Boulder Neighborhood Guide – Whittier

June 14, 2013 by

Boulder Neighborhood Guide – Whittier

whittier neighborhood boulderWhittier is one of the most established, and most desirable, neighborhoods in town. Its vibrant mix of older single family homes and student housing, combined with the revitalization of East Pearl Street, have made this neighborhood a walker’s dream come true.

History: Located adjacent to Pearl Street, it’s easy to see why early settlers chose to build their houses in this neighborhood. With large tree-lined streets and large Victorian houses to match, there is a friendly neighborhood feeling that dates back to another time. Whittier was originally established in 1859 and Boulder’s history plays a big part in the neighborhood. You can see many designated historic houses and even more that have been fully restored to their original grandeur.

Housing: Although the houses are expensive in this neighborhood, they feel cozier and less showy than those in Mapleton. Interesting architectural details also set Whittier apart from others. Curved windows, slanted rooftops and stone facades are round around every corner. Not to mention some of the neighborhood’s quirky artistic details. There are funky yard sculptures, hand-carved gargoyles and bright house colors that add even more character and charm to the area.

Being close to Downtown Boulder has pushed prices up in this neighborhood, with many houses going for more than a million dollars. But affordable housing can be found on the south side of the neighborhood. That’s where the condos, apartments and university students are located, taking advantage of the close proximity to the University of Colorado campus.

Restaurants & Shopping: You can walk to all that Pearl Street and Downtown Boulder have to offer. Whether it’s a day of shopping, an afternoon tea party at the Dushanbe Tea House or a night of musical entertainment at the Boulder Theater, living in Whittier puts you near the heart of it all.

Family & Fitness: Everyone can enjoy the pedestrian lifestyle that goes along with the Whittier neighborhood. There are bike lanes aplenty and with Pearl Street, the Farmer’s Market and the Spruce Street pool all within easy walking distance, it’s not difficult to make fitness and family fun regular activities.

whittier elementary boulderSchools: Whittier International Elementary (the oldest continuously operated school in the state), Casey Middle and Boulder High.

Quirks: Whittier has it’s share of personality. The Mork & Mindy house is located in this neighborhood, and the weekly Thursday night cruiser ride goes down Spruce, providing a moving parade of bicycles and costumes. One of the only downsides to living in Whittier is the parking situation. If you don’t have a driveway or your own space, it can be a nightmare. Permit parking and hour limitations are strictly enforced.

Major Street Boundaries: Canyon on the South, 26th on the East, Broadway on the West and Bluff on the North

 

