Published: Jan. 24, 2022

students at college dayStarting at CU Boulder can be a really exciting time, especially when there are many things to do on and off campus. We've made a list of things to do, places to visit and experiences to try to help you get to know your new home!

Experiences on campus

Grab a friend and see how many adventures you can accomplish to get to know campus! Here are a few to get you started. 

Capture your first day. Take a first-day-of-school photo and share it with your family and friends—bonus points if you can get one with Chip! Don’t forget to tag @CUBoulderLife on Instagram to share your excitement.

Explore dining options. Try visiting a different dining location the first few weeks of classes. From made-to-order burgers at The Alley to all-day breakfast at Village Center Dining, make sure to visit and explore the different dining locations on campus!

Attend the Involvement Fair. Stop by the spring Involvement Fair on Feb. 2 to learn about our 500+ student clubs and organizations and how you can get involved.

Take a selfie at Farrand Field. The view of the Flatirons from the field is iconic and it happens to be one of many CU Boulder traditions. Visit The Forever Buffs website for a full list of traditions. 

Pose with the buffaloes. Take a picture with all five buffalo statues on campus! Find them near Folsom Field, CU Events Center, Kittredge Complex, Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE) and the UCHealth Champions Center.

Show your school spirit. Be sure to attend Buff Meet Ups and more events during Spring Welcome. Download the CU Boulder Life app to keep up to date on all events happening during spring semester!

Take a campus tour. Get to know campus, scope out where all of your classes will be, find a study spot you want to try or a place you’ll go to relax to make your first week easier. You can use the campus map to help you navigate. 

Check out the outdoor fitness court. The fitness court in front of the Rec Center is a fully accessible outdoor body weight circuit training designed for adults of all ages and abilities. Try it out and test your skills!

In and around Boulder

Whether you are living in the residence halls or are commuting to Boulder, there are plenty of activities to be part of outside of campus. Try new things like going on a hike or enjoying a good meal on The Hill; the memories will be worth it!

Cruise around campus and the city. Boulder is very bike-friendly! Bring your own or sign up for a free BCycle membership to explore campus from a new vantage point! 

Adventure in the outdoors! Check out the amazing trails at Chautauqua Park, Boulder Creek trails or Bear Creek trails. There are lots of places to get out and explore the outdoors around Boulder! 

Grab a bite to eat on The Hill. There are plenty of restaurants to explore on The Hill. Whether you’re looking for food, a refreshing tea or some coffee, there’s something for everyone.  

Visit Pearl Street Mall. Only a few bus stops away from campus, Pearl Street Mall is host to a variety of locally owned businesses in all areas: restaurants, clothing, art exhibits, shops and boutiques. No matter what you’re looking for, you are bound to have a good time. 

For more events, tips and resources, visit the Student Affairs website, check out student events and be sure to follow @CUBoulderLife on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!