My family enjoys exploring local attractions and viewing mountain scenery while visiting Boulder, Colorado. My five favorite attractions are: visiting the largest Colorado Western Art Museum, touring a tea factory, buying chocolates at a chocolate factory, eating at a brewpub and driving along Canyon Road to Boulder Falls and Boulder Reservoir.
The Leanin’ Tree Museum and Sculpture Garden of Western Art is the largest museum in Colorado featuring contemporary Indian and Western Art. This free museum is located in the corporate headquarters of Leanin’ Tree Greeting Card Company established in 1949. Ed Trumble started buying original artwork to be featured on the greeting cards produced by his company. He became a collector of regional and national artwork depicting Western scenery, Indians and Wild West themes that are now on display for visitors. Outside is a stunning bronze sculpture garden featuring life size western wildlife, cowboys and Indians from nationally recognized artists. ‘The Invocation’ sculpture by Buck McCain is my favorite! Visitors receive a discount on individual greeting cards bought here.
Celestial Seasonings Tea Company offers a free factory tour. This is a unique tour in the manufacturing plant of this tea processing company. Visitors sample a new or favorite tea. Original art work for the tea packaging is on display.
A chocolate manufacturing plant is open to the public and packages mail-order chocolates at Concertos in Chocolate. These are European style hand-made chocolates that are not as sweet as American made chocolate. Fine quality European chocolate, fresh cream and butter, liqueurs and fruit purees are used. We enjoyed Amaretto, Baileys, Death by Ganache and Raspberry truffles. These are pricey at over $2.00 each, but a fabulous taste experience!
My favorite restaurant is Walnut Brewery, the original brewpub in Boulder. Seasonal and year-round beer favorites are made on site as well as unique entrees. Drinking Octoberfest beer with a Bourbonzola hamburger is a tasty meal!
Enjoying mountain canyon scenery on the eight mile drive to Boulder Falls on Colorado State Highway 119 is a treat for the eyes. It is a short easy hike to the falls and definitely worth stopping to view. Boulder Reservoir is located west of the falls with picturesque mountains surrounding it!
I invite you to experience my five favorite attractions in Boulder, a lovely city nestled beside the scenic Rocky Mountains!
Resources:
http://www.leanintreemuseum.com/ View some of the bronze sculptures and art work on display.
http://www.celestialseasonings.com/visit-us/virtual-tour.html
http://www.concertosinchocolate.com/ View a slideshow of these wonderful chocolates!
http://www.walnutbrewery.com/home.php
http://www.boulderontheweb.com/recreation_scenery/trails/Boulder_falls.html