I'm a Colorado local. If I had one day to show you my state, I'd skip Denver and take you to a city just west of it.

I've lived in Colorado for complete a decade. If I had fair a sole day to display person what I affection concerning the state, I wouldn't obtain them to our chief city, Denver.

Instead, I'd bring them to the much smaller city of Golden.

Golden gives has a small bit of everything for visitors: mountains and hiking trails, a creek operating through town, a historic downtown made for wandering on foot, and plentifulness of places to eat and drink.

It's located fair concerning 15 miles west of downtown Denver, or concerning a 25-minute drive, and typically small than an hour's run from the Denver International Airport.

Here's why I affection bringing out-of-towners to Golden — and anywhere I'd obtain them whenever they visited.

I'd commencement the dawn alongside coffee at a family-owned shop.

Golden has multiple coffee shops, but I'd commencement my ideal day current at Sogo Beans and Boards.

The family-owned coffee and skate shop is fair minutes from downtown. I affection that Sogo air-roasts its fair-trade coffee and makes its own syrups and pastries.

Its plant-filled room, liberated Wi-Fi, and storyline patio create it uncomplicated to linger complete a latte, and it's the benevolent of autonomous shop that makes a dawn awareness unhurried.

We'd expend many of period outside, which is uncomplicated to do in Golden

The city makes it uncomplicated to go from a coffee shop to a trail without a lengthy drive.

For a leisurely morning, I'd rent an e-bike and prosecute the paved Clear Creek Trail, which winds alongside the h2o through parks and greenery.

For additional of a workout, I'd hike North Table Mountain, anywhere the first ascend stings but rewards you alongside sweeping views of the city and surrounding mesas.

In warmer months, tubing on Clear Creek is another way to obtain in the town's outdoor civilization and scenic views.

If I had additional time, I'd obtain the abbreviated run from town to sojourn Golden Gate Canyon State Park, a beautiful location to bask aspen groves and mountain scenery. Come winter, the identical park is a peaceful location to snowshoe through snow-covered trails.

The Golden Mill is my go-to for lunch

After operating up an appetite, I'd caput to The Golden Mill, a food hall and community gathering area alongside Clear Creek.

It offers multiple food concepts — from sushi and tacos to fried chicken, barbecue, and New Zealand-style ice lotion — which method a collection alongside distinct tastes can all depart happy. More than 50 self-pour taps recommendation beer, wine, cider, and more.

The finest part is the setting. Large creekside and rooftop patios have mountain views, which makes it an ideal place to resolve in following a dawn outside.

My sister and I lately spent a dawn there for rooftop yoga led by a local teacher, afterward walked about town afterward before returning for lunch.

It was peaceful, and it reinforced what makes the location work: It feels small akin a traditional eatery and additional akin location you can expend a few hours eating, drinking, and observing Golden go by.

The yoga is a summer sequence that typically returns in May, and the event lineup rotates alongside the seasons. Past offerings have included rooftop barre and Keg Conditioning, a exercise that uses bare kegs as equipment.

Downtown is made for wandering

Washington Avenue is lined alongside locally owned boutiques, galleries, and Western outfitters, and a seasonal Saturday farmers market adds to the scene.

Kayakers can perform at Clear Creek Whitewater Park and ale fans can tour the Coors Brewery. Coors began brewing beside the creek in 1873.

One twelvemonth later, the Colorado School of Mines was established nearby. It's part of an manufacturing former you can motionless awareness as you walk.

I'd depart several of the midday unscheduled, too. Part of Golden's petition is merely strolling alongside the creek, looking up at the foothills, and stopping anywhere item catches your attention.

Golden is evidence that the finest trips aren't continually the flashiest

All of the complete is ultimately why I'd choose Golden for someone's first sensation of Colorado.

Denver has plentifulness to offer, but Golden gives you a concentrated type of the province I'd desire to portion alongside a first-time visitor: mountain views without a long mountainous drive; outdoor adventure alongside a walkable downtown; and adequate food, beer, and local character to inhabit the day.

Sometimes it's not the most excessive destinations that create the most meaningful memories. Some of my favorites in Golden have been the simplest, akin that quiescent dawn alongside my sister.

After additional than a decade here, that blend of comfort and charm motionless feels akin Colorado to me.