10 Best Things to Do in Golden, Colorado: Your Ultimate Guide
Golden, Colorado, is a small town with a lot of western-style charm, plenty of outdoor activities, and some good food!
It is just a short 25-minute drive from Denver, making it an easy day trip.
Whether you’re here for just a few hours (like I was) or planning a full day or weekend trip, Golden is a great area to explore. I really loved it there!
I have created this detailed guide of things to do in Golden, Colorado to help you plan your perfect itinerary.
We spent a few hours in Golden after landing in Denver before heading to Colorado Springs, and it was the perfect way to kick off our trip!
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10 Best Things to Do in Golden, Colorado
I had a great time in Golden, Colorado during my trip to Colorado this past August!
In this post, I have put together a list of the best things to do in Golden to help you plan your visit.
I have also included a Google Maps below with all the places mentioned in this post.
If you’re flying into Denver International Airport, I recommend renting a car to drive to Golden – this is what I did. I always use Expedia to find the best rental car deals!
1. Grab Coffee at a Local Coffee Shop
No trip to a new city is complete for me without trying out a local coffee shop!
It is one of my favorite things to do when I am visiting a new place.
Here are a few great coffee shops in Golden I recommend:
- Humble House Cafe – This is where I went during my trip! They offer a great selection of unique specialty and seasonal drinks. I really enjoyed their Honduran Latte, which is a honey latte with cinnamon and sugar infused espresso.
- Higher Grounds Cafe – A perfect spot to grab a cup of coffee and relax. It has a nice laid-back vibe!
- Cafe 13 – If you’re craving breakfast or lunch to pair with your coffee, Cafe 13 is a great option. They make their food from scratch in-house, so you know it will be delicious.
2. Enjoy Food at a Local Spot
Golden is a small town but still has a great food scene with a variety of options to choose from depending on your tastes.
Here are places to eat in Golden that I recommend:
- D’Deli – I loved this place! A good sandwich always hits the spot, and they have so many options to choose from. I had the Bellanini vegetarian sandwich, and it was so fresh and delicious.
- Bonfire Burritos – If you’re in the mood for a filling burrito, Bonfire Burritos is the place to go.
- Bob’s Atomic Burgers – A great spot if you’re craving a delicious burger. They even have veggie burgers and black bean burgers if you’re vegetarian or vegan.
- Sherpa House Restaurant – For something different, check out Sherpa House for delicious Himalayan food.
3. Walk Along the Trails
Golden is surrounded by some beautiful outdoor spaces, making it easy to get outside for a hike or just a nice scenic walk.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing walk or a longer, challenging hike, there are several trails to choose from in Golden.
Here a few hiking trails in Golden I recommend:
- Clear Creek, Grant Ferry Trails Loop – This 2.8-mile loop is an easy, scenic walk along Clear Creek. It is perfect for a leisurely walk or bike ride and offers nice views of the creek and surrounding mountains. This is the trail we walked during our visit, and it was the perfect way to stretch our legs after our flight.
- Olivine Trail Loop – A 1.5-mile loop in South Table Mountain Park. It is a moderate trail but still fairly easy and less crowded than the Clear Creek Loop.
- North Table Mountain Outer Rim Loop – If you’re looking for a more challenging and longer hike, I recommend going to North Table Mountain Park. The 7.3-mile loop trail takes you to the top of North Table Mountain, where you will get some beautiful views of Golden and the surrounding area. I would budget this to take you around 3.5 to 4 hours to complete. Do be aware that there are usually quite a lot of bikers on this trail.
4. Go Tubing at Clear Creek
During the summer, tubing down Clear Creek is one of the most popular things to do in Golden!
I really wish we could have done this, but we forgot to pack swimsuits.
You can rent tubes from Adventure West.
It is a fun way to spend a few hours, especially on a warm, sunny day!
We visited towards the end of August and saw plenty of people doing this when we were walking along the Clear Creek trail.
5. Join a Walking Tour
Walking tours are a fun way to explore a new city and learn about its history from a local guide!
This Wild West Walking Tour has great reviews, and you get to hear some interesting “wild west” stories from the knowledgeable guide.
Here is the link below to book the tour if you’re interested!
