Coming from Boulder, the drive up Boulder Canyon is one of my favorite drives in the state of Colorado, which might as well be my favorite.

Here are a few things I love to do in town and some great gems that make Nederland so unique.

On the way into town, or on the way out, there is the beautiful Barker Meadows Park, which is the beachfront for the Barker Meadows Reservoir. Day-to-day activities include hiking with the family or pets, a nice picnic out in this picture-perfect scenery, and fishing is possible with a fishing license

E. 1st Street, which is right around the roundabout coming into town from the end of Boulder Canyon Drive, is packed with great places to eat and shop in the heart of this town!

Crosscut Pizzeria & Taphouse overlooking Middle Boulder Creek offers a welcoming outdoor and indoor experience with wood-fired pies and craft beers, as well as a great selection of wine to aid any family and friends looking for a memory to be made.

Nature’s Own offers a great selection of diverse beauties and finds from the earth; this store is great for admiring the treasures from the past, and getting to take a piece of history home is always a gift of knowledge from this shop.

If you’re looking for mountain cuisine, but not from our side of the hemisphere, Kathmandu Restaurant is a favorite among many. You can enjoy a fresh cup of chai or an imported beer from Nepal. The cuisine here is none like any other, offering Indian and Himalayan food to bring home another meal from another mountain range.

Wings of Lace Boutique offers a feminine touch to rugged typical mountain wear; with a wide selection, they offer beautiful garments, trinkets, and jewelry to wake up the wild side of any woman.

After a great day enjoying the outdoors, Nederland has The Mine Shaft, which is a great place to enjoy a delicious meal and listen to some great live music!

Right on E 1st. Street, is the shack for a well-known festival in Nederland called Frozen Dead Guy Days; it is a wacky and fun time to commemorate Grandpa Bredo!

Mountain People’s Co-op is a member-owned food market right in the middle of downtown. Stocked with all the goodies from vegan and vegetarian items, fresh produce and baked goods. This is a great place to stop for a sandwich on the go or purchase ingredients to cook a great meal with great produce.

Rustic Moose is a cute shop offering the all-needed stop for local merchandise from clothing to keychains. They also have great decor and an attractive Christmas section in their basement portion of the shop.

New Moon Bakery and Cafe is an excellent place on the stop to the mountains and a great treat, for tasty gluten-free, vegan, and regular options as well. I find myself often stopping here for breakfast before hitting the slopes at Eldora.

The Train Cars Coffee and Yogurt Company, offers a great outdoor space right by the Carousel of Happiness for live music, great outdoor seating, and a sweet swing with corn hole for free.

Carousel of Happiness is an excellent place for everyone to experience an enjoyable ride in the mountains on an indoor Carousel. They also have a gift shop for the kids who need a souvenir from their Carousel ride.

Busey Brews Smokehouse & Brewery is a family-owned and operated one-stop shop for great authentic mountain barbeque with beers brewed in-house to offer the best, with an outdoor patio right by Middle Boulder Creek.

Salto Coffee Works, a cafe for the community, has a great outdoor space for any time of the season, whether it’s enjoying a nice iced latte after a long bike ride or hike or right after hitting the slopes at Eldora right by the fireplace snuggled up with some hot chocolate or a hot coffee, of course.

To find out more about Nederland restaurants and shops, check out more local feature stories on our website at www.themtnear.com.