Author: Joy Meadows

The Golden Days of Summer: Art Festivals, Outdoor Movies, Pet Parades & More

Written by Joy Meadows on June 30, 2017. Posted in Golden's Top Picks.

The “Golden Days of Summer” are here! Located a short drive from anywhere in Metro Denver, Golden goes all out with events to celebrate summer. Eat fresh peaches from the Golden Farmer’s Market, stroll along Clear Creek with a four-legged friend, browse for artwork at the Golden Fine Arts Festival, or hike North Table Mountain for spectacular sunsets.

Here’s an overview of Golden’s top summer events – mark your calendar and join the fun.

Colorado Railroad Museum- Summer is the best time to visit one of Colorado’s most popular attractions—Colorado Railroad Museum. Event highlights include Dinosaur Express Train (July 22),Rails and Ales (August 26) or Ride the Rails Saturday (Saturdays in August & September).

First Fridays- July, August and September bring long summer nights. Golden celebrates with First Friday happenings on the first Friday of each month. Whether you wander along Washington Avenue taking in performances and face painting or spread a blanket in Parfet Park for a concert, free entertainment on sunny summer nights just can’t be beat.

MOPAR Street Party, July 20- The Mopar Street Party kicks off Mile High Nationals NHRA racing weekend on Washington Avenue in downtown Golden. Event highlights include race car driver autographs and local car club displays along with live music, concept cars, and, of course, food and beer.

Buffalo Bill Days, July 27 – 30- Thousands of people fill the streets of Golden for Buffalo Bill Days which is the city’s biggest annual event. This year's activities include Cody's Wild West, the "100 Year in Golden" theme parade, mutton bustin', live music, an orphan car and a classic car show, a golf tournament, food and merchandise vendors and much more.

Movies and Music in the Park, August 4, 11, 18 & 25- Movies and Music in the Park features free music and a family-friendly movie each Friday night in Parfet Park. Bands begin performing at 7 p.m. and the featured movie of the night begins at dusk, around 8:30 p.m. The movies are shown on a giant inflatable screen under the stars. 2017 movies include Sing, Fantastic Beasts, Moana and Rogue One.

The 27th Annual Golden Fine Arts Festival, August 19 – 20- Browse a variety of beautiful art at Colorado’s most accessible arts festival, the Golden Fine Arts Festival, on 11th Street just west of Washington Avenue in historic downtown Golden. The juried festival is an open-air art gallery in a gorgeous, foothills setting adjacent to Clear Creek. The Festival is well known for its quality, affordability, ambiance and features a variety of media. Presented by the Golden Chamber of Commerce.

Toby’s Pet Parade & Fair, September 16- Dogs takeover downtown Golden for this parade of doggie (and owner!) costumes that ends with a party in Parfet Park. All funds raised go to help the more than 9,000 homeless pets that Foothills Animal Shelter cares for each year.

No matter what brings you to Golden this summer, you’re sure to find a small town atmosphere reveling in the season. You can also find a full listing of Golden events at visitgolden.com/events-all.

Push yourself to catch Golden views on Chimney Gulch Trail

Written by Joy Meadows on June 20, 2017. Posted in Featured, Golden's Top Picks.

Weather has been gorgeous, which means my trail running is in full swing. Living in Golden, I am blessed with ample amounts of trails to choose from. I typically run North Table Mesa, but depending on the race I am training for I need to change up my routine. My recent race had an incline of 1000 feet over the first two miles, so I needed a trail with an incline. That lead me to Chimney Gulch Trail.

This gorgeous trail starts in Golden and climbs 2.5 miles up Lookout Mountain. During that 2.5 miles, be prepared to ascent 2000 ft; which is a good work out. The trail is hiker, biker, and dog friendly. It is considered a moderate to advanced hike due to the incline and the obstacles. Throughout the hike, you will cross streams, have nice pockets of shade, and see gorgeous views of Golden.

Upon reaching the top, you can continue hiking on Lookout Mountain Trail or Beaver Brook Trail or you could visit Buffalo Bill’s Grave or the Nature Center. No matter what you decide to do, make sure you take a break to check out the view. You will have breathtaking views of Golden- North Table Mesa, South Table Mesa, Coors Brewery right between them, and Colorado School of Mines.

When you are finished hiking, head into Golden for some lunch. Bob’s Atomic Burger is a great choice for a burger or go to Golden’s second largest brewery, Golden City Brewery, for a beer and whatever the food truck has to offer.

