Boulder Arts & Culture
To receive an accolade for the 6th Best Art Town in the Country you must have an extensive and developed art scene, and that’s just what Boulder has to offer. Recognized for its dedication to the Arts, Boulder gives its citizens and visitors plenty to stimulate their minds.
A great way to start your day off is to grab a coffee at the Laughing Goat Coffee House (1709 Pearl St. 303.440.4628). Since it’s still early, relax with your cup of coffee while you take a peek at the local art work. This artisan coffeehouse and gallery also features community performances in the evening hours, so if you can, stop back for poetry readings and acoustic music.
After you catch your morning buzz, head south to the campus of Naropa Institute (2130 Arapahoe Ave. 303.444.0202). This liberal arts university is one of the few major accredited Buddhist-inspired universities in North America. Sit on the campus lawn where once Beat Generation poets Allen Ginsberg and Anne Waldman discussed ideas on finding Naropa’s Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics.
Head west from Naropa University to the Dushanbe Teahouse (1770 13th St. 303.442.4993) which is another example of Asian influence in Boulder. This beautiful Central Asian teahouse was given to the city of Boulder by their sister city Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Be sure to notice the intricately carved cedar columns and colorfully painted ceiling while you sip a spicy chai.
When you have finished admiring the art and enjoying your cup of tea, wander next door to the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (1750 13th St. 303.443.2122). BMoCA is dedicated to the presentation of dynamic art of our time through the means of local and regional talents. Beyond the museum’s exhibits, BMoCA also holds educational classes and monthly evening events.
An active morning of touring probably has given you a fierce appetite. A great way to satisfy an afternoon hunger is to grab a French-inspired lunch at Brasserie Ten Ten (1011 Walnut St. 303.998.1010). The restaurant’s menu offers up a variety of specialty dishes such as their duck confit and Edward Island mussels. There’s not a better way to add to your fantastic meal than by choosing a glass of wine from their extensive wine list (catch happy hour between 3 and 6).
After you wrap up your lunch, it’s time to visit a few galleries. Boulder is home to hundreds of artists and finding their work in this town is not difficult. You can spend all day perusing galleries so get going! A great way to visit a lot of Boulder’s galleries is to start at 11th and Pearl St. and head east. Look out for Smith Klein(1116 Pearl St. 303.444.7200), Art Mart (1222 Pearl St. 303.443.7407), Boulder Arts & Crafts (1421 Pearl St. 303.443.3683), Middle Fish (1500 Pearl St. 303.443.0835),Art & Soul (1615 Pearl St. 303.544.5803), and Mary Williams Fine Art (2116 Pearl St. 303.938.1588).
When your gallery tour is complete, it’s time to reenergize before you hit the town. So why not receive a relaxing Aromatherapy Massage or a soothing seaweed body wrap at Essentials Spa (2660 Canyon Blvd. 303.440.0711). This full service spa can remedy your aches and blemishes from head to toe.
After you’ve spruced up for the evening hours make your way to the 29th Street Mallto Laudisio (1710 29th St. 303.442.1300). At Laudisio’s you will enjoy an authentic Italian meal in an airy contemporary dining room. If you have a large party, be sure to reserve the private dining room which offers fabulous views of CU’s flagstone campus and the flatiron mountains.
If you would like to finish off the night with a little live entertainment, check the schedule for The Dairy Center for the Arts (2590 Walnut St. 303.440.7826). This venue holds a wide variety of programming covering many genres in music, dance, theater, and workshops.
When the doors let out it’s time to finish off the evening with a night cap at The Kitchen Upstairs (1039 Pearl St. 303.544.5973). This casual urban wine lounge has a great ambiance for you to enjoy a cocktail and chat about your artsy day spent in Boulder.
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