15 Top Things to do in Golden with Kids
We recently spent one day in Golden, Colorado, deciding it was one of the nearby towns we had been missing out on all these years. We loved the feel of this charming town, filled with both adventure, fun, and education. Some of the best things to do in Golden with kids included being outside hiking and exploring town.
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If you’ve never been to Golden because you’re not sure if it’s worth a visit, read on to gain confidence in your decision to go. This little town is perfect for families, whether you’ve got younger toddlers or older kids coming along.
If you’re not sure what to do in Golden, Colorado, check out the activities below that are both fun, unique, educational, or all of the above! Visiting Golden is an easy way to escape Denver without having to drive too far.
Plan your day with a few fun activities in Golden and then get on the road to experience this little gem near Denver, Colorado.
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Where is Golden?
Golden, Colorado is located just under 30 minutes from Denver. It makes a great day trip from the city to escape city noise and get some mountain experiences without going deep into the mountains.
From Denver, simply take US-6 west. It’ll cross I-70 and curve north. This will drop you right into Golden.
What to do in Golden, Colorado with Kids
Here are some of the best things to do in Golden with kids. We very much enjoyed most of these activities. There are a few we didn’t get to because we ran out of daylight, but it was very easy to stay active and entertained the entire day!
Choose a few activities that sound good to your family for your next trip to Golden.
1. Triceratops Trail
Triceratops Trail has been designated a National Natural Landmark for over 20 years now. Here you can witness dinosaur tracks that date back 68 million years ago.
The trail is an easy, gravel trail measuring 1.5 miles. It travels among sandstone walls and clay pits. Kids will love finding dino tracks, bird and plant fossils, and seeing a bit of the clay mining.
Where to find it: Park at the School of Mines Lot A off 19th. From US-6, head east on 19th and immediately turn right into the parking lot.
2. Mines Museum of Earth Science
This will be one of the coolest things to do in Golden with kids. I have a daughter that LOVES rocks. She teases how she will be naughty just so Santa will give her lumps of coal. So this museum was a dream.
The Mines Museum of Earth Science is filled with cases of gems from all around the world.
First you’ll walk in and find gems from different areas of Colorado. Then as you go to the other side of the cases you’ll find ones from South America.
You can then go downstairs to find even more exotic looking gems from Africa and Asia.
Downstairs also provides a look at moon rocks. meteorites, and dinosaur fossil casts.
Though the coolest part of this place was going into Blaster’s Mine. In here you can enter a section in the dark where black lights are glowing on the rocks…which then show off their glow in the dark properties. It’s super cool!
What’s great is that there is no cost to visit this museum. It’s one of our top free activities in Denver!
3. Golden History Park
The Golden History Park is an outdoor exploration of the history of Golden. Walk the paved path through historic buildings that date back to the 1800’s, part of the Pearce Ranch.
We were lucky enough to be there when someone was staffing the blacksmith hut. We were able to see and learn about tool making then and now.
This park is located along the beautiful Clear Creek and right off the trail. You can also park right off 11th.
Admission is free for all to enter the park area. There is a donation box if you so choose.
4. Golden History Museum
To expand your history knowledge a bit more, you can visit the Golden history museum just down the trail from the Golden History Park.
The museum is filled with cool antiques to peruse. Start with an old mining car that was used to mine clay. The car can hold up to 2,300 pounds of clay and was used in the Rockwell mine in Golden.
You’ll also get to see an old grandfather clock, an old phone (the kids needed this explained to them a bit!), and even an enormous camera that was used to film movies.
If you’ve got smaller kids, they’ll enjoy the area that is specifically for hands-on play. They can make-believe they are running a restaurant with a cash register, tables for seating, and kitchen to prepare food.
5. Public Art Walk
Along Golden’s main street, Washington Avenue, you can search for and admire the various artwork scattered about. Between murals and statues, you’ll find over 2 dozen pieces to enjoy.
Roam Washington Avenue and try to find them yourself, or stop at the visitor center for a guide to finding them.
6. Itty Bitty Art Walk
While the adults are enjoying their own art walk, the kids have an art walk especially for them!
You can grab a brochure for the Itty Bitty art walk at the visitors center as well. Or you can roam around and see what the kids can find.