Enjoying the great outdoors is fun; however, remember you are not the only one enjoying them. With this in mind, it is important to remember trail etiquette as you hike, run, or bike. As a friendly reminder, below are a few common things to remember:

Bikers yield to all other trail traffic– horses and hikers.
Downhill yields to uphill– people going uphill generally have a smaller field of vision and could be in a rhythm.
Be vocal about passing– let people know you are coming up behind them.
Stay on the trail– help preserve the environment.

By following these rules, you will likely meet some interesting people and have some great conversations. You are also doing your part to keep the trails and yourself safe!

So have a great hike, be courteous to others, and enjoy the great outdoors! – Christie

About Guest Blogger Christie:

Christie is an outdoor enthusiast from Golden, Colorado, that LOVES doing everything outside. She has an MBA with an emphasis in Sustainability from Brandeis University and a passion for helping others, which she turned into a consulting career. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors and sharing her stories with others through blogs. You can read her latest posts on OnDenver.com. Christie loves Colorado and hopes her stories help others see Colorado in a way they have never experienced before.

A Golden Father’s Day

Written by Joy Meadows on June 12, 2017. Posted in Golden's Top Picks.

Want to get Dad out of town for Father’s Day but don’t have time for a multi-day mountain trip? Come to Golden! Here are a few recommendations for a fool-proof favorite Father’s Day.

1. Get Active With Dad– Hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, golf—Golden’s packed with all the best activities for memory making. Before you know it, you’ll be saying,“Remember that Father’s Day we spent in Golden? We should do that again—it was awesome.

2. Get Him a Great Gift– Stroll around beautiful downtown Golden and let Dad pick out his own gift at one of the many unique shops that line Washington Avenue and all the little side streets. Mountain bikes, fishing poles, sunglasses, some new tools or even an “I love Golden” t-shirt (everyone’s favorite).

3. Get Him to Smile on a Sunny Patio- In Golden, there’s no shortage of places to smile. But Dad might enjoy cracking a grin on the sunny patios at Golden City Brewery (Golden’s second largest brewery, Sassafras (a new Southern restaurant where you can overlook Clear Creek for breakfast or lunch), or Mountain Toad Brewing (they almost always have a food truck).

4. Get Him Something Tasty- Breakfast, lunch, dinner—heck, even brunch and happy hour—are good times to celebrate Dad to Golden. Start the day with a taste of the Southwest at Table Mountain Inn. Getting a late start to the day? Fancy brunch at The Briarwood Inn is a real treat. Try lunch at Bob’s Atomic Burger or D’deli. Happy hour at Miners Saloon or State 38’s Corner Saloon—they’re both new! If you’re really looking to spoil him, take Dad to dinner at Abejas or Indulge, which are two of the town’s top restaurants.

Cruise around the site for more ideas to honor your father—and then come cruise around town!

Who’s Buried in Buffalo Bill’s Grave? Learn The True Answer on June 3, 2017!

Written by Joy Meadows on May 26, 2017. Posted in Featured, Golden Highlights, Golden's Top Picks.

It sounds like a trick question: Who’s buried in Buffalo Bill’s grave? However, there are some people up in Cody, Wyoming who would have you believe that the body resting in the beautiful gravesite on top of Lookout Mountain, high above the town of Golden, Colorado, is not really Buffalo Bill Cody. They say Buffalo Bill’s body was switched before it was buried.

Well, nonsense. As everyone will find out at a special event on June 3, 2017, not only was Buffalo Bill buried with an open casket on June 3, 1917, but it was in front of thousands and thousands of witnesses in the largest funeral in Colorado history.

To commemorate this historic occasion, on June 3, 2017, exactly 100 years later, there will be a re-creation of Buffalo Bill’s burial in the exact same spot. Re-enactors and historians will be on hand to answer questions, dispel myths, and continue the legend of this amazing man, who was just recently inducted into the Denver & Colorado Tourism Hall of Fame.

So who was Buffalo Bill? He was the world’s first super star. In his youth, he was the real deal – an army scout, express rider, buffalo hunter and pioneer. Then later in his life, from 1883 to 1913, he set out to re-create the romance and thrill of the rapidly changing Old West by staging the world’s first show business tour – a circus-like event that was called “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West.” There has never been anything else quite like.

