Forget Denver And Visit This Underrated Alternative (2024)

A short 30-minute drive west on US-6 from Denver, Colorado will land you in a town you never knew existed, but will quickly become your new favorite destination for a day outside the city. Golden, Colorado is known for its history of having roots in the Colorado Gold Rush in the mid-19th century, but it's best known for being a hub of endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, like biking, hiking (you'll find some of the best hikes in Colorado in and around Golden), fishing, and more.

City dwellers can easily access the various rides, routes, and trails open to explore the rolling hills and surrounding mountain ranges. And let's not forget, according to Oak Ridge National Libratory, Golden is home to the largest single-site brewery in the world...Coors Brewery. Now, that's impressive!

Surprisingly, Golden is quite the underrated (and undercover) Colorado town that feels like Denver but is maybe even better, and for many reasons! As Colorado continues to expand in order to welcome and support the thousands of people who have relocated here, surrounding cities to Denver have quickly adapted to the demand and begun to flourish with diverse offerings on what to do, see, and experience, other than outdoor adventures... even though this is still a fantastic way to get to know the state, and have an abundance of fun.

So if you're flying into Colorado for the weekend, or a local that's looking to get out of town for the day and explore somewhere new, consider adding Golden to your list of where to visit. You won't regret it!

This Historic Town Has The Vibe of A Small Town, Yet Is Only 25 Minutes From Colorado's Capital City

Golden has a rush of unexpected things to do that everyone should experience

Landscapes in South Table Mountain Park, Golden, Colorado

With a growing population of nearly 20,000 people, Golden has quickly become an excellent alternative for those interested in living among the grand mountain landscapes of the Rocky Mountains, while simultaneously being within a short driving distance of the city center and city life.

Sounds like the ideal combo, don't you think? This is exactly what Colorado transplants are looking for: a mix of country and city.

As you may already be aware, historically, Golden was founded during the Colorado Gold Rush and was originally used as a mining town. Hence, the name of the prestigious university located in Golden, the Colorado School of Mines, which was established in 1874. According to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Golden was initially the center of the territory and enacted as the capital city, before it was officially moved to Denver.

If you're interested in exploring Golden while learning about its history, there are multiple museums, tours, and cultural attractions that are not only educational but interesting to see.

Golden History Museum and Park, for example, is a free public space uncovering Golden's past where you can see the city's collection of over 15,000 historical objects. If that isn't enough, the Mines Museum of Earth Science will leave you flabbergasted (astonished) with the historical artifacts you'll find inside.

With its beginnings in 1874, the museum serves as the state's repository for Colorado's mineral heritage. Two very cool things you can also see here are two Goodwill moon rocks collected during the Apollo 17 mission and the Miss Colorado Crown, which has over 600 gemstones! Now, that's sparkly.

Last but not least, when it comes to special historical attractions, there's one particular attraction that is more popular and relevant today than during its initial establishment. If you're a craft beer fan or love spending your weekends at one of the 400 breweries in Colorado (yes, 400), then you'll definitely recognize the name Coors Beer.

Coors Brewery was established in 1873 by Adolph Coors, a German immigrant. Today, visitors can participate in a 30-minute look at the malting, brewing, and packaging process, and also taste a variety of Coors Beer samples. This is certainly a local favorite and a special way to see and experience the long history of Golden.

This Mountain Town Has A Vibrant Culture With A Variety Of Family Fun Offerings

Golden offers the charm of a mountain town with an infusion of activities that'll make any city dweller green with envy

Panoramic view of downtown Golden, Colorado, USA

The newest addition to life in Golden is a familiar favorite to Denverites. Babe's Tea Room offers afternoon tea, bubbly brunches, and sweet summer refreshments that are perfect for a day out with friends and family. It officially opened in June 2024 and is undoubtedly a unique cosmopolitan add-on to the historic feel of downtown Golden.

And if that wasn't enough sweetness for you, if you feel like you're a Parisian at heart, you'll love stepping into Earth Sweet Boutique, a French-inspired boutique that sells a variety of handmade, eco-conscious, and "Farm to Shelf" products made by women-owned companies. Plus, they offer a variety of classes, workshops, and events.

If you're an artist at heart, or your little one is interested in arts and crafts, the Foothills Art Center is filled with lists of classes available for adults and youth throughout the year. For adults, you can enjoy Botanic Printmaking with Gelatin Plates or Fall Scenes, and for your little ones, they can have fun with Underwater Watercolor Creatures or Krafting in the Kitchen.

These are just a few classes offered. If you're interested in exploring local artists and their work, schedule your visit around Artsweek Golden Festival, which runs from June 17th - 23rd. This is a week-long celebration with local and national artists exhibiting their beautiful work. If you're going to spend 24 hours in this Colorado city, this is certainly something to add to your to-do list.

Nearby Adventures And Attractions That Are Known Around The World

Golden may be under the radar, but these nearby adventures attract worldwide attention

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colorado

A quick 20-minute drive outside of Golden gets you to an amphitheater that is recognized unlike any other, literally. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater is known for two things: the epic hiking and the equally epic open-air amphitheater, which seems to be practically carved out of the surrounding sandstone.

Since its official opening in 1941 (seriously, 1941!), Red Rocks quickly became a Colorado landmark that has shaped the world around it. Now, it hosts thousands of artists, bands, DJs, comedians, and various shows and activities throughout the year, which attracts people from around the world, curious and interested in experiencing a one-of-a-kind music venue and amphitheater under the stars.

There are many reasons to visit Red Rocks besides its concerts, and if you're curious to visit the park during the day, you can certainly visit the amphitheater and Red Rocks Park, regardless of whether there's an event to hike through the beauty of the Mars-like landscape.

Last but not least on the Golden to-do list, a must-see that nearly every Colorado native is familiar with is Lookout Mountain, a beautiful scenic route and lookout that has multiple attractions hidden throughout. One of those being Ruby Falls, which holds the tallest underground cave waterfall open to the public in the United States! In order to get there, explorers descend 260 feet by a glass-front elevator and walk the cavern trail directly to the waterfall.

If you're more of a thrill-seeker, consider ziplining on the Ruby Falls High Point Zip Adventure, which also includes a 40-foot-high climbing wall! If you're an adventurer but prefer to take it easy, you can also spend some time overseeing the miles and miles of scenic panoramic beauty from the Lookout Mountain Tower.

There is an exceptional number of interesting activities and things to do in a town that most people forget or have never heard of. Have you ever visited Golden? Tell us what you think in the comments!