Located a short drive from Denver, and on the doorstep of the CO mountains, Golden is a quaint city with a vibrant downtown and easy access to excellent hiking and other nature activities.
Perfect Weekend in Golden, CO
Day 1- Arrival from Denver or Elsewhere.
Depending on when your hotel allows check-in, there are a few low key activities you can do on your way into town. If you’re a history buff, or enjoy spectacular views, the Lariat Loop offers spectacular views of Denver and the surrounding mountains. At the top you can visit Buffalo Bill’s Grave and a museum dedicated to him and his contributions to the American West.
Lookout Mountain: Excellent vantage point for scenic views of Denver and the surrounding mountains. It is a short walk to Buffalo Bill’s grave. The gift shop has the tourist trinkets you’d expect. Don’t skip the full Lariat Loop; it is a beautiful drive and worth the effort.
Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave: You don’t know nearly enough about Buffalo Bill and his legacy. While the walk to the grave is short, there are informational plaques along the way and at the top that are worth your attention. Touring the museum is worth the time for any fan of the American West or just wanting to learn more about our historical figures. You won’t be disappointed by spending a few minutes strolling the exhibits and reading about Buffalo Bill’s history.
Day 2- Time to Explore!
After a night’s rest, enjoy an excellent breakfast at one of the many downtown eateries and then head out exploring. There are many museums, historical sites, and outdoor activities to keep anyone busy. We prefer to only do 1 or 2 things a day, to keep ourselves busy but not over scheduled. No matter your interests, you’re sure to find something fun to explore in Golden.
Golden History Park: Nestled in downtown Boulder, this section of town gives one the feeling of seclusion and peace while being a short walk from the quaint walking area of downtown Boulder. With plenty of historical buildings and easy to read placards, the walking trails afford a quiet respite from the rest of your day. Located right along the Clear Creek walking path this little gem is worth your visit.
Coors Brewery Tour: Of course, when you are in Golden you have to tour Coors Brewery. We have mixed feelings about this one because, while it was a decent tour and rich with history, the reservation and payment were a bit annoying. I guess when you’re as popular as Coors you can put mechanisms in place to get ever more from your customers. Putting the popularity that led to reservations and paid tours being required, this brewery has a solid history that makes it fun to be a part of. The samples at the end didn’t make it less painful, but they didn’t skimp so we appreciate that! The tour gets a 8/10; the logistics get a 4/10.
Day 3- Time to fit in one more activity.
Depending on you schedule you can take advantage of one of the museums you missed the day before or get a short hike in before leaving town. If you didn’t get an opportunity to use the river walk we highly recommend you spend an hour or so walking along the peaceful trail.
Places to Stay
Eddy Taproom and Hotel: This was a great hotel found through the Amex ‘The Hotel Collection’ program. The rooms were well appointed, minimalist but not barren. The floor coffee bar was a welcome amenity- no need to travel to the lobby for your morning cuppa. It wasn’t Folgers so that was nice, too. We enjoyed the holiday themed decor in the restaurant as well as the craft cocktails. We also enjoyed the free e-bikes to explore the walking path around town. All-in-all an excellent stay and very appreciative for the friendly and helpful staff.
Restaurants
Trailhead Taphouse and Kitchen: Great little joint nearby the downtown and Golden History Park areas. We enjoyed the gluten free menu options as well as the warm hospitality.
Sherpa House Restaurant and Culture Center: This restaurant came highly recommended and we really wanted to enjoy our visit. It was a busy night and we were seated in the back section that is devoid of the traditional decor. It was more like an industrial brewpub vibe, so that was disappointing. Also, being close to the kitchen entrance, there was a constant stream of foot traffic as the staff came and went. The menu was the same as the traditionally decorated section and the food was excellent. The food is rich in flavor, as well as fat and heavy cream so buyer beware. While the overall experience wasn’t bad, it wasn’t what we expected given the hype. So, if you want the advertised experience don’t sit in the overflow section!
Xicamiti La Taqueria Bistro: We needed a quick bite before getting on the road and this place was a solid find. The service was friendly, the margarita well seasoned, and the food well done. A bit pricey, probably being so close to the freeway, but worth the visit.
Wanderlog Guide
If you’d like to see our complete trip, check out our Wanderlog.