23 Fun & Unique Things to Do in Golden, CO

👉 Jump to: Best Things | Museums & Cultural Attractions | Food & Drink | Hidden Gems | Outdoor Attractions

Looking for the best things to do in Golden? I put together this guide to help you discover the best attractions, sites, museums, and activities in Golden.

Though just minutes from Denver, Golden provides a different sort of Colorado experience. Downtown Golden is full of Wild West history, and you’ll find plenty of year-round outdoor recreation nearby. 

This guide covers a variety of interests, along with popular Golden attractions and hidden gems — literally! If you’re staying overnight, you might also like my guide to the places to stay in Golden.

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23 Best Things to Do in Golden

Downtown Golden

Wander a Wild West town and find some great souvenirs.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Wild West Walking Tour of Golden

Walk under the arch reading “Howdy, Folks! Welcome to Golden” and you’ll feel like you’ve moseyed onto the frontier. Western storefronts and statues of cowboys and fishermen add charm to one of Colorado’s best mountain towns. 

Along Washington Avenue, you’ll find gift shops, restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops. You can also spot a large mural, plus a few bronze sculptures that commemorate the town’s past. Or you can book this Wild West walking tour, where a local will regale you with history and fun tales about the area.

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

Visit a uniquely Colorado amphitheater.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 865-2494 | Red Rocks Park Website | Entrance: Free to visit, concert prices vary

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is just a 15-minute drive from downtown Golden, so it’s easy to work into your itinerary. It’s one of the best things to do in Denver and is completely free to visit! You can also explore the Red Rocks Visitor Center to learn more about the park. 

Lookout Mountain Nature Center & Preserve

Learn about local wildlife inside the Nature Center and outside on the trail.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 497-7600 | Lookout Mountain Website | Nature Center Hours: 11 am – 4 pm Fri – Sun, Closed Mon – Thurs | Preserve Hours: One hour before sunrise – one hour after sunset daily | Entrance: free

The Lookout Mountain Nature Center and Preserve is a great spot for kids and adults both! The exhibits in the center are fun, and many of them are hands-on, so kids can explore. The trail near the center is also family-friendly and is one of the best hikes close to Denver. 

Boettcher Mansion, which is more than a century old, is next to the nature center. If it’s not being used for a private event, you can also tour this building.

Golden Museums & Cultural Attractions

Colorado Railroad Museum

Learn about Colorado’s vital railroad history and see the trains that made it happen.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 279-4591 | Colorado Railroad Museum Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Tues – Sun, Closed Mon | Entrance: $10 adults, $5 under 18

The Colorado Railroad Museum is one of the greatest things to do in Golden with kids — or with anyone who loves trains! After enjoying hands-on activities in the museum, head to the railyard for a short ride on one of the passenger cars. 

Golden History Museum

Learn about the people and industries that shaped Golden.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 278-3557 | Golden History Museum Website | Hours: 10 am – 4:30 pm Tues – Sat, Closed Sun – Mon | Entrance: free

The Golden History Museum shares some of the 15,000 historic artifacts that the city owns. You can see how families of the past lived in Golden, experiment with engineering principles that help with mining, and more. Several hands-on exhibits and planned programs are especially great for kids. 

Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave

Learn about the life and times of this buffalo hunter and Wild West showman.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 865-2160 | Buffalo Bill Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $5 adults, $1 under 16, free under 5

William Frederick Cody, also known as Buffalo Bill, is synonymous with the Old West. He was a Union soldier in the Civil War, an Army scout afterward, and later performed Wild West shows all over the world. This gave people in far-flung lands a definite impression of American cowboys — however distorted it might be. 

You can visit the Buffalo Bill grave and the museum on Lookout Mountain. It features show outfits, Native American objects, guns, and other items that factored into his life.  

Food & Drink in Golden

Coors Brewery

Taste the beer that’s synonymous with Golden.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 277-2337 | Coors Brewery Website | Tour Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Thurs – Mon, Closed Tues & Wed | Entrance: Sample-Only from $10, Tours from $20 | 👉 Browse Brewery Tours on Viator

The Coors Brewery tour is one of the most popular things to do in Golden! A 30-minute tour shares the history of one of the most famous breweries close to Denver, and in Colorado as a whole. 

