Fill up your bags during a trip to the Pearl Street Mall, a four-block shopping precinct in downtown Boulder. The pedestrianized complex houses more than 100 shops, restaurants and art galleries. This is where the city comes to shop and socialize.
Whether you are looking for a new outfit or a unique souvenir, the chances are you'll find it at Pearl Street Mall. There are familiar brand name stores as well as many small, independent boutiques.
Even if you're not much of a shopper, this downtown area is a great place to visit. Enjoy coffee and cake in one of the laid-back cafés that are popular with Boulder's student population. Relax in the Family Gathering Area where children can play on the climbing rocks. Among the mall’s other attractions for kids are animal statues and fountains that shoot water from the ground. During the summer, there is a free train ride up and down Pearl Street on most mornings.
One of the highlights of a visit to the mall is to see the well-tended gardens, particularly in early spring. During this time of year, thousands of tulip bulbs that have been imported from Holland start blooming.
Pearl Street Mall is part of Boulder’s historic district, where some of the city’s oldest buildings can be found. Stop to admire the Boulder County Courthouse, an art deco structure from the 1930s that is now the seat of Boulder County’s government.
Much of the city's nightlife is centred on the Pearl Street area. Sample a local beer in a cosy microbrewery or sip on a cocktail in an upmarket bar. Take your pick of one of the many restaurants and then watch a concert at Boulder Theatre.
Pearl Street runs from east to west through most of Boulder and the mall is situated between 11th and 15th streets. There are metered street parking spaces and metered parking lots nearby, although parking is free on Sundays and city holidays. Cyclists must walk their bikes through the mall area or leave them in one of the bike racks.
