1.) Cheer on the Colorado Buffaloes!
Buy those tickets! On Friday night, there is no better place to be than at a University of Colorado, Boulder football game. Thousands of students dressed in black and yellow turn out for every game. Even if you don’t like football here, there are a million other things to entertain you, like those strange guys dressed like a scene from Braveheart but in school colors. I figured I would save some money my freshman year and didn’t buy football tickets. I quickly realized the error of my ways as I sat in my dorm room alone on a Friday night listening to the echoes of the game floating through my window. Almost the entire campus turns out for the game so don’t be left out, get your tickets!
2.) Check out Pearl Street
Catch the Hop bus (free with your student bus pass) as it passes straight through the heart of campus, and soon you will find yourself on Pearl Street. This outdoor mall is a student’s paradise full of quirky stores and has a lot of interesting restaurants to choose from. During the spring, there are tons of red and yellow tulips lining the street. Street performers and musicians give it a distinct Boulder feel. Stop by B.J.’s Brewery and try the avocado egg rolls or check out the wacky selection of toys (windup sushi, anyone?) available at Into the Wind. There are also coffee shops galore and an assortment of natural stores. There is always something new to discover on Pearl Street.
3.) Climb the Flatirons and sit beneath the stars.
Just a 15-20 minute walk from campus, there is a field of high grass that leads up to the base of a huge rock formation known as the “Flatirons” or “Chautauqua.” There are several trails, some of which will lead you to great views from on top of the rocks. While this is an extremely popular place for students to go in the day, it is almost empty late at night. Grab a group of friends and a thermos and do a night hike! Walk through this dark, windy forest in the moonlight and enjoy the sound of the wind (until someone steps on a big crunchy leaf). At the top, your effort will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the stars. This activity is perfect when you are living on a student’s budget because it comes at the awesome cost of free! Warning: this Friday night activity should only be attempted when there is no snow on the ground.
If you’re interested in the University of Colorado Boulder, check out our article on 5 Things to Avoid at University of Colorado, Boulder.
4.) Check out Boulder Indoor Soccer!
While I tend to be more of the type to sit down and watch a whole season of a show in one sitting than an athlete, nothing beats informal soccer. Grab your dorm mates and form a team! When you enter the door, you are hit with the smell of artificial grass and the sound of the players’ yells echoing off the walls. My team was called the Dead Pirates’ Society and we never practiced. We also never won. We would just get together whenever there was a game and play. It is perfect for students who want to play but don’t have the time to commit to a school team. If someone couldn’t make it, chances are you will find someone willing to play just sitting around. The field is big and there is a lounge upstairs where people can sit and get a drink. Without a doubt, Boulder Indoor Soccer is a great place to play a game of soccer on a Friday night.
5.) Hit the road
Midterms are over and you can’t stand the sight of campus for even one more second. What do you do? Jump in your car with a few friends and set out on an adventure into the unknown. Here are some of my favorite Colorado destinations:
- The Great Sand Dunes: Giant mountains of sand in a national park where you can camp and sand board. Can you make it to the top?
- Estes Park: A beautiful historic city surrounded by mountains and full of forests, lakes, hiking trails and elk. Make sure to check out the hotel where they filmed The Shining. Extra points for going at night after watching the movie!
- Denver: It’s only 40 minutes from Boulder by car and full of restaurants, shopping, and the hipster scene. Check out the capitol!
Make sure to plan some time for exploring the great state of Colorado!
Emily Harrah is a freelance translator and interpreter. She received a Bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Colorado in 2011.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you get to Pearl Street from CU Boulder?
- Catch the Hop bus, free with your student bus pass, which passes straight through the heart of campus. Pearl Street is an outdoor mall full of quirky stores, interesting restaurants, street performers, and stops like B.J.'s Brewery and the Into the Wind toy shop.
- What are the Flatirons near CU Boulder?
- A huge rock formation also known as Chautauqua, just a 15-20 minute walk from campus through a field of high grass. Trails lead to views from atop the rocks; a night hike is free, but only attempt it when there is no snow on the ground.
- What is Boulder Indoor Soccer?
- An informal indoor league where you grab dorm mates and form a team; the author's team, the Dead Pirates' Society, never practiced and never won. Perfect for students who want to play without committing to a school team, with a lounge upstairs for spectators.
- Where should CU students road-trip on a free weekend?
- The author's favorite Colorado destinations: the Great Sand Dunes (camp and sand board), Estes Park (mountains, forests, lakes, elk, and the hotel where The Shining was filmed), and Denver, just 40 minutes from Boulder.
- Should you buy CU football tickets?
- Yes. Thousands of students in black and yellow turn out for every game, and the author who skipped tickets to save money spent her Friday night alone in her dorm room listening to the game echo through her window.