There’s nothing more fun to do than to go to the Pearl Street Mall when you’re in Boulder Colorado.  It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is either.  The parade of quirky buskers (street performers) and Boulderites,  the beautiful flowers (or holiday lights), the enormous variety of shops and restaurants make for a delightful open air stroll,  in one of the nations most successful outdoor walking malls.   I imagine every small town has it’s own,  but Boulder’s claim to fame is that their Pearl Street Mall has sustained itself since it’s dedication August 6, 1977 and was best summed up by the then City Manager Bob Westdyke “it is the coalescence of community pride”.  Built as a pedestrian mall, between 11th and 15th Street on Pearl,  with full four blocks of paved brick sidewalks,  Pearl Street Mall is lined with fantastic and interesting shops of all kinds,  an eclectic array of restaurants and cafes,  many brew pubs, coffee shops  and art galleries.  The concept began to take shape in 1966 when a group of citizens that either owned real estate or worked in downtown Boulder Colorado began to look for ways to keep the City of Boulder, and the historic center of the town, attractive and economically sound.  As with most things in Boulder, the citizens were asked to participate in all aspects of the planning process along with the planning committee.  It won national acclaim after it opened in 1977 and remains a vibrant heart of the city.

You can’t help but love the laid-back atmosphere and the harmonious people you’ll meet.  The friendly, clean and gorgeous environment is a tribute to the surreal towering Flatirons overlooking the mall.  Most of the shops on these four blocks are architecturally beautiful as well, with most of them reminiscent of the original storefronts from the mid 1890’s.  Along with several historic buildings, one being the Hotel Boulderado (dating back to 1909) and the Boulder Theater (which used to be called the Curran Theatre dating back to 1906)) the mall has several brew pubs – Walnut Brewery, BJ Pub and Brewery,  Mountain Sun and the Redfish.  Treat yourself to a fresh glass of microbrewed beer such as The Kind, Angry Munk, Old Elk and Hazed and Infused.  Beer pairings are very popular in the Boulder restaurants.   Lookout wine lovers!  There is also a great wine tasting place called Bookcliff Wine Tasting room in the 1400 block of Pearl Street, where you can taste great Colorado wines paired with chocolates and cheeses.

Boulderites love live entertainment and music.  Outside every Wednesday evening between mid June to mid August (7-9) on the Pearl Street Mall,  Bands on the Bricks presents concerts featuring some of the best dance bands in the Front Range. You don’t want to miss it.   Between the hours of noon – 1:30 you can catch Noon Tunes featuring great local musicians of all genre—bluegrass, folk, rock, classical.  The concerts are held in the 1300 block of Pearl on the bricks in front of the Boulder County Courthouse. Every fall on the mall in Mid September Boulder holds it’s Boulder Fall Festival in a family style German Oktoberfest tradition.  Along with a showcase of colorado music talent they have other entertainment and children s activities and over 50 artisans showcasing their work.

For me,  I just love sitting in one of the outdoor cafes drinking a bottle of good red wine and watching the people.   Try it, I think you’ll like it.