Just 5,430 feet above sea level and 30 minutes north of bustling Denver, Boulder, Colorado, remains an ideal, budget-friendly weekend getaway for families. This growing metropolis offers a blossoming foodie scene and laidback city vibe, surrounded by Rocky Mountain beauty.
Begin the day at the Boulder Tea House for brunch, boasting a variety of American and traditional Persian cuisine. Enjoy an American breakfast at $9.50 per person, including a homemade pop tart the kids will love, or the Honduran beleada for $10.50. Parents and adult children, add a mimosa or Bloody Mary for an additional $6.
Treat the kids to teatime during a free, 45-minute tour of Boulder’s own Celestial Seasonings Company. Visits include a walk through the tea production factory, Art Gallery, Tea Sampling Bar and Mint Room before concluding in the Celestial Gift Shop.

Photo: Kwiktor | Dreamstime
Completely surrounded by landscape and natural wonders, a trip to Boulder wouldn’t be complete without a biking or hiking expedition. Explore the great outdoors for little to no cost, from the Flat Irons and natural sandstone formations through more than 330 miles of trails.
Get from place to place along the five-mile stretch of Boulder Creek Path, or rent a car and head to Eldorado Canyon in Eldorado State Park for some hiking, rock climbing, biking, boating and fishing. Daily park passes range from $7–9 per car, making any of Boulder’s many parks a budget-friendly option.

Photo: Ron Rapp | Dreamstime
Pearl Street is at the heart of Boulder and offers unique shops, restaurants and breweries with a historic, rustic feel. While downtown, explore the cultural scene with a tour through Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art for $1. Don’t forget to check out University of Colorado Boulder’s Museum of Natural History for interactive exhibits, dinosaurs and the kid-centric Discovery Corner.
Teens and older kids enjoy The Hill, the bustling neighborhood by the university offering fun restaurants, bars and cafes featuring live music and nightly events.
With lush green parks prime for outdoor adventures scattered through Boulder and fun local shops and restaurants to explore downtown, there is a buzz about the city perfect for active families. Get outdoors and have fun bonding over shared experiences while still taking time to lay low and enjoy the city. Residents of Boulder cultivate a colorful, healthy, active and fun environment for visitors to enjoy, even on a budget.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedCruises
Apr 21, 2025Norwegian Cruise Line Welcomes Its Newest Ship, “Aqua”
Norwegian Cruise Lines has a lot to celebrate this year as it welcomes family travelers to yet another new ship to its fleet. Aqua, the latest addition to NCL’s Prima Class of ships, recently arrived in America, and I had the opportunity to join her as she set sail on her christening voyage from Miami April 13.
Sponsored Content
Madrid: A Destination for All Ages
However one is traveling, what matters is having fun and creating unforgettable memories. Among many ways to travel, multigenerational trips — on which grandparents, parents and children get to spend quality time together — are gaining popularity. Setting out on this sort of adventure? Madrid has something to offer everyone!
Destinations
Apr 21, 2025Exodus Adventure Travels Announces New Wildlife Trips
Tour operator Exodus Adventure Travels invites family travelers to experience its immersive wildlife journeys around the world, including new itineraries.
Destinations / North America
Apr 21, 20255 Things You Can Only Do in Delaware County, New York
More and more family travelers seek immersive experiences hyper-specific to a particular destination, and spots like Delaware County in upstate New York promises activities the whole family can both enjoy and experience nowhere else.
Hotels
Apr 18, 2025Nemacolin Debuts Exclusive Luxury Stay Experience for Guests 16 Years and Older
Family travelers with older kids won’t want to miss this new luxury stay at Nemacolin. This luxury resort reintroduces Falling Rock, the architectural masterpiece inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water, as an exclusive stay for travelers 16 years and older.
Destinations
Apr 18, 2025Head to Garden in the Woods in Massachusetts for a Springtime Wonderland
Without going far, family travelers in Boston and surrounding towns can step into a serene woodland environment, where the forest floor is carpeted in wildflowers. Garden in the Woods, in Framingham, Massachusetts, is a botanical garden dedicated to native plants, showcasing them on 45 acres of open forest, ravines, ridges and wetlands.
ShareThis