BOULDER
April 23 – 26, 2026 · Veres Family · CU Boulder Visit
Limelight Boulder · University Hill · 4 Days
📅 THE SCHEDULE
🎓 CU BOULDER CAMPUS VISIT
CU BOULDER
Admitted Student Visit · Friday, April 24
Admitted Student Info Session + Campus Tour
Location
CASE Building, 1725 Euclid Ave
Time
9:30 AM — Info session + guided tour (~2 hours)
Who
Conor + Suzanne + Alison (up to 2 guests allowed)
Engineering Center CS Tour
Location
ECOT 717, Engineering Center
Time
12:30 PM — Daily tour, Mon–Fri (no reservation needed)
Who
Conor + ?? — see CS labs, talk to students & staff
Parking
Garages
Folsom Garage or Grandview Garage (closest to CASE Building)
Rates
~$11/day or ~$9/4hr
Payment
ParkMobile app — download before the trip
Campus Highlights
- Farrand Field — iconic Flatirons backdrop, best photo spot
- CU Store — Buffs gear (The Hill area)
- CU Art Museum — free, worth a quick stop
- Museum of Natural History — free, Henderson Building
- Fiske Planetarium — check show schedule
🏨 THE HOTEL
LIMELIGHT BOULDER
Aspen Hospitality · University Hill
2BR Suite
Accommodation
University Hill
Location
Pool & Hot Tub
Amenities
Flatiron Views
Scenery
Located on University Hill, a 15-minute walk to Pearl Street Mall and 5–15 minutes to CU campus. Ajax Tavern is on-site for easy meals. Heated pool and hot tub with Flatiron views. Part of the Aspen Hospitality family (Limelight Hotels).
🍽️ WHERE TO EAT
Confirmed Reservations
🔥
OAK AT FOURTEENTH
🌿
RIVER AND WOODS
Other Dinner Options
Lunch Ideas
Breakfast / Brunch
🥾 HIKING
Saturday morning at Chautauqua Park — pick your route.
Family Pick
Chautauqua → Bluebell Mesa
1.3–2.5 mi distance
429 ft gain
Easy-Moderate
Classic Flatirons views. Start at Chautauqua Trailhead. The main route for the whole family — well-maintained with stunning scenery throughout.
Challenge
First & Second Flatirons Loop
3.5–4 mi distance
1,000+ ft gain
Moderate-Hard
More challenging option. Steep sections with some scrambling. Stunning payoff at the top with panoramic views of Boulder Valley.
Easy
Wonderland Lake Loop
1.4 mi distance
50 ft gain
Easy
Flat loop trail around the lake. Good for a casual morning walk or if you want something gentle before heading out.
Short & Sweet
Red Rocks Trail
1.2 mi distance
200 ft gain
Easy-Moderate
Short trail near downtown with interesting geology. Red sandstone formations up close — unique look compared to the Flatirons.
Chautauqua parking is free in April (paid shuttle/reservation system is summer only). Arrive by 9 AM Saturday for best parking.
🎯 THINGS TO DO
Outdoor & Explore
Don't Miss
🌷
Pearl Street Mall
Pedestrian mall — 4 blocks of shops, restaurants, street performers. 15,000 tulips blooming in late April!
🚴
Boulder Creek Path
Paved multi-use path running through town. Great for a walk, jog, or bike ride.
⚡
E-Bike Tours
Guided tours of Boulder by e-bike. Several operators in town — scenic routes through parks and foothills.
🏛️
NCAR
National Center for Atmospheric Research — free. Stunning I.M. Pei architecture, science exhibits, and trail access.
Attractions
🧺
Boulder Farmers Market
One of Colorado's best. Fresh produce, baked goods, prepared food, and live music.
🍵
Celestial Seasonings Tour
See tea production up close — the famous mint room is wild. Fun, quirky, Boulder-classic activity.
🧚
Tulip Fairy & Elf Festival
Sunday 4/26 on Pearl Street — kids in costume, tulip activities, street fun. Perfect send-off morning.
Live Music
Shows during our trip + casual spots with regular live music. All venues below are all-ages.
Fri Show
🎶
Oh Wonder + Wrabel
Indie pop duo from London. Dreamy, melodic — very teen-friendly. All ages (under 16 with adult).
🎸
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
Blues/rock/folk legend — two-night stand in a 625-cap room. All ages. Intimate venue on The Hill, 5 min from hotel.
🎵
Nether Hour
Austin-based funk/blues/soul/rock trio. High energy, guitar-driven. All ages. Great arrival-night option.
☕
Laughing Goat Coffeehouse
Acoustic singer-songwriters most evenings. Pearl Street Mall. All ages, no cover. Coffee, beer, wine.
🍻
Rayback Collective
Indoor/outdoor food truck park with 30+ taps and live local music. Family & dog friendly.
🎙️
eTown Hall
Intimate 200-seat listening room — home of the eTown radio show (NPR). Folk, Americana, roots, bluegrass. All ages.
🌤️ WEATHER
Live forecast from Open-Meteo · Trip days highlighted
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ℹ️ GOOD TO KNOW
⛰️ Altitude Advisory
Boulder sits at 5,430 ft elevation. Coming from sea level:
- Hydrate 2x normal — start on the plane
- Take it easy day 1; avoid strenuous activity Thursday evening
- Sunscreen essential — UV is 16–30% stronger at altitude
- Late April weather: highs 58–65°F, lows 30–35°F, afternoon rain/snow possible
- Pack layers — mornings are cold, afternoons warm, evenings cool again
✈️ Getting There
- Outbound: SW 427 SJC → DEN · Thu 2:45 PM → 6:15 PM
- Return: SW 3847 DEN → SJC · Sun 1:00 PM → 2:35 PM
- Hertz rental car at DEN
- DEN → Boulder: ~45 min via US-36
📱 Useful Apps
- ParkMobile — campus parking payment
- Southwest — boarding passes
- Hertz — rental car pickup
- OpenTable — restaurant reservations
👨👦 Uncle John
Suzanne's brother John is a CU Boulder alum (~class of '03). He may join for part of the trip — waiting on confirmation. If he comes, he'll give Conor an alumni perspective and campus walk-around.