Pearl Street Mall is a four-block pedestrian street in downtown Boulder, Colorado, paved in red brick and closed to cars. Independent boutiques, galleries and bookstores sit alongside national chains, and coffee shops and restaurants line the route. Musicians and street performers work the sidewalks, and the mountains rise behind the rooftops. Go for the walk itself, then stop for a meal or a coffee and browse the shop windows.
Shops and local businesses
The mall is lined with independent boutiques, art galleries and bookstores. The Boulder Bookstore has been independently owned since 1973, and Into the Wind sells kites, including kite kits. Many of the shops occupy historic brick buildings, so the storefronts are part of the walk.
Chain stores such as Urban Outfitters, Patagonia, Lush and Fjallraven sit alongside local shops, and the street also has a boutique called Peppercorn. Coffee shops are plentiful, and students and freelancers often work from them with laptops. The Tune Up combines a bike rental and shop with coffee and live music.
Street performers and live music
Musicians, jugglers, comedians and other buskers perform along the mall, especially in warm months and on weekends. Some musicians sit on benches with an open guitar case, and kids play on the sculptures nearby.
Bands on the Bricks is a free concert series held on Wednesday evenings from June to August. Live music also fills the mall during the holiday season.
Flowers, public art and the tulips
Flower beds run along the street, and the city's Parks Department plants about 15,000 tulip bulbs each fall. The bulbs are imported from Holland, continuing a practice that began in the late 1970s, when Boulder's sister city, Meppel, sent 5,000 bulbs a year for planting along the mall.
In April, the Tulip Fairy and Elf Festival celebrates the blooms. Public art installations, fountains and gardens are placed along the route, and children can climb the rocks and cool off at the splash pad.
Holiday season
Boulder's winter weather tends to be fairly mild, and the mall is especially pleasant in the evening when the lights are on. St. Nick on the Bricks gives children of all ages the chance to see Santa Claus downtown while the adults shop.
The Holiday Festival at Macky Auditorium features seasonal music performed by choirs, orchestras and local musicians.
Getting there and getting around
The mall sits in central downtown Boulder, and several hotels are within walking distance. Boulder Creek Path, a walking and cycling route along the river, runs nearby.
Parking includes paid garages, paid street meters and free street parking, but spaces can be limited at peak times. The electric Tebo Train runs on weekdays, and the Boulder Public Library has the Creekside Playground in front of it, which is popular with children.
FAQ
How long do you need at Pearl Street Mall?
A visit can take one to three hours, and a full day if you browse the shops and stop to eat along the way.
Is there parking near Pearl Street Mall?
Yes. Paid parking garages, paid street meters and free street parking are all available nearby. Spaces can be limited at peak times, so allow extra time to find one.
When is the Bands on the Bricks concert?
The free Bands on the Bricks concert series is held on Wednesday evenings from June to August.
When do the tulips bloom on Pearl Street Mall?
The tulips bloom in spring. The Tulip Fairy and Elf Festival in April celebrates them, and the city plants new bulbs each fall.
Are the shops open all day?
The street itself is open at all hours, but shop hours vary, so check individual stores before you go in the evening.