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Things To Do In Colorado

June 13, 2013 by

Things To Do In Colorado

Arts to Zoo Cultural Connections 
An Internet portal for the remarkable variety of arts and cultural resources available in and around Denver, including museum exhibitions, events, performances, public gardens, film series and activities for kids. You can also search and view the event calendar for current information, and purchase tickets online, ahead of time. Supported by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District.
Web site: www.artstozoo.org
Black American West Museum and Heritage Center 
The center, located in the Dr. Justina Ford House, boasts materials and exhibits explaining the heritage of blacks in the West.
Web site: www.coax.net/people/lwf/bawmus.htm
Buffalo Bill Museum 
See the grave and museum of William F. Cody . Objects include Sitting Bull’s bow and arrows, Buffalo Bill’s show outfits, and Frederick Remington’s “Portrait of a Ranch Hand.”
Web site: www.buffalobill.org
Children’s Museum of Denver 
A hands-on educational and entertaining experience for children and their caregivers. Programs and playscapes are designed for newborns to eight-year-olds. Children can participate in theatre, dance and movement, cultural activities, science activities, games and team activities. Other programs enhance cognitive functioning for babies, and real-life roleplaying activities for older kids.
Web site: www.cmdenver.org
City Driving and Walking Tours 
Discover Denver’s historic landmarks and points of interest at your own pace.
Web site: www.denvergov.org/AboutDenver/today.asp
Colorado Historical Society 
Imagine covered wagons, a rendezvous of fur traders, Indian buffalo hunts, mining the Rocky Mountains and life in early Denver . Colorado ‘s own museum features collections of photographs, artifacts and documents. Dioramas and changing exhibitions bring history to life.
Web site: www.coloradohistory.org
Colorado Trail Maps 
Day hikers, walkers, cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts can download and print trail maps for trails that are accessible from urban regions throughout the state (national parks are excluded.)Complete with trail descriptions, the detailed maps are provided by the Colorado Lottery, which has provided over $11.5 million for more than 303 trail projects since 1983.
Web site: www.coloradolottery.com/about/trailmaps
Denver Art Museum 
The Denver Art Museum is world famous for its American Indian art collection. Visitors can view outstanding architecture, graphics and design galleries, or explore stunning Asian, Modern & Contemporary art, pre-Columbian, and Spanish Colonial galleries.
Web site: www.denverartmuseum.org
Denver Botanic Gardens 
Whether you visit Denver Botanic Gardens to relax under the shade of the enormous weeping willow in the Japanese Garden, to learn from a class or expert lecture, to listen to breezy, cool jazz on a hot summer night or tour the twinkling winter wonderland created by Blossoms of Light, we hope you’ll find that Denver Botanic Gardens is more than just a beautiful garden.
Web site: www.botanicgardens.org
Denver Convention Complex 
Find out what’s happening today and what’s coming up at the Colorado Convention Center and Currigan Exhibition Hall. Floor layouts, directions, nearby lodging and dining guides are also included.
Web site: www.denverconvention.com
Denver Firefighters Museum 
The museum houses an extensive archive of old photographs, documents, journals and news stories about early Denver and the development of firefighting technology. Many artifacts date from 1866, including hand-drawn schematics and two early motorized vehicles. A unique gift shop offers books, toys, collectibles and antiques.
Web site: www.colorado2.com/museum
Denver Mint 
Enjoy a tour of Denver ‘s U.S. Mint, one of only two full-service mints in the nation. Producing between 14 and 20 billion coins each year, the Denver Mint is the largest producer of coins in the world. The gift shop offers exciting numismatic coin and money-related collectibles. Call 303-405-4766 for information about tour scheduling procedures, or visit the Mint’s Web site.
Web site: www.usmint.gov/mint_tours/index.cfm?action=denver
Denver Museum of Nature and Science 
