Unique things to do in Boulder County

We will hike along an easy trail located less than 10 minutes outside of Boulder that will allow us to take in epic mountain views along a looped trail. After walking along the trees and wildflowers, we will sit facing west to see the sunset behind the Indian Peaks and take in the gorgeous views of mountains and wide-open spaces. Please contact me if you'd like to discuss other hiking options if this hike isn't quite what you're looking for or have other questions. My company, Cairn Outdoor Guides, offers adventures in Telluride, Denver, and Boulder, so If you'd like to save some money and support my business and its mission to guide mental health outdoors, look up Cairn Outdoor Guides where you can easily book this activity or others like rock climbing, Nordic skiing, sensory nature experiences, and cycling. We also offer a flex plan that makes getting outside even more affordable. I recommend you review the "Things to Know" section of my website at www. cairnguides .com if you have questions about what to bring. Other things to note: If you have pet allergies let me know ahead of time as these are intended to be dog-friendly adventures.

Get hands-on in the glass studio with a local glass artist. We will spend about an hour and a half together, during which time you will get a feel for glass as a material and make your own piece of art. You'll get to work with tools, air, and fire to shape and mold the material into an object of your creation. Glasswork is hot and fast, so be prepared to get your heart rate up and get in a good, healthy sweat. Please note that glass art needs to temper overnight, so you'll either need to come pick up your piece the day after your session, or I can ship it to you. Other things to note The glass studio is an active workspace. I share my studio space with someone who works on CNC machines. He is very friendly and loves meeting new people!

Embark on a breathtaking sunrise hike near Chautauqua Park, led under the enchanting glow of moonlight. Beginning early in the morning, we'll relish the cool morning air, ensuring a tranquil start to your day. Our route takes us off the beaten path to a lesser-known trail, offering a blend of hiking and low-level climbing. Upon reaching a scenic vantage point above Boulder, we'll take in a beautiful sunrise over the Flatirons and nearby foothills. If this particular hike doesn't align with your interests, feel free to reach out to me to discuss alternative options or for any questions you may have. For a comprehensive list of what to bring, please refer to the 'Things to Know' section on our website at www. cairnguides .com. Please notify me in advance if you have pet allergies or any significant medical conditions, as we strive to provide a safe and enjoyable dog-friendly experience. My company Cairn Outdoor Guides specializes in outdoor adventures in Telluride, Denver, and Boulder. By booking with us you'll support our mission to promote mental health through guided outdoor experiences. Explore our website to easily book this hike or choose from a variety of other activities, including rock climbing, Nordic skiing, and sensory nature experiences. Additionally, our flex plan makes outdoor adventures even more affordable.

Times can be adjusted, please message if you would like to see if we can fit your schedule. I consider Steve Ross a good friend and look forward to sharing stories about him and his dad. You'll start with a blank canvas, and at the end you'll have a happy little painting with all Bob's favorite items, clouds, mountain, lake and of course, trees! We go over everything, including adding the liquid white, to signing your finished piece. All supplies are provided, including a 9 x 12 canvas. We will be using oil paints just like Bob did and this will not be dry when your ready to leave, however I do have plans to help you get your masterpiece home. You need not bring anything but a snack, a soda or two, and your happy smile. You will learn how to hold the brushes properly, how to load the brushes with paint, and how to apply the loaded brush to the canvas to get your desired effect. You will learn the how's and why's of making this wet-on-wet technique flow from your fingertips - well at least make a grand effort for your first painting. You can look for this to be fun, entertaining and educational. Class is set at 2.5 hours but for one or two students in a class you could be done quicker, if four or more in a class it may run longer. Other things to note: Remember we are working with oil paints, and it may not come out of clothes. Wear something you don't mind getting paint on.

