Our Favorite Local Spots
Parks
About 40 minutes away from Lafayette and halfway to Estes Park. This is our kids favorite spot with a creek to play in, wonderful play structures and beautiful scenery. It's a great place to picnic too.
Lyons is also a fun place to check out with a vintage pinball machine arcade and fun restaurants.
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LaVern M Johnson Park
600 Park DrAbout 40 minutes away from Lafayette and halfway to Estes Park. This is our kids favorite spot with a creek to play in, wonderful play structures and beautiful scenery. It's a great place to picnic too.
Lyons is also a fun place to check out with a vintage pinball machine arcade and fun restaurants.
The Great Outdoors Water Park - Perfect for all ages and only a few minutes from our home. There are several waterslides, a lazy river, splash pad with waterslides for younger kids and a large pool, plus a concession stand.
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The Great Outdoors Waterpark
500 E South Boulder RdThe Great Outdoors Water Park - Perfect for all ages and only a few minutes from our home. There are several waterslides, a lazy river, splash pad with waterslides for younger kids and a large pool, plus a concession stand.
Chautauqua in Boulder- This has the best access and views of the Boulder Flatirons with hiking or picnicking, concerts, or just playing at the playground. There is also Chautauqua Dining Hall at this location that is one of the oldest historical restaurants in Boulder.
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Chautauqua Park
9th StreetChautauqua in Boulder- This has the best access and views of the Boulder Flatirons with hiking or picnicking, concerts, or just playing at the playground. There is also Chautauqua Dining Hall at this location that is one of the oldest historical restaurants in Boulder.
Sightseeing
Rocky Mountain National Park - It truly lives up to its beauty. We recommend driving up trail ridge road to have a snowball fight at 12,000 feet. Look out for all the Elk along the way. 🐂
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Iphondo lomhlaba lwe-Rocky Mountain
Rocky Mountain National Park - It truly lives up to its beauty. We recommend driving up trail ridge road to have a snowball fight at 12,000 feet. Look out for all the Elk along the way. 🐂
Eldorado Canyon - This is a beautiful state park with some great hiking or leisurely walks that the whole family can enjoy. It's also famous for its spring water that can be gotten straight out of a mountain tap. There is also a fresh spring pool here, which we haven't tried yet.
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Eldorado Canyon State Park
9 Kneale RdEldorado Canyon - This is a beautiful state park with some great hiking or leisurely walks that the whole family can enjoy. It's also famous for its spring water that can be gotten straight out of a mountain tap. There is also a fresh spring pool here, which we haven't tried yet.
Drive to Nederland - The drive up Canyon Road from Boulder to Nederland is spectacular. Take time to stop at Boulder Falls along the way to catch a glimpse of the beautiful waterfall. Nederland is also a great place to grab lunch, ice cream and ride "The Carousel of Happiness." This is an impressive hand carved carousel in the heart of Nederland that the kids will love and parents will remember. There is also a free local museum about the history of mining.
If you want more scenery, you can continue on from Nederland and do the Peak to Peak highway or go in the other direction to Black Hawk / Central City Casinos and then Idaho Springs.
Busy Brews Restaurant - Nederland
https://buseybrews.com/
Ice cream: Blue Owl Books and Boutique
176 CO-119, Nederland, CO 80466, United States
Carousel of Happiness - Nederland
https://www.carouselofhappiness.org/
Mining Museum - Nederland
https://www.bouldercounty.org/open-space/education/museums/nederland-mining-museum/
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Nederland
Drive to Nederland - The drive up Canyon Road from Boulder to Nederland is spectacular. Take time to stop at Boulder Falls along the way to catch a glimpse of the beautiful waterfall. Nederland is also a great place to grab lunch, ice cream and ride "The Carousel of Happiness." This is an impressive hand carved carousel in the heart of Nederland that the kids will love and parents will remember. There is also a free local museum about the history of mining.
If you want more scenery, you can continue on from Nederland and do the Peak to Peak highway or go in the other direction to Black Hawk / Central City Casinos and then Idaho Springs.
Busy Brews Restaurant - Nederland
https://buseybrews.com/
Ice cream: Blue Owl Books and Boutique
176 CO-119, Nederland, CO 80466, United States
Carousel of Happiness - Nederland
https://www.carouselofhappiness.org/
Mining Museum - Nederland
https://www.bouldercounty.org/open-space/education/museums/nederland-mining-museum/
Museum
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) - Not only is this a pretty drive with beautiful views of Boulder and great hiking trails, but there is a free museum with educational exhibits about our weather and atmosphere.
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NCAR Mesa Laboratory
1850 Table Mesa DrNational Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) - Not only is this a pretty drive with beautiful views of Boulder and great hiking trails, but there is a free museum with educational exhibits about our weather and atmosphere.
Museum of Boulder - If your interested in learning more about Boulder and experience some interactive exhibits.
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Boulder History Museum
2205 BroadwayMuseum of Boulder - If your interested in learning more about Boulder and experience some interactive exhibits.
Neighborhoods
Pearl Street in Boulder - you can't come to Boulder without taking a stroll down Pearl Street and experiencing the street performers, festivals, shops, restaurants, etc. It's definitely Boulder culture where hippie meets yuppie and everything in between.
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Pearl Street
1303 BroadwayPearl Street in Boulder - you can't come to Boulder without taking a stroll down Pearl Street and experiencing the street performers, festivals, shops, restaurants, etc. It's definitely Boulder culture where hippie meets yuppie and everything in between.
Estes Park
Bike Path
Coal Creek Trail in Lafayette - This trail system is right out our front door. Follow the walking path West (towards the mountains) and it will link up with the coal creek trail system that runs alongside the creek. It's a beautiful morning walk.
