Where to Stay in Boulder, Colorado (Best Areas for Visitors)

 7 Best Neighborhoods and Areas to Stay in Boulder

I recommend staying in downtown Boulder if you’re a first-time visitor, as it’s close to all of the town’s key attractions. Consider The Hill if you’re looking for places to stay near the University of Colorado Boulder (CU) campus. Surrounding regions are quieter and offer a more local experience.

The above map shows all of Boulder’s neighborhoods and might be helpful as you consider where to stay in Boulder. 

Downtown Boulder

👉 Best Area For Tourists | ✨ Best Downtown Boulder Hotels: St. Julien Hotel & Spa • The Bradley Boulder Inn • Hotel Boulderado • Basecamp Boulder

First-time travelers will likely enjoy staying in downtown Boulder. This area is home to some of the best hotels in Boulder, including our top recommended stay: Hotel Boulderado. Guests praise its upscale amenities and historic quality, amplified by Victorian-style decor.

No matter where you stay in this neighborhood, Pearl Street Mall is nearby. The outdoor pedestrian mall in downtown Boulder stretches many blocks. You’ll be within walking distance of restaurants, bars, and shops, plus a walking path along Boulder Creek. You’ll also find some of the best Boulder attractions for kids here.

The mall is the historic center of Boulder, with lots of beautiful buildings and views of the Flatirons looming in the distance. The downtown area is especially beautiful in spring when hundreds of tulips bloom all along the pedestrian streets of the mall. 

Pros of Staying in Downtown Boulder:

• Near all the sightseeing and Boulder landmarks
• Pedestrian and bike-friendly
• Close to trendy bars, farm-to-table restaurants, and shopping

Con of Staying in Downtown Boulder:

• Hotels can be pricey, especially during peak travel periods

University Hill Neighborhood

👉 Best Area For Visiting CU Boulder | ✨ Best University Hill Hotels: Boulder University Inn • Moxy Boulder

University Hill is the best place to stay in Boulder if you’re visiting a student at CU or going to watch the Buffs play at Folsom Field.

This neighborhood is close to CU and you can walk or bike to many of the places on campus. Just be aware: “The Hill” is an actual hill and you may need to stop and catch your breath while walking it!

In University Hill, I especially recommend Boulder University Inn for its affordable rates and prime location. You’ll be near the great dive bars and funky shops that always seem to surround college campuses. Be sure to grab a meal at The Sink, where Robert Redford once worked as a janitor before getting kicked out of CU. 

Pros of Staying in the University Hill Neighborhood:

• Close to CU
• Lots of bars, restaurants, and shopping

Con of Staying in the University Hill Neighborhood:

• Parking is hard to find (and probably not free!)

Twenty Ninth Street

👉 Best Area For Shopping  | ✨ Best Twenty Ninth St. Hotels: Embassy Suites By Hilton Boulder • Boulder Marriott • Residence Inn by Marriott Boulder Canyon Boulevard

There’s lots of shopping at Twenty Ninth Street — it’s an outdoor shopping mall district with brand-name stores. Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder would put you within walking distance of these amenities, as would our other top-recommend stays in this region.

Twenty Ninth Street isn’t far from CU or downtown Boulder, but it has a completely different vibe with its modern stores. In summer, there are outdoor concerts and live music. The area also has gorgeous views of the mountains beyond.

Pros of Staying in the Twenty Ninth St. Neighborhood:

• Lots of shopping
• Plenty of places to eat or grab coffee

Con of Staying in the Twenty Ninth St. Neighborhood:

• Lots of chain stores and restaurants

Chautauqua Neighborhood

👉 Best Area For Local Hiking | ✨ Best Chautauqua Area Hotels: Colorado Chautauqua Cottages • Foot of the Mountain Motel

Built in 1925, the Colorado Chautauqua is a National Historic Landmark that has cottages for rent, and you can eat at the delicious Chautauqua Dining Hall. The park originally hosted performances, concerts, and lectures, and still has concerts, films, and other events to this day. 

Hiking trails are abundant in this area. These include a hard, but rewarding hike up the Flatirons, offering amazing views of Boulder and the Rockies.

