Location: Golden
Top Things to do in Golden
What to do and see in Golden, Colorado (CO): The Best Things to do
Golden is the Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Golden lies along Clear Creek at the base of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush on June 16, 1859, the mining camp was originally named Golden City in honor of Thomas L. Golden. Golden City served as the capital of the provisional Territory of Jefferson from 1860 to 1861, and capital of the official Territory of Colorado from 1862 to 1867. In 1867, the territorial capital was moved about 12 miles (19 km) east to Denver City. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 18,867 in 2010.
Restaurants in Golden
1. Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 289 reviews
This area is particularly good for snowshoers.
Reviewed By MrsButterfield - Denver, United States
If you're going to go here, go very early in the morning, especially on the weekend! It costs $9 for a day pass that you need to pick up upon entry into the park. They have plenty of hikes for all ski levels as well as ponds to go fishing. Make sure you bring a water bottle for hot days and always bring a rain jacket.
2. Lookout Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 874 reviews
Scenic mountain near Denver and home of the Buffalo Bill Cody gravesite and museum.
Reviewed By Peter_A_Morrell - Unionville, Canada
What a great idea to take a drive up the mountain to Lookout Mountain Park. During a trip to Golden, Colorado earlier this year I had a rare afternoon off and decided to check it out. Besides the amazing views, you'll find Buffalo Bills' Grave and Museum, the Pashaka Gift Shop, trails and yes the views. The 'Lookout' itself has a large area where you can see Denver and Golden and on a clear day, you can see miles and miles out to the surrounding areas and mountains. Be careful driving up the mountain and as I saw a couple of wrecks and abandoned cars along the way. The morning was overcast so many parts of the mountain round were still covered in ice, from the sides of the mountain that didn't get any sun in the morning. It was winter and the weather can change at any time like any other snow-covered mountain. Take your time driving the road. There is a couple of pull-offs on the road up to Lookout Mountain if you have to stop. As you get closer to the parking area, there are signs to clearly identify where you are and where to park. The same parking lot for the 'Lookout' is the same parking lot for Buffalo Bill's Grave, the Museum, the gift shop and the Lookout area. In the winter most of the trails are covered in snow and not accessible, I did see a few people coming from the trails. You will also see several TV and radio towers nearby. Luckily it was a clear day, and sunny when I arrived. I checked out all the sites and walked the perimeter of the lookout and spent a good amount of time there looking at the surrounding area. It is serene and picturesque so bring a good camera, if you have one. With everything to do up there even on a wintery day, you could spend a few hours up there. The Lookout Mountain is a great way to spend an afternoon. If you're ever in Golden put this on your list of things to do, you will not be disappointed.
3. Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 288 reviews
Reviewed By lindabB2983WR - Golden, United States
It is well displayed and with good notations about the collection. Entry is free. Golden is a charming, interesting town, with an art center, a history museum, and Coors Brewery, plus nice restaurants.
4. Mother Cabrini Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Reviewed By mizzrosie31 - Colorado Springs, United States
A beautiful experience, soul touching. me and my husband decided last minute to travel here, we climed the 300+ steps to the shrine and each step was a learning and spiritual experience, we walked through the rosary garden, saying each prayer and attended mass. everything was beautiful and graceful.
5. Lariat Loop National Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By mhumbert2018 - Easley, United States
This is a very beautiful way to see the Rocky Mountains! Totally worth the time!! The snowy mountain scenery was amazing!!
6. Clear Creek Whitewater Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By 929susana
What an excellent adventure. The guide Tails was awesome and the river was a blast. 5 Stars to this company.
7. Buffalo Bill Grave and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,193 reviews
Gravesite and museum dedicated to the life and times of Buffalo Bill Cody.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The history of the American West was written in a thousand mining camps and in the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains by explorers, mountain men, Native Americans, miners, soldiers and cowboys. But it's hard to think of anyone who is more associated with the Old West than William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the legendary fur trapper, gold miner, Pony Express rider, Army scout, hunter and international showman whose "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" show was the hit attraction of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebration in England in 1887. Cody died in 1917 at the age of 17 while visiting his sister in Denver. According to his wife, it was her husband's choice that he be buried on Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado, overlooking Denver and the Plains. On June 3, 1917, before a crowd of 20,000 mourners, Cody was buried on Lookout Mountain, a promontory with spectacular views of the mountains and plains, places where Cody had spent the happiest times of his life. In 1921, after Cody's wife was buried next to her husband, the Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum was begun by Johnny Baker, a longtime close friend and unofficial foster son to Buffalo Bill. Today, the museum and grave site are among the top visitor attractions in Denver and Colorado. The artifacts in the museum are items Cody collected over the years and had gathered from the many friends who had performed with him in the Wild West show. The museum features over 3,000 square feet of exhibit space focusing on Buffalo Bill's life, times and legacy. An introductory video provides an overview of Cody and a history of the museum and park. Among the rare artifacts on display is the Stetson hat worn by Buffalo Bill at the last performance before his death, a peace pipe that belonged to Sitting Bull, firearms that belonged to Buffalo Bill and the head of the last buffalo shot by Buffalo Bill. Visitors also can hear early recordings of Buffalo Bill's voice introducing the Wild West show and the "Buffalo Bill Farewell March" played during the 1912 performance season. Whether you have visited the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, or not, a visit to the Buffalo Bill Grave and Museum is a must.
8. Coors Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,838 reviews
The world's largest single-site brewery offers guided tours and beer-tasting.
Reviewed By Keyrat04 - Houston, United States
My husband is a Colorado native but he has never brought me here! We had a great time, beginning with the free parking, free shuttle, little tour of Golden, then to the brewery where you take a self guided tour with a hand held recorder at your own pace. The brewery is clean, big, open and FUN. The staff is very friendly and the bonus is the free samples in their bar area! Admission is $5 for locals and $10 for out of state residents. Well worth it! Oh, and you get a free Coors glass at the end! Well done!
9. Colorado Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 569 reviews
All Aboard for one of Denver’s Top 10 Attractions! We're open, with updated health and safety protocols in place at our primarily outdoor site. Featuring a 15-acre railyard with dozens of historic locomotives, passenger and freight cars on display, plus train rides Saturdays (January-October) with expanded operations May-August and during seasonal special events. Changing exhibits, tours and school programs throughout the year explore Colorado’s rich railroad heritage. Especially popular are Day Out With Thomas (September) and Polar Express Train Ride (November-December). Visit our website for admission, hours, group rates, events and more information!
Reviewed By BethG788 - Denver, United States
We went trick or treating at the Colorado train museum and it was a blast! We got to ride their steam engine twice and also got candy! We love this museum so much we became members and are going nearly every month. Their events are wonderful and I would recommend this place!
10. Lookout Mountain Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 99 reviews
Connect with nature at this 110-acre park. Inside experience exhibits that depict migrating birds and reveal secrets of the ponderosa pine forest. Visit the Discovery Corner and Observation Room. Outside stroll trails winding through forest and meadow, picnic beneath towering pine trees or join a naturalist-guided program.