The Itty Bitty Art Walk is filled with fun and colorful pieces of art that the kids will enjoy. From painted trash cans to bike racks made into a giraffe, the kids will love finding these camouflaged artwork pieces around.
7. Farmer’s Market
Wait, isn’t this the best things to do in Golden with kids?
Yes. My kids enjoyed this farmer’s market probably even more than we did. And we really enjoyed it.
There are various foods and samples and music and jewelry…all the things that keep kids happy.
We got to sample (any buy) smoked salsa (so good) and sample (and buy) big, thick cookies. That’s all the kids needed for a successful trip to the farmer’s market.
The farmer’s market had a large produce stand, handmade beach towels (the Turkish towel type, but these weren’t technically Turkish), jewelry, health-focused mushrooms, honey products and lotions, magnesium products, CBD, syrups, bakery items, and so much more. It was a great selection of handmade goods.
The Farmer’s Market runs through the summer and all the way through September.
8. Tube down the Clear Creek
Golden is one of the best places in Colorado to tube down the river (others including Steamboat Springs or the Boulder Creek up in Boulder). Heading to the creek when it’s at an appropriate level makes this one of the great family activities in Golden for a hot summer day.
You can put in at many spots along the creek, but you must exit no further than at Vanover Park.
The creek is great for tubing down during lower water times. This provides some splashes and some relaxing moments.
There are times when it is not safe to tube down as well. Make sure to check ahead and see if the creek is open to tubing before you plan.
For logistics, you can park at the Clear Creek Parking lot at 304 10th street. This is a free lot and located near Vanover Park (where you’ll be exiting the creek at the end of your tubing session).
Then you can hop on a shuttle that runs most weekends to take you up to Gateway Trailhead to begin your float. The shuttle ticket will be good for 2 trips, making it easy to tube down the river twice!
9. Walk the Clear Creek Trail
If you’re not sure what to do in Golden Colorado, start by walking the Clear Creek Trail. This will ease you into some ideas as you go through town.
The Clear Creek Trail runs through the heart of Golden. It’s a great, easy way to take the family on a walk while having some great spots to pull out and watch tubers on the river.
Walking along the Clear Creek Trail will take you right past the visitors center, Golden history museum, Golden history park, and the Farmer’s Market.
Our kids actually brought their (non-motorized) scooters knowing we’d be doing some walking. This trail seemed similar to the trail we walked in Idaho Springs, so we knew it was family-friendly and easy. We didn’t end up using the scooters because the trail was quite busy. Everyone loves to enjoy the Clear Creek Trail!
10. Hiking in Golden, CO
Golden is not short on hikes, so if your family loves to hike, there are a lot of great options here.
As already mentioned, a nice easy hike/walk is to go along the Triceratops Trail.
Another great place for hiking is North Table Mountain Park. North Table Loop does a giant circle around the mountain, but you can always do just a piece of it. The park has bathrooms, a bike station, and water available. This area is a popular area and we saw many hikers, runners, and bikers.
This is where spent our hiking time for the day and it was a cool area. My kids specifically loved the wooden walkways that went over the grassy areas.
South Table Mountain Park also has a few easy hikes, like Fossil Trail which is an easy 1.6 miles, that would be good for kids. You can park along Golden Hills road (just past Salvia Street there is a small parking lot) and access the trail.
For a more gentle hike, families can check out the Peaks to Plains paved trail. This is a segment in Golden that is part of a larger trail system.
Golden is home to some of the best, family-friendly hiking in the Denver area, so be sure to at least try one!
11. Colorado Railroad Museum
This is one of the most kid-friendly places in Golden. Have a kid that likes trains? This should be at the top of your list.
You’ll find dozens of locomotives and train cars here, plus exhibits, model trains, and even train rides.
The end of the year brings the famous Polar Express ride, while September welcomes Thomas the Train events.
12. Lookout Mountain Nature Center
910 Colorow Rd
On the weekends you can drive up Lookout Mountain and pop into the nature center. The center is filled with exhibits and hands on play for kids to explore local flora and fauna.
There are some trails outside the nature center that are both short and easy. It’s the perfect way to get some great views and a nice walk in with the kids,
13. Boettcher Mansion
900 Colorow Road
While you are up at the Lookout Mountain Nature Center, make sure to stop at the Boettcher Mansion.
