The Best Things to Do in Golden, CO - from a Local
Bonus Hidden Gem at the End
Is Golden, Colorado Worth Visiting?
Yes, Golden is absolutely worth visiting! Golden, CO is a vibrant mountain town located just 20 minutes outside of Denver. It’s a great destination for family vacations, outdoor adventure seekers, and history buffs. There’s so much to do here, you’ll probably have to plan multiple trips to experience it all!
Golden has possibly every outdoor activity you could possibly think of - hiking trails, mountain biking, rock climbing, and even whitewater kayaking. Keep your eyes to the sky and you might see a parasailer or two.
If you’re a first time visitor, I’d recommend stopping at the Visitor Center where you can find helpful information from the front desk to make the most of your trip. Make sure you ask for a Golden Ticket before you leave, a brochure with dining coupons for various restaurants in town. You can also go on guided tours which is another great way to uncover the history of Golden if you’re new in town.
What To Do In Golden, Colorado
1. Tube Clear Creek
This is one of Golden’s most popular attractions that draws in thousands of visitors every summer.
Trust me, there’s nothing more refreshing on a hot summers day in Colorado than floating down an ice cold river, which starts in Clear Creek Canyon and stops in downtown Golden.
The end point is conveniently located next to the Golden Mill, so you can gran a beer or a bit to eat.
Want to experience this for yourself? Here’s everything you need to know.
2. Enjoy Live Music
There’s always live entertainment happening in downtown Golden - it’s what makes this old western town come to life.
If you’re wanting to experience the vibrant nightlife Golden has to offer check out these venues to find some live music.
3. Drive to Lookout Mountain
This is what a fun, cheap date night looks like in Colorado.
Lookout Mountain is located just west of downtown Golden and is accessed via the Lariat Loop Rd. scenic byway.
Order takeout from your favorite Golden restaurant, park the car at one of the lookout spots, and enjoy some delicious dinner overlooking the tiny town of Golden and the capital city, Denver.
Find out all the details here. Keep in mind that the road closes at 7:00PM, so you need to exit before then.
4. Go on the Coors Factory Tour
Do you love beer and want to learn more about the brewing and distribution process? Well if you’re in Golden, you’re in the right place.
The Coors factory has called Golden, CO home since 1873 where the company was founded and it continues to produce the beloved Rocky Mountain beer to this day.
Check out their website here to sign up for the factory tour.
5. Get a Photo in Front of the Welcome Sign
You can’t visit Golden without stopping at the most photographed part of the city - the iconic welcome sign.
6. Grab Some Coffee
The coffee scene in Golden, CO is thriving. There’s practically a coffee shop or cafe on every corner!
I created a coffee shop guide to help you navigate the coffee scene and find exactly what you’re looking for.
7. Go Mountain Biking
You don’t have to leave the town of Golden to go biking - there are so many trails just steps away from the city.
North Table Mountain, South Table Mountain, and Apex Park are the most popular mountain biking trails in the area.
There are some great paved trails in the area, like the Peaks to Plains trail, if mountain biking isn’t your thing.
Don’t have a bike? You can rent from the Golden Bike Shop or Adventure West.
8. Visit a Museum
If you’re visiting during the winter months or on a rare rainy day, going to one of Golden’s many museums is the perfect activity.
Golden has a rich history and there are so many things to learn at each of these museums.
American Mountaineering Museum
Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave.
Boettcher Mansion.
Colorado Railroad Museum.
Golden History Museum & Park.
Mines Museum of Earth Science.
Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum.
9. Take a Hike
Pictured above is one of the most popular hikes in Golden, - Castle Rock (South Table Mountain) via the Lubahn or Olivine trail. Learn all about this hike here.
There are too many other hiking trails to list on this page, so I’d recommend starting with the lists I created below.
Easy Winter Hikes Along Colorado’s Front Range
10. Attend One of Golden’s Many Seasonal Events
Golden holds so many fun annual events every year.
Some of my favorite events are Goldens in Golden and Howd-E Days.
Here are some other annual events to plan your visit around.
Buffalo Bill Days
Arts Week Golden
Golden Fine Arts Festival
Olde Golden Candlelight Walk
Check out the Visit Golden website to see an update list of events and festivals.
