Many of us tend to “live for the weekend,” but if you live along the Front Range, treat yourself to weekend-worthy adventures on a weeknight in Golden.
With the longer summer days, there’s plenty of time for fun in Golden before the sun sets. Sneak out of work early and head to nearby Golden for a happy hour and hike, dinner on a patio, live music, ice cream outings, view public art, a quick round of golf, a bike ride up Clear Creek Canyon and more. Best of all, on weekdays, there are fewer crowds, easier parking and lots more room to roam compared to the busy weekends.
Here are ideas for a Saturday-style summer adventure on a Golden weeknight!
Hike and Happy Hour. Golden has happy hours at all hours, Monday – Friday! Check out Old Capitol Grill & Smokehouse, 3 – 5 p.m.; Miners Saloon, 3 – 6 p.m.; Ace High Tavern, Mon. – Fri., 7 – 11 a.m. (yes, you read that right!) and 3 – 7 p.m. or The Golden Mill, 9 – 10 p.m. Pair your happy hour eats and drinks with a prime Golden hike, such as North Table Mountain, Panorama Point in Golden Gate Canyon State Park or the Windy Saddle Lookout. Or simply take a leisurely drive up Lookout Mountain and park near Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave for some mountain views. The views won’t disappoint. If you are hiking trails, be sure to check closing hours and be kind to the trails and respectful of other trail users.
Enjoy Live Music. Upgrade your weeknights with live music at Miners Saloon on Wednesday evenings or enjoy listening and gazing at the beautiful surrounding mesas with live music on the patio at Goosetown Station on Thursdays. You can also check the Buffalo Rose, Morris & Mae and The Golden Mill’s event calendars for upcoming live music on various weekdays.
Tee Off (with) Your Friends. Make your pals jealous by posting photos as you tee off for a quick nine holes at Fossil Trace – or – invite them along for a fun night out that starts with late afternoon or early evening golf at one of the Front Range’s most beautiful courses.
Earn Dinner with a Ride or Run. Pedal up Lookout Mountain from downtown Golden. It’s only 4.57 miles, but it climbs 1,280 vertical feet with an average grade of 5.3%. Or if you’re more of a runner, join the Runner’s Roost Run Club Thursdays for casual, social miles. Typically it’s a 3-5 mile no-drop run for all paces starting at Runners Roost Golden and more fun follows at meetups afterwards. Or run or ride on your own and then enjoy dinner on one of Golden’s epic patios. Golden’s favorite local comfort food can be found at The Cast Iron Tavern, Sherpa House has a peaceful patio and garden at the top of Washington Ave. and Woody’s Woodfired Pizza has a great outdoor deck adorned with flower baskets.
Ice Cream Outings. Break up the week with a fun family ice cream outing. Try Golden Sweets for that true ice cream shop feel, Happy Cones at the Golden Mill for their New Zealand-style ice cream or Goozell for self-serve frozen yogurt.
Trivia Night. Finally, test your knowledge of random facts during trivia. Many Golden restaurants, breweries and bars offer trivia nights. Some examples include Mondays at Morris & Mae, Tuesdays at Buffalo Rose and Mountain Toad or Wednesdays at Over Yonder Brewing, Woody’s Wood Fired Pizza and Trailhead Taphouse & Kitchen. This is a great way to meet Golden locals and enjoy an evening of food, fun, and laughter.
Public Art Strolls. On the Clear Creek Trail and up and down Washington Ave. there are more than two dozen public art works, beautiful statues and murals that capture the spirit of the West. Pick up a free Golden Public Art Walking Tour Brochure at the Golden Visitors Center (located along the banks of Clear Creek at Washington Ave.) and take a delightful stroll past these wonderful art pieces. Families may want to get a map and search for the whimsical Itty Bitty Art found scattered about Golden.
Always check ahead of time to ensure happy hour specials and events are still happening before you visit and check out our weekly event schedule for more events and ideas to liven up your weeknights.