Start off your day in North Boulder at Breadworks. This quaint, local, bakery has freshly baked breads, muffins and bagels every morning. For a cheap and delicious morning snack, indulge in a popover dipped in honey. Coffee, espresso, chai, and other hot drinks are served to wake you up and get pep in your step for your day with the fam.
After breakfast, grab your fishing poles, picnic basket and bicycles as you head to Boulder Creek Path, the library, and the kid's only fishing pond. The fully stocked fishing pond opens Memorial Day weekend and is perfect for a lazy afternoon in the sun. This catch-and-release pond is chock full of trout, but be sure to read the signs to find out what types of bait and lures are permissible.
Boulder Farmer's Market — Photo courtesy of Boulder County Farmer's Market
When you're done catching fish and relaxing on one of the many green and grassy patches near Boulder Creek, take the bikes for a ride on the creek path passing the public library (where you could stop off for seasonal magic shows), the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Dushanbe Teahouse. If you're having an outing on Wednesday or Saturday in the spring, summer or early fall, you'll pass the Boulder Farmer's Market. Here you can eat your fill of delicious, local food as you peruse and purchase local produce, honey, jams and wares. Live music is often playing at the Farmer's Market and, occasionally, there are stands for face-painting.
After you're finished cycling past the thoroughfare, we highly recommend a stroll down Pearl Street to play in the pop-jet fountains and then make your way to South Boulder for a brisk hike at Chautauqua Park.
The Flatirons of Chautauqua — Photo courtesy of Lyndi&Jason
By now, you and your kiddos are bound to be hungry which is why we highly recommend Backcountry Pizza and Taphouse. Gigantic pizzas that will feed the whole family, an awesome kids menu, root beer, a mini-arcade and dozens of beer on tap make this the perfect restaurant that both you and the kiddies will enjoy.
If you're not in the mood for pizza and beer, you might want to go for something a bit more refined at the Boulder Dinner Theater where you can catch a show while you dine. Musicals, a capella groups, and plays can be seen year-round and tickets include the cost of your meal.
Before you tuck the kiddos into bed, take a relaxing drive up Flagstaff Road to watch the sun set over the Flatirons and then stargaze.