Exploring Boulder With Us
We are super excitted to talk about what we are doing in Boulder because it is one of the coolest places in Colorado and maybe even the whole country if you ask me. At Winter Wagon we are mostly known for driving people through the mountains maybe from Denver to Winter Park or places like that but we actually love Boulder just as much. A lot of people ask us if we can just take them around for the day or maybe for a few hours to see the sights and the answer is yes we definitely can do that for you.
When you book a private tour with us it basically means you get the vehicle and the driver all to yourself which is way better than trying to squeeze onto a bus with people you dont know or trying to figure out where to park your own rental car because parking in Boulder can actually be kind of a nightmare sometimes especially on the weekends when everyone is trying to go hiking.
We wanted to make this page to explain exactly what you get when you hire us for a tour in Boulder and give you some ideas of what we can go look at while we are driving you around. It is all about having a stress free time so you can just look out the window and enjoy the views while we handle the traffic and the navigation and all that boring stuff that usually ruins a vacation.
Why You Should Visit Boulder
If you have never been to Boulder you are in for a huge treat because it is distinct from Denver and it has its own vibe that is very laid back and outdoorsy but also has really good food and shopping. The town sits right at the base of the foothills so the views are incredible no matter where you are standing in the city.
There is this massive rock formation called the Flatirons and you can see them from pretty much everywhere in town and they are the symbol of Boulder. They shoot right up out of the ground and lean back against the mountains and when the sun hits them in the morning or the evening they turn this reddish color that is so pretty you will want to take a million photos of it.
Besides the views the town itself is full of interesting people and college students because the University of Colorado is there so it feels very young and energetic but also very chill at the same time. You see people riding bikes everywhere and walking their dogs and just sitting outside drinking coffee or tea and enjoying the fresh air.
What A Private Tour Looks Like
So when you book a private tour with Winter Wagon we dont really have a strict schedule that you have to follow because that is the whole point of it being private. If you were on a big group tour you would have to leave exactly at a certain time and stay at a stop for exactly twenty minutes and then get back on the bus but with us you call the shots.
If we drive you up to a scenic overlook and you want to stay there for an hour just looking at the mountians that is totally fine with us we will just hang out and wait for you. Or if you get hungry and want to stop for a burrito we can just pull over and find a place to eat because we are on your time not ours.
Here is a little list of things that usually makes a private tour better than other options.
- You set the pace so if you want to go fast we go fast and if you want to go slow we go slow
- Privacy for your group so you can talk about whatever you want without strangers listening in
- Door to door service meaning we pick you up right at your hotel or house and drop you off right at the front door
- Local knowledge because our drivers know the roads and can help you figure out where to go if you arent sure
We really think this is the best way to see the area because you dont have to worry about looking at maps on your phone and missing the turn or getting stuck in a roundabout which Boulder has a lot of by the way.
Places We Can Take You In Boulder
Since it is a private tour we can really go wherever you want but we know that sometimes it is hard to decide so we have some suggestions of places that are really popular and that we like going to. You can mix and match these ideas or come up with your own it doesnt matter to us we just want you to have fun.
The Historic Pearl Street Mall
You absolutely have to go to Pearl Street if you go to Boulder because it is the heart of the city. It is a walking street which means there are no cars allowed for about four blocks and it is just full of shops and restaurants and street performers.
We can drop you off right at one end and you can walk down and look at the old brick buildings and maybe watch a guy juggling fire or playing the guitar because there are always performers out there especially in the summer. There are some really cool bookstores there and places to buy outdoor gear and obviously lots of places to get ice cream or coffee.
One place that is really famous on Pearl Street is the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse which is this beautiful building that was actually built in Tajikistan and taken apart and shipped over here and put back together as a gift to the city. It is right next to the park and it is super colorful and intricate and the food is really good too.
Chautauqua Park and The Flatirons
If you want to get a little closer to nature we can drive you up to Chautauqua Park which is right at the bottom of the Flatirons. It is a huge grassy park where people have picnics and throw frisbees and there is a big dining hall there too with a porch where you can sit and look at the view.
From there you can start hiking if you want to or we can just drive around the area so you can see the pretty houses and the big trees. It is very historic and feels like you are stepping back in time a little bit. If you are feeling energetic you can hike up one of the trails but keep in mind the elevation is kinda high so you might get out of breath faster than you think if you arent used to it.
The University of Colorado Campus
Even if you arent a student the CU campus is really pretty to look at because all the buildings are made of this local sandstone that matches the mountains and they all have red roofs. It looks like a campus from a movie honestly. We can drive you through the area called The Hill which is where all the students hang out and there are lots of funky shops and places to grab a quick slice of pizza.
There is also a place called Folsom Field where they play football and it is one of the most beautiful stadiums in the country because you can see the mountains right over the top of the stands while you are watching the game.
