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Boulder’s Best Picnic Spots + A Week of Live Music & Comedy! 🏔️🎭
Sun, snacks, and mountain views—here’s where to picnic like a local! Plus, comedy, indie folk, and a true crime deep dive happening this week in Boulder.
What's Happenin' Team
March 17, 2025
🎉 Boulder, We’ve Hit 2,000 Subscribers!
🎉 Happy Monday, Boulder! 🌞
Big news: What’s Happenin’ Boulder just passed 2,000 subscribers! 🚀🎉 We’re so grateful for this growing community of locals and adventure-seekers who love this city as much as we do. Next stop? 5,000, 10,000, and beyond!
☀️ With the weather warming up (well, mostly), it’s the perfect time to grab some takeout, find a scenic spot, and enjoy a meal outdoors. This week, we’re spotlighting Boulder’s best picnic spots—from Flatirons views to hidden gems. Looking for food to bring along? Check out Boulder’s best restaurants or Michelin-recommended spots for a top-tier picnic spread.
Let’s keep the momentum going—here’s what’s happenin’ in Boulder this week! ⛰️✨
— The What’s Happenin’ Boulder Team 😉
🧺 Best Picnic Spots in Boulder: Where to Dine With a View
There’s something about fresh air, good food, and mountain views that makes a picnic in Boulder feel extra special. Whether you’re packing a basket for a romantic date, a family outing, or a solo snack session, these scenic spots are the perfect place to soak in the sunshine and enjoy Boulder’s best outdoor dining.
🌿 1. The Chautauqua Green
A no-brainer for Boulderites, this spacious green lawn is a perfect spot to picnic with the Flatirons as your backdrop. Bonus: If you time it right, you might even catch live music from the Chautauqua Auditorium!
❤️ 2. Lovers Lane A hidden gem in town, Lovers Lane is a peaceful little sanctuary that feels like a secret escape. Walk up 22nd Street until it crosses Bluff, take the steps up, and enjoy a quiet, tucked-away picnic spot. 🏞 3. Scott Carpenter Park With Flatirons views, a massive lawn, and the Boulder Creek nearby, this spot is ideal for spreading out a blanket or setting up a picnic with the kids (the playground is rocket ship-themed 🚀). 🏔 4. Lost Gulch Overlook For breathtaking mountain views, head up Flagstaff Road to Lost Gulch Overlook. It’s a favorite for sunset picnics (just be prepared for some company—it’s a popular spot!). | 🎨 5. Artist Point Perched at the top of Flagstaff Mountain, this idyllic lookout offers tree-framed views of the Indian Peaks. Bring a picnic and enjoy the fresh air at one of the shady tables or scenic benches. 🌳 6. South Mesa Trailhead A quiet, creek-side escape just before Eldorado Canyon State Park, this spot features picnic tables shaded by towering cottonwoods—a perfect place to refuel before or after a hike. 🌞 7. North Boulder Park An expansive lawn and south-facing views make this a beloved Boulder picnic destination. Swing by Ideal Market for a quick grab-and-go meal and enjoy a sunny afternoon in the park. |
What’s your go-to picnic spot in Boulder? Hit reply and let us know! 🏔🧺✨
🍴 Discover Boulder’s Best Restaurants here.
⭐ Explore Boulder’s MICHELIN-Recommended Restaurants here.
🛏️ Visiting friends or family in town? Share our guide to Boulder’s Best Hotels here.
🏔️ Boulder Trivia Time!
Which famous scientist founded the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder? |
🎶 What’s Happenin’ Boulder Buzz 🎭
Monday, March 17 💰 Free Events 🎨 Bending the Arc Exhibit Opening Reception – Explore art focused on equality & social justice. @ Museum of Boulder, 4-6 p.m. (Free) 💵 Ticketed Events 🎻 Takács Quartet – Grammy-winning chamber music at its finest. @ CU, 7:30 PM ($20+) 🎤 R.A. The Rugged Man: Rough, Rugged, and Raw Tour – Legendary underground rapper brings his high-energy show. @ eTown Hall, 7-9:30 PM ($25-$40) 🎭 Tom Green Live – The comedian, MTV legend, and film star takes the stage. @ Boulder Theater, 8 PM ($35-$45) | 🌿 Tuesday, March 18 💰 Free Events 🎵 Turntable Tuesday – All-vinyl DJ night with eclectic beats. @ VisionQuest Brewery, 7-10:30 PM (Free)) 💵 Ticketed Events 🎸 Spencer LaJoye w/ Sturtz & Olivia Roumel – A soulful indie-folk performance. @ Dairy Arts Center, 7-9 PM ($25) 🧘 Musician Flow Yoga – A live-music-infused yoga class. @ Yoga Pearl, 6:30-7:30 PM 🕵️ The Psychology of a Murderer – A deep dive into criminal minds with forensic psychologist Dr. Rachel Toles. @ Boulder Theater, 8 PM |
Ongoing Exhibits & Recurring Events
🖼 Black Futures in Art: The Space Between Us – Thought-provoking art exhibition. @ Dairy Arts Center (Runs through March 30)
🎶 J.E.D.I. – Junkyard Ecstatic Dance Initiative – Get moving at this energetic, donation-based dance night. @ Junkyard Social Club, 6:30-8:30 PM (Monthly on 3rd Tuesdays)📅
✨ Need plans? Whether it’s stand-up comedy, indie folk, or forensic psychology, Boulder’s got something for you this week! 🎭🎶🔍
🌤️ Boulder Weather Outlook
Monday, March 17 – 🌥 Partly Cloudy & Windy | High: 72°F | Low: 46°F | 💨 WSW 23 mph
Hold onto your hats—Monday’s looking warm but very windy. Great for a scenic drive, not so great for a picnic.
Tuesday, March 18 – ☁️ Mostly Cloudy | High: 59°F | Low: 29°F | 🌬 W 17 mph
Temps drop a bit, and there’s a small chance of rain. Keep an eye on the skies if you’re heading outside.
Wednesday, March 19 – 🌤 AM Clouds, PM Sun | High: 45°F | Low: 26°F | 🌬 NNW 13 mph
A chilly day with some morning cloud cover, but sunshine returns by afternoon. Bundle up for those morning hikes!
Thursday, March 20 – ☁️ Mostly Cloudy | High: 57°F | Low: 35°F | 🌬 SSW 9 mph
A little gloomier but still mild—perfect for hitting up a cozy café or checking out an indoor event.
☀️ Weekend Tip: The temperature swing is real! Monday’s warmth won’t last, so take advantage of the sunshine before a midweek cooldown. ❄️
🌿 Outro: The Answer + A Fun Fact!
 | If you guessed Walter Orr Roberts, you got it! ✅ He was the visionary behind the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, which has been a hub for cutting-edge climate and atmospheric research since 1960. That’s it for this issue! Whether you’re out chasing sunshine, catching live music, or indulging in Boulder’s food scene, have a great week ahead! 🌞🎶🍻 — The What’s Happenin’ Boulder Team 🏔️🐝 |
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