Pearl Street Mall050

Set in the heart of Boulder's original downtown, the open-air Pearl Street pedestrian mall offers more than just shopping: It also hosts a diverse mix of restaurants, galleries, bars, cart vendors, and buskers along its four-block stretch, making for an always lively scene.

The tree-lined mall is filled with flowers, public art, and wooden benches - people-watching can be an all-consuming pasttime here. At the center of it all is the Boulder County Courthouse, a popular gathering place for jugglers, magicians, and musicians who entertain for tips.

In summer months, the mini, four-car Tebo Train shuttles kids around the mall.