A great thing about Boulder Colorado is the way the streets are laid out. Most visitors from the eastern states will notice the difference right away. There are very few winding roads in the city. The streets tend to be laid out in more of a grid pattern, heading straight north and south and getting intersected by streets heading straight east and west. Due to the smart layouts of the streets, maps of Downtown Boulder tend to be very easy to follow.

Many Coloradans will tell you a simple way never to get lost: when facing the mountains you are heading west, and east if heading away from the mountains. If the mountains are on your left you are heading north and heading south if they are on your right. Who needs a map?

With more than 4,000 places to park in Downtown Boulder alone, you should always be able to find a spot! There are six different parking garages, five lots, and plenty of spaces that have a meter for you to choose from.

Garage parking will normally run you a $1.25 an hour, with weekends and holidays typically being free of charge. If you are going to the Pearl Street Mall then the garage on 15th and Pearl may be your best bet. There is also a garage on 10th and walnut near the St Julian Hotel, and another on 14th and Walnut near the bus station.

Lot parking will run you a similar price per hour, but if you are just making a short stop, you can pay by the minute and save some money. A mere 25 cents will buy you 12 minutes, while a dollar will buy you 48. Sundays and certain holidays are free. Locations are Broadway and Spruce, as well as Pleasant Street. The public library has you pay by space. Metered street parking will run you the same prices as lot parking, and is enforced Mondays thru Saturdays from nine in the morning until seven at night.