Join the Bona Team for a Cupping class inside of Bona’s own Coffee Lab! Along with the coffee tasting, you will also enjoy a tour of our Roastery. You’ll see green coffee seeds, different roast profiles, and our state-of-the-art coffee roaster machine. Cupping is a standardized method to evaluate the quality and taste of coffee. The Specialty Coffee Association created a recommendation of standards to guide an accurate assessment of coffee all around the world. These standards are utilized throughout the entire Specialty Coffee industry ranging from the farmers in Brazil or Ethiopia to a barista in Denver or Europe. Specialty coffee is evaluated through a graded system that is based on a variety of factors including appearance, aroma, flavor, acidity, body, and aftertaste. Our cupping experience will explain the different factors and qualities that are typically assessed and rated, but we will mostly focus on the taste & aroma of the beans on the table. Bona hosts these cuppings as an opportunity to share the unique tasting process of high quality coffee with everyone, no prior knowledge or experience is needed! Enjoy tasting and evaluating a variety of coffee beans the same way the industry does!

This challenging hike leads you to the summit of Boulder's tallest peak, offering stunning mountain vistas, serene forests, refreshing streams, and the companionship of my friendly dog to motivate you along the way. Expect to spend approximately 5-6 hours on this 7.5-mile round-trip trail, though the duration may vary based on fitness levels and trail conditions. If this hike doesn't quite meet your expectations or if you're interested in exploring other hiking options, please reach out to me. For information on what to bring, I recommend reviewing the 'Things to Know' section on our website at www. cairnguides. com. Please notify me in advance if you have pet allergies or any significant medical conditions, as we strive to provide a safe and enjoyable dog-friendly experience for all participants. Cairn Outdoor Guides is dedicated to guiding mental health outdoors and offers a variety of adventures, including rock climbing, Nordic skiing, sensory nature experiences, and cycling. Visit Cairn Outdoor Guides to easily book your next adventure and support our mission. Don't forget to check out our flex plan for more affordable outdoor experiences.

“Valerie is an awesome host, she made the whole experience very fun and delightful. She is great at bringing the group of strangers together in such a short time. And the goats are just fantastic.” We begin our goat hike at the STAGE STOP, 20 minutes West of Boulder. After introducing ourselves, some Western lore, and the "girls" (goats), we'll start our hike of 2.4 miles through the historic living museum beginning with the Cloud City mining district. I’ll tell stores from the miners’ journals as I point out relics from their lives and mines. You will be selfing with the goats, taking panoramic pics of the mountain scenery and enjoying the mountain climb. You'll be seeing old mine portals, the school house and root cellar, stone walls, gold mine tunnels and stone cabin foundations. The land reveals many secrets of the past that I'll be sharing them with you. Along the way there is time for water and breathing. Depending on group size and weather, the famous Downhill Goat Race will conclude our adventure. Each hiker steers his/her goat down the hillside to the winner’s circle. Back to the STAGE STOP, where we began, I'll offer lunch ideas and local adventures you might enjoy. Then we bid adieu. "The hike with Valerie and her goats was the highlight of our trip. Her location and stories offer everything to experience the real beauty and history of Colorado."

You'll hike a half mile around Lily Lake with a former Park Ranger of Rocky Mountain National Park, learn how to set up a packraft and paddle under the stars or moonlit night sky! Only five people may packraft at one time, so if you have a larger group size, please message us to discuss how we could accommodate your larger group. Our two hour paddling adventure will take you roughly one mile round-trip around Lily Lake with no elevation gain and as much paddling as you can handle. We'll spend the night talking about Rocky and packraft with some amazing views of its dark skies. This adventure will last two hours, returning to the Lily Lake Trailhead thereafter. We also offer custom times, dates and group sizes by request. We hope this immersive experience will deepen your connection to this wild landscape and inspire you to do more to protect wild landscapes and aquatic ecosystems in your neck of the woods and around the world. We include all packrafting equipment for each participant. Please be prepared for potentially windy and cold conditions on the water. You'll likely get wet while packrafting, so be prepared to embrace the elements!