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West performed in more than 1,000 cities in a dozen nations with a cast of 640 cowboys, Indians, vaqueros and rough riders. It took a special train of 52 box cars to move his show, which included the third largest buffalo herd on earth. As a comparison, Beyonce’s recent world tour (considered by many to be the largest modern tour) had just 20 backup dancers and was staged in only 41 cities.

Kings, queens and presidents attended Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and it is estimated that more than 25 million words were written about the famous scout during his lifetime, making his silver goatee, buckskin jacket and wide Stetson hat more recognizable and famous than anyone in the world at the time. When he died in 1917, while visiting his sister in Denver, his body was put on view in the state capitol. And there began the controversy. He died in January, but could not be buried on a frozen mountain top, at his request, until June. The body was stored in what is now Lola’s Restaurant in Denver (then a mortuary). In the early 1900s, some people from Wyoming claimed they snuck down, took Buffalo Bill’s body, and replaced him with another body from the mortuary. Unfortunately for this legend, their story is undone by the fact that Bill had an open casket at his burial on top of Lookout Mountain in 1917, with thousands of witnesses paying tribute to the famous scout who they certainly recognized.

You can get a glimpse of this superstar and his exciting life at the Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum. Located on top of Lookout Mountain, just a short walk from his gravesite, the museum has many of his costumes, guns, hats and posters from the show, as well other artifacts from the many people who appeared in his shows, including his close friend, gunfighter Wild Bill Hickock, and Chief Sitting Bull, who wiped out Custer at the Little Big Horn. Kids (and adults) can try on western outfits for Facebook photos, and the view from the museum is perhaps the best in all of Denver, taking in both snowcapped mountains and the Great Plains.

So come out on June 3, 2017 to hear more about the Old West and see re-enactors depict the true history behind the legend. For details, buffalobill.org

My Perfect Golden Day- Heather Schneider, Golden Civic Foundation

Written by Joy Meadows on May 23, 2017. Posted in Featured, Golden Highlights, Golden's Top Picks.

Heather Schneider is a Golden native and an apple that admittedly didn’t fall far from the tree—her parents were very civic-minded and so is she. Ever since moving back to town in 2008 with her family, Schneider has been involved in a variety of Golden organizations including Leadership Golden, Golden Schools Foundation, Golden Young Professionals, Visit Golden and now she is the Executive Director of the Golden Civic Foundation (GCF).

The Golden Civic Foundation provides small businesses with loans that help them succeed and runs an Annual Community Grant Program that has provided over $5.1 million to charitable organizations, public schools, museums and cultural centers in the greater Golden area since 1970. Last year alone, GCF gave $100,000 to 40 nonprofits in Golden.

Here is Heather’s idea of her “perfect” day in Golden…

My favorite way to start my day is to sneak out of my house early in the morning (before the kids or husband are awake) with my two dogs and run to the top of South Table Mountain. It feels like such a great accomplishment to stand on South Table, overlooking our beautiful city, and start a fresh new day in Golden.

On the run home, I like to stop into Pangea for a large cup of their dark roast coffee. This is my favorite coffee place in town!

For lunch, I would have a meeting with Jen and Bob Toohill at Bob’s Atomic Burger. These folks are truly amazing for both running a successful small business and also for their involvement and investment in local nonprofits.

After work, I’d take at least one of my kids to Peak Cycles to fix their bike (we bike everywhere in Golden), then to the Colorado School of Music for piano lessons, next to Del’s Tonsorial Barbers for a haircut, then to buy a birthday present (since present wrapping is free!) at Avenue Gifts. If we have time, get my jewelry fixed and cleaned at Creekside Jewelry and then buy a needed household item from Meyer Hardware.

That evening we’d get a babysitter and my husband and I would have a Golden date night. Although there are so many great restaurants in Golden, I am excited to try Dean & Aimee Valdez’s NEW Old Capitol Grill & Smokehouse. They recently purchased the business and have completely redone the menu and renovated the interior.

Finally, we would go try State 38’s new tasting room. Owner Sean Smiley has created a great ambiance along with some fantastic spirits in his new tasting room located on the corner of 12th & Washington next to the Buffalo Rose.

Luckily, we live in downtown Golden so we would enjoy a nice walk home through the Golden History Park and then along the Clear Creek path.

10 Mountain Adventures You Can Squeeze into a Summer Afternoon in Golden

Written by Joy Meadows on May 15, 2017. Posted in Featured, Golden's Top Picks.

