Mapleton Hill / Downtown / Whittier

Vibrant neighborhoods with elegant and historic architecture

Welcome to Mapleton Hill / Downtown / Whittier

The vibrant neighborhoods of Mapleton Hill, Downtown, and Whittier boast charming historic homes close to the best of Boulder’s eclectic shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Downtown housing options include elegant Victorian homes and stylish new condominiums. Mapleton Hill and Whittier feature a diverse array of 19th-century architecture directly adjacent to Downtown Boulder. Mapleton Hill’s streets are lined with mature trees and stately Victorian and Queen Anne homes. Mapleton Hill’s properties are some of Boulder’s largest historic homes. Much of the neighborhood is a designated historic district. Whittier is one of Boulder’s oldest neighborhoods, with homes dating back to the city’s founding in the 1850s. All manner of architectural styles popular in the 19th century are on display in Whittier with unique flourishes such as slanted roofs and carved stone sculptures.

What to Love

  • Diverse historic architecture

  • Pearl Street Mall shopping and dining

  • Art and cultural venues

  • Highly desirable central location

People & Lifestyle

Boulder is an exciting and progressive city with a thriving high-tech economy and the main campus of the University of Colorado. These neighborhoods are at the heart of it all, offering homes within walking distance of the city’s best shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The surrounding Rocky Mountain scenery also provides lots of outdoor space to explore and enjoy.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Pearl Street Mall runs from 9th to 21st Street in the heart of Downtown Boulder with a great variety of restaurants, cafes, fashion boutiques, specialty stores, and craft beer breweries. Pearl Street Mall contains more than 1,000 businesses. 

Beloved local businesses include Spruce Confections, a bustling bakery with delicious pastries and excellent coffee. The menu includes tasty scones and cookies, handmade pies and quiches, Alaskan Kaladi Coffee, and a range of gluten-free items. Spruce’s abundant outdoor seating is the perfect place to relax on sunny days. 

Boulder was named America’s Foodiest Town by Bon Appetit, and many of the city’s best restaurants are located on Pearl Street. Highlights include OAK at Fourteenth,  a stylish New American eatery with innovative cocktails and small plates prepared using fresh local ingredients. The Kitchen is a farm-to-table bistro with exquisite locally-sourced cuisine. Corrida serves sophisticated Spanish-style steaks and seafood with wood-fired cuisine inspired by the Basque Country in Northern Spain. Corrida also offers an impressive wine list and cocktail selection, plus awe-inspiring views of the Flatirons from a rooftop patio. 

Other standout eateries include stylish farm-to-table bistro SALT, homestyle French cooking at Brassiere Ten Ten, and sublime Northern Italian cuisine at Frasca. Each Saturday, the Downtown Boulder Farmers’ Market welcomes vendors selling fresh produce and live music entertainment.

Things to Do

Mapleton Hill Porchfest is a unique celebration that brings live music performances to 20 front porches around the neighborhood. The Porchfest has grown in size every year since it started in 2012, and it’s a great way to familiarize yourself with the neighborhood’s beautiful historic homes while enjoying performances from talented local acts. 

Boulder Theater opened as an opera house in 1906. This art deco local landmark broadened its scope over the following decades and now hosts a diverse lineup of film screenings, tech conferences, comedy shows, and live music concerts. Whittier’s Dairy Arts Center is an eclectic cultural center housed within an old dairy plant. Facilities at Dairy Arts Center include a movie theater with specially curated film screenings, art galleries with diverse exhibitions, and performance spaces for comedy, dance, music, and theater.

Schools

Public schools are operated by the Boulder Valley School District. Highlights include:

  • Whittier Elementary School, Public, K-5

  • Casey Middle School, Public, 6-8

  • Boulder High School, Public, 9-12