golden colorado travel guide: a family-friendly local’s weekend getaway
- breannedaymon
- Dec 3, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
From Adobe Walls to Pour-Your-Own Taps. Our weekend Adventure in Golden, Colorado Staying at the Table Mountain Inn
Golden, Colorado is the perfect weekend escape for anyone craving fresh air, scenic hiking trails, and small-town charm—without the headache of sitting in Colorado’s infamous mountain traffic. Nestled at the base of the foothills, just a few miles from Denver, Golden offers easy access to nature, a walkable downtown, countless breweries, and a relaxed vibe that makes for an effortless weekend.
In this guide, we’ll share our favorite place to stay, the restaurants you won’t want to miss, and the best things to do to make the most of your Golden getaway. Whether you're planning a quick trip or a full weekend adventure, our guide has plenty of options for you.
Getting There
Golden is truly a hop, skip, and a jump from Denver. Located about 15 miles west of downtown Denver, Golden is easily accessible by car, bus, or rail. Golden is served by the RTD bus system via Route 17 and the light rail W Line. If you plan to stay in Golden, skip the rental car and opt for public transportation instead, as Golden itself is small and easily walkable.
Where to Stay
When it comes to choosing a place to stay, location is always at the top of our list. Table Mountain Inn is a boutique hotel right in the heart of historic Golden. Originally built in 1925, the hotel has undergone several transformations to become the Southwestern adobe charming hotel it is today. Many of the 74 rooms have fireplaces, jetted tubs, and balconies with views of Table Mountain - the iconic flat-topped mesa overlooking Golden.
We also love that once you arrive at Table Mountain Inn, you can park your car and forget about it for the rest of the weekend. Its central location in downtown Golden means you’re just steps from restaurants, shops, breweries, hiking trails, and Clear Creek Trail.
Where to Eat & Drink
Table Mountain Grill and Cantina
If you choose to stay at Table Mountain Inn, you’ll have the added perk of enjoying one of Golden’s most well-loved dining spots just steps from your room. Table Mountain Grill & Cantina pairs convenience with memorable Southwestern flavors, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a warm, cozy setting. Their margaritas and local beer selection are always delicious, and the separate bar area offers a relaxed space to unwind prior to your dinner reservation. Don’t skip the fajitas — they arrive sizzling hot and piled high with all of the toppings. We've also heard great things about their happy hour!
The Golden Mill
One of Golden's hippest establishments, The Golden Mill, is a warehouse-style eatery with five different restaurants inside and a wall of self-serve taps with beer, wine, and even cocktails. We visited during the holiday season, and the interior was sprinkled with Christmas lights, warm fireplaces, and a general festive vibe. The Golden Mill feels like a warm hug and somewhere you'd want to gather for the evening with friends.
Cafe 13
Cafe 13 is the perfect spot to fuel up on caffeine and a homemade brunch (or, if you have tiny humans like us, an early morning breakfast). Their breakfast favorites, pastries, and coffee were all wonderful, and we especially appreciated that they offer a healthy kids’ menu.
San Telmo Market
Ahhh these empanadas took us right back to the dusty streets of Argentina! This authentic restaurant and market, owned and operated by local Argentinians, had us reminiscing on our days traveling through South America. All of their dishes are homemade with love and you definitely feel their enthusiasm for their culture immediately upon entering. Attached to the restaurant is a market with Argentinian items like yerba mate, cheese, alfajores, snacks, and more. This is a quick, casual lunch spot with outdoor seating available.
Woody's Wood-Fired Pizza
This wouldn't be a proper Golden blog if we didn't mention this famous pizza joint. Right on the main street, Woody's has been open for 30+ years. Beyond their delicious pizza (which you shouldn't skip!), they have a large assortment of salads, sandwiches, and drinks. Make sure you make a reservation if you plan to eat dinner there.
What to Do
Visit Lookout Mountain
It's one of those Golden experiences that feels both iconic and refreshingly simple. The winding drive up to Lookout Mountain provides sweeping views of the Front Range, the city of Golden tucked below, and Denver in the distance. At the top, you can wander through the historic Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, take in the panoramic overlooks, or follow one of the short trails right along the ridge line. It’s an easy add to any Golden weekend—and absolutely worth the detour.