Home of the Gates Planeterium and the IMAX Theater, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is packed with information relating to the world around us. With programs for the young and old alike, the Museum will keep you entertained, and learning, for hours!
Web site: www.dmns.org
Denver Public Library 
The Denver Public Library (DPL) is the information resource for the people of Denver and the greater metro area. It also acts as the official Resource Center for the state of Colorado and is a regional depository for publications of the U.S. government. The Library is world-renowned for its collection of western Americana and its model Children’s Library.
Web site: denver.lib.co.us
Denver Rail Heritage Society 
Take an inexpensive ride on an open trolley car around Denver ‘s Confluence Park region, or ride through the scenic Platte River Valley to west Denver . Similar to those that once made up Denver ‘s fleet of 300 streetcars, these replica trolleys depart the station near the Children’s Museum on fair–weather weekends in winter and daily in summer.
Web site: www.denvertrolley.org
Denver Urban Gardens 
As a nonprofit organization, DUG operates and assists with the creation and management of over 60 metro-area community gardens and small parks.
Web site: www.dug.or
Denver Zoo 
The Denver Zoo is home to 3,500 animals representing more than 600 different species. During a Zoo visit you can see rare amur leopards, black rhinoceros, coral reef fish, elephants, zebras, vampire bats, gorillas and more!
Web site: www.denverzoo.or
Forney Museum of Transportation 
A “must see” for train buffs! Visit the museum in its new location on Brighton Boulevard . Enjoy over 500 exhibits featuring early-model carriages, automotives and locomotives, including the Big Boy Engine and the Forney Locomotive 040-T Engine built in 1897.
Web site: www.forneymuseum.com
MaxNights.com 
For info on the latest entertainment and local artist/musician activities in Denver. We post profiles for bands, musicians, comedians, djs, artists and more. Check out our events and live music calendar. Denver has a lot to offer for entertainment and you can find the best opportunities through MaxNights.com!
Mizel Museum of Judaica 
Permanent and changing exhibits illustrate the Jewish historical, artistic and cultural heritage. 
Web site: www.mizelmuseum.org
Molly Brown House Museum 
Costumed guides lead visitors through the 1889 home of the “Unsinkable Molly Brown” – Denver ‘s famous socialite, philanthropist and Titanic survivor.
Web site: www.mollybrown.com
Museo de las Americas 
The museum preserves and interprets the art, history and culture of Latinos in the Americas .
Web site: www.museo.org
Museum of Contemporary Art 
Denver’s first and only contemporary art museum. MCA is a non-collecting space that functions like the European model of a kunsthalle, offering ongoing presentations of innovative and challenging art of our time. Multi-disciplinary programs. Tours upon request.
Web site: www.mcartdenver.org
National Western Stock Show and Rodeo 
Nearly 100 years old, and bigger than ever, the National Western has been recognized by the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame as one of the top 100 events of the year in the U.S. by the American Business Association, and named Rodeo of the Year by Events Business News Magazine. 
Web site: www.nationalwestern.com
Ocean Journey 
Denver ‘s interactive aquarium and the only marine sciences center in an eight-state region. Explore waters and wildlife from the Continental Divide to the Sea of Cortez , and from an Indonesian rain forest to the depths of the Pacific Ocean .
Web site: www.oceanjourney.org
Parks and Recreation Mountain Parks 
The City and County of Denver owns and operates some of the nicest parks in the front range.
Web site: www.denvergov.org/dephome.asp?depid=88
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre 
The world-famous Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is open year-round. The new 30,000-square foot Burnham Hoyt Visitor Center offers free interactive and educational displays that, along with a short documentary film, highlight the geological and musical history of Red Rocks. Custom guided tours are also available, and the Ship Rock Grille is a dining treasure serving Colorado cuisine.
Web site: www.redrocksonline.com
Sports Franchises in Denver 

