University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Colorado at Boulder
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
421 reviews
Excellent
318
Very good
79
Average
17
Poor
3
Terrible
4
pam c
Danville, CA53 contributions
Apr 2019
The campus is gorgeous and very large. There are views from the top of the bookstore building (where there is a "secret" rooftop area) that are amazing. Wear your walking shoes because you'll want to explore it all. We also liked the "off campus" area adjacent to the campus where students hang out.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drmader
Orinda, CA3,004 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Impressed with every bit of the campus. We have been here many times but I don’t remember it this green and gorgeous . CU she’d very long emails w explanations. You have to read them in their entirety or print and focus. Communication for past 6 months has been good.football just cancelled for season which killed three other sport too which matters to our athlete..super drag.. but arriving and walking the dorm area and welcome tents.. it’s exciting and we are grateful our student gets to go..so many kids don’t. Beautiful area w flatiron mountains as a backdrop. Easy ride from Denver airport and cute towns nearby. Downtown area and available shops and restaurants make this campus near perfect and we have seen many. One thing that isn’t as desirable is the traffic on the outer ring road ..way too much traffic for the number of kids on bikes , on foot or or skateboards..wish there were no auto roads this close to where the students are .
Written August 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sage R
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Cu boulder looked like a university for partying. I was looking for a high-level academic and prestige education so the first thing I did was talk to students and professors.
Unfortunately, I was not satisfied; in these large public universities you are just a number.
In the end I chose the University of Denver, which surprised me with the quality of the students "perhaps more of an elite" (Du is more expensive as well) and the availability of services. Less partying and more studying.
Unfortunately, I was not satisfied; in these large public universities you are just a number.
In the end I chose the University of Denver, which surprised me with the quality of the students "perhaps more of an elite" (Du is more expensive as well) and the availability of services. Less partying and more studying.
Written August 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert T
Lake Forest, IL411 contributions
May 2021
An an old Boulder rat, it is so great to park the car and walk the campus to the early times I lived here. The Packer Grill is intact and the building are ageless. Had to move on to make a living but this is still my go-to place for reflection of life as it was and as it is.
Written June 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luv2TravelDoU2
Colorado Springs, CO51 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
Our son recently toured the beautiful campus at the University of Colorado at Boulder as a prospective student. If you believe in God and conservative values, avoid this school at all cost. During the tour, a flyer was posted on one of the college dorm halls advertising a "queer sex" seminar with dates and times posted for students to attend. We witnessed students stoned out of their minds loathing around campus, hippies, and every activist group engaged in public protest; and this was just a regular Wednesday during a school week. There is no way your child will spend 4-5 years on that campus and not be affected by the socialist/communist mindset displayed on campus, taught in the classrooms, and in the larger Boulder community.
Written November 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cristy t
Bremerton, WA39 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
First - the campus (for the most part) is beautiful - not sure what they were thinking with the math and engineering buildings, but the classic structures are awesome, and the new art building is great. They have a very nice museum with fossils that is great. They also have some really wonderful "talks" by faculty or visiting guests that are open to attend, and I highly recommend taking the opportunity to join in if you can. Also - the students are incredible. There's a mix - many serious, some not-so-much. The kids are friendly and they absolutely make the university. The downside - which I address not from the perspective of a visit to the campus, but in response to some who've written about attending is: The administration is less than. They have become a money making machine that seems to have tossed quality education under the bus in favor of making money and growing their empire. Letting as many full professors go by attrition as possible, they are replacing many with grad students, or graduates that are "instructors" who don't often know if they will be employed the following semester. Many (certainly not all) of the faculty are paid a pittance in comparison to the administration and their salaries (also, the science faculty seem to do well). I have had some incredible full and associate (and probably a few assistant) professors - and some pitiful assistant professors and instructors (some who erroneously refer to themselves as professors when they have not earned that title). I'm been in classrooms with full classes (28-35), where the tables are falling apart, there are not enough chairs, the overheads don't work, and a low paid instructor or grad student is teaching....again paid a pittance. Some of the classrooms are much larger (think 160-180, works fine with a "real" professor) Think about that many students, and what they paid for that class - and what the school provides in return for the class - and what they pay their faculty. Then think about the outdoor "buff shaped pool" that they put in, augmenting the already Olympic sized indoor swimming pool which has never been full when I've been there. When I questioned the administration, I was told basically to bud out - the students voted for it. They did do a survey, and I know how I voted. And I know it is a laughing stock with the students in my classes - the all believe it is frivolous. I have no idea what the actual vote was....but why would you even ask the question? If you asked your kids if they wanted a swimming pool when you couldn't afford clothing or food...and they said yes, would you buy the pool over the basics? Point being, beautiful campus - fabulous students, terrific professors, crappy administration and underpaid grad students and instructors, which make for less than wonderful classes. Don't even get me started on how they've jacked up the parking rates the last few years to increase their revenues. Incidentally, attended for several years, And the add-on fees for all of the building they are doing that you as a student will never see, but are paying for....? I did have access to some "inside" information - but it is no secret what is going on - it is a common topic of conversation. Many of the students are not "rich" and are working their way through, or are at least very sensitive to someone else paying their way and not wanting to abuse the generosity of those footing the bills. I was surprised and impressed with the kids. The administration has assumed a corporate model - instead of an academic model. That said - this may be the way it goes - University of Washington is doing the same thing, and I'm sure many others are as well.
