Our First Trip as Family of Four to Boulder, Colorado

The first time traveling with a newborn is always nerve-wracking, but traveling with 2 under 2 was even more overwhelming. We wholeheartedly believe that exposing children to things when they’re young pays off in the long run! So we decided to take a short weekend trip to Boulder, Colorado, just 2 hours from our home in Colorado Springs. A weekend of hiking, dining out, and exploring downtown was just what we needed after not traveling for months during my third trimester.

Where to Stay for a Weekend in Boulder, Colorado

I searched for somewhere close enough to downtown that we didn’t have to drive very far, but also close enough to any trails we wanted to hike. The less time in the car with a newborn, the better. We stayed at the Residence Inn by Marriott Boulder. I chose this hotel for a few reasons – they had apartment-style rooms, are dog-friendly, and have semi-separate sleeping spaces.

Since our son, Levi, was just a newborn, we hadn’t yet mastered all four of us (me, my husband Stephen, and our 20-month-old Lillie) all sleeping in the same space. I booked us a room with a pull-out couch, where Levi and I co-slept. The hotel provided a pack-n-play where Lillie slept next to Stephen’s bed.

With a toddler who always needs a snack, it was helpful having the kitchen and a large fridge to bring some of our own food. This also cut down on grocery costs for our family.

Conveniently located within walking distance from the hotel was a Sprouts grocery store with tons of organic and delicious food, perfect for stocking up for the day’s activities or for dinner. We were also within walking distance of a few good restaurants and a fun, unique park (Emma Gomez Martinez Park)!

Want to know how I pack for a family of four? Check out my favorite packing cubes here!

Hiking in Boulder

Having just had a baby recently, I opted for a trail that was on the more easy-moderate scale. I hiked throughout my pregnancy so I knew that I was still in decent enough shape to go hiking (know your body and listen to it if you are tiring easily and don’t overdo it postpartum!). I narrowed it down to the NCAR trail. It was also dog-friendly, which is hard to come by in parts of Colorado. You park at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the trail is easy to find. Along the way, NCAR has placed a series of informational signs about the weather, which were pretty fascinating.

For longer, adult-paced hikes, we use the Osprey Poco hiking backpack for Lillie. Stephen carries Lillie, while I wear Levi, our newborn, in the Ergobaby 360 baby carrier. I love the Ergo for newborns (and all ages, really) because it keeps them close, helps them nap easily, and there’s a sun shade.

It was a breezy 77 degrees on our hike in Boulder, which was perfect for the kids. Being able to breastfeed makes packing our bags that much easier without any bottles. The only extra thing we brought along were some burp cloths and a change of clothes for Levi.

There’s a great little creek along the trail that provides ample shade to stop and dip your feet in, take a snack break, and get water for the dog. Some of our favorite trail snacks are things like peanuts, raisins, crackers, and fruit. And of course, don’t forget lots of water, especially with any Colorado altitude change!

You can find the exact route and more trail ideas on AllTrails here.

• Parking location for the hike: Google Maps link
• Distance: varies, but about 1 mile
• Elevation: 190 ft
• Other notes: ample shade, dog friendly (on leash)

Before heading home on Sunday after our weekend in Boulder, we hiked a section of the Boulder Canyon Trail / Boulder Creek Path. I was pretty sore from the previous day’s hike and the air quality was really low because of a forest fire the day before, so we didn’t get very far. I loved walking along the river and it was also dog friendly.

You can find the hike on AllTrails here.

• Parking location for the hike: Google Maps link

Exploring Boulder

Downtown was one of our favorite spots. It was easy driving distance from our hotel and it was so beautiful at night. On a Saturday afternoon, the streets were busy with people of all ages. It was very dog and family-friendly.

On the first night out, we walked to Osaka’s Japanese-focused restaurant from our hotel. It was so delicious. It was my first time trying ramen noodles (and not the instant kind) — highly recommend it. They were also very family-friendly and had a great kid’s menu.

On our last night in Boulder, we ate downtown at SALT. It was a unique menu, but good, nonetheless. We liked that we could sit outside, especially with a toddler who likes to explore and not be contained in a high chair. I really wanted to try The Post Chicken & Beer- Boulder, which had amazing reviews, but there was a forest fire that afternoon and they closed early. Many of the workers were part of the forest fire team, so we’ll save this place for next time!

Our first trip as a family of four was pretty great overall. We were able to take in some beautiful sights, get back to hiking, and explore a new city. It definitely won’t be our last time spending a weekend in Boulder, Colorado!

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