We will only have 4 full days, plus our arrival day (early afternoon). We rented a car. I read this site and my books, and I don't know what to do first! We want some beautiful (but not too strenuous walks, not really "hikes"), beautiful scenery, hip gallery/meal experiences, fresh air, some beer. We need to relax but get a little exercise. What to do first? What will the hi and low temperatures be? Will we need layers - like a sweatshirt under a light jacket? Many thanks.

Here a a few: Chatauqua dinding hall for breakfast, then a hike (scenery!). Go to NCAR and tour (Pei's architecture, Woody Allen Sleeper bldng; terrific views east), then go out back for a hike on gorgeous trails. (These are all nice hikes, on well-maintained trails). The Pearl Street Mall for dining, galleries, beer; also the new St. Julien for west-view patio dining/drinks. Day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park and Trail Ridge Road (only 30 miles down the road) is an absolute must.

Weather should be warm and sunny, but always be prepared for mountain rain, cool temps at altitude.

I assume from your message that you will be based in Boulder. If so, here are some ideas for day trips

Leave Boulder from Canyon Road/Drive into the mountains. There is a waterfall along the way where you can stop and walk/hike. You can proceeed to the town of Nederland for lunch.

You may like to drive to estes Park a town at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park. Go during the day for lunch or beer.

Take a drive to the Coors Brewery in Golden for a free tour.

If you are really ambitious drive to Vail. it is about 2.5 hours away you can eat and walk through the Village.

A walk in Chatauqua Park is always nice. NCAR is the National Center for Atmospheric Research and is open for free tours to the public. NCAR is located at the western end of Table Mesa Drive on the southern end of Boulder. Chatauqua Park is located in the southwest corner of town, just off Baseline Road.

A walk along Boulder creek in town is also an easy thing to do. For a little more strenuous hike, follow the trail along Boulder Creek up into the foothills along Canyon Blvd.

Since you have a car, I'd suggest getting up into the mountains west of Boulder. Take Canyon Blvd (Hwy 119)west up into the mountains to the town of Nederland. This is about a 20 mile, curvy drive along paved 2-lane highway that follows Boulder creek. As you near Nederland, you will emerge from Boulder Canyon and see Barker Reservoir on your left. The town of Nederland is at the far end of the reservoir, and the mountains of the Indian Peaks Wilderness will be seen in the distance.
In Nederland, turn north onto Hwy 72. You are now on a scenic road referred to as the Peak to Peak Highway. Follow Hwy 72 north for about 8 miles to the entrance to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area (Forest Road 112 near the town of Ward). Turn west into the recreation area. There is a daily use fee ($6 per car I think), but again you have some beautiful views of the Indian Peaks as well as numerous hiking trails of various lengths and abilities.

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You will be in a great place for everything: "beautiful (but not too strenuous walks, not really "hikes"), beautiful scenery, hip gallery/meal experiences, fresh air, some beer". Boulder is great for all of that.

Don't miss Chautauqua Park. Everything you want is right there. The dining hall is a wonderful place for dinner, on the front porch, while the sun sets over the Flatiron mountains. I'm sure it's good for breakfast, too, but I prefer dinnertime there.

Hiking there is exactly as you describe. Just make noise as you go on the trails, and be aware of wildlife.

Definitely bring layers like you mention. Make the jacket an outer layer that' water resistant. With a sweater or sweatshirt, too, you'll be set.

Maybe a local call tell you if the Red Lion Inn is still a good place to go. It's up Canyon Boulevard, I think, an historic building that used to serve great drinks and food, too.

We ate at the Boulderado's restaurant, called "Q", a week or so ago and it was superb. Pricey, but that's Boulder!

Have fun there.
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P.S. I don't agree it's a must to drive to RMNP and do Trail Ridge Road. Not with just 4 full days. You have so much to see nearby Boulder. Plus, Trail Ridge Road is under construction this summer and will be clogged with traffic. Not worth it for sure a short stay.

Instead, I recommend you drive a very short ways south of Boulder to Eldorado Canyon. It's a favorite of hardcore rock climbers, so you can see some amazing athletes scaling the rocks. Also a very pretty canyon and a good place to hike. I believe T-Rex bones may have been found back there. As you see it from the highway, you can easily picture dinosaurs stepping out of the canyon mouth. Really picturesque.

Vail is too far for such a short time and with so many options in and near Boulder. For the reasons Maureen cited, I'd probably give Trail Ridge road a miss too.

Another scenic drive is to go to Lyons and instead of taking the road to Estes, go up the road alongside the Vrain River.

Pearl Street Mall is great for a beer,interesting shops and excellent restaurants.

Here's just a few of my favorite restaurants.

Frasca (if you can get in)

L'Atelier

Dushanbe Teahouse

Brassiere Ten Ten

Boulder does have a number of good restaurants.

P.S. You can also drive to the top of Flagstaff for a spectacular view of the Continental Divide. It's just above Chautauqua Park. You take Baseline road all the way up into the hills. It's a narrow and windy road, with bicyclists going up and coming down, so be very careful.
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Yes, do be careful of the cyclists anywhere near Boulder.

Has anyone mentioned the Boulder Bike Path as an easy walking trail? Follow it along Boulder Creek up to Boulder Canyon.

We were in Boulder a few weeks back and enjoyed the Celestial Seasonings tour:

http://www.celestialseasonings.com