With an easygoing, forward-looking atmosphere and plenty of great places to eat and drink, Boulder offers many enjoyable activities for visitors.

At the heart of downtown Boulder is the leafy Pearl Street pedestrian mall, lined with all sorts of lively cafés, galleries, and stores — including several places where you can rent mountain bikes.

The most obvious short excursion is to drive or hike up nearby Flagstaff Mountain, for views over town and further into the Rockies. Any road west joins up with the Peak-to-Peak Highway, which heads through spectacular mountain scenery to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.

For rock climbing, Eldorado Canyon State Park offers many opportunities. The Boulder Mountaineer (303-442-8355) can answer any questions and, of course, provide gear.

Incorporating a wide range of ideals, from liberal to conservative to alternative, Boulder is a diverse community of environmentalists, adventurers, computer techies, professors, scientists, seekers, and students.

Things to do in Boulder

NCAR's Mesa Laboratory: This is a historic landmark designed by well-known architect I.M. Pei. The building includes research facilities, common areas, and courtyards that blend with, and open onto, the magnificent environmental setting.

Celestial Seasonings: The famous maker of herb and traditional teas offers daily tours of its manufacturing facilities. Highlights include the herb garden, teapot collection, and an art gallery showing original paintings designed for the colorful tea packages.

University of Colorado: The Italian Renaissance architecture and gorgeous views of the Flatirons make the historic main campus of CU one of the most attractive campuses in the nation.

National Institute of Standards and Technology: This unassuming Bauhaus structure contains the famous atomic clock that is the nation's official timekeeper. The facility offer a free, 90-minute guided tour as well as self-guided tours.

Dunshanbe Teahouse: Boulder's sister city Dushanbe, Tajikistan, donated this ornate building to the City of Boulder. A popular gathering place, this cultural spot serves an array of exotic cuisine and fine teas.

Pearl Street Mall: This outdoor pedestrian mall boasts an array of boutiques and shops. Located in the heart of the city, the tree-lined, brick walkway also features a regular host of street performers.

Chautauqua Meadow: This picturesque park, nestled at the base of the Flatirons, offers beautiful hiking trails and a gracious Victorian restaurant that was once part of the historic Chautauqua movement.

Boulder Theater: Originally an opera house, this Art Deco complex hosts nightly concerts, film screenings, and other community events, including "E-Town," National Public Radio's weekly environmental and musical radio show.

Flagstaff House (5.0+ browser needed to display this Web site): Built in 1929 as a retreat cabin on the side of Flagstaff Mountain, this restaurant is the epitome of sophistication and elegance, highlighted by a glass dining pavilion that provides stunning views of the city below.