Martin Acres - Boulder, CO Area Guide

European settlers initially moved to Boulder in 1858, during the Rocky Mountain gold rush. The area became a supply hub for miners, but eager to become more, Boulder residents began clamoring for the University of Colorado to be established within the city.

In 1877, the University opened its doors, and it has been part of the city's arts, education and economic culture ever since. The university also contributed to the area's population growth from just a few thousand residents at the turn of the 20th century to nearly 100,000 residents 100 years later.

Originally established as a suburb to accommodate the city's growth, Martin Acres experienced a population boom in the early 1950s when the construction of the Boulder-Denver Turnpike made it convenient for Martin Acres residents to reach Denver easily.

The area's arts culture includes annual events, such as the Colorado Music Festival at Boulder's Center for Musical Arts.

Restaurants exist throughout Boulder, but near Martin Acres, a convenient cluster of eateries sit together near Broadway Street. For lunch or dinner, locals love the Tandoori Grill and its menu of Indian favorites from saag to korma to fiery vindaloo. If you want to dine at home, order Tandoori's takeout, or fill up at lunch with the all-you-can-eat buffet.

A popular spot in the evening or for a leisurely afternoon drinking, the Southern Sun Pub and Brewery serves gourmet food alongside house-brewed beers. The staff wants its clientele to relax, and to that end, they encourage games of Scrabble or long philosophical discussions. During stout month, locals sample fabulous stouts that include brews enhanced by coffee flavors. The venue also taps into Boulder resident's other interests with an annual 420 party in honor of the town's marijuana culture.

Murphy's Boulder attracts locals with its comforting fare, long list of beers and upbeat Irish bar ambiance. Come at any time of day and choose your favorites from an extensive list of breakfast, lunch and dinner items, or stop by during happy hour, grab a discount drink and order a small plate. Small plates include everything from BBQ ribs to beer-battered haddock tacos or mini shepherd's pie.

Another popular nightspot, Caffe Sole sells wine and beer, but this laid-back spot draws locals who want to sip coffee and herbal teas late into the night as well. The coffee-bar/wine house hosts live jazz, art shows and other cultural events.

Also called the Denver-Boulder Turnpike, Highway 36 links Martin Acres to downtown Denver, or you can leave your car at home and take an RTD bus between the two cities.

Within Martin Acres and in the Boulder area, locals enjoy free parking spots, hundreds of miles of bicycle trails and buses running throughout the local landscape. While Martin Acres hosts residential and commercial areas in relative proximity to each other, it isn't the most walkable community in Boulder. Typically, residents craving a walkable community live near Pearl Street or the University of Colorado campus.

Cabs and Uber cars serve the area, but you must call in advance rather than trying to hail a car off the street.

Harlow Platts Park near Martin Acres features a range of options for kids and adults looking for outdoor fun. The park has a playground, a disc golf course, a small lake, tennis and volleyball courts and BBQ pits and picnic tables. Not just for the warm months of the year, the park also hosts a rec center for indoor workouts and a great hill for sledding in the winter.

Dog owners take their pups to Valmont Dog Park. This well-maintained park has a large grassy area for dogs to play, and items such as fire hydrants give pooches something to sniff and leave their mark on. A separate area for small dogs gives them a place to play without worrying about being trod upon by large dogs. Owners have ample options for seating, and weekly, a group of concerned citizens clean the park, ensuring it always looks inviting.

Annually, Central Park hosts the Boulder Creek Festival. Featuring vendors, live music and activities for kids, this event welcomes summer to the area.

Living in Martin Acres costs more than living in most parts of the Denver metro area. While in Denver, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment sits at $1,061, in Martin Acres, it costs $1,258 on average to rent a one-bedroom apartment.

Gas costs 4 percent less than the national average, and you can buy beer at local brew pubs for between $4 and $7, but pubs close to campus often offer discounts as low as $2 per beer. Reaching Denver via public transit costs $5 for a one-way ticket.

In Boulder, boutiques and independently owned shops comprise the bulk of the shopping culture. Martin Acres locals live within driving or bicycling distance of a range of boutiques, including the Nod & Rose Storehouse, Jacque Michelle and Two Sole Sisters.

At Nod & Rose Storehouse, find cool gifts for yourself or your favorite hipster friend. Some of the options you can expect to find include small tool kits in stylish distressed-leather cases, metallic flasks engraved with an octopus or funky scarves.

If you want a card to go with your gift, head over to Jacque Michelle. Serving the area since 1984, this small shop sells cards with artisan designs and clever inscriptions as well as a range of gifts from handmade jewelry to apparel.

Two Sole Sisters sells fashionable shoes handpicked by the owner. Artfully displayed against a urban brick wall, these shoes promise to keep your feet fashionable without sacrificing comfort.

For grocery stores, Martin Acres locals shop at King Soopers, Whole Foods or Safeway. In 2014, the city began charging a fee for consumers to use disposable bags at the grocery store, but you can find strong, reusable bags at shops such as Hands on Hemp. The city hosts several farmer's markets during the summer, giving locals access to fresh, local produce.