Insider Guide: Best of Golden

Published in The Scout Guide:

Golden is the Front Range town most Denverites drive past on their way somewhere else. That is their mistake. Fifteen miles west of downtown, tucked into the foothills where Clear Creek empties out of the mountains, Golden is a proper town with proper bones: a Victorian main street, a creek you can actually get into, a handful of hotels that would hold their own in any resort market, and a food and drink scene that has quietly built itself into something worth the drive.

For this guide, we turned to the Golden Girl herself, Halley of Homes By Halley. Halley lives there, sells there, and has opinions. This is her list.

STAY

The Dove Inn is the high-end move if you want character. Originally built in 1866 and recently renovated top to bottom, the Dove is a boutique inn with distinct rooms, a behind-the-scenes service model, and a walk-everywhere location in downtown Golden. While the continental breakfast is simple, the coffee is local and the quiet is the kind that makes you forget you are twenty minutes from Denver. The Eddy Taproom & Hotel is Golden’s sexiest and most talked-about property. Although it has only 49 rooms, it offers a private rooftop with mountain views, an indoor-outdoor taproom with a firepit, and a pedestrian bridge that connects directly to the Golden trail system. Also, bring the dog. The Golden Hotel is the classic choice, right on Clear Creek with rooms that open onto the water. If the sound of a creek outside your window is non-negotiable, this is the address.

DINE

Abejas is the reservation to make. It is chef-driven, farm-to-table, and quietly one of the best restaurants on the Front Range. Dinner runs Tuesday through Sunday, with brunch on weekends. Book through Tock, and book early. While the seasonal menu changes, the commitment to local sourcing does not.The Golden Mill is the casual play. A food hall with a rooftop patio, a dog-friendly vibe, and enough range to satisfy a group that cannot agree on anything. Cold beer, a warm patio, and excellent people-watching.Nosu Ramen is Halley’s “reminiscent of Uncle” call for a reason. Hip-hop on the speakers, a full bar, and ramen that holds up. In addition, it is the perfect post-hike dinner when you want something warm and loud.

DRINK

SOGO Coffee House is the local morning spot. Grab a coffee and walk the creek. Meanwhile, Miners Saloon is where you go for the cocktail. Serious bar program, historic Golden character, and the kind of menu that rewards a slow hour. Babe’s Tea Room is the one your mother and your group text will both thank you for. Westword named it Best High Tea in Denver in 2025, and the Golden location has a riverside patio. Although the draw is the full afternoon tea service with nearly 100 loose-leaf teas, the space also has a full bar, wine shop, and grab-and-go market. Reservations are required for the tea service.

SHOP

Alyth Active is the local activewear answer for anyone who has been wearing the same brand on repeat. Designed in Golden, women-owned, and built around versatile, premium athleisure that takes you from a workout to the rest of the day. Halley’s pick if you want a Colorado alternative to the obvious choices. Marrygrams is the gift store that has the answer to every gift you do not yet know how to buy. Although it started as a wedding paper goods shop in 2011, today’s Marrygrams on Washington Avenue is a full lifestyle boutique stocking cards, baby and children’s clothing, body care, jewelry, and Colorado-made gifts from over 200 small and woman-owned brands.YoColorado is the Colorado merch store you actually want to wear. Founded in Golden in 2013, the brand has built a cult following around retro-inspired outdoor apparel and accessories that celebrate the Colorado lifestyle without veering into kitsch. The flagship store sits in historic downtown Golden at 805 12th Street.

EXPLORE

Lubahn & Olivine Trails are Halley’s pick for the Golden hike every local sends visitors on. As part of the North Table Mountain trail system, they offer loops for every level and views back down over the city and Clear Creek.Coors Brewery Tour is the tourist play that is actually worth doing. Free, hour-long, and it ends with beer. Since it has been happening in Golden since 1873, it is also one of the longest-running tours in the country.Finally, Tube Clear Creek is the summer move. Rent a tube, float the creek, and understand why Golden is the town Denverites have been keeping to themselves. Peak season runs June through August. Also, bring water shoes.

Golden is a day trip, an overnight, and occasionally a three-day escape that feels farther from Denver than it actually is. The Scout Guide team sends a particular kind of guest here: the one who wants a proper dinner, a walkable town, a real hike, and a bed worth the drive. Halley knows. Let her show you around.

Want more insider guides like this one? Explore our directory of Scouted businesses across Denver and the Front Range.