Special Events

In 2009, Boulder celebrates 150 years, and the party lasts all year long. The Boulder City Town Company first gathered on Feb. 10, 1859, and founded the government of the city of Boulder. The official kickoff is Jan. 10. Visit the website for complete schedule of activities.

Watch the "Explore Boulder" YouTube video

HOTEL BOULDERADO CENTENNIAL EVENTS

Ongoing

BANJO BILLY BUS TOUR

This entertaining 90-minute history tour of Boulder takes place on an old school bus. Each tour features ghost, crime and historic vignettes, and departs from the Hotel Boulderado at the corner of 13th and Spruce streets. Tours can be arranged by demand. Tour minimums are 8 people. If you have a few people, they can usually find others for an ad-hoc tour. 720-938-8885.

BOULDER DUSHANBE TEAHOUSE

Located at 1770 13th Street in Boulder, this exquisite gift from Boulder's sister-city of Dushanbe is the country’s only authentic Tajik teahouse. Enjoy the delectable full-menu cuisine or stop in for a quick sip of tea or coffee from around the world. The teahouse also offers tea workshops and special events throughout the year. For a current schedule call 303-442-4993.

BUTTERFLY PAVILION

Light as air and as beautiful as a rainbow, butterflies abound at the Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster. For families, the Passport Adventure series takes kids through activity stations to earn honorary badges. 303-469-5441.

CELESTIAL SEASONINGS TOURS

From the local factory that produces 8 million tea bags every day come some tea-rific daily (except holidays) tours that feature tastings, a video presentation, and visits to the gift shop, cafe, herb garden and factory. Children under 5 are not allowed in the factory. Tours are on the hour Mon-Sat from 10am-3pm and Sun from 11am-3pm. 303-581-1202.

From Boulder, take Colo. Hwy. 119 north to Jay Road (first stoplight) and turn right. After one mile, turn left on Spine Road and continue one-half mile to Celestial Seasonings. For recorded information, call 303-581-1202.

FISKE PLANETARIUM

Here’s a stellar lineup of shows and speakers for the whole family. Fiske Planetarium, located on Regent Drive on the CU-Boulder campus, offers star shows or live talks every Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm followed by Friday-night laser shows at 9:30 pm and 10:45 pm. The Saturday-matinee family laser shows are a local favorite for kids. There’s also free stargazing at Sommers-Bausch Observatory every Friday after 8 pm. Recorded schedule: 303-492-5001. Information: 303-492-5002.

LEANIN’ TREE MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART

6055 Longbow Dr., Gunbarrel, 303-530-1442 ext. 4299. One of the world’s largest private collections of contemporary Western American art, with nearly 300 paintings and 80 bronze sculptures. Come see the new sculpture garden that was installed in the summer of 2005.

Photo at right: "Crossing the Prairie" sculpture by Glenna Goodacre

NATIONAL CENTER FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH (NCAR)

At NCAR, it rains fun facts about atmospheric science, climate change, and the NCAR mesa and building. Check out a comprehensive view of Earth’s past, present and future climate, alongside NASA’s “A Tour of the Cryosphere” tribute to the International Polar Year. A photographic display of meteorological optics shows rainbows, lightning and dramatic light effects caused by different atmospheric conditions. Other highlights include a telescopic camera, working supercomputers, a gravity well, and demonstrations of lightning, a tornado, and fluid dynamics. A self-guided tour is available in English and Spanish for adults and children. Information and group reservations call 303-497-1174 or visit the website.

REDSTONE MEADERY

Meet your new honey: mead. This honey wine, the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world, is made right here in Boulder. Visit Redstone Meadery at 4700 Pearl St., Unit 2A, for free half-hour tours Mon-Fri at 1pm and 3pm and Sat at 12:30pm. Free tastings follow. Savor local music while you sip, with live music Sat 2-5pm. 720-406-1215.

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