2 Best Sights in Boulder and North Central Colorado, Colorado

Pearl Street

Fodor's choice

Between 8th and 20th Streets in the downtown area, Pearl Street is the city's hub, an eclectic collection of boutiques, bookstores, art galleries, cafés, bars, and restaurants. From 11th and 15th Streets is a pedestrian mall, with plenty of good people-watching and some of the most outrageous street performers you'll ever see. Regulars may include fire-eating contortionists, a man who plays the piano while hanging from his feet in a tree, and steampunk-style street bands.

Old Town Square

A National Historic District, Fort Collins's Old Town was the inspiration for Disneyland’s Main Street USA, and Old Town Square is a bustling pedestrian zone with sculptures, fountains, a fire pit, and historic buildings that house shops, galleries, bars, and, of course, breweries. Restaurants and cafés here have plenty of shaded outdoor seating. Musicians perform during the summer on a stage, and in the winter, the square is home to Santa's Workshop and an ice-skating rink.