11. Go Rock Climbing
If you haven’t caught on yet, Golden is the ultimate destination for all outdoor sports and activities, including rock climbing.
Clear Creek Canyon and North Table Mountain are some of the most popular rock climbing spots in the area.
Looking for a rock climbing guide? I’ve booked with The Front Range Climbing Company in the past, and would recommend them to anyone else looking for a guided rock climbing experience.
You can also find a guide at Golden Mountain Guides.
12. Check out a Brewery
Beer is just part of the culture in Golden, particularly because of its history with Coors.
But there’s more than just the Coors factory, make sure you visit at least one of these breweries in Golden:
13. Hang Out at Lions Park
Lions Park is the place to be on the weekend, it’s where all the locals go to play pickleball, volleyball, and spike ball.
They also have a handful of picnic tables and a playground making it a great location for picnics for families with children.
It’s also conveniently located next to Clear Creek for those interested in the water activities like swimming, kayaking, and river tubing.
14. Shop on Main Street (Washington Ave.)
Make sure you set aside time to stroll up and down Washington Avenue in downtown Golden.
Gift shops, jewelry stores boutiques, outdoor stores - downtown Golden has it all!
Some of my favorite shops are Vital Outdoors, Golden Goods, Olde Barrel Tea Company, Bjorns Colorado Honey, and Toad and Co.
15. Visit the Farmers Market
This is my absolute favorite thing to do in Golder during the summer.
Golden holds a weekly farmers market every Saturday next to the library from June to October.
It’s the perfect place to stock up on fresh veggies and local, artisan goods.
16. Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Did you know that Golden, CO has it’s own state park? That’s right! The Golden Gate Canyon State Park is just 25 minutes away from downtown.
The park offers 35 miles of trails and is a popular destination for hikers, bikers, climbers, and campers.
This park is beautiful and portrays the more wild side of Golden that’s tucked away in the mountains.
Visit Colorado Parks and Wildlife to learn more. It’s definitely worth the drive.
17. Look for Dinosaurs
Did you know there are multiple places in Golden where you can see dinosaur tracks?
First is at Dinosaur Ridge which you can hike up or take a guided bus tour and skip the walking.
The second place is at the Triceratops Trail located directly next to the Colorado School of Mines.
18. Watch the Sunset from South Table Mountain
There truly is something special about watching the sun set behind the mountains, and Golden is the perfect location.
Due to it’s proximity to the Front Range, you can catch spectacular sunsets every night from either South Table Mountain or North Table Mountain.
Both locations provide the elevation for great views and the limited tree coverage prevents view obstruction.
Both Castle Rock and Lichen Peak are great places to watch the sunset in Golden.
19. Eat Ice Cream from Golden Sweets
Who doesn’t love a sweet treat? Golden has something for everyone at Golden Sweets - chocolate, candy and, of course, ice cream.
It’s the perfect snack on a hot summer day.
There’s also frozen yogurt at Goozell if that’s more up your alley.
20. Drive to Windy Saddle Park
21. See Buffalo at Genesee Park
Genesee Park is a proud home to a bison herd that you can view from the park or just off of the highway.
The first spot you can see them is the Bison Overlook just off of exit 254 from I-70 (I-70 Exit 254, Golden, CO 80401).
You can also drive into Genesee Park to the Beaver Brook Trail parking lot and it’s just a short walk to the second look out point (Beaver Brook Connector, Golden, CO 80401).
The park itself is beautiful and a great place for a short hike or a picnic if you’d like to stay a while.
Bonus Hidden Gem
22. Highway 93 Pull Off
Check out this spot all the locals love during your next visit to Golden.
It’s a small lookout spot along Highway 93 halfway between Golden and Boulder perfect for watching the sun set behind the mountains. It’s just under 20 minutes from downtown Golden.
Here is the address: 2511-2923 S Foothills Hwy, Boulder, CO 80303 (titled Lookout Near Highway on Google Maps)
If you’re driving from Golden, making the left into the parking lot can be tricky, so to be safe I drive past the spot and make a U-turn at the next intersection with a light.
It adds a little bit of time, but I’d recommend doing the same because it’s a lot safer.
