Gotta get outta town, and go to Golden! You will find a perfect getaway less than a 2-hour drive from Colorado Springs. What awaits is one of the friendliest, most welcoming towns in Colorado.

The arch spanning Washington Avenue in the historic downtown area sets the tone, and says it all: “Howdy Folks – Welcome to Golden – Where The West Lives.” Golden is awash in history and is a true gateway to the best of everything Colorado has to offer, from mountain activities and sights to beautiful scenery and clean mountain air.

In late April my husband and I, along with our travelin’ dog Gracie, were treated to a 2-night stay at Table Mountain Inn (1310 Washington Ave.). Amazingly it is located on a site that has been a hotel for over a hundred years. Situated in the heart of downtown’s historic neighborhood, this elegant boutique hotel offers 74 pet-friendly rooms.

The guest rooms are spacious and well-appointed, with a Southwestern/art deco decor. We were delighted with a cozy balcony-for-two overlooking downtown Golden and Table Mountain in the distance. The pillow-top mattress was like sleeping on a cloud-I’m not kidding!

Kevin Gibbs, Director of Operations, gave me an informative tour of the Inn highlighting renovations, updates, and the meeting/event space. He emphasized the ideal location of the Inn, and the true sense of community in Golden.

In the 1990s, the building was completely renovated adding 3 more floors and expanding additional indoor/outdoor event space. Today the Inn offers a lively bar scene, and an upscale gourmet restaurant featuring Southwestern cuisine. A Santa Fe vibe features a cozy and comfortable lobby with wood-beam accents, comfortable furniture, attractive artwork, and a welcoming ambience.

Golden abounds with locally owned bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. Right across the street from the Inn we found Higher Grounds Cafe (803 14th St.) where we had freshly baked pastries each morning. Also in close proximity is the popular Woody’s Wood-Fired Pizza (1305 Washington Ave.). Try the Hot Honey pie-it’s delish! The Golden Mill Food Hall (1012 Ford. St.) was also highly recommended as a casual gathering spot.

Don’t miss out on an opportunity to tour the Coors Brewery. It was founded in 1873, and is the largest single site brewery operating in the world. The informative tour (reservations required) explores the history of the site, and the process of malting, brewing and packaging beer. Along the way generous samples are offered of Coors products. This is a great way to get a sense of the role Coors plays in the culture of Golden.

We drove up the serpentine highway to Lookout Mountain that opened in 1913. Along the way we stopped in for a self-guided tour of Boettcher Mansion, the former hunting lodge built in 1917 by Colorado entrepreneur Charles Boettcher. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the world of the wealthy from days gone by. Today the mansion is an event center surrounded by fantastic views of the mountains and vistas below. We drove on up to the top of Lookout Mountain for the breathtaking 360 views that stretch to the Denver skyline and beyond, and to the surrounding mountain ranges, valleys, and plains.

On Lookout Mountain are the graves of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody and his wife Louisa; along with the Buffalo Bill Museum that is chock full of American West memorabilia including exhibits from his Wild West shows. Museum staff informed us that the Pahaska Tepee, a gift shop and restaurant built in 1921 (closed in 2025) will be opening again in early summer following needed renovations. Lookout Mountain is a terrific place for a day of not only sightseeing, but also for a picnic and some stellar hiking.

Another place we visited included the Mines Museum of Earth Science where you will see brilliant displays of precious metals, gemstones, minerals and fossils. They even have a moon rock.

A few other great sights to see around Golden include Red Rocks Amphitheater and Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Golden History Museum, and Colorado Railroad Museum. The Clear Creek Trail is a true gem providing miles of paved trails for strolling, hiking, and biking. It’s a delight to meander along the flowing waterway listening to birdsong, observing goslings guarded by watchful parents, and seeing the emerging spring green foliage. I also love the unique shops downtown. There are no fast food joints or chain stores, so the ambience is of small town America from days past.

Totally worth a shoutout is the now iconic event-Goldens in Golden: an annual gathering of golden retrievers and their people. In February 2026 an estimated 5,000 goldens and 15,000 people celebrated in downtown Golden with a day of fun and fanfare focused on this typically happy dog breed. It epitomizes what Golden is all about.