Pros of Staying in the Chautauqua Neighborhood:

• Lots of hiking
• Quieter and calmer than downtown

Con of Staying in the Chautauqua Neighborhood:

• Need to drive to get to most bars, restaurants, and shopping

South Boulder

👉 Best Area For Parks  | ✨ Best South Boulder Hotels: Homewood Suites by Hilton Boulder • Fairfield Inn & Suites Boulder

South Boulder is a calm, suburban area. It’s the best area to stay in Boulder for grassy outdoor parks. The Rocky Mountain foothills loom above the area, providing a beautiful backdrop for everything that goes on there!

Play disc golf at Harlow Platts Community Park, or walk around Viele Lake to get some fresh air. There are also several pubs and restaurants where you can grab a pint or get some lunch.

Pros of Staying in the South Boulder Neighborhood:

• Lots of outdoor parks and trails
• Quiet and laid back

Con of Staying in the South Boulder Neighborhood:

• Lacking the nightlife of downtown

North Boulder

👉 Best Area For Arts & Breweries  | ✨ Best North Boulder Area Hotels: Comfort Inn & Suites Boulder

North Boulder is popular with young families, and trendy businesses like breweries and wineries are sprouting up in the area. This area used to be industrial, but is now being transformed by small businesses moving into the region, including several shops and restaurants.

Pros of Staying in the North Boulder Neighborhood:

• First Friday Art Walks showcase local artists
• Breweries, wineries, and small businesses

Con of Staying in the North Boulder Neighborhood:

• More suburban-feeling than Pearl or The Hill

Gunbarrel

👉 Best Area For Breweries  | ✨ Best Gunbarrel Hotels: Boulder Twin Lakes Inn • Hampton Inn & Suites Boulder North

Gunbarrel is known for its delicious craft beer scene. You can also check out Twin Lakes and the Boulder Reservoir, where you can ​​boat, swim, fish, or walk along the loop trail. 

Pros of Staying in the Gunbarrel Neighborhood:

• Lots of hiking & outdoor activities
• Several great breweries

Con of Staying in the Gunbarrel Neighborhood:

• Removed from downtown

Tips for Staying in Boulder

Bring layers

It’s a common joke in Colorado that if you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes. During all four seasons here, you can get warm sun and cold breezes. In fact, it has snowed in every month of the year at some point here!

Layers are essential on your Colorado packing list. Thin, warm layers you can easily take on and off are going to make your exploring much more comfortable. And, of course, you’ll want a backpack to carry them around!

Always wear sunscreen

Cloudy days can trick everyone into forgetting to sunscreen up, but you can easily get burned on those days! If you’re visiting Boulder in winter, reflection from snow can make UV rays even more intense. You’ll definitely want a sunscreen formulated for your face, plus a sports sunscreen for the rest of your body!

You Can Go Hiking Right From Town

Local hiking trails are some of the best things to do in Boulder. Several of my favorite ones don’t even require a rental car — the trail entrances are close enough to downtown that you can just go by foot! 

Boulder is a Great Day Trip Base

With that said, if you do have a car, Boulder has very easy access to the mountain and makes a great base for exploring the nearby nature. Check out my guide to the best Boulder day trips for some ideas. 

Denver and Boulder Have Very Different Vibes

If it’s your first time in Colorado, it’s definitely worth considering spending some part of your trip staying in Denver, too. There are many more hotels in Denver compared to Boulder to choose from.

FAQs About Places to Stay in Boulder, Colorado

What is Boulder known for?

Boulder is known for its year-round outdoor activities. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, and boating are popular in the warmer months. In winter, people snowshoe, cross-country ski, and visit world-class Colorado ski resorts.

Boulder is also known for its craft beer scene and for Pearl Street Mall, which has plenty of outdoor shopping and food.

Can you see the Rocky Mountains from Boulder?

You can definitely see the Rocky Mountains from Boulder! The Rockies are visible from Pearl Street Mall and many other parks and areas of the city.

If you want an even closer look at the mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park is just an hour’s drive from the city. You can drive more than 12,000 feet up into the mountains along Trail Ridge Road on your visit!

Do I need a car in Boulder?

You do not need a car in Boulder. If you’re planning to stay in the city itself, you can walk to many places you’ll want to see. There are also great bike rental programs.

However, if you want to take a day to Denver attractions, Rocky Mountain National Park, or other areas outside of Boulder, you may want a car for that. 

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Hopefully, this guide has been helpful. Safe travels and enjoy exploring one of the best places to visit in Colorado!