Why head to mountains in the summer? To hike? Mountain bike? Fish? Rock climb? Kayak? Sample craft beer? Shop in a quaint village setting? Look at spectacular mountain views?

Well, you can experience all of this – and more – in an easy afternoon in nearby Golden, Colorado. Located just 12 miles from downtown Denver, Golden sits in pretty Clear Creek Valley, surrounded by buttes and foothills that offer a wide variety of stress and traffic free experiences. Simply put, it’s the closest mountain town to Denver! Here are ten easy adventures to enjoy on quick and easy half-day trips from anywhere in the metro Denver area. And remember, all of them are just minutes from the pubs, breweries, distilleries, galleries and shops of historic downtown Golden.

1. TAKE A HIKE – From downtown Golden, you can get access to the old aqueduct trail up Clear Creek Canyon, or climb the switchbacks to Windy Saddle between Mount Zion and Lookout Mountain, or hike up South Table Mountain. There are 24 miles of trails in Golden, all offering hiking for all abilities, from easy family trails to steep switchbacks. And nearby, there are trailheads for Chimney Gulch, North Table Mountain, White Ranch, Dinosaur Ridge, Matthew-Winters and the many meadow and aspen hikes in Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

2. RIDE A BIKE – The Golden Bike Library offers free two hour bike rentals Thurs.-Sun. from their convenient location on the banks of Clear Creek in the Golden Visitor Center. Want to ride longer? A full day rental is just $10. Cruise the paths along Clear Creek or ride around town to visit your favorite Golden hotspots. You’ll love checking out Golden from your Bike Library bicycle!

3. CLIMB A ROCK – Clear Creek Canyon offers some of the best rock climbing in Colorado. It is best known for sport climbs with some trad climbs interspersed. The rock varies from gneiss and schist to a sandy granite with a variety of ratings. Beginners head to the Canal Zone, which can be accessed by foot from downtown Golden using the farthest west footbridge over Clear Creek. Little Eiger, Red Slab and High Wire Crag also offer beginning routes to work you up to Primo Wall, Anarchy Wall and New River. And if you’ve never climbed, or just want to sharpen up, head to Earth Treks Golden. This is the premier indoor rock climbing and bouldering gym in Colorado. The 28,500 sq. ft. facility has 45-foot high walls with 300 roped routes and some 100 bouldering problems to twist, stretch, and pull yourself over. The walls were designed by rock climbing legend Jason Kehl, the eclectic climber who was the first person to ever boulder a 5.14d grade route.

4. DRINK A BEER – How many mountain towns have seven breweries, including the largest in the world? Only Golden. Coors Brewery offers free tours (and three free samples!), which is a good way to start the afternoon and learn the history of beer in Colorado’s oldest brewery. Then walk just a few blocks to Barrels and Bottles, Golden City Brewery and Mountain Toad. The best Golden pub crawl begins at the award-winning Cannonball Creek Brewery, then follows the trail up and over North Table Mountain for 2 miles to New Terrain Brewing Company, which is located directly ON the trail! Then doubles back or continues around North Table Mountain for a total five mile hike, ending at Holidaily Brewing, Golden’s gluten-free brewery. Try a Buckwit Belgian, a thirst quenching light brew with a mix of coriander and orange peel.

5. ENJOY A RIVER – The upper reaches of Clear Creek in Idaho Springs have become a state-wide famous whitewater rafting center, but as the river flows down the canyon and begins to reach Clear Creek Valley in Golden, it slows down, widens out and under a canopy of trees, drifts lazily right through the center of town. There are a dozen manmade white water chutes to liven things up. The creek flows past the scenic Clear Creek Historic Park, a re-creation of a Frontier homestead. There is ample seating along Clear Creek to sit and enjoy the show as the kayakers and tubers float by. Better yet, bring a coffee or your lunch to make the most of your time.

6. FISH A STREAM – Some of the best stream fishing in metro Denver is just minutes from Golden. Clear Creek has a good population of small to mid-sized Rainbow and Brown Trout and abundant bug life. Learn more from the Clear Creek Fly Fishing Report. Stop by Golden River Sports, just a two-minute walk from Clear Creek. You can also join Fish Alongs every Tuesday night with the excellent folks from Arbor Anglers.

