This is the newest feature in my blog. Jacob’s Best Travels will feature the best of the places I visited or lived in throughout my life.
Our first stop is Boulder, Colorado. I spent four years in this glorious state as a student at the University of Colorado at Boulder where I studied broadcast journalism, history and business. I have met incredible people and learned a lot from this college town. This blog entry will highlight some of the best things Boulder has to offer.
The University of Colorado at Boulder: Despite seeing hundreds of college age students on campus, you should still check it out. Start at the University Memorial Center, where you can cool off from the August heat or buy CU memorabilia from the Colorado Book Store. As you continue across the CU campus, look at the red brick buildings. When I attended CU, I always marveled at the campus architecture and I am truly blessed to have attended a school with beautiful buildings with terrific teachers and amazing students. One of my favorite buildings on campus was the Norlin Library. In addition to the thousands of books and encyclopedias that the library has to offer, there’s a writing center that helps out students write their papers and The Laughing Goat, where they serve a great variety of drinks and food. While you are in the area, check out the ATLAS Building, home to both Newsteam Boulder and CU Sports Mag. Finally, if there is a home football game, stop at Folsom Field and root on the CU Buffaloes!
The Hill: In the last couple of years, the University Hill (or the Hill as CU students call affectionately call it) has gone a massive renovation, gone is the classic Jones Drug Store and in its place stands a new apartment complex but old favorites including superb restaurants including The Sink, Abo’s Pizza and Half Fast Subs and coffeehouses including Roma and Buchanan’s are still standing. If you have the chance, catch a show at the FOX Theatre. Past acts that visited the FOX Theatre include Hanson, 30H!3, Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt.
Flatirons: One of the best features in Boulder are the Flatiron Mountains. I always loved driving up to the Flatirons and seeing the terrific view overlooking the entire town. I remember driving up the mountains during a huge storm with my brother and despite the weather we had a great time driving up and despite the heavy downpour, we never turned away and headed back to my old apartment…we kept marching on and drove to the top and saw several mountain animals. Before I leave the Flatirons, one of my favorite Boulder restaurants is located on the Flatirons. As an intern for Metromix at KUSA-TV in Denver, I had the opportunity to join Metromix TV Host Heidi McGuire when I accompanied her to Flagstaff House Restaurant for an assignment. We were treated for a sampling that included an upscale take on steak and eggs and I also tried oysters for the first time. Yes, it is expensive but it is a terrific restaurant.
Pearl Street: If you wanted to explore the best that Boulder has to offer head to Downtown Boulder and Pearl Street. If you are hungry head straight to the Mediterranean Restaurant (or the MED for short), this restaurant is my favorite restaurant in the city. The restaurant has an excellent selection of tapas that range from the Pinchon Moruno (a lamb or chicken brochette that is served with Calabrian chili mustard and sliced cucumbers) to my personal favorites: datiles (which are bacon wrapped dates with parsley garlic sauce). If you do not feel like tapas there are plenty of other options including pizza, pasta and paella. Another restaurant that I would recommend is the Walnut Brewery. This restaurant has the best bar food in town from their Ball Park Pretzels to their amazing Steakburgers, I highly recommend the Hickory Bacon BBQ Burger (which is topped with Cheddar cheese, hickory bacon and the restaurant’s signature BBQ sauce). Also be on the lookout for aspiring performers who are willing to entertain anyone walking on Pearl Street.
Don’t miss the next edition of Jacob’s Best Travels!
Excellent ideas