• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Museums & Culture
Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave
© Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave

2. Boettcher Mansion ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Museums & Culture
Boettcher Mansion
© Boettcher Mansion

3. Golden History Museum and Park

Category: Activities
Golden History Museum and Park
© Courtesy of eunikas - Fotolia.com

4. Clear Creek White Water Park

Category: Kids & Family
Clear Creek White Water Park
© Courtesy of Marek - Fotolia.com

5. Colorado Railroad Museum

Category: Kids & Family
Colorado Railroad Museum
© Colorado Railroad Museum

6. Coors Brewery

Category: Food & Drink
Coors Brewery
© Courtesy of hiddenhallow - Fotolia.com

7. Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Category: Activities
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
© Thin Air Photography/stock.adobe.com

8. Higher Grounds Cafe

Category: Food & Drink
Higher Grounds Cafe
© Courtesy of Chinara - Fotolia.com

9. State 38 Distilling

State 38 Distilling
© State 38 Distilling

10. Lookout Mountain Nature Center and Preserve

Category: Activities
Lookout Mountain Nature Center and Preserve
© Courtesy of Nikita Shevchenko - Fotolia.com

11. Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum

Category: Activities
Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum
© Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum

12. Spinster Sisters

Spinster Sisters
© Spinster Sisters

13. Bonfire Burritos

Bonfire Burritos
© Bonfire Burritos

14. Holidaily Brewing

Category: Food & Drink
Holidaily Brewing
© Holidaily Brewing

15. Windy Saddle Cafe

Category: Food & Drink
Windy Saddle Cafe
© Windy Saddle Cafe

16. Bob's Atomic Burgers

Bob's Atomic Burgers
© Bob's Atomic Burgers

17. Mines Museum of Earth Science

Category: Kids & Family
Mines Museum of Earth Science
© Mines Museum of Earth Science

18. Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum

Category: Activities
Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum
© Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum

19. Foothills Art Center

Category: Attractions
Foothills Art Center
© Foothills Art Center

20. Lariat Loop - National Scenic Byway

Lariat Loop - National Scenic Byway
© Kristina Blokhin/stock.adobe.com

21. Sherpa House Restaurant and Cultural Center

Category: Attractions
Sherpa House Restaurant and Cultural Center
© Sherpa House Restaurant and Cultural Center

22. The Splash at Fossil Trace

The Splash at Fossil Trace
© Georgiy/stock.adobe.com

23. Dinosaur Ridge Discovery Center

Category: Activities
Dinosaur Ridge Discovery Center
© Dinosaur Ridge Discovery Center

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

Located just 12 miles from downtown Denver, Golden offers a host of small-town delights for visitors to the Rocky Mountain foothills. To learn about the history of Golden, you can visit Clear Creek History Park, the Buffalo Bill Museum, and the Colorado Railroad Museum, while outdoor enthusiasts will find a great network of hiking trails to explore in Golden Gate Canyon State Park and the Lookout Mountain Nature Preserve. You can enjoy kayaking and tubing at Clear Creek White Water Park in summer and go snowshoeing on Lookout Mountain in winter.

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