Exercise on Clear Creek Trail
One of our favorite aspects of Golden is that the Clear Creek Trail is accessible right from town. Start downtown and head west towards the mountains via bike or on foot on this meandering paved trail. In the summertime, there is even a white water park where you can tube or kayak to cool off. If you're looking for a longer journey, you can head east where the trail runs for 18 miles eventually linking to other trail systems in the Denver metro area.
Visit Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater
Did you know that America's favorite concert venue is only 10 minutes away from downtown Golden by car? This open-air amphitheater is worth the trip and is certain to take your breath away if it's your first time visiting. During the day, you'll see lots of hikers on the trails surrounding the amphitheater, visitors dining at the Ship Rock Grille, and people running up and down the stairs for exercise in the amphitheater. By night, the grounds transform into a magical concert venue, where there isn't a bad seat in the house. Please note that if you are not accustomed to altitude, you'll definitely feel it here, so make sure you take it easy and drink plenty of water! Also, make sure you visit in the morning because the amphitheater closes to the public around noon on concert days.
Brewery Tour
It's pretty well-known that Coloradans love their beer, and Golden is no exception. There are nine breweries, big and small and everything in between, within Golden's city limits. Spend the day brewery hopping and trying out a few local beers, especially on a sunny day! Most breweries are perfect for those with kids and dogs. Our favorite in town is Golden City Brewery. The Banana Bender is so delicious!
A trip to Golden wouldn't be complete without getting up close and personal to beer making at the famous Coors Brewery. Coors is an iconic part of Golden and its history, and you can see the massive brewery from everywhere in town. The tour is educational and of course includes plenty of beer samples. Reservations are required and cost $20 per person.
Hiking
Between mountain vistas, like Table Mountain, and stunning mountain landscapes, the trails in Golden are plentiful and worth visiting. Make sure you dedicate one morning of your trip to getting out in nature and exploring on foot.
For more information on hiking near Golden, check out our full blog post here.
Colorado Railroad Museum
Step back in time, especially if you have young kids, and visit the Colorado Railroad Museum. You can tour dozens of ancient locomotives, learn how the railroads shaped the state of Colorado, and even step aboard and ride the train!
Free Musuems
Golden has several awesome museums where you don’t have to spend a dime — making it easy to fill a weekend with culture, history, and geology.
At the Golden History Museum & Park, you can walk through original 1800s cabins, peer into a pioneer schoolhouse and root cellar, and get a taste of what life was like for early settlers.
The Mines Museum of Earth Science showcases Colorado’s richest public collection of minerals — including gemstones, fossils, meteorites, and even a moon rock from the Apollo 17 mission.
All are located within easy reach — so you can walk between them, soak in local history and science, and still have time for hiking, coffee breaks, or wandering downtown.
Visit Rocky Mountain National Park with Explorer Tours
Rocky Mountain National Park is an iconic camping/hiking trail destination near Estes Park and is very high on many people's bucket lists. Head here for all the information you will need about visiting the park.
We also recommend looking into a guided tour for the best experience. One of the most trusted and highly reviewed local companies is Explorer Tours. If you'd like to book a tour through them, check them out here!
If you plan to make a day trip to the park from Boulder County, it is about an hour drive. If you're visiting in the summer months, expect large crowds of people. In 2018, Rocky Mountain National Park was the third most visited National Park in the USA!
If you have more time or wish to venture outside of Golden, we recommend:
Hiking in Golden Gate Canyon State Park or Eldorado Canyon State Park
Visiting Georgetown and riding the Georgetown Loop Railroad
Kicking around Pearl Street in Boulder
Trying your luck at gambling in Black Hawk
Golden offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and Colorado adventure for a quick weekend escape. It’s a place where comfort, adventure, and great flavor meet—inviting you to relax, explore, and come back again soon. If you visit Golden, we'd love to hear about your experience!
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For love and adventure,
Bre & Daniel