Things to Do Alone in Boulder (Tea, Art and Library)

Boulder is known for the outdoors, but a cold November day is a good time for its indoor, sit-down places. Several sit within a few blocks of each other around 13th Street and the Pearl Street Mall: a teahouse, a contemporary art museum, a main library with its own cafe, and a university art museum a short bus ride away.

A seat at the teahouse

The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse at 1770 13th Street is open seven days a week. Lunch runs 11am to 3pm Monday to Friday, brunch 8am to 3pm on weekends, English afternoon tea is served daily from 3 to 5pm, and dinner runs 5 to 9pm. The site lists private-event closures from 2:30pm on Saturday 5 December (Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse). Afternoon tea is an easy order for one, and how to eat alone in public covers the rest.

Art next door

The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) at 1750 13th Street asks visitors to pay what they wish for admission ("whether it's one penny or one hundred dollars"). It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm, and closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day (BMoCA). A visit costs you what you decide, which removes one reason to stay home.

Farther out, the CU Art Museum on campus (1085 18th Street) is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, and is typically closed on Saturdays when there is a daytime home football game. The museum points visitors to RTD stops on 18th and Euclid and on Broadway (CU Art Museum). Read how to visit a museum alone.

The library as a day out

The Main Library at 1001 Arapahoe Avenue is open Monday to Thursday 9am to 7pm, Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 12 to 5pm, and its Bookmark Cafe is open daily until 4pm (Boulder Public Library). The library also runs Paper & Spine, a volunteer-powered used bookstore selling books, DVDs and CDs at a low cost (Paper & Spine). The Carnegie Library for Local History at 1125 Pine Street lists walk-in hours on Thursdays from 12 to 5pm, with research and scanning services by appointment; it is closed to walk-ins on other days (locations). Both library listings link to holiday closings, so check before a holiday visit.

The library's site also lists adult programs, makerspaces, exhibitions, a library pass for BCycle and the Canyon Theater at the Boulder Public Library, so the events calendar is worth a look before you pick an evening (Boulder Public Library). Check the events calendar for what is actually scheduled. A library is a place where being alone is the normal state: you can stay for an hour or for the whole opening day.

Pearl Street before CU home games

Downtown Boulder lists Pearl Street Stampedes on the 1300 block of Pearl Street at 7pm on selected Fridays; its 2026 list ends with 27 November. The Golden Buffalo Marching Band and the Colorado Spirit Squad perform on the Friday before CU home games, so check the listing for the date nearest your visit (Downtown Boulder). Standing in a crowd is the lowest-effort way to be around people.

One bold afternoon

Chautauqua, at the foot of the open space trails, has a Dining Hall serving breakfast, lunch and dinner since 1898, and a General Store for espresso and snacks to go (Chautauqua). Eating at the Dining Hall alone, then walking the nearby trails, is a bolder day. Check the Dining Hall's own page for current service times (Dining Hall).

Concerts and tables

Chautauqua also has an Auditorium with a long concert history; the site lists Concerts and Events, so check what is on before you decide (Chautauqua). The Teahouse takes reservations through its site, and a table booked for one avoids the wait (Teahouse). BMoCA's site adds that 13th Street is closed on Saturdays and Wednesdays during Farmers Market season (April to November), so check how you will arrive.

Getting around

Boulder is served by RTD. Its fares page says you can pay by tapping a contactless credit or debit card or a mobile wallet, and lists a Day Pass at $5.50 (last checked 2026-11-01) (RTD fares). More ideas: things to do alone in a new city.

First solo outings

Easy: Afternoon tea at the teahouse, then a short walk to BMoCA.
Medium: An hour in the Main Library and the Bookmark Cafe, with a browse at Paper & Spine.
Bold: A Friday before a CU home game: Pearl Street Stampedes at 7pm, then dinner at a counter nearby.

Solo Era for iPhone

Read in a public library for an hour

Solo Era has a culture mission at level 1: "Read in a public library for an hour." The Main Library on Arapahoe Avenue, with the Bookmark Cafe inside, is a place to try it. Free to download. A subscription is required to start missions. Prices and any free trial are shown in the app and depend on the offer and eligibility.

Staying in the region, compare Denver, Colorado Springs or Santa Fe, or browse the full city list.

FAQ

Can I go to the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse alone?

It is open seven days a week with lunch, brunch, afternoon tea from 3 to 5pm and dinner. Check the site for private-event closures, such as 5 December from 2:30pm.

How much does BMoCA cost?

You choose the amount, from a penny up. There is a $1 minimum on credit cards.

Is the CU Art Museum open on football Saturdays?

It is typically closed on Saturdays with a daytime home game.

When are the Pearl Street Stampedes?

Downtown Boulder lists them at 7pm on selected Fridays on the 1300 block of Pearl Street, with performances on the Friday before CU home games. The 2026 list ends with 27 November.

Can I pay for RTD with a card?

Yes. Tap-n-Ride accepts a contactless credit or debit card or a mobile wallet.

Sources (checked 2026-11-01)

Details change; check the venue before you go.