Arena Football (AFL) Colorado Crush 
The team is led by legendary quarterback John Elway, who teamed with Kroenke Sports Enterprises and Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen to bring Arena Football to Colorado . The Crush began playing in February 2003.
Web site: www.coloradocrush.com

Baseball (MLB) The Colorado Rockies 
Since 1993 the Rockies have been Denver ‘s ticket to America ‘s favorite pasttime.
Web site: rockies.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/col/homepage/col_homepage.jsp

Basketball (NBA) The Denver Nuggets 
The Nuggets have called Denver home since their ABA origin in 1967.
Web site: www.nba.com/nuggets

Football (NFL) The Denver Broncos 
Winners of Superbowls XXXII and XXXIII. The Broncos originated in Denver in 1959.
Web site: www.denverbroncos.com

Hockey (NHL) The Colorado Avalanche 
Our 1996 and 2001 Stanley Cup Championship hockey franchise.
Web site: www.coloradoavalanche.com

Lacrosse (NLL) Colorado Mammoth 
The inaugural Colorado Indoor Lacrosse season began January 3, 2003.
Web site: www.coloradomammoth.com

Soccer (MLS) The Colorado Rapids 
Major League Soccer became Denver ‘s fifth franchise. The Rapids first game was in April 1996.
Web site: www.coloradorapids.com
Theatres and Arenas 
City-owned facilities are constantly offering many types of programs, from exhibitions to theatrical works, to sporting events.
Web site: www.denvergov.org/dephome.asp?depid=22
The Urban Farm 
The Urban Farm is a non-profit organization that teaches agricultural and environmental education to urban children and youth. Conveniently situated on 23 acres within the Stapleton development area, The Farm offers classes, tours, school visits and outdoor meeting facilities.
Web site: www.theurbanfarm.org
Wildernet 
A great online outdoor recreation resource dedicated to the outdoor enthusiast. Wildernet provides detailed information on trails, mountains, campgrounds, climbing areas, lakes, rivers and winter sports.
Web site: www.wildernet.com
Winter Park 
For great skiing in the winter and great hiking and mountain biking in the summer, see the beauty of Winter Park and Fraser Valley .
Web site: www.skiwinterpark.com

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Boulder Neighborhood Guide – Downtown

June 9, 2013 by

Boulder Neighborhood Guide – Downtown

Pearl Street, Downtown, Boulder, Colorado

Pearl Street, located in the heart of downtown Boulder, is the bustling center of town. It provides tourists and locals alike a place to walk, eat and shop in the shadows of the Flatirons. With a four-block stretch of Pearl Street designated as a pedestrian walking mall, opportunities abound for street musicians, play structures and art sculptures to share the very public space. You are never lacking for interesting things going on in downtown.

 

  • History: Boulder began as a supply town for gold miners in the mountains. Now the heart of the city, Pearl Street is believed to have been named for the wife of one of Boulder’s original founders. By 1917, with the automobile taking over, Pearl Street between 11th and 17th streets became the first street in Boulder to be paved. Later, in the mid-30′s, the city’s first streetlight was installed at Pearl and Broadway. The idea for the Pearl Street Mall came about in the mid-70′s as a way of attracting tourists to town and saving a sagging downtown. The Pearl Street Mall is now one of the most successful pedestrian malls in the country, spawning imitators and bringing lots of money into the local economy.
  • Housing: There’s so much happening on the Pearl Street Mall that it’s easy to forget that people actually do live in this neighborhood. Downtown Boulder is one of the oldest residential areas in town, providing many historic homes with Victorian details and delightful charm. Although none of the homes have much of a yard, the big trees and welcoming front patios make up for it. Most homes start at a half-million dollars but there are also condos and apartments to be found in the neighborhood as well. There are many new, modern condos that have been built above retail locations all along Pearl and Walnut Streets.

Boulder Cafe

    • Restaurants & Shopping: Downtown is the mother ship of all dining and shopping experiences in Boulder. So many restaurants to choose from, ranging from the most fancy (I’m looking at you Frasca & Brassiere Ten Ten) to hippie pub to everything in between, that it’s easy to see why Boulder is always named to the foodiest towns list. The Boulder Theater and music on Pearl Street offer loads of entertainment. And we haven’t even begun with the shopping. Oh, the shopping. There is no shortage of wonderful ways to spend your money and time in downtown Boulder.
    • Family & Fitness: One Boulder Plaza, located at the busy intersection of Pearl and Walnut in downtown, includes a health club that features fancy machines, a smoothie bar and the chance to be on display to anyone walking through the One Boulder Plaza building. Outside, you’ll find an area suitable for al fresco dining in the nicer weather that then turns into an outdoor ice rink in the winter. The most fun family activity in downtown Boulder is the Farmer’s Market. Boulder has one of the best. With delicious food, art and music, it really is the place that everyone wants to be on a beautiful Saturday morning in the summer.

market!

  • Schools: Whittier International Elementary, Casey Middle, Boulder High
  • Quirks: It’s pay parking almost everywhere downtown and there are many permit-only spots in the surrounding neighborhoods. Be sure to read signs carefully and know where you’re parking. The last thing anyone wants to take with them after visiting downtown is a parking ticket. The really fun thing about Pearl Street is that you never know what you’re going to see. Depending on the time of year, you might catch a parade of munchkins, a fitness expo, a pep rally or a bunch of naked runners. Totally awesome.
  • Major street boundaries: The one or two block radius both north and south of Pearl Street proper

Downtown Boulder is a vibrant and exciting place to live. You are ,quite literally, in the middle of everything going on in town. The downside? You are, quite literally, in the middle of everything going on in town. Dive in and make yourself comfortable.