You'll hike to Emerald Lake with a former Park Ranger of Rocky Mountain National Park, reaching one of the most beautiful lakes in the park. This adventure will take you approximately 1.8 miles uphill to Emerald Lake, gaining roughly 700 feet of elevation. We'll spend the hike talking about Rocky, visit high subalpine and alpine lakes, and take in some of the parks best views. We offer custom times by request. We will meet at the Beaver Meadows Visitors Center at your scheduled time and you'll follow us to the Bear Lake Trailhead to start the hike. The experience may be shorter or longer than four hours, depending on the pace of the group and traffic in the park. We hope this immersive experience will deepen your connection to this wild landscape and inspire you to do more to protect wild landscapes in your neck of the woods and around the world. *If you book a hike will us, you will NOT need a RMNP timed-entry reservation if you follow us into the park.

You'll hike to Lake Haiyaha with a former Park Ranger of Rocky Mountain National Park, reaching one of the most beautiful and colorful lakes in the park. Our half day adventure will take you approximately 2.2 miles uphill to Lake Haiyaha, gaining roughly 850 feet of elevation. We'll spend the hike talking about Rocky, visit high subalpine and alpine lakes, and take in some of the parks best views. We offer custom times by request. We will meet at the Beaver Meadows Visitors Center at your scheduled time and you'll follow us to the Bear Lake Trailhead to start the hike. The experience may be shorter or longer than four hours, depending on the pace of the group and traffic in the park. We hope this immersive experience will deepen your connection to this wild landscape and inspire you to do more to protect wild landscapes in your neck of the woods and around the world. *If you book a hike will us, you will NOT need a RMNP timed-entry reservation if you follow us into the park.

Discover the wonders of the night sky just outside of Boulder with our all-ages tour! Accessible by car, Taxi, Lyft & Uber, the tour starts at sunset and lasts for 2 hours. A professional astronomer will guide you through the cosmos with several large telescopes and a laser pointer. We will explore the wonders of our universe including planets, constellations, star navigation, satellites, nebula, clusters, galaxies, and even shooting stars (if lucky). You'll be able to take in the breathtaking beauty of these celestial objects through our telescopes with your own eyes. The tour takes place at an easy-to-find trailhead, and there's no hiking required. You'll have the chance to see phenomenal sunsets and wildlife in the area. We provide our guests with a red flashlight, comfy camp seating, bug spray, and bottled water (upon request). We encourage our guests to bring questions, a sense of wonder, and warm clothing (as it can get cool after sunset). We can accommodate most requests for availability to fit your travel plans (the sooner the request, the better - we prefer to have at least 1 week's notice). Private group rates are flexible, so please contact us for details. Please keep in mind that the tour is subject to cancellation if the weather is too cloudy to see any stars.

“Valerie is an awesome host, she made the whole experience very fun and delightful. She is great at bringing the group of strangers together in such a short time. And the goats are just fantastic.” We begin our goat hike at the STAGE STOP, 20 minutes West of Boulder. After introducing ourselves, some Western lore, and the "girls" (goats), we'll start our hike of 2.4 miles through the historic living museum beginning with the Cloud City mining district. I’ll tell stores from the miners’ journals as I point out relics from their lives and mines. You will be selfing with the goats, taking panoramic pics of the mountain scenery and enjoying the mountain climb. You'll be seeing old mine portals, the school house and root cellar, stone walls, gold mine tunnels and stone cabin foundations. The land reveals many secrets of the past that I'll be sharing them with you. Along the way there is time for water and breathing. Depending on group size and weather, the famous Downhill Goat Race will conclude our adventure. Each hiker steers his/her goat down the hillside to the winner’s circle. Back to the STAGE STOP, where we began, I'll offer lunch ideas and local adventures you might enjoy. Then we bid adieu. "The hike with Valerie and her goats was the highlight of our trip. Her location and stories offer everything to experience the real beauty and history of Colorado."