7. PAN FOR GOLD – Of course, Golden – the first capitol of Colorado and the center of the great Pikes Peak or Bust Gold Rush of 1859 was named after gold. Not! Incredibly, it was named after Thomas L. Golden, a prospector who camped at this spot in 1858. What are the odds that the first prospector here would be named “Golden?” Anyway, it was gold that made Golden one of Colorado’s first towns, and you can still find it here! In the free Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum. The museum was started by Professor Arthur Lakes, who taught at the school and also discovered the world’s first dinosaur bones on the ridges around town. The first fossilized bones of a T-Rex were discovered on South Table Mountain in Golden. Just think how boring the film “Jurassic Park” would have been without Golden. Today, if you follow Clear Creek east towards Denver, you will see many modern prospectors panning for gold. They say, if you know what you’re doing, you can make some money. The Geology Museum gift shop will happily sell you a gold pan and set you on your way.

8. EAT OUTDOORS – The people of Golden live outdoors. And why not? With 300 days of sunshine and spectacular views in every direction, who would stay inside? So naturally (as in any mountain town) many Golden restaurants have outdoor dining. Some of the best patios include The Sherpa House, which has fountains, statues and art from Nepal decorating their tranquil outdoor garden; Bridgewater Grill, which has a sweeping patio overlooking the rafters floating down Clear Creek; the Table Mountain Grill & Cantina which has a flower-lined deck overlooking South Table Mountain; the Buffalo Rose, with an outdoor patio and live music, and New Terrain Brewing Company, which has food trucks and a drop dead gorgeous view down Clear Creek Valley. Listen carefully on the New Terrain deck on weekends – you just might hear the steam whistle from the Colorado Railroad Museum a few hundred feet below.

9. TAKE IN A VIEW – Some of the best viewpoints on the Front Range are in or near Golden. Buffalo Bill Cody asked to be buried (maybe) on Lookout Mountain, which affords a spectacular view of both the eastern plains and the snowcapped peaks to the west. Exit 254 off I-70 near Golden has a spectacular view of both the mountains, and a buffalo herd that is maintained here by Denver Mountain Parks. New trails allow you to follow the buffalo, wherever they might be. The views from the top of North and South Table Mountains look right down into Clear Creek and the tree-covered valley of Golden. The Lookout Mountain Nature Center near the summit of Lookout Mountain has sweeping views and exhibits on the wild animals that live in Golden. Watch their “night cam,” which has caught deer, elk, foxes and bears walking around Golden.

10. OUTFIT YOUR NEXT EXPEDITION – Boy, would Lewis & Clark have loved shopping in downtown Golden. They could have outfitted their entire expedition here – and more. There are shops devoted to hiking, biking, skiing, climbing, fishing, camping, backpacking and hunting. But men and women do not live by outdoor adventures alone! There are also art galleries, book stores, one-of-a-kind boutiques, designer fashions and jewelry, coffee shops, and toy stores….all in historic buildings along Main Street under the famous 58-foot long arch that since 1948 has said, “Howdy Folks! Welcome to Golden.”

Best of all? After your day outing in Golden, you are just 20 minutes or so from your home in metro Denver. Check out visitgolden.com for the latest events and news about Golden!

My Perfect Golden Day – Brandon Bortles, Abejas

Written by Joy Meadows on April 17, 2017. Posted in Featured, Golden's Top Picks.

My Perfect Golden Day: Brandon Bortles, Abejas

My family has worked and lived in Golden my whole life. I always wanted to return to Golden and open a Seasonal Bistro. With the assistance of the Golden Civic Foundation we opened Abejas in August of 2015. We received an enormous amount of support and we were nominated and a finalist for Denver Eaters Best New Restaurants for 2015. Something we are super proud of is our inclusion on Denver Eaters Essential 38.

It is a little difficult to sum up what to do in Golden if you had just a day without it coming off like a "choose your own adventure." If I had someone visiting from out of town I'd pack in as much as I could. Being a restaurant person, much of my day would be centered around food and beverage.

I would start my day early and go to Cafe 13 for a coffee and quick breakfast. I get the Croissant Sandwich often. Service is friendly and Cafe 13 has a motto of "Golden's Living Room" and that feels very true. A tee time playing 18 holes at Fossil Trace, which is situated on the south end of Golden, is an amazing way to spend the day. Views of the Mesa and the scenery, especially on the back nine holes, are incredible.

