Shopping in Boulder

Just thirty miles from Denver, the city of Boulder is one of Colorado's great cultural centers. The Flatiron Mountains loom quite close amidst miles of hiking trails and other outdoor fun. Downtown Boulder is filled with more than 1,000 shops, over 85% of which are locally owned and operated.

In fact, the shopping may well be one of the most authentic experiences in the country. The Pearl Street Mall has been in operation since the 1940's. One resident, quoted in a paper, said that it was "a good place to buy a pair of socks." Since then, it has been reworked and reestablished as the heart of Boulder.

Pearl Street's East End (15th to 21st streets) has unique shops like the Tea Box, a specialty teashop boasting a wide selection of rare and hard-to-find brews, and MomentuM, a free trade shop that benefits artisans from around the world. Restaurants dot the street between shops so that it's always easy to find a place to sit down and eat on the 15-foot wide sidewalk. The people watching here is reputed to be wonderful.

The West End of Pearl Street (800 to 1000 blocks) has some more shopping you won't want to pass up. Bart's CD Cellar at 1015 Pearl Street showcases two floors of CDs, DVDs, clothing, posters, and more music memorabilia. Musicphiles gather here from around the world to share their knowledge and search through the vinyl-only section, which covers an entire floor!

Perhaps it's a one-of-a-kind dress or cute outfit you're interested in? The boutiques Chelsea and Elena Ciccone are sure to delight the senses with its amazing clothing styles. For trendsetters, Old Tibet is a better choice for its standout fashion that is sure to get noticed.

The web site BoulderDowntown.com has the most up-to-date information that should be checked out before your visit. There are always current listings of sales and other special events you won't want to miss.