Nestled among the foothills just 20 minutes west of Denver is the old mining community of Golden. The town is probably best known for the Coors Beer Brewery that has been in business for over 100 years and has expanded to fill the valley east of downtown. Visitors are welcome to tour the brewery and sample the variety of beer Coors offers.
But there is much more to Golden than this famous brewery. Golden was first a mining town and the gateway to rough trails that lead miners, businessmen, fortune seekers and even families up the mountains to places like Idaho Springs, Central City, Blackhawk and Georgetown. Buffalo Bill spent time here and is buried above the town on Lookout Mountain. The main street still has many of the original buildings now being used as restaurants, bars and shops. There are 9 museums including the first quilt museum and an old west pioneer museum where visitors can get a good look at what life was like in the 1800's.
There is much to see and do in this quaint town. Whether your interest is in the historical sites or you want a good game of golf, it's all here. The new Fossil Trace Golf Course is unique in that scattered along the course are huge sandstone pillars imbedded with fossils of palm fronds and triceratops footprints. There are also several pieces of old clay mining equipment left from days gone by. The course is first class with challenges for every level of player. The restaurant, bar and ballroom offers guests breakfast and lunch fare, refreshing drinks and facilities for business or parties.
Fossil Trace also has a family water park that is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day each summer. The park includes water slides, pools, playgrounds, refreshments and the scenic views of the Golden area.
There is a small R.V. park along Clear Creek that is open year round and is equipped with showers, laundry and dump facilities. The park is within walking distance of downtown Golden.
Lookout Mountain is a favorite for not only visitors, but locals as well. The winding switch back road gives a breathtaking view of the Denver area and on a clear day it seems you can see clear to Kansas and at night the lights of Denver and all the surrounding areas lights up the prairie like a Christmas display. At the top of the mountain is Buffalo Bill's grave and museum. There are also places to eat along the way down the other side of the hill on the way to I-70 and Evergreen.
From Golden you can also take the "tunnel road" up the canyon to Central City and Blackhawk where gambling casinos, hotels and entertainment goes on year round and late into the night. Idaho Springs is also on the way up the canyon and this old mining town offers gift shops, dining, museums and an old hotel and hot springs to relax in.
Hungry? There is a place for every taste and pocketbook in Golden. From the standard fast food burger places to fine European dining, it's all within a compact area. The Briarwood is an upscale, fine dining experience for those looking for the European atmosphere, and reservations are required. The Ali Baba features Mideastern fare while Anthony's offers great Italian food. The Golden Hotel's Bridgewater Restaurant offers steak, seafood and Colorado wild game for those who want to experience something different. For a fun time visit the Blue Canyon Bar and Grill where you can enjoy happy hour, Karaoke and Poker Nights along with your burgers. You will also want to stop by the Buffalo Rose Bar, said to be the oldest tavern in Colorado, built in 1858. They feature live music.
A short drive south of Golden will bring visitors to Heritage Square for an afternoon of family fun. There are rides for the little kids, fun and different gift shops to explore, nice places to eat, ice cream parlors and the Alpine Slide which takes riders on a thrilling trip down the mountain. The ride consists of a chairlift ride to the top of the hill overlooking Heritage Square and Denver in the distance. At the top riders get into a toboggan on wheels where they will traverse down a concrete "U" shaped track much like the snow version toboggans follow. There are brakes on these vehicles so riders can control how fast they reach the bottom. Another place to not be missed at Heritage Square is the Opera House and the great shows they put on. You can come for dinner and drinks before the show, or just come for the performance. The shows are "family" oriented so even the kids will have fun. The plays are original and written by the performers, some who have been here for more than 20 years. They are comedies and range from melodramas to homemade versions of Dickens Christmas Carol. They are musical, spontaneous and interactive with the audience.