In summary - enjoy what you can as a visitor - think about what experience you want your kids to have, and how you want the money spent.
In summary - enjoy what you can as a visitor - think about what experience you want your kids to have, and how you want the money spent.
Written October 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnaTomp23
Denver, CO31 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
Two places you must visit on campus-- the Norlin Library (the stacks in particular), and the Museum of Natural History. Norlin Library is a fantastic maze-like library I used to love to find nooks to study in when I attended. The stacks are especially fun. There are several levels that become dead-silent the deeper you go. It's a good way to peruse and spend a couple hours if you're a book lover.
The museum has a suggested donation of $3 for non-CU adults, but this small, manageable museum is worth the visit. They have rotating exhibits, but my favorite area was the cafe/study area. They have antique furniture to rest in that's surrounded by dinosaur skulls, insect collections, and other oddities. Plus, if you're lucky, there might be free hot tea awaiting you as well. Good place to meander or hunker down with a book for an hour. And it's a great study spot for CU students tired of the hustle-and-bustle of the library or the UMC.
The museum has a suggested donation of $3 for non-CU adults, but this small, manageable museum is worth the visit. They have rotating exhibits, but my favorite area was the cafe/study area. They have antique furniture to rest in that's surrounded by dinosaur skulls, insect collections, and other oddities. Plus, if you're lucky, there might be free hot tea awaiting you as well. Good place to meander or hunker down with a book for an hour. And it's a great study spot for CU students tired of the hustle-and-bustle of the library or the UMC.
Written February 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gharley02
Northampton, PA54 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
Astronomy students setup telescopes to view star clusters and planets. What an excellent way to interact community & university and entertain FREE, young and old! Observation deck holds about 20-25 people at a time, with about 5 active viewing telescopes. Great job CU
Written August 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flosventure
Arizona219 contributions
Jun 2020
I love exploring the big US colleges and I've heard a lot about Boulder so I went and I was not disappointed. I go to a college with an amazing campus so it takes something to impress me but this campus is amazing. The views, the greens, the buildings, the flat irons, the football stadium, everything. It's such an amazing place and I think everyone who goes there is very lucky! If you're in Boulder, it's a great place to check out!
Written July 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DallasPaza
Dallas98 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
Traveling on a potential colleges tour in the mid spring. The beautiful Flatiron mountains can be seen from anll over campus. The 2nd story basketball court at the new recreation center has a wall of windows looking out at these moutains. The campus is clean and well maintained with friendly students walking to class,socializing and studying in the many grassy areas. The buildings mesh well together although they have been built at different times. There are quite a few places to eat or get coffee and a snack. The original building from the 1800's houses several interesting exhibits on astronauts, nobel prize winners and a great lego replicia of the campus.
Written May 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
where do you usually stay? Any hints for an entering freshman mom from the east coast?
Written July 13, 2017
My daughter just graduated, and so far I've visited at least 12 times over the last four years; I live in Southern California. Regarding hotels/motels, we are "sunners" so in the Spring and Summer it's important to have an outdoor pool - they are rare in Boulder. Our two favorite choices were Homewood Suites or Best Western Boulder Plus. These are both VERY NICE "motels" (you park yourself) --- Homewood is about a 8-10 minute drive West to the main campus and Pearl Street, Best Western about 4-6 minutes. Both of these are S/E of the campus and ideal if your student is in the Williams Village or Tower dorms. The other outdoor pool choice is The Millinium, which is THEE VERY BEST location for school activities, especially the football stadium (walking distance - a huge plus!) BUT, the Millinium has seen better days, unfortunately it's pretty run down, but clean --- we just stayed there in May for graduation, for the pool/location factors. The St. Julien is the upscale snooty one for all of the rich or want-to-look rich folks (no outdoor pool.) It's very nice, VERY nice and VERY upscale, but to me it's just like any other Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons, when I found that the smaller motels lent so much more appeal nestled against the Flatirons. Plus, the rooms @ the St. Julien are tiny and way overpriced. The Marriott (no outdoor pool & make sure you get the one next to IHOP) is a REALLY good location for restaurants and lots of stores, large and small. We were booked in Broomfield @ The Omni (a 20 minute drive to Boulder) for graduation but got bumped up on the waiting list and ended up staying @ The Millinium - which turned out just fine. Good luck, I envy you just starting out ... we absolutely LOVE Boulder !!!
Written July 15, 2017
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