Top Photo Credit: Let Ideas Compete via Flickr.

 

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Housing recovery boosts Home Depot results; outlook raised

June 3, 2013 by

Housing recovery boosts Home Depot results; outlook raised 

The entrance to The Home Depot store is pictured in Monrovia, California August 13, 2012. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

(Reuters) – Home Depot Inc (HD.N) reported higher-than-expected quarterly results and raised its sales and profit outlook for the year on Tuesday as the world’s largest home improvement chain benefited from a nascent recovery in the U.S. housing market.

The news pushed the retailer’s shares up as much as 3.4 percent to an all-time high and gave fresh evidence that the U.S. housing market was improving after years of weakness.

For the first time since 2008, sales to contractors and professional customers grew at a faster pace than those to regular homeowners and other shoppers, Chief Executive Officer Frank Blake said on a conference call.

“This quarter’s outperformance from the pro segment is a positive sign” of a housing recovery, Blake said.

A bubble in the U.S. housing market was at the core of the 2007-2009 financial crisis. During the downturn, Home Depot’s sales at established stores fell more than 20 percent in such markets as Florida and California. In recent quarters, the company has gotten a boost as housing markets have rebounded in regions where it has a heavy presence.

“In the first quarter, we saw less favorable weather compared to last year, but we continue to see benefit from a recovering housing market that drove a stronger-than-expected start to the year for our business,” Blake said.

Recent government data showed permits for single-family homes rose 3 percent to 617,000 in April, the highest since May 2008, while newly issued building permits, a gauge of futureconstruction, rose 14.3 percent.

SALES STRENGTH

Despite cooler-than-usual weather in many parts of the United States at the start of the spring selling season, Home Depot’s sales rose 7.4 percent to $19.12 billion in the first quarter ended on May 5. That topped the analysts’ average estimate of $18.68 billion.

Better pricing and customer service have helped Home Depot take market share from smaller rival Lowe’s Cos (LOW.N). The industry leader has also gained from tailoring its marketing to local areas, centralizing distribution centers and shifting more workers to jobs where they serve customers directly.

Sales at Home Depot stores open at least a year rose 4.3 percent, including a 4.8 percent increase in the United States. Many on Wall Street expect same-store sales at Lowe’s to be weaker than Home Depot’s for the 16th straight quarter when the smaller chain reports results on Wednesday.

Credit Suisse analyst Gary Balter said he expected Home Depot’s sales to accelerate this year “given the company’s strong internal momentum and a developing external tailwind in housing.” He has an “outperform” rating on the stock.

At the end of 2012, Home Depot had 19 percent of the U.S. home improvement retail market and Lowe’s had 16.7 percent, data from Euromonitor International showed. (Related graphic:link.reuters.com/teh38t)

Under Blake, Home Depot was quicker than Lowe’s to cut costs in the years after the housing collapse.

Net income in the first quarter rose to $1.2 billion, or 83 cents a share, from $1 billion, or 68 cents a share, a year earlier. Analysts on average had forecast a profit of 77 cents a share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

For the year, the company now expects earnings of $3.52 a share, up from its prior outlook of $3.37. It forecast a sales increase of about 2.8 percent, up from previous expectations of a 2 percent rise.

Shares of Home Depot were up 2.8 percent at $78.89 in morning trading after rising as high as $79.40 earlier in the session.

(Reporting by Dhanya Skariachan; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)

 

 

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Fed buys $17.3 billion of mortgage bonds, sells $2.2 billion

June 2, 2013 by

Fed buys $17.3 billion of mortgage bonds, sells $2.2 billion

A view shows the Federal Reserve building on the day it is scheduled to release minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee from August 1, 2012, in Washington August 22, 2012. REUTERS/Larry Downing

A view shows the Federal Reserve building on the day it is scheduled to release minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee from August 1, 2012, in Washington August 22, 2012.