You will be immersed into a peaceful ambiance with soft music. We will discuss and address your personal concerns and intention as I share some history about this rare healing art. On a comfortable table, you will lay clothed on your back. I will listen to your body's energetic pulses using my hands though a combination light touch holds until pulses harmonize and then proceed to the next area along the pathway. The process will be a full hour. This is extremely meditative for you and myself. During your JSJ experience, you may find yourself in a state of the deepest levels of relaxation as you access various brain wave frequencies. This unique art is meant to improve energetic flow of Ki/Chi energy throughout the body in order that you release stagnancy so that you may renew, revitalize, and integrate new life force that is entering to heal on a cellular level which balances the body, mind, and spirit connection. After your one hour JSJ experience, I will then teach you about specific areas on your body that you can practice daily on yourself. There are only 22 teachers of this art in the world. Other things to note Please let me know if you have any questions. If you are curious about a specific date you do not see listed, please message me.

You'll hike a half mile around Lily Lake with a former Park Ranger of Rocky Mountain National Park, learn how to set up a packraft and paddle under the stars or moonlit night sky! Only five people may packraft at one time, so if you have a larger group size, please message us to discuss how we could accommodate your larger group. Our two hour paddling adventure will take you roughly one mile round-trip around Lily Lake with no elevation gain and as much paddling as you can handle. We'll spend the night talking about Rocky and packraft with some amazing views of its dark skies. This adventure will last two hours, returning to the Lily Lake Trailhead thereafter. We also offer custom times, dates and group sizes by request. We hope this immersive experience will deepen your connection to this wild landscape and inspire you to do more to protect wild landscapes and aquatic ecosystems in your neck of the woods and around the world. We include all packrafting equipment for each participant. Please be prepared for potentially windy and cold conditions on the water. You'll likely get wet while packrafting, so be prepared to embrace the elements!

You'll hike to Emerald Lake with a former Park Ranger of Rocky Mountain National Park, reaching one of the most beautiful lakes in the park. This adventure will take you approximately 1.8 miles uphill to Emerald Lake, gaining roughly 700 feet of elevation. We'll spend the hike talking about Rocky, visit high subalpine and alpine lakes, and take in some of the parks best views. We offer custom times by request. We will meet at the Beaver Meadows Visitors Center at your scheduled time and you'll follow us to the Bear Lake Trailhead to start the hike. The experience may be shorter or longer than four hours, depending on the pace of the group and traffic in the park. We hope this immersive experience will deepen your connection to this wild landscape and inspire you to do more to protect wild landscapes in your neck of the woods and around the world. *If you book a hike will us, you will NOT need a RMNP timed-entry reservation if you follow us into the park.

You'll hike to Lake Haiyaha with a former Park Ranger of Rocky Mountain National Park, reaching one of the most beautiful and colorful lakes in the park. Our half day adventure will take you approximately 2.2 miles uphill to Lake Haiyaha, gaining roughly 850 feet of elevation. We'll spend the hike talking about Rocky, visit high subalpine and alpine lakes, and take in some of the parks best views. We offer custom times by request. We will meet at the Beaver Meadows Visitors Center at your scheduled time and you'll follow us to the Bear Lake Trailhead to start the hike. The experience may be shorter or longer than four hours, depending on the pace of the group and traffic in the park. We hope this immersive experience will deepen your connection to this wild landscape and inspire you to do more to protect wild landscapes in your neck of the woods and around the world. *If you book a hike will us, you will NOT need a RMNP timed-entry reservation if you follow us into the park.

