Welcome to Boulder!

If you’re visiting Boulder County this summer, you’re in for a treat—several, in fact. Long revered for its gazillion things to do outdoors, the county also offers a host of cultural outings, festivals, art gatherings and musical events.

But first, let’s touch on the great outdoors. Hmmm, where to begin? With hiking, biking, mountain biking, running, walking and handicap-accessible trails, Boulder County people are constantly on the move. You can be, too, if you turn to the Mountain Guide and Sports sections on pages 136 and 142, respectively. There you’ll find listings for all types of trails to suit all abilities. You’ll also find dog-friendly trails and parks that encourage you to bring Fido along. If the day’s a scorcher, cool your heels in Boulder Creek, find an outdoor swimming pool or soak in Boulder Reservoir.

Boulder County is an arts hub—there are plays, concerts, screenings, dance performances, and gallery and museum shows every day in summer. So expand your cultural horizons and support our arts community by flipping to Arts Events on page 116 to see just how diverse its offerings are.

And what’s summertime without a festival? Nothing, in our opinion! We’ve got a peach festival, a tea festival, an Asian festival, a Jewish festival, a Romanian festival, a Scandinavian festival, wine festivals and more. See the festivals listing in Local Events on page 96 for a complete roundup. For major arts festivals, turn to page 84.

If you’re visiting on a budget, we’ve got you covered, with free things galore. Local libraries all offer free films, concerts, lectures, art exhibits and more. The farmers’ markets are a good place to people watch and enjoy free samples of fresh, local fare. There are also free tours, nature programs, stargazing and senior activities. And of course, shopping doesn’t cost a thing if you don’t buy anything! Even if you do, you can still enjoy free entertainment by buskers and musicians on the Pearl Street Mall. You can also browse the many fine-art galleries on the mall and elsewhere around town. Turn to page 129 to discover just how many different galleries we have. For a fun outing with the kids, try one of our  museums listed on page 132.

So get better acquainted with our bit of heaven by reading the many informative sections and articles in Boulder Magazine, including the story on farm-to-table dinners (which should definitely be on your to-do list while you’re here) on page 30. Everything in these pages—and more—is also available on your smart phone at getboulder.com.

Enjoy your visit, and ya’ll come back, now!

—Carol Brock