Winter in Golden? You Just Might Find Sunny, Spring-Like Weather the Family will Enjoy!
Think of winter and spring recreation in the mountains of Colorado and most people think of snow and skiing. But the truth is, the foothills and mesas surrounding Golden are mostly snow free and offer year-round biking and hiking and a chance to stretch your legs in the sun with gorgeous views in all directions.
In addition to dozens of miles of hiking and biking trails, Golden also offers shopping and dining in an authentic-looking Old West town filled with more than a half dozen family and dog-friendly craft breweries, indoor and outdoor museums, boutiques, live music and dozens of restaurants.
Of course, enjoy snow and skiing in Colorado. But when you need a break from “Old Man Winter” and want to enjoy the same relaxed feeling of a quaint mountain town – usually without snow – give Golden a try. Here are some exciting winter and early spring things to do.
Take a Drive, Hike or Ride a Bike.
Count the curves (Hint: there are 56) as you drive up the exciting Lariat Loop Trail to the very top of Lookout Mountain. At the top, the Lookout Mountain Preserve and Nature Center has interactive exhibits about the deer, elk, racoons and even mountain lions and bears that live in Golden, as well as scenic nature trails. You can hike or bike for miles – even in winter -- into beautiful Clear Creek Canyon, crossing back and forth over the pretty river on bridges, including a fun suspension bridge. North and South Table Mountains to the east of Golden are high, tree-less buttes and are generally accessible and snow free all-year round with trails circling North Table Mountain, while others climb to the summit of Castle Rock on South Table Mountain. Don’t forget to end your hike or bike ride with a hot coco, craft beer or ice cream in downtown Golden.
Hang out with Buffalo Bill.
While you are on top of Lookout Mountain, be sure to spend time with the West’s famous scout and showman. Buffalo Bill Cody was the “Elvis of the 19th Century” – a superstar who brought his Wild West Show to more than 1,000 cities and towns around the world. Bill is buried on top of Lookout Mountain with panoramic views of Denver and snowcapped peaks. At The Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave, kids can dress up like cowboys and cowgirls and learn about the Old West.
Dine on a Patio.
With 300 days of sunshine a year, people in Golden live outdoors. The town’s two dozen outdoor cafes, patios and beer gardens remain open all year. Many of them have porch coverings, heat lamps, and outdoor fire pits, while all of them enjoy Colorado’s bright sun. There are more than two dozen restaurants with outdoor seating, many with mountain and creekside views. On weekends, some of the beer gardens have live music around an outdoor fire pit. Leave room because downtown Golden is filled with specialty shops selling ice cream, yogurt, cookies, donuts, cupcakes, candy and pastries!
Play with Trains.
Trains didn’t stop running in the winter, and winter can be one of the most fun times to visit the Colorado Railroad Museum. The gigantic indoor HO layout has trains crossing mountains and cities and even has a functioning circus! There are also outdoor model railroads where the realistic toy engines sound just like the real thing! They operate frequently and it’s one of the largest public garden railroad layouts in the U.S. Of course, there are dozens of genuine cars, locomotives and cabooses on 15 acres ready to be explored. Climb into the cab of a steam locomotive and ring the bell!
Search for Dinosaur Bones.
The first dinosaur bones were discovered near Golden at Dinosaur Ridge. Today, you can hike or take a bus tour looking for hundreds of real dinosaur tracks along the way. Dinosaur Ridge is located between Red Rocks and the plains leading down to Denver, and the now closed-to-traffic-paved-road crossing it is open and accessible all year and is free to walk, with a small charge for guided tours. The nearby Triceratops Trail is a paved and gravel trail the shows you where the first T-Rex bones were found with informative markers along the way. If it’s a little chilly, visit the free Mines Museum of Earth Science, where you can learn about the geology that makes Golden special, enter a uranium mine and even see pieces of rock from the moon! It’s a great free afternoon activity for all ages with over 15,000 square feet of rocks, minerals, fossils and other fascinating Earth Science-related objects from all over the world.
Visit a Farm.
The Golden History Park has a full historic creekside farm with a working blacksmith shop, barn, farmhouse and schoolhouse. Bring some quarters and feed the chickens! The self-guided tours are open all winter.
Get Artsy.
Golden now has one of the largest arts centers on the Front Range! The newly opened Foothills Art Center moved into the historic Astor House Hotel in late 2024. The architecture of the 1858 hotel has been combined with a new building of glass and mountain views to create the Astor House and Creative Campus. The beautiful new complex has FREE admission for changing art exhibits and offers both youth and adult art classes. Across the street, Golden’s new Miners Alley Performing Arts Center offers year-round theatre of musicals, dramas and comedy – some even intended just for young audiences ! And Golden is filled with galleries offering the best in Western fashions, Western art, Native American jewelry, quilting and more. There are dozens of murals, statues and public art around Golden making it the perfect place to take a stroll and find your favorites.
Check out the events and things to do pages for additional ideas. Golden, Colorado offers mild weather, sunshine, and adventures for all ages every season!