Colorado is a tourist utopia! There is so much to see and do here. From the scenic majesty of the Rocky Mountains to the city of Denver, there is something for everyone here. Make it a vacation! Come to the model horse show and then hang around and see what Colorado has to offer.
Rocky Mountain National Park is a must-see for everyone, at least once in a lifetime. Absolutely breath-taking scenery and abundant wildlife make this an unforgettable experience.
Denver offers all the usual attractions of a big city: dining, night life, museums, an awesome zoo, and many sports teams call Denver home. The Denver Chamber of Commerce will help you find information for all of these. Denver is about a half an hour from Golden, an easy drive on I-70.
Closer to "home", the town of Golden has a website for its tourist attractions. Golden is a nice little town at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. There is plenty of scenery and wildlife right nearby. I-70 takes you into the mountains, if you should want a scenic drive. You can also drive past or to ski resorts and towns, such as Beaver Creek and Vail.
Here are some of the attractions right in or near Golden.
Mount Evans Scenic Byway. This is a wonderful scenic drive up Mount Evans, located just outside of Idaho Springs, CO. There is wildlife such as elk, mule deer, marmots, bighorn sheep and mountain goats. Yes, there are mountain goats at the top. I have seen them. :) Was about 5 feet from one. He was blocking the bathroom. Incredible. And the bighorn sheep are almost "tame". They have been fed by too many tourists and will approach your car, looking for handouts. This drive is sort of a mini version of Rocky Mtn National Park. It takes you above treeline where you can see firsthand the alpine tundra. I definitely recommend this drive. It is seasonal, as it closes for winter, due to weather. It opens around Memorial Day, so be sure to check if the road is open.
Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave. Located at the top of Lookout Mountain, this has all the history plus a scenic drive up to it. Besides overlooking Golden, it gives you a great view of the Rocky Mountains to the west and a panoramic view of Denver and the great plains to the east.
Coors Brewery. Located right in Golden and is the world's largest single site brewery. They offer tours through the brewery and explain the history of the company and show how beer is made. At the end, you do get to sample the product. Free. If you are 21 or older. Yep. :) Plus there is a lot of memorabilia and a gift shop. Definitely worth doing.
Red Rocks Ampitheatre. Interesting rock formations that created a natural ampitheatre. Fascinating to see, even without a concert.
Dinosaur Ridge. As the name implies, a location with actual dinosaur bones and tracks. They have a visitor center and a trail.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Located in Golden, and they have a visitor center. If you're interested in "going green" and renewable energy, this is a premier research center.
Colorado Railroad Museum. Lots of history plus actual old trains on the grounds to see. Train rides on Saturdays.
Bandimere Speedway. Unique drag racing track built against the side of the mountain (well, a foothill). They have racing for all levels, from local events to Mile High Nationals, which hosts the big names, like John Force. That is in July. And I will be there.... :)
Rocky Mountain National Park is a must-see for everyone, at least once in a lifetime. Absolutely breath-taking scenery and abundant wildlife make this an unforgettable experience.
Denver offers all the usual attractions of a big city: dining, night life, museums, an awesome zoo, and many sports teams call Denver home. The Denver Chamber of Commerce will help you find information for all of these. Denver is about a half an hour from Golden, an easy drive on I-70.
Closer to "home", the town of Golden has a website for its tourist attractions. Golden is a nice little town at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. There is plenty of scenery and wildlife right nearby. I-70 takes you into the mountains, if you should want a scenic drive. You can also drive past or to ski resorts and towns, such as Beaver Creek and Vail.
Here are some of the attractions right in or near Golden.
Mount Evans Scenic Byway. This is a wonderful scenic drive up Mount Evans, located just outside of Idaho Springs, CO. There is wildlife such as elk, mule deer, marmots, bighorn sheep and mountain goats. Yes, there are mountain goats at the top. I have seen them. :) Was about 5 feet from one. He was blocking the bathroom. Incredible. And the bighorn sheep are almost "tame". They have been fed by too many tourists and will approach your car, looking for handouts. This drive is sort of a mini version of Rocky Mtn National Park. It takes you above treeline where you can see firsthand the alpine tundra. I definitely recommend this drive. It is seasonal, as it closes for winter, due to weather. It opens around Memorial Day, so be sure to check if the road is open.
Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave. Located at the top of Lookout Mountain, this has all the history plus a scenic drive up to it. Besides overlooking Golden, it gives you a great view of the Rocky Mountains to the west and a panoramic view of Denver and the great plains to the east.
Coors Brewery. Located right in Golden and is the world's largest single site brewery. They offer tours through the brewery and explain the history of the company and show how beer is made. At the end, you do get to sample the product. Free. If you are 21 or older. Yep. :) Plus there is a lot of memorabilia and a gift shop. Definitely worth doing.
Red Rocks Ampitheatre. Interesting rock formations that created a natural ampitheatre. Fascinating to see, even without a concert.
Dinosaur Ridge. As the name implies, a location with actual dinosaur bones and tracks. They have a visitor center and a trail.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Located in Golden, and they have a visitor center. If you're interested in "going green" and renewable energy, this is a premier research center.
Colorado Railroad Museum. Lots of history plus actual old trains on the grounds to see. Train rides on Saturdays.
Bandimere Speedway. Unique drag racing track built against the side of the mountain (well, a foothill). They have racing for all levels, from local events to Mile High Nationals, which hosts the big names, like John Force. That is in July. And I will be there.... :)