You’ll also see vintage photos and memorabilia, and learn how the beer is brewed and packaged today. At the end, you can visit the tasting room to try some of the company’s most popular brews. 

D’Deli

Grab some fuel for the day at this delicious deli.

📍 Google Maps | D’Deli Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm daily

At this Washington Ave. deli, order a classic sandwich like the Golden Club, or try something adventurous like the Buffalo Reuben. My suggestion? Get your meal to go, wander down to the bridge over Clear Creek, and sit at the tables to enjoy your meal al fresco. And if you’ll be near Denver, also check out our guide to the best Denver area restaurants!

Mountain Toad Brewing

End a day of outdoor fun at this local craft brewery known for its flavorful beers, rotating food trucks, and dog-friendly patio. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 638-3244 | Website | Hours: 12 – 10 pm Mon–Thu, 11 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat, 11 am – 9 pm Sun

Mountain Toad Brewing is one of my go-to spots in downtown Golden. This laid-back brewery bustles with locals, many of whom just wrapped up a day playing in the mountains. Come as you are — helmet hair, snow pants, and all. 

The interior of Mountain Toad Brewing is covered in vibrant art, while the outdoor patio is filled with pups. There’s also often a food truck posted up outside, serving a rotating selection of pizza, tacos, gyros, and more. All pair well with the beer selection, which includes its blueberry Kölsch, a series of IPAs, and other in-house favorites. 

– Abigail 

Old Barrel Tea Company

Shop for tea and other charming treasures.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 328-5441 | Old Barrel Tea Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Sun-Thu; 10 am – 7 pm Fri & Sat

This tea shop along Washington Ave. has a variety of teas and tisanes to promote health and well-being. It’s one of my favorite Denver tea houses! The shop also has all the accouterments you need for making and serving tea, from teapots and spoons to infusers and more.

Buffalo Rose

Enjoy a meal, cocktails, and live music at this popular Golden saloon.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 638-5597 | Buffalo Rose Website | Hours: 11 am – 10 pm Mon – Thurs, 11 am – 12 am Fri, 10 am – 12 am Sat, 10 am – 10 pm Sun

The Buffalo Rose has adventurous cocktails, a great beer and wine list, and plenty of hearty options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also have live music most weekends to round out the experience. 

Golden City Brewery

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 279-8092 | Golden City Brewery Website | Hours: 11 am – 8 pm Sun-Thu, 11 am – 9 pm Fri – Sat

In the early 1990s, two geologists established Golden City Brewery inside of their home. Although it’s expanded today, the family-owned brewery still serves up German-style ales in the same spot. It’s majority female-owned and is home to the first female Head Brewer in Colorado. 

Hidden Gems

Mines Museum of Earth Science

Explore 15,000 feet of sparkling gemstones, minerals, and fossils.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 273-3815 | Mines Museum Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Mon – Sat, 1 – 4 pm Sun | Entrance: free 

It’s no surprise that the museum at the Colorado School of Mines features an amazing display of fossils, rocks, and minerals. You can see the Miss Colorado Crown, which has more than 600 gemstones. There’s also a recreated mining tunnel to walk through as part of your experience.

Lariat Loop

Take a scenic drive through the foothills.

📍 Google Maps | Lariat Loop Website

The Lariat Loop Scenic Byway is one of the best Colorado road trips. It’s beautiful year-round, but my favorite time to drive it is in the fall! You’ll pass through downtown Golden, several parks with lots of open space and hiking trails, and see the bison at Genesee Park. If you have extra time, try some of the many fun things to do in Evergreen as you finish the drive. 

Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum

Explore a practical, beautiful American art form.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 277-0377 | Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Mon – Sat, 11 am – 4 pm Sun | Entrance: $12 adults, $6 students and children under 13, free under 6

At the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, you can trace the history of quilting. Admire practical blankets from the 1800s and interesting, impressive contemporary quilts of today. If you’re really into quilting, the on-site library has more than 7,500 books and research documents. The museum also offers sewing camps, special exhibits, and other unique events. 