We will hike along an easy trail located less than 10 minutes outside of Boulder that will allow us to take in epic mountain views along a looped trail. After walking along the trees and wildflowers, we will sit facing west to see the sunset behind the Indian Peaks and take in the gorgeous views of mountains and wide-open spaces. Please contact me if you'd like to discuss other hiking options if this hike isn't quite what you're looking for or have other questions. My company, Cairn Outdoor Guides, offers adventures in Telluride, Denver, and Boulder, so If you'd like to save some money and support my business and its mission to guide mental health outdoors, look up Cairn Outdoor Guides where you can easily book this activity or others like rock climbing, Nordic skiing, sensory nature experiences, and cycling. We also offer a flex plan that makes getting outside even more affordable. I recommend you review the "Things to Know" section of my website at www. cairnguides .com if you have questions about what to bring. Other things to note: If you have pet allergies let me know ahead of time as these are intended to be dog-friendly adventures.

Spring and summer are here so wild flowers are popping up soon. Beautiful sunsets to make your photos special. Get ready to have fun in front of the camera as we capture you in front of many beautiful landscapes. Enjoying beautiful views of Mountain range. Stopping along the trial capturing your precious moments whether it be a family vacation, proposal, wedding, or engagement. Designed for adventurous couples and solo travelers. Also, families are always welcomed. Kiddos will be included in all the photos if you bring them. Stopping to capture your precious moments whether it be a family vacation, proposal, wedding, or engagement. Standing on the edge of the mountain! Get ready to have fun in front of the camera as we capture you in front of many beautiful landscapes. This is great all year round! After the shoot I will provide photos that will be edited and sent to you through a web gallery within one to two weeks from our tour date. Dogs are welcome as it is a pet friendly area. Dogs need to be on a leash.

Get hands-on in the glass studio with a local glass artist. We will spend about an hour and a half together, during which time you will get a feel for glass as a material and make your own piece of art. You'll get to work with tools, air, and fire to shape and mold the material into an object of your creation. Glasswork is hot and fast, so be prepared to get your heart rate up and get in a good, healthy sweat. Please note that glass art needs to temper overnight, so you'll either need to come pick up your piece the day after your session, or I can ship it to you. Other things to note The glass studio is an active workspace. I share my studio space with someone who works on CNC machines. He is very friendly and loves meeting new people!

Embark on a breathtaking sunrise hike near Chautauqua Park, led under the enchanting glow of moonlight. Beginning early in the morning, we'll relish the cool morning air, ensuring a tranquil start to your day. Our route takes us off the beaten path to a lesser-known trail, offering a blend of hiking and low-level climbing. Upon reaching a scenic vantage point above Boulder, we'll take in a beautiful sunrise over the Flatirons and nearby foothills. If this particular hike doesn't align with your interests, feel free to reach out to me to discuss alternative options or for any questions you may have. For a comprehensive list of what to bring, please refer to the 'Things to Know' section on our website at www. cairnguides .com. Please notify me in advance if you have pet allergies or any significant medical conditions, as we strive to provide a safe and enjoyable dog-friendly experience. My company Cairn Outdoor Guides specializes in outdoor adventures in Telluride, Denver, and Boulder. By booking with us you'll support our mission to promote mental health through guided outdoor experiences. Explore our website to easily book this hike or choose from a variety of other activities, including rock climbing, Nordic skiing, and sensory nature experiences. Additionally, our flex plan makes outdoor adventures even more affordable.

We will meet at a designated spot in the town of Estes Park and then caravan up to our trailhead located in Rocky Mountain National Park. From here we’ll gear up with snowshoes, trekking poles, gaiters and headlamps, learn a few basics of snowshoeing, and then hit the trail! Rocky Mountain National Park in an epic winter wonderland, and even more so when the stars and moonlight illuminate the trail. We'll take plenty of breaks as we ascend to our destination, crossing several frozen (solid) alpine lakes in the fluffy snow. This is an experience you'll never forget!