Credit: Reuters/Larry Downing

 (Reuters) – The Federal Reserve bought $17.3 billion of agency mortgage-backed securities from May 9 through May 15, a tad less than the $17.8 billion it purchased last week, the New York Federal Reserve Bank said on Thursday.

In a move to help the housing market, since October 2011 the U.S. central bank has been using funds from principal payments on the agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities, or MBS, it holds to reinvest in agency MBS.

The New York Fed said on its website the Fed sold $2.2 billion in mortgage securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae (FNMA.OB), Freddie Mac(FMCC.OB) or the Government National Mortgage Association, or Ginnie Mae, in the latest week. It sold $2.7 billion the previous week.

Last September 14, the Fed increased its purchases of MBS to $40 billion a month in its third round of large-scale bond buying in an attempt to support the housing recovery and boost economic growth.

(Reporting by Richard Leong; Editing by James Dalgleish)

 

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Mortgage applications tumble as interest rates jump

June 1, 2013 by

Mortgage applications tumble as interest rates jump

Homes that are valued at over $1 million, sit along Bersano Lane in Los Gatos, California September 6, 2012. REUTERS/Norbert von der Groeben

(Reuters) – Applications for home mortgages dropped for a second week in a row last week as a spike in interest rates stymied demand for refinancing, data from an industry group showed on Wednesday.

The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted index of mortgage application activity, which includes both refinancing and home purchase demand, tumbled 9.8 percent in the week ended May 17.

The index of refinancing applications slumped 11.7 percent, while the gauge of loan requests for home purchases, a leading indicator of home sales, fell 3 percent.

Fixed 30-year mortgage rates rose 11 basis points to average 3.78 percent.

“Mortgage rates increased to their highest level since March last week, leading to the largest single week drop in refinance applications this year,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s vice president of research and economics.

Despite the decline in purchase demand, activity was still running about 10 percent above the pace at this time a year ago, Fratantoni said.

The refinance share of total mortgage activity slipped to 74 percent of applications from 76 percent the week before.

The survey covers over 75 percent of U.S. retail residential mortgage applications, according to MBA.

(Reporting by Leah Schnurr; Editing by Leslie Adler)

 

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Boulder’s Dakota Ridge

May 30, 2013 by

Boulder’s Dakota Ridge

North Boulder’s Dakota Ridge’s strong sense of community, energy efficient homes, and nearby hiking make it a popular location for families.’

Boulder mountain living at its finest, Dakota Ridge is a community that offers a great deal of fun, excitement, relaxation, and exploration opportunities. It’s easy to say that a town has a little something for everyone but with Dakota Ridge, that statement has never been more true.

Dakota Ridge Neighborhood Overview

Located at the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, Dakota Ridge is close enough to the large city to offer plenty of cultural events and cuisine options, but it’s far enough away that you won’t feel overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle. Nestled in the foothills with access to hiking and biking trails, there is a strong sense of community within this subdivision.

With plenty of playgrounds, foot trails, and well-reviewed schools, Dakota Ridge is a great place to raise a family.

Dakota Ridge has a great variety of homes for sale and rent. You can find condos, apartment, townhouses, small family houses, and even million-dollar mansions in this neighborhood.

Compiled from last quarter’s statistics, the median sale price of a house in Dakota Ridge was $650,000, though there are certainly homes to be found in a lower price range.

The average listing price of a new house in Dakota Ridge is currently around $603,000, but that price has been dropping weekly. If this trend continues, you can look to buy a new home in Dakota Ridge for an excellent price over the next year or two.

Dakota Ridge is a community with something for everyone–and everyone’s budget–that offers plenty of opportunity for fun, calm, relaxation, and adventure.

