April 2020
Rough Draft: Boulder, Colorado
Due to the COVID quarantine, I am creating rough draft, “off the shelf” travel itineraries for when travel resumes normal operations so we do not waste any time getting out and exploring!
Boulder – the Napa Valley of Beer. Sounds to me like the ultimate Beer Christmas destination! Our Beer Christmas Boston turned San Diego Sunshine friends had recommended consideration of Boulder for our 2020 Annual Beer Christmas Trip – easy sell!
We have always blocked the first weekend in April for Beer Christmas so yet another trip cut by COVID-19. With no tentative plan, at least we can have an “off the shelf” trip ready thanks for COVID Creations – bright side!
What is there to do?
Beer Tour! (This is Beer Christmas after all)
- Did you know that Colorado has over 300 breweries, produces the most beer per capita than in the world, and Boulder is at the center of this? I have many breweries on this itinerary – fear not, the goal is not to hit all of these necessarily (though maybe? I will leave that up to the group as I am the DD for Beer Christmas life) but to have lots of options. If you have any favorites let us know!
In addition there is tons of hiking in the area:
- Flatirons – Royal Arch
- Chautauqua Park
- Eldorado Canyon State Park – Rattlesnake Gulch
- Rocky Mountain National Park – Bear Lake / Emerald Lake
Where to eat?
There is also an impressive food scene from casual college eats to super fancy dress code required dining. While the menus at Flagstaff House and Frasca look simply amazing, I do not think we will hit them on this trip to Boulder but know if you are celebrating, there are some lovely fine dining options.
Flights are also looking fantastic to Denver so once COVID quarantine is over, this will be one of the first trips we look to book. With three day weekends, I always like to sneak in on Thursday night to get the full day in Friday.
| Day 0 | Arrive in Boulder |
| Day 1 | Flatirons – Royal Arch Chautauqua Park Mountain Sun BreweryThe Post Bohemian Biergarten West Flanders Brewing Oskar Blues Alpine Modern Cafe T/aco Box Coffee Brewing snacking Pizzeria Locale Gelato Boy |
| Day 2 | Snooze AM Eatery Eldorado Canyon State Park – Rattlesnake Gulch Or Rocky Mountain National Park – Bear Lake / Emerald Lake Celestial Seasonings Asher Brewing Avery Brewing Upslope Brewing Sanitas Brewing Twisted Pine Salt Bistro The Kitchen |
| Day 3 | Explore Downtown Oak The Bluff Depart Boulder |
If you have been to Boulder, let me know what I missed and what your favorites are!