Transportation From Denver to Boulder
A lot of our clients are actually staying in Denver or maybe they just landed at the airport and they want to come up to Boulder for the day. That is totally fine and it is actually one of our most popular requests. The drive from Denver to Boulder takes about thirty or forty minutes depending on traffic but sometimes it can be longer if it is rush hour.
We can pick you up at your hotel in Denver or even at Union Station and drive you up Highway 36 which is the main road that goes to Boulder. As you get closer you start to see the mountains getting bigger and bigger and it is a really cool drive. Once we get to Boulder we can do the tour and then drive you back to Denver at the end of the day so you dont have to worry about finding an Uber or taking the bus back which can take a really long time.
Why Not Just Take An Uber?
You might be thinking well I can just call an Uber whenever I want to go somewhere and yeah you technically could do that but it ends up being kind of a hassle if you are trying to do a whole tour.
Here is a table to show you why we think having a private driver with Winter Wagon is better for a tour day.
| Winter Wagon Private Tour | Uber or Lyft Rideshare |
|---|---|
| Same driver and car all day | Different stranger every time |
| You can leave your bags in the car | You have to carry everything with you |
| We wait for you while you look around | You have to wait for them to arrive |
| Clean and big vehicles | You never know what car you will get |
| We know the area really well | Driver might be following GPS blindly |
It is just way more relaxing to know that your car is waiting for you right there and you can leave your coats or your shopping bags in the back seat and they will be safe while you go walk around. Plus our drivers are super friendly and they want you to have a good time so it feels more like a friend driving you around than just a taxi service.
Seasons in Boulder
Boulder is one of those places that is great all year round but the experience is definitely different depending on when you come visit us.
Summer is probably the busiest time because the weather is warm and everything is green and everyone wants to be outside. This is when Pearl Street is packed with people and the hiking trails are busy but it is also really fun because there is so much energy in the town.
Fall is absolutely beautiful because all the trees turn yellow and orange and gold. Since there are so many trees in Boulder the whole town looks like it is glowing. The weather is usually crisp and cool which is perfect for walking around with a hot coffee.
Winter is quieter but it is still really pretty especially when it snows. The snow creates a white dusting on the red rocks of the Flatirons and it looks amazing. It can get pretty cold though so you have to bring a warm jacket. We have really good heaters in our vehicles so you will be warm while we are driving but you will want layers for when you get out.
Spring is kinda wild because it can be sunny one minute and snowing the next but that is just Colorado weather for you. Everything starts turning green again and the flowers start coming out and people get really excited to be outside again after the winter.
Customizing Your Trip
Since we are a private service we are totally open to whatever ideas you have. Maybe you want to go visit some of the breweries in town because Boulder has a ton of breweries and they are really famous for making craft beer. We can be your designated driver so you can sample the beers and have fun without worrying about driving afterwards which is super important for staying safe.
Or maybe you are really into science and you want to go see the NCAR lab which stands for National Center for Atmospheric Research. It is this really cool building designed by a famous architect named I.M. Pei and it sits way up on a hill by itself. The views from the parking lot there are some of the best in the entire city and there are hiking trails that start right there too.
If you have kids with you we can take you to places that are kid friendly like the parks or maybe just to get some good pizza and ice cream. We are used to driving families around so we know how to be patient and make sure everyone is comfortable in the car.
Our Vehicles
We take really good care of our wagons and suvs because we want you to feel comfortable and safe. We use tires that are good for the snow in the winter and we keep them clean inside and out. We know that when you pay for a private tour you expect a certain level of quality and we try our best to give that to you every single time.
There is plenty of room for your legs so you wont feel cramped up like you are in an airplane seat. And the windows are big so you can see everything as we drive by. If you have a lot of luggage or gear that is usually fine too just let us know ahead of time so we can make sure we send the right size vehicle for your group.
How To Book With Us
Booking a private tour with Winter Wagon is actually really easy. You can go on our website and contact us to let us know what you are looking for. Tell us how many people are in your group and what day you want to go and if you have any specific places you want to see.
We are pretty flexible so even if you dont have it all figured out yet we can help you plan it. We just need to know the basics so we can give you a quote and get you on the schedule. It is always better to book early if you can especially in the summer or around the holidays because those days fill up pretty fast and we dont want you to miss out.
So basically if you are coming to Colorado and you want to see Boulder in the best way possible you should definitely consider doing a private tour with us. It takes all the stress out of the day and lets you just focus on having fun and seeing the sights. Whether you are coming from Denver or you are already in the area we are happy to help you out.
Boulder is such a special place with the food and the mountains and the people and we love showing it off to visitors. We have done this a lot of times so we know the best spots to go for a photo or for a quiet moment.
Just remember that Winter Wagon is here to make your trip easier. We are real people who live here and drive here and we want you to love it as much as we do. So reach out to us and lets get your private tour planned so you can see why everyone talks about how great Boulder is. We really hope to see you soon and take you on a ride you wont forget.