Coors gives a good tour. Starting at their visitor parking lot at 13th and Ford Street, they drive you on a quick loop through the historic downtown, then to the brewery. There, you learn some about the history of the brewery (which was established in Golden in 1873), then see the giant vats and the brewery process itself, and end in the hospitality room, where you can sample Coors products for free.

This park includes several buildings that were rescued from the mountains near Golden. The collection includes two ranch cabins, a barn, a blacksmith shop, and a one room school. Living history interpreters are often on-hand, demonstrating pioneer skills and inviting you to participate in making ice cream, feeding chickens, or making a straw mattress. Even when actors are not on hand, the park makes a lovely place to stroll.

The Lookout Mountain Nature Center is located at the top of Lookout Mountain, near Buffalo Bill’s gravesite. Admission is free at all times, and it’s a good place to learn about local flora and fauna, then take a stroll around their ten acres of ponderosa pine forest. They have frequent programs and guided walks that focus on subjects such as wildflowers or animals getting ready for the winter.

The Golden Library has many programs every week, designed for toddlers, children, teens, or adults. All programs are free. They host a monthly book discussion group, offer weekly computer skills classes, and host story times for little ones. Of course, the library is also a good place to use the internet for free, read their magazines, and borrow free books and videos.

Thanks to the generosity of many Mines graduates over the years, the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum offers an extraordinary collection of specimens in a large and beautiful museum. Don’t miss their simulated uranium mine. Admission is free.

Every August the City hosts Movies and Music in the Park. People stream into Parfet Park with picnics, blankets, and lawnchairs and enjoy music until dusk, followed by a movie on a very large screen. It’s a great community experience.

First Friday is held year-round. During the summer, we close off a block of Washington Avenue and have a street fair. Winter First Fridays are usually quieter affairs but the stores stay open late, several of them feature live music, and the lines are short (or non-existent) for the free carriage rides.

The Denver Carriage Company is based in Golden, and many of our community events include free carriage rides. Enjoy a ride through historic Golden, pulled by one of their herd of Belgian Warmblood horses. Their drivers are knowledgeable about Golden history, so your ride can be educational as well as fun!

The Super Cruise is officially held the first Saturday of the month, May through October. If the weather is good, they often have "unofficial cruises" in April and November as well. The classic cars start to congregate along South Golden Road in mid-afternoon, and it’s like one long, huge car show. People walk around admiring each others engines and paint jobs and generally talking cars. Most of the cars are American, but foreign cars are welcome.

If the monthly Super Cruise doesn’t sate your hunger for American heavy metal, be sure to attend the Wild West Auto Roundup in June. This takes place along two blocks of Washington Avenue in the historic downtown. There are food vendors, bands, and prizes for the best cars.

Held every August on 11th Street, next to the Clear Creek History Park, this is considered one of the best arts festivals in the country. There are pieces available at all price points, but you don’t need to buy anything to enjoy the art, the music, and the community gathering. There is no admission fee.