After embarrassing myself at golf, I would head back to downtown Golden and grab some tacos or a pupusa from El Callejon. Adri and Jorge, the proprietors of this little spot, come from Cartagena in Columbia and brought an authentic, tasty little lunch spot to Golden. Since El Callejon doesn't have a liquor license, I'd search for a beer in the late afternoon. Golden has a thriving small brewery scene so there are a lot of fun choices. I'd probably go to Barrels & Bottles just to stay on foot. After an afternoon beer or two, I would stroll up Washington Ave. and browse a few of the outdoor lifestyle stores like Bent Gate and Icelantic Ski Store.

I would have to finish My Perfect Golden Day with dinner at Abejas. I am still in awe of the food our chefs, Nicholas Ames, Tommy Kummer and the crew, put out of a tiny kitchen. If I wasn't exhausted from this day I'd very much consider a night cap at Golden Moon Speakeasy and take a Lyft home.

The Great Golden Bike Library Libations Tour

Written by Joy Meadows on April 5, 2017. Posted in Featured, Golden Highlights, Golden's Top Picks.

THE GREAT GOLDEN BIKE LIBRARY LIBATIONS TOUR Check Out Some Exciting New Spring Beers While Cycling From One Craft Brewery to Another in Golden, Colorado

Lord Tennyson got it right. “In springtime, a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of love.” And we all know what young men (and young women!) love. Beer! There’s no more exciting time to be in love with beer than springtime in Golden, Colorado when you can stop and smell the hops in six craft breweries. Even better, you can bike between the breweries on the historic backstreets of Golden using the FREE Golden Bike Library.

Here’s how to do it:

The Golden Bike Library

The Golden Bike Library has over 40 bikes available for FREE two-hour rentals every Thurs.-Sun., from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Located at the Golden Visitors Center at 1010 Washington, people just sign a waiver, present a valid ID and credit card and pedal away. The first two hours are free, a full day rental is only $10. Bikes come with a helmet and lock, a reusable water bottle and a Golden Ticket good for discounts at various local businesses and restaurants. There is a lock-box system so renters can return bikes after 4 p.m. Unlike other bike share programs, Golden’s has a wide selection of different style bikes, including light-weight geared bikes in multiple sizes to either cruise around town, or tackle Golden’s hills, including The Explorer, one of Jamis’ best-selling bikes.

Now…where to go? Here are six breweries all within an easy bike ride of each other and some suggested samplings to try at each.

Mountain Toad Brewery

It’s only a block to this iconic brewery which has a classic outdoor beer garden with food trucks. Try an Infra-Red IPA. This malty Red IPA has a resiny bitterness, thanks to generous amounts of Simcoe, Northern Brewer, and Chinook hops. Wanderlust is a Belgian Golden Ale with lavender floral notes mixed with hints of sweet pear. Biere de Mars – Literally "Beer of March" is a French ale with subtle notes of honey that tastes even better in April. For a true spring fling, go for the Blueberry Honey Wit – a Belgian Wit brewed with Blueberry Honey and a spring lemon zest.

Golden City Brewery

Pedal along the Clear Creek bike path, cross one of the bridges and you’ll soon find yourself in Charlie & Janine Sturdavant’s backyard. The Golden City Brewery is in their house, and you buy the beer from the old garage. There’s outdoor tables, dogs are welcome, and don’t be surprised if there are musicians playing. In honor of the Colorado Rockies opening day, the brewery produces Stand-Up Double IPA. In baseball, a stand-up double is a hit that gets the batter to 2nd base without having to slide. In this case, the stand-up double is a beer that takes you twice as far in hops and strength. Welcome to the all-American sport of hopheads, complete with intensely hoppy, complex flavors and aromas brought home by a smooth, dry finish.

New Terrain Brewing

Time to work off those calories biking on the new paved off-road bike trail along 44^th Ave. You’ll then turn on Salvia Street and head up an unpaved trail that will lead you in through the back of the brewery property. Of course, you’ll want to start your beer tasting with a Cruise Ride, a light body American Style Cream Ale with hints of fruit and a mild biscuit backbone. Smooth and sessionable, all types of beer drinkers will enjoy this. Or go for a Hoppa Tropica, made with 100% Citra Hops to give it tropical aromas and flavors of citrus and mango, a great little Spring Break tropical escape. Have your samplers at the outdoor deck enjoying the views of North and South Table Mountains.

Holidaily Brewing

The easiest way to Holidaily Brewing (if you have a mountain bike) is right over the top of North Table Mountain. If you’re on street bikes, it’s a nice flat pedal around the mountain to this one-of-a-kind brewery dedicated to making delicious tasting gluten-free beers. Try a Buckwit Belgian, a thirst quenching light brew with a mix of coriander and orange peel. Or let your hair down with a Ponytail Pale Ale – a single hop variety pale ale brewed specially for Collaboration Fest 2017.

