Boulder’s reputation as a mecca for outdoor pursuits is no surprise given the city’s stunning natural surroundings. Yet, while the first thing most visitors to Boulder think about is the hiking opportunities in the Flatirons or the panoramic view of the Rockies, there is also plenty of modern entertainment in the city, allowing you to escape the weather on a rainy day, offering diversion for families, or somewhere to break the ice on a first date.

Let’s dive in and look at some of the best options for Boulder and the surrounding area:

The Connection

Offering bowling, ping-pong, billiards, video games, board games, and more, The Connection at the University Memorial Center (located on the corner of Broadway and Euclid) is a hub for student entertainment, but it is open to the public, too. With competitive pricing for community members, there’s plenty here to pass the time on a rainy day.

Boulder Escape Room

Escape rooms are all the rage right now, and what we like most about Boulder Escape Room’s three unique experiences is that they are fully adaptable. For instance, “The Psycho Killer” experience is changed to “Escape the Villain” for kids’ groups. Genuinely challenging, sometimes scary, and always thrilling, Boulder Escape Room is perfect for office team-building exercises, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and family bonding.

Fiske Planetarium

While many of us feel the thrill of space through Sci-Fi movies or space-themed games like Cosmic Cash, we can forget that looking up at the sky can instantly transport us into celestial wonder. That wonder is on tap at the Fiske Planetarium at the University of Colorado. While there are many educational experiences, we love Fiske Planetarium’s commitment to doing shows that blur the lines between science and entertainment. You can get in for as little as $1 with an EBT or Medicaid card, too.

Chipper’s Lanes Bowling & Entertainment

Located in Broomfield (about a 20-minute drive from Boulder), Chipper’s has a bit of everything: Laser tag, bowling, live music, gaming arcade, and food. Its live concerts naturally draw an adult crowd, but there is also a focus on family fun. On October 27th, 2024, for example, Chipper’s has a family-orientated pumpkin painting day with free entry.

Liberty Puzzles Factory Tour

Liberty Puzzles’ store has become an institution on the Pearl Street Mall, but the company, which creates hand-crafted wooden jigsaw puzzles, also offers a factory tour, allowing you to see where the magic happens. While a trip to the store is a fun activity in itself – it really is an artistic endeavor – the factory tour is a brilliant showcase of how traditional crafts still have a place among modern alternatives.

Tilt Pinball

A haven for old-school gamers, Tilt Pinball (located in Louisville, 17 minutes from Boulder) offers pinball, video games, billiards, air hockey, and Skee-Ball. It’s a little slice of gaming Americana that has largely been lost in the 21st century. Interestingly, Tilt Pinball also trade (both buying and selling) gaming equipment, so if you have ever dreamed of owning that vintage Pac-Man arcade game, then give them a call.

Gateway Park

Tagged as Boulder’s only indoor/outdoor family fun center open year-round, Gateway Park is stuffed full of activities for the perfect day out. Go-karts, batting cages, miniature golf, a driving range, and a gaming arcade are among the highlights. It is arguably better to visit when the weather is warming, but Gateway Park has done a good job adapting as a venue for all seasons.

PoshSplat

Let’s finish with a unique activity that comes to you rather than the other way around. PoshSplat’s Posh on the Go brings painting activities to your location, offering tutorials, workshops, painting parties, and more. Children’s parties are big business, but PoshSplat’s artists are also a hit with team building and adult parties.

John Mali Director of Media Relations

Director of Media Relations at AboutBoulder.com

john@aboutboulder.com