Omayra Acevedo, Golden.    Fifteen miles West of Denver, you can find yourself in the historic town of Golden, Colorado. Why Golden? Well, why not?! Golden can be the perfect destination for those that want the feel of getting away from the big city, without having to go very far. Golden offers options for everyone. Shopping, dining, drinking, outdoor recreation, museums, festivals and much more. It was founded in 1859 during the gold rush and walking around town will let you see first-hand the pride that comes with their history.

In the historic downtown area, you can spend the day visiting museums, tubing, biking, shopping or just taking photos. By the evening, you have an array of restaurants to choose from. Want pizza? No problem. How about a salad or burger? Perhaps a fine steak or salmon? Golden has got you covered. Want to burn off the calories afterwards or maybe indulge in an adult beverage? You’ve got your pick of bars that offer nightly entertainment for dancing or singing along. If you have a little too much to drink, well, there’s no need to drive home as Golden also has hotels.

One of the most popular attractions in Golden is the Coors Brewery tour. It is the largest single-site brewery in the world. It still stands on the same ground where Adolph Coors established the brewery in 1873. The tours last 30 minutes, and you get an up-close look at how the brewery functions and a few little-unknown fun facts. You can also enjoy some samples of their beer and maybe even win one of their many giveaways. Guess what? It’s all free!

Don’t care for beer or alcohol? Spend some time wandering through one of the many museums. Most are kid-friendly. Like, the Colorado Railroad Museum, Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave and the Cussler Museum to name a few. If you’re up for it, stop at the Golden Bike Library. You and the family can rent bikes and stroll around town. With 24 miles of trails to discover within the town of Golden, why not do it on two wheels. Don’t forget your helmets too!

For those that crave a little bit more solitude, Golden has no shortage of hiking trails. One of my personal favorite places to head to is Golden Gate Canyon State Park. To get there, simply head west away from town and take Golden Gate Canyon Road. Head about 14 miles West and you’re there. In Golden Gate Canyon State Park, you can fish, hike, camp, bike, brush up on your photography, write, have a picnic or just enjoy a short drive through the Rockies. As always, please don’t forget to pick up after yourself and respect nature. Don’t want to go that far? No worries. North Table Mountain Trail and Mount Galbraith Park are closer than the state park and easy to find.

As you can see, there are tons of things to do not that far away from home. With so many things to do and see, it’s no wonder Golden is becoming more and more of a destination for locals as well as tourists.