Times can be adjusted, please message if you would like to see if we can fit your schedule. I consider Steve Ross a good friend and look forward to sharing stories about him and his dad. You'll start with a blank canvas, and at the end you'll have a happy little painting with all Bob's favorite items, clouds, mountain, lake and of course, trees! We go over everything, including adding the liquid white, to signing your finished piece. All supplies are provided, including a 9 x 12 canvas. We will be using oil paints just like Bob did and this will not be dry when your ready to leave, however I do have plans to help you get your masterpiece home. You need not bring anything but a snack, a soda or two, and your happy smile. You will learn how to hold the brushes properly, how to load the brushes with paint, and how to apply the loaded brush to the canvas to get your desired effect. You will learn the how's and why's of making this wet-on-wet technique flow from your fingertips - well at least make a grand effort for your first painting. You can look for this to be fun, entertaining and educational. Class is set at 2.5 hours but for one or two students in a class you could be done quicker, if four or more in a class it may run longer. Other things to note: Remember we are working with oil paints, and it may not come out of clothes. Wear something you don't mind getting paint on.

Join the Bona Team for a Cupping class inside of Bona’s own Coffee Lab! Along with the coffee tasting, you will also enjoy a tour of our Roastery. You’ll see green coffee seeds, different roast profiles, and our state-of-the-art coffee roaster machine. Cupping is a standardized method to evaluate the quality and taste of coffee. The Specialty Coffee Association created a recommendation of standards to guide an accurate assessment of coffee all around the world. These standards are utilized throughout the entire Specialty Coffee industry ranging from the farmers in Brazil or Ethiopia to a barista in Denver or Europe. Specialty coffee is evaluated through a graded system that is based on a variety of factors including appearance, aroma, flavor, acidity, body, and aftertaste. Our cupping experience will explain the different factors and qualities that are typically assessed and rated, but we will mostly focus on the taste & aroma of the beans on the table. Bona hosts these cuppings as an opportunity to share the unique tasting process of high quality coffee with everyone, no prior knowledge or experience is needed! Enjoy tasting and evaluating a variety of coffee beans the same way the industry does!

This challenging hike leads you to the summit of Boulder's tallest peak, offering stunning mountain vistas, serene forests, refreshing streams, and the companionship of my friendly dog to motivate you along the way. Expect to spend approximately 5-6 hours on this 7.5-mile round-trip trail, though the duration may vary based on fitness levels and trail conditions. If this hike doesn't quite meet your expectations or if you're interested in exploring other hiking options, please reach out to me. For information on what to bring, I recommend reviewing the 'Things to Know' section on our website at www. cairnguides. com. Please notify me in advance if you have pet allergies or any significant medical conditions, as we strive to provide a safe and enjoyable dog-friendly experience for all participants. Cairn Outdoor Guides is dedicated to guiding mental health outdoors and offers a variety of adventures, including rock climbing, Nordic skiing, sensory nature experiences, and cycling. Visit Cairn Outdoor Guides to easily book your next adventure and support our mission. Don't forget to check out our flex plan for more affordable outdoor experiences.

If I had to say there's one hidden sanctuary away from everything else, an as-yet undiscovered paradise, this is IT! The day begins at an unassuming trail head, tucked back up Eldorado Canyon with a large gravel ascending path as a total ruse for what lies ahead. Over the course of the next 3-4 hours we'll hike and explore the canyon with its' steep rock walls, towering mountains, and deep valley below. After taking in the spectacular canyon views, we'll connect to Rattlesnake Gulch and continue to climb to the ruins of the old Craggs Hotel, built at the turn of the century and once accessible only by railroad or wagon. It burned down only four years after it was built, but the stone fireplace remains; some of the best preserved masonry from that time period in existence. The final culmination of our tour is 1100' higher than our start; a birds eye view of the Continental Divide with panoramic views that will totally take your breath away. Here we'll enjoy a fully prepared picnic lunch, take tons of great photos, and enjoy a welcome rest before the trek down. Other things to note This hike is the perfect choice if you aren't necessarily an experienced or technical hiker but love a good adventure, are always up for a challenge, and getting your heart rate up a bit.