Foothills Art Center

See local artist displays or pop in for a class.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 279-3922 | Foothills Art Center Website | Entrance: free

The Foothills Art Center showcases local artists, including art from local schools. You can tour to see the artwork, or sign up for one of the many classes to create your own masterpiece! See the museum’s calendar for upcoming events. 

Outdoor Attractions in Golden

Clear Creek Trail

Enjoy sculptures and views of the creek and surrounding mountains.

📍 Google Maps | Clear Creek Trail Website

Clear Creek Trail wanders the creek and provides beautiful views of the area. It’s a popular spot to walk dogs, and there are several statues and sculptures to see. During the holidays, the trail segment near town is beautifully lit with Christmas lights.

A slide near Washington Ave. is fun for kids, and there is another playground if you walk further west. Park at the Visitor Center and you can begin the trail there.

Golden History Park

Visit early 1900s buildings and see how ranchers lived.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 278-3557 | Golden History Park Website | Hours: 10 am – 4:30 pm Tues – Sat, closed Sun & Mon | Entrance: free

Golden History Park was previously called the Clear Creek History Park. It has many buildings originally from Pearce Ranch in Golden Gate Canyon. You’ll see cabins, a barn, a chicken coop, and the 1876 Guy Hill schoolhouse. 

Bring quarters for chicken feed, or just watch them hop around the coop. The buildings are also open for occasions like the Homestead Open House in the summer. 

Clear Creek Canyon 

Rock climb among novices and experts in a scenic canyon that features over a thousand sport, trad, and toprope routes.

📍 Google Maps 

In my opinion, Clear Creek Canyon is the best place for outdoor rock climb near Denver. This expansive region features over a thousand routes, most of which are sport climbs. Though, there are plenty of trad, toprope, and bouldering options as well. 

There’s no cellular service in many parts of Clear Creek Canyon. Climbers often use the canyon’s multiple tunnels as reference points. Tunnel 1 is closest to downtown Golden, and several routes are easily accessible. The above images were taken near Tunnel 5, an area that suits all skill levels. 

– Abigail 

Clear Creek Whitewater Park

Tube, kayak, or paddle along Clear Creek, which runs right through downtown.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 384-8000 | Clear Creek Whitewater Park Website | Hours: Open 24 hrs daily

Golden features a whitewater park that’s a popular summer inner tubing spot. Experienced kayakers and paddleboarders also like to test themselves against the small rapids. 

Several local companies rent tubes you can use on this section of Clear Creek. However, be sure to check local warnings, as the creek can be high and fast-running at times. 

🚣‍♀️ Love Water Sports? Book a whitewater rafting tour, one of the best things to do in nearby Idaho Springs! 

Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Go hiking and mountain biking on tree-lined trails.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 582-3707 | Golden Gate Canyon State Park Website | Hours: 5 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: $12 per vehicle

Golden Gate Canyon State Park is one of the best state parks in Colorado. It features mountain biking and hiking trails through the foothills. There’s also fishing, horseback riding, and hunting in the park, and it’s one of the best places for camping near Denver. The park is breathtaking, especially in the fall when the aspens turn a striking yellow. 

North Table Mountain Park

Hike or climb the striking red rocks.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 980-7300 | North Table Mountain Park Website | Entrance: free | 👉 Browse Climbing Tours on Viator

North Table Mountain Park has more than 15 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, and it links to other trails for even longer rides. Rock climbing is popular at the park as well, and several routes are great for beginners. 

Windy Saddle Park

Connect to Lookout Mountain hiking trails, mountain bike, and even hang glide at this park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 271-5925 | Windy Saddle Park Website | Hours: One hour before sunrise – one hour after sunset daily 

Windy Saddle Park is a popular spot for hang gliders, who soar over southern Jefferson County from this perch. Chimney Gulch Trail is a good spot for mountain bikers, and hikers can connect to Beaver Brook Trail and more. 

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Hopefully, this article has given you plenty of ideas for things to do in Golden! It’s the perfect Denver day trip and one of the best places to visit in Colorado. Leave me a comment to let me know what do you plan to do when you visit!