Nederland

This scenic mountain town, located 17 miles west of Boulder, is the gateway to the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. There are many recreational, historical, dining and retail opportunities that await the Colorado visitor. The visitor center in the heart of town has complete information about nearby state and national parks, places to stay and eat, maps of the area, hiking destinations, campgrounds and wilderness area regulations and local events. Frozen Dead Guy Days in March, which salutes a Norwegian man who was cryogenically frozen after his death in the late 1980s with coffin races, a costumed polar plunge and other icy entertainment, is one of Nederland’s most popular events. There are many opportunities for stream and lake fishing, mountain biking and camping, as well as day hikes and driving tours in the area. At the end of the day, visitors will find a comfortable motel room and a surprisingly wide variety of fine restaurants. Many restaurants and coffee houses feature live music on the weekends, and shoppers will find clothing, antiques, jewelry, gifts, new and used books, outdoor and fishing supplies, as well as a full-service hardware store, pharmacy, florist, groceries and other retail services. Kids and adults love the Carousel of Happiness, a restored 1910 carousel featuring 56 hand-carved animals that waltz to the tunes of a 1913 Wurlitzer band organ.