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Coal Creek Trail - Lafayette, CO
Coal Creek Trail in Lafayette - This trail system is right out our front door. Follow the walking path West (towards the mountains) and it will link up with the coal creek trail system that runs alongside the creek. It's a beautiful morning walk.
A beautiful bike path that runs alongside the Boulder Creek.
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Boulder Creek Path
Boulder Creek PathA beautiful bike path that runs alongside the Boulder Creek.
Restaurants
Dushanbe Tea House - An iconic Boulder restaurant that serves a mix of Persian and Pan Asian fare. It's claim to fame is that the building itself was brought over from Tajikistan as a gift to Boulder. It's intricate decor was hand carved and painted by artisans of Tajikistan making it a truly unique dining experience.
https://www.boulderteahouse.com/
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The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
1770 13th StDushanbe Tea House - An iconic Boulder restaurant that serves a mix of Persian and Pan Asian fare. It's claim to fame is that the building itself was brought over from Tajikistan as a gift to Boulder. It's intricate decor was hand carved and painted by artisans of Tajikistan making it a truly unique dining experience.
https://www.boulderteahouse.com/
Acreage Restaurant: This Lafayette restaurant is up on a hill and has amazing sunset views of the front range mountains. It is known for its stem ciders (both alcoholic and non alcoholic). The best part is that it has a play structure and games to keep the kids busy while parents can kick back and enjoy the evening. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time.
https://acreageco.com/
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Acreage by Stem Ciders
1380 Horizon AveAcreage Restaurant: This Lafayette restaurant is up on a hill and has amazing sunset views of the front range mountains. It is known for its stem ciders (both alcoholic and non alcoholic). The best part is that it has a play structure and games to keep the kids busy while parents can kick back and enjoy the evening. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time.
https://acreageco.com/
The Post Chicken and Beer: A Local Lafayette restaurant where you can get Fried Chicken and southern style comfort food with waffles and or biscuits. It's delicious and happens to be all gluten free.
https://www.postchickenandbeer.com/lafayette/
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The Post Brewing Company
105 W Emma StThe Post Chicken and Beer: A Local Lafayette restaurant where you can get Fried Chicken and southern style comfort food with waffles and or biscuits. It's delicious and happens to be all gluten free.
https://www.postchickenandbeer.com/lafayette/
Pizza - We usually do Cosmos Pizza. It is good and big and pretty much just hits the spot for everything you'd want on a typical pizza night. If you are interested in something a little more fancy there is also Mici, Protos (flat bread) and a new one called Ghost Box (we haven't actually tried yet).
http://cosmospizza.com/lafayette/
Cosmo's Pizza
520 West South Boulder RoadPizza - We usually do Cosmos Pizza. It is good and big and pretty much just hits the spot for everything you'd want on a typical pizza night. If you are interested in something a little more fancy there is also Mici, Protos (flat bread) and a new one called Ghost Box (we haven't actually tried yet).
http://cosmospizza.com/lafayette/
Favorite Thai spot - Busaba in Louisville. It's a bit on the spicy side but exceptional in flavor.
https://www.busabaco.com/
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Busaba
133 McCaslin BlvdFavorite Thai spot - Busaba in Louisville. It's a bit on the spicy side but exceptional in flavor.
https://www.busabaco.com/
Favorite Italian food - Pasta Jay's on Pearl Street in Boulder.
https://www.pastajays.com/locations/boulder/
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Pasta Jay's
1001 Pearl StFavorite Italian food - Pasta Jay's on Pearl Street in Boulder.
https://www.pastajays.com/locations/boulder/
Favorite Steak and Specialty meats - Black Belly in Boulder.
https://www.blackbelly.com/
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Blackbelly
1606 Conestoga StFavorite Steak and Specialty meats - Black Belly in Boulder.
https://www.blackbelly.com/
Food scene
Boulder Farmers Market is next to the Dushanbe Tea House on Wednesday mornings.
https://bcfm.org/home-page/boulder-wednesday/
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Boulder Farmers Market
13th StreetBoulder Farmers Market is next to the Dushanbe Tea House on Wednesday mornings.
https://bcfm.org/home-page/boulder-wednesday/
The District in Lafayette - This industrial modern building in Lafayette hosts a few great spots worth checking out. First Button Rock Bakery is a full bakery with many sweet treats (some gluten free). It's also a deli and does sushi! We love their egg and bacon breakfast sandwiches on a croissant! 🥐
https://www.buttonrockbakery.com/
Across the hall is Otis Coffee Shop:
https://otis.coffee/
There is a home made donut shop: Nok's Donuts 7am-2pm
And, last but not least, Front range Brewery (my husband's favorite spot for a dark beer or a creative brew). They are locally owned and family operated and have live music and outdoor patio seating. This is the Cheers Bar of Lafayette.
https://www.frontrangebrewingcompany.com/
The District
400 W South Boulder RdThe District in Lafayette - This industrial modern building in Lafayette hosts a few great spots worth checking out. First Button Rock Bakery is a full bakery with many sweet treats (some gluten free). It's also a deli and does sushi! We love their egg and bacon breakfast sandwiches on a croissant! 🥐
https://www.buttonrockbakery.com/
Across the hall is Otis Coffee Shop:
https://otis.coffee/
There is a home made donut shop: Nok's Donuts 7am-2pm
And, last but not least, Front range Brewery (my husband's favorite spot for a dark beer or a creative brew). They are locally owned and family operated and have live music and outdoor patio seating. This is the Cheers Bar of Lafayette.
https://www.frontrangebrewingcompany.com/