Get Your Western On

Howdy Folks! Get Your Western on in this Golden Day Trip…

Think the Old West is gone from Colorado? Not a chance! You can re-live it with this easy day trip itinerary in Golden. As the famous Welcome Arch says, this is still “Where the West Lives.”

Fuel up for your western adventure at the Windy Saddle, Golden’s western themed café. Then, in the words of Horace Greeley, “Go West!” and take I-70 west to Exit 254 for the first stop, the Buffalo Herd Overlook. Denver Mountain Park maintains a herd of 40 American Bison with spectacular mountain views as a backdrop. Interpretive signs tell the history of bison in the West, and you can stroll the fenced enclosure to marvel at these beautiful animals that can weigh up to 2,000 pounds!

Then, pick up the Lariat Loop Trail, one of the most scenic drives in Colorado, and head to Buffalo Bill’s Grave & Museum. The West’s most popular scout and showman is buried on top of Lookout Mountain with views of snowcapped peaks in one direction and the plains in the other.

From here, the Lariat Loop Trail earns its name, with hairpin turns down Lookout Mountain that lead back to Golden, and the next stop, the free museum at the Colorado School of Mines. Learn the fine art of gold panning and see the gems and minerals that led to the Pikes Peak or Bust Gold Rush of 1859. Next stop, the Colorado Railroad Museum is where you can see the steam locomotives that pulled the trains across the Rocky Mountains during the gold rush years. Kids can climb aboard a caboose, ring a steam engine’s bell, watch both indoor and outdoor model trains, and on weekends, even ride aboard a Galloping Goose, a crazy contraption that used to carry mail and passengers over Lizard Head Pass. On weekends, the museum fires up real steam locomotives that pull passengers around a half mile circle of track.

Lunchtime! Head back to Washington Avenue, Golden’s historic main street, where a number of restaurants still serve an Old West meal – buffalo burgers! Get a table at the historic Buffalo Rose, the Bridgewater Grill overlooking Clear Creek or The Old Capitol Grille & Smokehouse, located in the building that was Colorado’s first state capitol. D’Deli even serves a sandwich of buffalo or elk that you can eat at a picnic table overlooking Clear Creek.

While at the creek, check out the Golden History Park, an entire homestead from the 1880s with farmhouse, schoolhouse and a working blacksmith shop. Bring some quarters to feed the heritage chickens in the authentic chicken coop and pop into the Golden History Museum, which offers free admission.

Finish with a walk through Golden’s charming downtown, with its touches of the Old West everywhere, including a gorgeous mural of Picasso and the wild Mustang Stallion of Colorado’s Sand Wash Basin. This day trip will give you that Golden feeling, even if Golden is in your backyard!! See you on the Trail!