A full three stories on the west end of the Pearl Street Mall, this store has won the hearts of Boulderites and visitors alike. It boasts a particularly fine selection of children's books, fiction, biography, spirituality and Eastern religion titles, though only a fraction of the myriad of genres overflowing from the shelves. Magazines are numerous as well. Lectures from authors and prominent figures draw standing room only crowds on certain evenings.

Forget feeling guilty for choosing a murder mystery over the latest political biography. The owners of the Rue Morgue understand: they have dedicated an entire bookstore to mysteries. Choose one from the store's extensive selection and begin solving. The section dedicated to tales set in and near Boulder is worth a browse. Both hard and soft-cover books are offered. Book signings with local and national authors occur periodically.

Take a journey into Boulder's unusual mix of cultures in this gourmet coffee shop, the oldest in the city. Choose a book from the antiquarian selection and join the green-haired hipsters, university professors, yuppies and business people reading at tables indoors and out. Enjoy tasty beverages and baked goods. The dark and somewhat dingy atmosphere stirs personal reflection and intriguing conversations. Trident offers an alternative to today's modern coffee shops. The cluttered bookstore carries a varied selection of used titles and offers an international book search for rare editions.

La Orquidea is a locally owned Latin-American boutique located in the Lafayette shopping district of Boulder County. The store specializes in high fashion for women, teenaged girls and men's formal wear. La Orquidea also carries an additional selection of bridal wear and quinceanera gowns. Need the hottest pair of boots from the runway, the bridal set of your dreams or trendy club wear and jewelry to match? If La Orquidea doesn't have your request, they can order it and have it delivered within the week. Most importantly, La Orquidea is affordable. While several of the dresses might seem expensive at first, the store takes pride in selling clothing for half the price of most retailers carrying the same merchandise. Be it a USD1000 bridal set or a USD20 pair of designer jeans, La Orquidea is the most thrifty and fashionable clothing store by far. -Sabrina Zirakzadeh

This establishment is housed in three connected historic train cars. Sort of a hip store-cum-café, it offers tasty coffee drinks and the latest road and mountain bike designs from top manufacturers, including Specialized. It also stocks the accessories and fashion wear needed to look the part on the trails. Bike rentals feature both front and full suspension mountain bikes. Helmets come with all rentals. In winter you can choose from cross-country ski, snowshoe or snowboard rentals and browse a variety of clothing and accessories.

Step into the Wild West in this tack and clothing store featuring quality products for all tastes. The second-story outlet is a quaintly decorated rustic space with a wide selection of men's and women's clothing, jewelry, hats, boots, saddle blankets and cowboy Christmas items. The store offers custom leatherwork and beadwork by High Country Leather. This shop is so Western you will exit it with a sudden urge eat a plate of beans while uttering "yippie-ki-yay," for no good reason at all.

You will feel like you are rummaging through grandma's attic in this store: it is brimming with relics from the past-from old Matchbox cars to antique furniture. Collectibles of all kinds, rugs, lamps, decorations, toys and general knickknacks are stacked, piled and packed into this cluttered shop. There is also a great selection of old chairs. This is a favorite stop for tourists and locals seeking items of nostalgia.

From organic produce and bulk grains to fine teas and spices, this co-op attracts locals and visitors looking for a healthy alternative to fast food joints. Fresh sandwiches include turkey and Swiss and hummus and avocado. Try the rich cheesecake for dessert. The store's extensive and inexpensive cheese selection is the best in town. Other snacks for sale include chips, crackers and canned goods. Do not forget to browse the candles, handmade goods, homeopathic remedies and vitamins.

From ancient fossils to fine jewelry, this small Colorado chain has something for everyone. Items include elegant stoneware bowls and vases (starting at under $10),rare tanzanite rings, fossil refrigerator magnets and petrified wood bookends. For rock collectors, an extensive mineral case contains hard-to-find samples from around the world. Scientific toys, books, animal puppets and many dinosaur related items are popular with children. The original location in Nederland houses the widest selection, and every store offers slightly different stock.

Rags is a combination secondhand and consignment boutique located near the outskirts of Boulder, but what a store it is! With a talented staff working in the consignment sector, a huge selection of clothes at highly affordable prices, fashionable accessories, and stylishly remade donations, Rags is a fantastic hidden gem for those who want to buy something a little different than what's available at the local malls. Even for Boulder, Rags is quirky and unique. The store even runs its own fashion event at the end of every spring; check their website for details in case you can make it!