Cannonball Creek Brewery

It’s all downhill to this award-winning brewery that took home two gold medals at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival. On tap in spring is the Rosemary Sourdough Saison, an ale inspired by the perfect loaf of bread. This liquid bread is a loose interpretation of the Saison style brewed with fresh organic Rosemary and features a prominent tartness from the contribution of acidulated malt. The result is a dry, refreshing ale with a delicate yet distinct aroma of fresh Rosemary.

Barrels & Bottles Brewery It’s all downhill back to the Golden Bike Library and our last stop, Barrels & Bottles, where you have your choice between two dozen craft beers – or two dozen fine wines. Try the favorite – an Orange Creamsicle Blonde Ale — an approachable, malt-oriented American beer that is well-balanced with orange peel and juice added along with Madagascar vanilla beans. It'll bring you back to your childhood from the aroma and flavors. After a long ride, Space Oddity Pale Ale is a thirst quencher displaying earthy, floral and herbal aromas by using an English hop varietal. Medium hop bitterness with a slight malty sweetness. End your day of Colorado biking with an all Colorado ingredient brew — Colorado BAE India Pale Ale. The Cascade hops used lend aromas of grapefruit, melons with a slight floral tone. Flavors of grapefruit and a touch of spice.

The Golden Bike Library is just down the block from your final stop. Of course, these are suggestions only and not intended to be consumed on one trip. Please drink responsibly. We suggest having only a sample and a glass of water at each brewery stop.

The Golden Bike Brewery Tour Map will help guide you in planning your route.

For more ideas for fun adventures in Golden follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Be sure to tag @visitgoldenco in your bike brewery tour posts and use #GoldenBikeLibrary.

Five Golden Ways to Fit Family Fun into a Busy Weekend…

Written by Joy Meadows on April 5, 2017. Posted in Featured, Golden Highlights, Golden's Top Picks.

Five Golden Ways to Fit Family Fun into a Busy Weekend…

At last, it’s the weekend and time for some much needed family fun! Except….your daughter has a soccer game, your son was invited to a birthday party, there’s a mountain of laundry and let’s not forget the dog needs a bath. Sound familiar? Most Colorado parents want to enjoy family time in the Colorado sunshine, but busy schedules can make it nearly impossible.

Don’t despair. Here’s where Golden comes in. Located only 15 minutes from downtown Denver, Golden feels like a world away with its creek side paths, natural mountain beauty and charming downtown with the iconic “Howdy Folks! Welcome to Golden” sign spanning the city’s main street and cheerily welcoming you and your family.

Here are five quick Golden family adventures you’ll love…and you’ll be home in plenty of time for everything else on your weekend to do list. 1. Cowboys & Dinosaurs, Pizza & Cupcakes — Give your little guy the outing of his dreams with a cowboy and dinosaur themed half-day adventure, complete with pizza and cupcakes. Start at Dinosaur Ridge, where you can run along in the great outdoors looking for dinosaur tracks. Afterwards, head up Lookout Mountain to celebrate Colorado’s most famous Westerner, Buffalo Bill at the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave. Make it a real home run – stop back into downtown Golden for pizza at Woody’s and cupcakes at Golden Mine Cupcakes.

2. Stroll, Slide, Cross Over, Spot Statues & Picnic at Clear Creek – Just off Washington Avenue and adjacent to Parfet Park, families can experience the beauty of Clear Creek with its walking paths and perfect picnic spots. Visitors enjoy scenic and historic bridges, bronze sculptures, the babbling of the creek and the beauty of the foothills, all while checking out the professional kayakers and fly-fishermen that flock to the area. Don’t miss the twisting slide next to the Washington Avenue Bridge, a favorite for the toddler and young kids. Pick up a perfect picnic at the famous D’Deli on Washington Avenue. The kids’ meals are a deal and even packaged in a cute plastic bucket, complete with shovel.