The mansion was built in 1917 by Charles Boettcher as a summer home and hunting lodge. In the 1970’s, it was donated to Jefferson county. It underwent gentle renovations meant to update but also preserve the home.
The 10,000 square foot home is now used for the public. You can tour the inside or you could get married at it! The mansion hosts retreats, conferences, and other events.
14. Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave
987 1/2 Lookout Mountain Road
This makes a great stop along the ride to the top where the Nature Center and Mansion are. The Buffalo Bill Museum is a tribute to the great life of William F. Cody.
Cody was nicknamed “Buffalo Bill” from hunting and providing meat to railroad workers. He spent his life in showmanship with the Wild West Combination that traveled around.
Though he was assigned to fight against some native tribes, he also was sympathetic to the natives. He ended up being an advocate and helped arrange meetings between tribes and politicians.
During his travels, he came to the Denver area over 30 times. He loved it and desired to be buried on Lookout Mountain to over look Denver and the surrounding area. His wish was fulfilled in 1917.
Now he and his wife are buried here, and his good friend Johnny Baker set up a museum in 1921 to honor his life.
15. Golden Gate State Park
This park is beautiful and amazing. If you visit in late September, you’ll be blessed with bright and bold colors throughout the park.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park has plenty of trails that are great for families, like the Raccoon Trail (3.5 miles r/t). You can also take Snowshoe Hare Trail which is slightly shorter than Raccoon Trail (3 miles) and will provide plenty of colors in fall, plus you’ll get to walk right by Dude’s fishing hole, which provides a scenic little pond.
Map of What to do in Golden with Kids
Here is an interactive map to help you plan out your day in Golden with the kids!
Things to do NEAR Golden with kids
There is plenty to do within the proper limits of Golden. But if you want to see even more, here are a few more attractions near Golden.
- Dinosaur Ridge– a free, steep walk up a paved road to see dinosaur tracks right in the mountain!
- Red Rocks Park– Catch a concert at the most beautiful venue! Or visit during the day to hike around the park with some great scenery.
- Lariat Loop Scenic Byway– this will take you out of Golden, but does go through Golden. This scenic byway gives you great views and cool towns like Morrison and Evergreen.
- Mount Falcon Park– This hiking area is one kids will love. A short hike will take you from the car to castle ruins, all while staying in the mountains.
- Lair O’ the Bear– Another great hiking area…with another castle view. This one isn’t in ruins though, it’s actively still used.
Where to Stay in Golden
If you are hoping to do all these fun family activities in Golden, you’ll need more than 1 day. Make the most of your time by staying in Golden.
Check out The Golden Hotel, which is located right in town. It has both a convenient and beautiful location, as it is right along Clear Creek. This 4-star hotel is highly rated and has a fitness room, restaurant on site, and serves breakfast ($).
Parking in Golden
We were able to park at the Visitor’s Center. After stopping inside, the man working said we were fine to leave the car there.
The lot was full all day long, and we only got a spot because we were luckily to have someone pulling out as we pulled in.
If the Visitor Center isn’t available, there are other spots around town to park in Golden.
Visitors can park at the Clear Creek Parking lot at 304 10th Street. This is just a couple blocks from Washington Street, the main part of downtown Golden. This lot is free daytime parking.
There is also a parking garage on Jackson between 12th and 13th street. Another garage sits between 11th and 12th on the same street. These parking garages are free the first two hours and then have small hourly fee.
Try to use the designated parking areas. Some residential areas do not allow visitor parking.
Best Time to Visit Golden
There’s not really a bad time to visit Golden. Summer is great for the outdoor activities, especially for floating the creek. Fall is great for the fabulous colors that appear and mild weather. Winter brings fun activities like the Candlelight Walk down Washington Avenue before the holidays. And spring brings both snow and sun.
Best Things to do in Golden with Kids
While Golden sits in the foothills of the rocky mountains, it’s still a great place to get a taste of Colorado without driving deep into the mountains.
Kids will love tubing on Clear Creek, visiting the history park and museum, and checking out lots of trains at the Railroad Museum.
Whether you’re looking to hike or explore town, you’ve come to a great place. With all the great things to do in Golden with kids, you’ll never be bored. Whether you are spending one day in Golden or making a weekend out of it, it makes for the perfect family getaway from the city.
We loved spending a day in Golden and can’t wait to go back and explore some of the things we missed!