Courtesy of denverandboulderrealestate.com

 

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Boulder, Colorado Condos & Townhomes: Buying Advice

May 29, 2013 by

Boulder, Colorado Condos & Townhomes: Buying Advice

 

Learn my advice for buying a condo or townhome in Boulder, Colorado. The real estate market is hot for Boulder condos, so get in early!

Boulder, Colorado is considered by many people to be one of the best places to live, offering a balance of urban life and mountain living.

Because it is such a beloved city, though, Boulder real estate is expensive. Homes in Boulder often cost double that of comparable homes in other areas of Colorado. At the same time, the estimated median household income in 2009 (the most recent statistics available) was $47,967, about $7,500 less than the Colorado state average. As a result, people often rent for many years.

But if you want to live in Boulder, Colorado and own a home, one of the best ways of finding affordable property is to look into condos and townhomes.

Real Estate Statistics for Boulder, Colorado Condos and Townhomes

There is a strong market for condos and townhomes in Boulder.

  • Median list price: $289,000
  • Median days on the market: 51
  • Median condo size: 1,094 square feet
  • Median price per square feet: $242

The real estate market has stayed strong in Boulder throughout the housing crisis in the rest of the country. In fact, sales in May 2012 for single-family homes and condos were 40% higher than those in May 2011 for Boulder County. Total sales are up 23% from last year.

Finding Your Perfect Condo or Townhome in Boulder

Different areas of Boulder offer different advantages for residents, depending on what you are looking for.

  • If you’re looking to buy and live in an upscale area that offers shopping, entertainment and eating within walking distance, you may look near the Pearl Street Mall area.
  • If you’re looking to buy and live in a quieter area closer to Boulder’s hiking trails and natural beauty, West Boulder may be the spot for you.
  • If West Boulder isn’t green enough for your taste, check out South Boulder for moreopen spaces and views of the Flatirons.

No matter where you choose, the entire city offers excellent public transportation and off-road, paved bike paths so you can get from one area to the next without ever having to use your car (if you don’t want to). denverandboulderrealestate.com

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A Day in Downtown Boulder

May 28, 2013 by

A Day in Downtown Boulder

 

With over three hundred days of sunshine a year, the best time to visit downtown Boulder is right now!   From the casual diner to the jet-setting foodie, downtown Boulder’s restaurant scene is the best in the west.  Start your day off right with the most important meal of the day.  Check out the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives favorite Foolish Craig’s.  Just steps away is the new kid on the block, Snooze, an A.M. Eatery.  For those craving a little Creole, Lucile’s is the way to go.  For a quick bite and good cup of Joe, there are no less than 17 coffee shops where you will find some of the best and brightest entrepreneurs in the west making power deals and networking in what locals call the heart of Silicon Flatirons!  See who’s who at places like Ozo & Atlas Purveyors.  Every Saturday from April through November,  the Boulder County Farmers’ Market (the BEST farmers’ market in Colorado) provides a great selection of produce – sold to you directly by the farmers who grow their products.

Follow up breakfast with some sightseeing.   Not sure where to start?  Book a Boulder Walking Tour with knowledgeable guides or explore the culinary scene with Local Table Tours.  For a truly authentic     Boulder experience, check out Banjo Billy’s Bus Tour.  Where else can you sit back in a recliner on an old school bus tricked out to look like a traveling hillbilly shack?

If you are more of an independent explorer, there is plenty to see and do on your own.  Grab a B-cycle and enjoy the Boulder Creek Path.   Other key points of interest: Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse & the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA). No visit to downtown is complete without shopping and dining on the world famousPearl Street Mall.  This four block pedestrian mall celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2012.  Welcoming over a million visitors annually, the mall is home to some of the best people watching anywhere.   Lively buskers perform year round to the delight of children and all those who are young at heart.  In the summer months, the pop jet fountain keeps kiddos cooled down and  there are countless special events that add to the ambiance of the most celebrated pedestrian mall in the country!  Not sure where to start?  Stop by the Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center and let our ambassadors help you plan your adventure.

