Boulder is the fittest and healthiest city in America.
That’s according to HuffPost Healthy Living, Niche, Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index and MSN Healthy Living, to name a few outlets that have crowned Boulder the honor.
So if you’re looking to plan a healthy vacation, no need to go any farther than Boulder’s bubble. Whether you live here or you’re staying in Boulder for a while, we’ve made you an itinerary for a quick and healthy staycation in Boulder.
Stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder
One of Boulder’s newer hotels is perfectly set up to be the central point for your healthy staycation in Boulder: the artsy, modern Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder.
This hotel is located right in the heart of Boulder, walking distance to the Bar Method, yoga studios and healthy restaurants. But it’s got plenty on site to keep you active, too, including a high-end fitness room and (best of all) a heated, saline-based rooftop pool. (So no stinky chlorine drying out your hair and skin.)
Want to plan an active ski vacation? Ask if the Embassy Suites’ has any special ski and snowboarding deals with Eldora Mountain during the winter.
In warmer weather, the hotel is not far from biking and hiking trails.
All rooms at the Embassy Suites are suites and include a living room, fridge and unique artwork.
Fun fact: The lobby is like a museum of oddities and fantastic little details; the hotel itself features more than 1,500 pieces of art. The art collection is inspired by nature, features Colorado-based artists and was curated by Denver’s NINE dot ARTS. Many of the artists have University of Colorado ties. The curator even worked with CU’s art department for an open call for students’ artwork and several were selected.
Check out the Life Time Flatirons Gym
Any proper healthy vaca needs access to the experts, and that’s what the Life Time Flatirons Gym in Broomfield provides. This $10 million-dollar remodel opened in 2018 and offers 80,000 square feet of everything athletic and healthy — even rooftop tennis courts, an indoor and outdoor pool, healthy cafe and more.
Meet with a registered dietitian to get a personalized food plan and learn about supplements. Set up a weight loss program or health assessment. Take a class, like Gluteus MAXout, which focuses on building strong legs and glutes. Or try the unique Team Spartan class, designed to help you train for a Spartan Race (or any athletic goal), using kettlebells, plyo boxes, battle ropes and more. For more specific goals, work out with a personal trainer.
Then, recover in the whirlpool, steam room and sauna or book a massage. The gym offers a Lifespa Medi, where you can even get more in-depth spa treatments, like laser services and hormone replacement.
Life Time is open 4 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.
Eat Lunch at Brickstones
Brickstones Kitchen & Bar, located inside the Embassy Suites by Hilton, isn’t your ordinary hotel restaurant. First, the tables are scattered throughout the hotel and near the lobby, not in a separate “restaurant” section. This nicely integrates them into the hotel action and provides a more relaxed and homey feeling.
Brickstones is surprisingly delicious and has some solid vegetarian and even vegan options. Highlights here are the wood-fired flatbreads, but the salads are filling and healthy, too.
In the morning, Brickstones offers complimentary, cooked-to-order breakfast for guests and plenty of healthy options, including an oatmeal bar, fresh fruit, eggs and veggies and more. Anyone is welcome to eat here, but if you’re not staying here, the food is not complimentary (of course). 
A styling station at Blo. Courtesy photoPamper Your Hair at Blo
After filling up for lunch and showering off your workout, relax at the Blo Blow Dry Bar on the Pearl Street Mall. Blo opened in 2018 and offers blowouts, updos, makeup and hairstyling. No cuts, no color. Just a direct route to runway-ready hair in about 45 minutes.
Options vary from razor-straight to playful, beachy curls.
Blo is the original and biggest blow dry bar franchise in the country and Boulder is its first Colorado location.
Pucker Up, Naturally
Accent your fresh new hairstyle with some healthy makeup by Louisville-based MyChelle Dermaceuticals. MyChelle’s products are all made with sustainably sourced ingredients with natural bioactives that are similar to the skin.
In Colorado, a good sunscreen is a must, and we love MyChelle’s Sun Shield SPF, with 100 percent mineral UVA/UVB protection. Pair it with the Lip Hints line, a lip treatment that hydrates and primes the lips to make your lip color last (or wear it alone for a sheer finish). No synthetic waxes or artificial ingredients. Lip Hints is made with shea butter and coconut, kalahari melon and meadowfoam oils.
