Betsy & Michael
Things To Do
Mountain Biking
We couldn't have an activities list without mountain biking. If you know anything about Michael, it's that he loves to mountain bike. There are trails for folks of all ability levels so we'd encourage you to rent a mountain bike from Big Ring Cycles or Peak Cycles in downtown Golden and check out a few trails.
Golden Bike Library
Check out Golden Bike Library near the Golden History Museum and borrow free or low-cost bikes for the afternoon. Explore Golden's trails, go on a brewery tour, and more. Golden Bike Library loans bikes for free for 2 hours or has rentals for $10 per day. This is a great way to see the town and have a little fun without worrying about driving. They even provide helmets, water bottles, and locks.
Hiking
There are so many amazing places to hike in Golden. Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Lookout Mountain, Table Mountain, Apex, and so many more. Regardless of where you decide to go, you can't go wrong. Interested in traveling outside of the Golden area? Head to the Flatirons in Boulder, St. Mary's Glacier near Idaho Springs, The Incline at Manitou Springs, Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs, or Rocky Mountain National Park.
Golden Restaurants
Golden is somewhat of a quaint town with many restaurants and bars right off Washington Street, the main street in Golden. Here are a few of our favorite places to grab a bite to eat: - Abejas - always ranked among the best restaurants in Denver - Barrels and Bottles - this is one of Betsy's favorite places for a drink. Michael thinks it's "too Boulder" - Bob's Atomic Burgers - great burger spot in Golden. - Bridgewater Grill - the restaurant with one of the prettiest views in Golden. - Buffalo Rose - an authentic Golden establishment with a great patio and interesting clientele. - D'Deli - a great spot for sandwiches - Table Mountain Inn - they have a great happy hour. Michael enjoys their breakfast. - Trailhead Taphouse & Kitchen - where we went for a drink after we got engaged.
Golden Breweries and Distilleries
Many folks associate Colorado with craft beer and there are many places in Golden for you to enjoy delicious brews. Be sure to check out Coors and take a free brewery tour. They even offer three free beers (or soft drinks) at the end of the tour. Locals' Tip - Line too long to take the tour? Or, are you more interested in free beer than watching the beer making process? Request a short tour and you bypass the full tour and receive your free drinks at the end.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Whether you attend a concert, run stadiums on the stairs (ha), or just take in the beautiful sites, check out Red Rocks Amphitheatre. It's one of the most epic concert venues you'll ever see, and if a concert isn't on your agenda, there are some accessible hiking trails to check out around it. We think it's a pretty spectacular place.
Denver
If you've never been to Denver, we encourage you to venture 20 minutes east and enjoy a day in Denver. Spend the day touring some of Denver's best breweries (https://denver.eater.com/maps/best-new-breweries-denver), enjoy amazing restaurants (don't miss out on tacos or Michael's recommendation, Rocky Mountain oysters) and food halls (Denver Central Market, Avanti, and more), and more. Take in a Colorado Rockies game at Coors Field. Visit Denver Zoo (you can still see some of Michael's handiwork). Learn more about Colorado's history at History Colorado Center. Don't miss out at the latest exhibit at Denver Art Museum. And, if you want to see where Betsy and Michael went on their first date, head to breakfast at Dozens. We have many Denver favorites so please do not hesitate to contact us if you want more specific recommendations.
Colorado's High Country
If you're able to extend your trip to Colorado for a few days, we'd encourage you to spend time in Colorado's beautiful Rocky Mountains. They always say that people come to Colorado for the winters and stay for the summer - while not yet summer during our wedding, you can still enjoy picturesque sites and towns. Breckenridge is only about an hour from Golden, Vail and Beaver Creek about 1.5 hours. Check out Aspen, Telluride, Ouray, Crested Butte, and more.
Skiing
You're in Colorado, why not get in some turns? What's known locally as A-Basin closed in mid-June 2017 so you may be able to enjoy some late-season skiing while you're in town for our wedding. Be sure to wear your sunscreen!