For all you up-and-coming or classically-trained fashionistas, forget “lifestyle centers”, there is only one original and that is downtown Boulder –  filled with over 168 boutiques both on and off the bricks (aka Pearl Street Mall). For the sporty lifestyle there is the one-and-only Boulder Army Store & MontBell and joining Gaiam, Patagonia,GoLite & prAna on the Pearl Street Mall is Athleta.   “Too cool for schoolers” can shop Volcom, Billabong & Wasted Sun.

For the “Vogue crowd” there is Max, Weekends, Holiday & Company and hip consignment.   For the “casually cool” the options are endless: Savvy on Pearl, Chelsea,Starr’s Clothing, American Apparel, Urban Outfitters – just to name a few.   For the “retro suave” Goldmine Vintage, Buffalo Exchange, Common Era & The Ritz.  For shoes and accessories, Two Sole Sisters, Todd Reed and Hurdle’s Jewelry are just a handful of options. Visit the shopping directory on our site for complete listings.

Attention artsy adventurers! From BMoCA’s captivating exhibits, 20+ galleries showcasing painting, photography, jewelry and more,  to an artist’s co-op (Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery) and some of the best Clutter in home furnishings you can imagine,  the downtown district is an empty canvas waiting for your brush to explore!  If you’re planning a visit in the summer months,  make sure to check out Open Arts Fest in July.

Ready for lunch?  Rooftop decks and sidewalk patios are a great option.  Check out the view from above with lunch at the West End Tavern, Lazy Dog Sports Bar, or Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant.  Be one with the people on a sidewalk patio at the Boulder Café,  Pizzeria Locale,Hapa Sushi, or The Kitchen [Next Door].

Bon Appetit magazine labeled Boulder America’s Foodiest Town in 2010.  Since then, the list of award-winning, innovative restaurants continues to grow.  From farm-to-table philosophies to culinary works-of-art, the downtown dining scene is a must-experience part of your visit.   Frasca Food & Wine, OAK at Fourteenth, SALT the Bistro,Black Cat and The Kitchen are just some of the downtown anchors that have propelled Boulder as a world-class dining destination throughout the country.   For a complete list of downtown dining options, click here.   Visiting in the spring?  Make sure to check out Taste of Pearl, an award winning food & wine event!

In the mood for some entertainment?  See what’s happening at the Boulder Theater or check out  local musicians at one of many coffee shops or bars including: The Laughing Goat, Shine or Conor O’Neill’s.  Check out some mirco brews with friends at the Walnut Brewery, Mountain Sun or West Flanders. In the winter months,  practice your figure eights at the Ice Rink at One Boulder Plaza.   In the summer months, Bands on the Bricks provides free concerts every Wednesday evening on the Pearl Street Mall.

Enjoy your time in Downtown Boulder.

 

Article courtesy of www.boulderdowntown.com

 

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

Search all Boulder homes for sale 

 

BH4U

Filed Under: Area recreation, Real Estate Topics, Things to Do Tagged With: , , ,

The Bolder Boulder is today!

May 27, 2013 by

The Bolder Boulder is an annual 10-kilometer road race in Boulder, Colorado. The most recent race featured over 54,000 runners, walkers, and wheelchair racers, making it the largest race in the US in which all participants are timed and the fifth largest road race in the world. It has one of the largest non-marathon prize purses in road racing.

The race culminates at the University of Colorado‘s Folsom Field with a Memorial Day Tribute with one of the largest Memorial Day gatherings in the United States. Organizers have dedicated three starting waves to current and former members of the U.S. armed forces.

At BolderBOULDER you get to choose a lot about your experience:  how fast you (and the people around you) run, which race merchandise you would like, how to register and where to pick up your race packet.

BolderBoulder

 

John Marcotte

720-771-9401

Search all Boulder homes for sale 

 

BH4U

Filed Under: Real Estate Topics Tagged With: , , , , ,
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