cave Trail:
Erica’s favorite hike — about 3.5 miles round trip with 900 feet of elevation gain. Forest views, unique rock formations, and peaceful vibes. The cave is closed to protect bats, but the trail is worth it.
Royal Arch Trail:
A more challenging hike — just under 4 miles round trip with 1,400 feet of elevation — but the views and natural stone arch at the top are stunning.
Bobolink Trail:
A mellow, flat walk through along a beautiful creek. Fully paved, peaceful, and perfect for some gentle movement or a morning coffee stroll.
Boulder Creek Path (heading west up the canyon):
A winding path that follows the creek and just keeps going — great for walking, biking, or simply finding a quiet moment. Start downtown and head west toward the mountains for beautiful views and fall colors. If you walk far enough, eventually, the wedding venue will be on your left!
Walk around CU Boulder’s campus:
Honestly, it’s beautiful — tree-lined paths, old stone buildings, mountain views, and peaceful grassy quads. Perfect for a mid-afternoon wander. coloradomap.edu
Free Celestial Seasonings Tea Tour:
Learn how the famous tea is made, sniff some wild ingredients (like the legendary Mint Room), and leave with samples. Tours are free and offered daily — just check ahead for hours. celestialseasonings.com
Chautauqua Park:
If hiking’s not your thing, this is still a perfect spot to relax, picnic, and take in the beauty of the Flatirons.
Pearl Street Mall:
A downtown pedestrian street with shops, tons of great restaurants, bookstores, live music, and plenty of people-watching. Great place to wander, grab a snack, watch a variety of street performers, and find something unexpected.
Trident Booksellers & Café:
An amazing selection of books to browse, plus great coffee and a relaxed, plant-filled patio. It’s one of Boulder’s coziest spots to slow down, read, sip, or just hang out like a local. tridentcafe.com
Drop into a yoga class at Yoga Pearl:
A beautiful, welcoming studio right downtown offering vinyasa, gentle flow, and restorative classes. Easy to drop in, and perfect if you need a stretch or a quiet moment in the middle of the fun. yogapearl.com
Checkout the Farmers Market:
Saturdays: 8am-2pm. Wednesdays: 3:30- 7:30pm.
What started with a few farmers selling produce out of the backs of
their trucks has now expanded into one of the highest regarded farmers
markets in Colorado. Walk around, grab some samples, enjoy some local items, and check out the food trucks. You can’t go wrong! It’s a little south of Pearl Street, off of Canyon – you can’t miss the white tents. boulder-farmers-market.com
Visit the Shelby American Collection:
For the car lovers (or the just-curious), this museum is packed with classic Shelby Cobras, GT40s, and racing history. It’s a small but impressive stop just outside downtown Boulder — open on Saturdays or by appointment.
shelbyamericancollection.org