3. Moon Rocks, Glow-in-the-Dark Minerals & Beauty Queen Tiaras – If you’re looking for an indoor adventure that rocks, head to the School of Mines Geology Museum. With free admission and a friendly staff eager to introduce Colorado kids to the wonders of the natural world, this place is a real gem. Puns aside, you will find shiny gems that dazzle, fossils to educate, and even a moon rock to inspire. The Miss Colorado tiara resides at the museum and the cases of fluorescent, ultraviolet minerals are sure to elicit oohs and ahhs. Afterwards, stop at Goozell’s Yogurt to grab a quick and yummy treat before heading home.

4. Ride the Rails at the Colorado Railroad Museum – Ride the Rails is the perfect multi-generational weekend activity. Bring along grandma and grandpa, as well as the kids, to catch a ride on one of the museum’s steam or diesel locomotives in passenger cars from different eras in Colorado railroad history or experience the uniquely Colorado Galloping Goose. The whole gang will enjoy stepping back in time – and on board – the trains spread throughout the 15-acre rail yard. Check out the Depot General Store with thousands of train gifts. 5. Step Back in Time at Golden’s History Park – Your kids will never know they’re getting a history lesson when you walk into the Clear Creek History Park. Catch a glimpse of pioneer life in the 1880s. Check out the one room schoolhouse and frontier cabin, and be sure to visit the chickens in the coop. After pointing out all the chores pioneer kids surely had to do, stroll into Golden and stop in some fun shops. Golden Goods is home to unique toys, cool puzzles, games, candy, souvenirs…they even sell the local version of Dippin' Dots — "Cool Beans!" Avenue Gifts has a vast collection of stuffed animals, souvenirs and gear for kiddos. Don’t miss Golden Sweets, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and candy shop and the perfect end to your Golden family getaway.

There’s so much more to do in Golden. Come back to check out the American Mountaineering Museum where kids can check out a crevasse and learn about mountaineering with fun, interactive exhibits. Lookout Mountain Nature Center offers plenty of paths and an educational center where you can learn about wildlife and fauna. The Windy Saddle boasts a room for “lil’ buckaroos” where kids can play while parents sip their coffee drinks or enjoy lunch….There’s so much to do in Golden!

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Red Rocks & Golden…a perfect pairing

Written by Joy Meadows on March 25, 2017. Posted in Golden's Top Picks.

Make Golden, Colorado Your “Pre and Post” Red Rocks Headquarters

What could be better than attending a concert under the stars at Red Rocks Amphitheatre? Attending a concert after having a creek-side dinner in adjacent Golden, Colorado. Colorado’s first capital city is located only a 15 minute drive from Red Rocks, making it the perfect stop before or after a concert. The compact historic town is centered around beautiful Clear Creek, which flows right through the middle of Golden. The fast moving stream is popular with kayakers and tubers and is lined with restaurants, picnic benches, and bike trails.

Golden is the beer brewing capital of the world. Coors Brewery, which sits majestically beneath the rocky buttes of South Table Mountain, is the largest single brewing site on the planet. But Golden has three other craft breweries and a distillery all within easy walking distance, and two other breweries nearby.

For dining, if you desire a community-focused restaurant dedicated to seasonal fresh local produce, organic meats and sustainable fish, try Abejas restaurant, recently selected as one of the top dining experiences in metro Denver. Woody’s Wood-fired Pizza is a local legend with one of the best Western views in town. The New Mexico adobe style architecture of the Table Mountain Grill & Cantina brings all the flavors of the Southwest to life, while great pub fare and Old West history can be found at the Old Capitol Grill, located in the building that served as Colorado’s first state capitol.

Speaking of atmosphere, nothing tops the Sherpa House Restaurant & Cultural Center, serving Himalayan fare in a house dotted with artifacts and done up to resemble a traditional home in Nepal. More international fare can be found at the creek-side Grappa Mediterranean Bistro & Café, serving delicious French and Italian dishes in an intimate setting, or in the marvelous Old World-looking Briarwood Inn Restaurant, which resembles a German lodge set in pine trees and offering opulent Continental dishes. Or just grab a buffalo or elk sandwich at D’Deli (consistently ranked as the No. 1 sandwich shop on the Front Range) and head to a picnic table along the creek.

After the concert, grab a cold craft beer at Mountain Toad Brewery or Barrels & Bottles, continue the night with more music taking in the closing set at the funky Buffalo Rose, or stop for a cocktail at the always eclectic Ace Hi Tavern. Or check out the Golden Moon Speakeasy, a cool cocktail lounge and distillery tasting room, featuring classic and modern craft cocktails, pre-prohibition style punches and long drinks, all made solely with the spirits produced by Golden Moon Distillery.