Summer Bucket List: Fun Things To Do in Boulder and beyond

Brock Media had fun coming up with its bucket list of things we plan to do,

most of them right here in Boulder County.

Go to the Rocky Mountain Tea Festival. Swim in the Eldorado Springs pool. Once a friend and I left one car there (with a picnic lunch) and then hiked the Mesa Trail from Chautauqua Park back to Eldorado Springs to swim and lunch. Camp in the Flat Tops wilderness area with its wonderful wildflowers in August. —From Mary’s friends

photo by Shutterstock — photo: Shutterstock

I always love catching a concert with friends at Chautauqua and picnicking beforehand in the park. Picnicked in the pouring rain last year before Boz Scaggs! Also love the silent film series … those movies were highly dramatic.And the live musical accompaniment is fun. —Peggy

summer-list-shutterstock_284302778bolderboulder — Photo: Shutterstock

My bucket list is to be outside as much as possible. Run the Bolder Boulder with my kids—we might dress in costumes this time. None of us are real runners, so just for fun. Hiking in Open Space to see flowers. I bought a new cross bike, so exploring the valley’s dirt crossbike trails. Shakespeare Festival, Chautauqua concerts, Red Rocks at least once! Walk downtown in the evenings to a great restaurant and for live music. Learn to stand-up paddleboard at the Rez. —Frances

Take a child to the Colorado Music Festival’s Young People’s Concert, allowing time to meet the giant animals on the green and play at the playground. When it’s unbearably hot, go to the Rez or a pool with a friend, submerge yourselves up to your neck and talk. Slurp through a 20-lb. box of irresistibly delectable Western Slope peaches. Try two music festivals I’ve never been to—Arise! and Rocky Ridge. On the Fourth of July, watch the parade in Nederland around noon (it’s so sweet, it makes me cry), and the Folsom Field Fourth of July fireworks from my deck at night. Ride a paddleboat at Waneka Lake. —Mary

summer-list-carousel — Photo courtesy Jason Zvitt

We love to go to Nederland when it’s hot in Boulder, and cool off! Take the kids on the Carousel a couple of times, lunch at Wild Mountain Smokehouse on the deck, and a short hike around the Mud Lake area right outside of town. It’s a great day trip when the grandparents are in town. —Jason

Hiking is it! Above Nederland from the Fourth of July Trailhead (Diamond Lake is very pretty). Brainard Lake Rec Area—lots of trails, but get there early for parking. For those very athletically inclined, the Skyline Traverse (about 18 miles, hits the five peaks of the Boulder skyline, took me 7.5 hours, and I was running the downhill portions). Sunrise from any of the peaks (headlamps for the hike up). Sunset from any of the peaks (headlamps for the hike down). Walker Ranch loop, Hall Ranch, Heil Ranch are always good. —Amy

Do a brewery tour on a B-Cycle Bike. Hike Longs Peak. Hike up to Hanging Lake. —Linda

Telluride-Bridal Falls trail, hot springs in Ouray. Having cherries on the Western Slope near Carlson. The Strawberry Festival in Glenwood Springs in June. Riding the tram at Monarch Pass. The wildflower festival in Crested Butte. Hiking in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Having a picnic at Chautauqua. Watching fireworks from Flagstaff. —From Amy’s friends

See the wild mustangs at Sand Wash Basin in Craig. —Carol

VERY early in the morning hike the Mesa Trail to the Woods Quarry cutoff, climb to the top and watch the mist over Boulder Valley evaporate into the rising summer sun. Have friends over LOTS and grill something good on the patio. Get my old bike tuned up and go ride! —Tom

Summer Bucket List: Fun Things To Do in Boulder and beyond

Brock Media had fun coming up with its bucket list of things we plan to do,

most of them right here in Boulder County.

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