Golden, Colorado is full of activities for the whole family, whether you want to raft down the river, play in the park, hike or enjoy a snack on a patio, there’s something for everyone.
Outdoor Fun in Golden
We started our day with a walk by the water on the Clear Creek Trail. It is paved and mostly shaded. This was great for our kids. We could take the stroller and the path had several stops where kids could climb rocks and put their feet in the water along the way. There was even an area where you can feed chickens, which they both really enjoyed.
If you are looking for a traditional hike, Triceratops Trail is a great choice with kids. It is gravel and about 1.5 miles. If you want more of a challenge, North Table Mountain Trail is a good option. Golden has a lot of great trails and Lookout Mountain is nearby, which also offers beautiful views.
There is a great little park at the end of downtown Golden, Parfet Park, where many people bring their dogs or set up volleyball nets and picnics. Our kids enjoyed the slide that went down to the riverbank. It was a nice stop after walking to get some shade and snacks. The kids also loved climbing the boulders and running around the many trees spaced throughout.
Shopping in Golden
Downtown Golden is full of shops, restaurants and art galleries. We stopped into Golden Sweets to get some ice cream. They have a nice area out front with tables where you can sit and enjoy the views. Golden is a very dog friendly town. Many stores have dog bowls outside for furry friends who are thirsty and there are lots of dog friendly patios if you want to bring your pup along for the adventure.
The shopping is also great! We found some cute Colorado hats and a stuffed animal we couldn’t leave without at one of the stores, and we purchased some Christmas gifts for family at several of the unique shops downtown. They have everything from rock candy to wooden bears!
Golden’s Best Restaurants
No matter what kind of food you are craving, Golden has a restaurant for that. There are great brunch options, sandwich and coffee shops and plenty of patios. We tried Woody’s Wood Fired Pizza for lunch. They had delicious pizza and a great salad bar. We sat inside but they do have outdoor seating available. They also offer gluten free pizza that had rave reviews from our party. Some of the restaurants have live music which the whole family also enjoyed.
Golden has so many fun activities to choose from all year round, you can rent a tube and float down the river or check out the nearby water park in the summer. Play a round at Fossil Trace Golf Course where views are one of a kind. The numerous bike trails are a fun way to see the fall colors and the holiday lights are a beautiful backdrop to this Colorado town. Of course, you can also go on the famous Coors Brewery Tour. No matter what your adventure, check out Golden!