6. Visit the Coors Brewery
Golden is home to one of the largest breweries in the world, the Coors Brewery.
It is an iconic part of the town, and a tour here is a must if you are into beer or are just curious to learn how one of the most famous breweries operates.
The Coors Brewery Tour lasts about one hour and includes three beer samples of your choice.
7. Visit Lookout Mountain
For some of the best views in the area, head up to Lookout Mountain.
The drive is easy, and once you reach the top, you will have great views of Golden, Denver, and the surrounding mountains.
If you want more of a challenge, you can hike to the top on the Windy Saddle Lookout Mountain Trail, a 3-mile out-and-back trail.
Biking is another option which you can read more about here.
You can rent mountain bikes or gravel bikes from Golden Bike Shop.
If you’re wanting an e-bike, you can rent those from Adventure West.
8. Check Out the Colorado Railroad Museum
I will be honest, I am not really a museum person, but I know a lot of people are, so I wanted to include one!
If you are into trains or history, the Colorado Railroad Museum is worth checking out!
They have a collection of vintage locomotives and interactive exhibits that showcase Colorado’s railroad history.
It is a great family activity if you’re visiting with kids!
9. Enjoy Golden’s Craft Breweries
Golden is home to more than just Coors Brewery!
If you’re into craft beer, I recommend checking out these local breweries in Golden:
- Mountain Toad Brewing – A cool local brewery with a nice outdoor seating area. They have rotating food trucks as well.
- Golden City Brewery – One of the original craft breweries in Golden and the second largest in town.
- Cannonball Creek Brewing Co. – A great choice if you’re looking for a dog-friendly outdoor patio.
10. Take a Scenic Drive on the Lariat Loop
The Lariat Loop is a 40-mile scenic drive that connects three towns: Golden, Evergreen, and Morrison.
It’s an easy drive with great views and plenty of spots to pull over for photos.
There’s no official starting point, but I would recommend starting in Golden.
I would recommend grabbing coffee and some lunch before heading out so you can enjoy the drive without having to stop for food along the way!
I would budget around three hours for the loop, depending on how many stops you make and how much time you spend exploring the towns.
I recommend getting gas in Golden before you go since gas stations are limited on the loop.
Before you head out on your drive, stop by the Golden Visitors Center in downtown Golden to grab a Lariat Loop brochure and map.
It offers suggested routes and recommends stops to make along the way!
Conclusion
Golden is a great place to spend a few hours or a full day, whether you’re into hiking, good food, or just exploring a cool small town!
It is only a 25-minute drive from Denver, making it an easy day trip.
I really enjoyed my time in Golden! It is a fun laid-back town that is definitely worth a visit.
I hope this guide on the best things to do in Golden, Colorado can help you plan your own trip!
Where to Stay in Golden, Colorado
If you’re spending a night or two in Golden, here are my recommendations for places to stay:
- Table Mountain Inn – Southwestern-style inn and a central location in Golden
- The Golden Hotel – Nice hotel located in the heart of Golden
- The Eddy Taproom & Hotel – Modern hotel with an on-site taproom
Check out this interactive map below for more accommodation options in Golden!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Worth Visiting Golden, Colorado?
Yes, it is definitely worth your time to visit Golden, especially if you’re staying in the Denver area.
I visited Golden for a few hours after landing in Denver before making the 1.5 hour drive to Colorado Springs, and I am so glad I did!
I spent my time there walking along Clear Creek, grabbing an iced latte from Humble House Cafe, and getting a delicious sandwich from D’Deli.
It is only a 25-minute drive from Denver, making it an easy and worthwhile day trip.
How Do I Spend a Day in Golden, Colorado?
If you only have one day in Golden, here is how I would spend it:
- Morning: Start with coffee and breakfast at Humble House Cafe, then take a walk along Clear Creek Trail.
- Midday: Have lunch at D’Deli, then visit the Coors Brewery or drive up Lookout Mountain for great views.
- Afternoon: Hike North Table Mountain or explore the shops in downtown Golden.
- Evening: End your day at one of Golden’s local breweries like Mountain Toad Brewing!
Check out my other blog posts about Colorado below!
