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Where to Stay in Golden (4 Best Places, By a Local)
👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Golden | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQ
I’ve lived just south of Golden for more than a decade. It’s one of my go-to spots for outdoor recreation and fun entertainment.
If it’s your first time visiting, consider staying in historic downtown Golden. It’s set near key attractions, awesome restaurants and shops, and gorgeous mountain parks. There’s also the Southwest-inspired Table Mountain Inn, my top-recommended lodging option in town.
But there are several other great areas to stay in Golden, too. I share the pros and cons of each in this guide. First, see a brief overview of my favorite local hotels for every preference.
Best Places to Stay in Golden
Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Golden? Here are my top picks:
- 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Table Mountain Inn
- 📍 Best Location – The Golden Hotel
- ✨ Best Luxury Hotel – The Eddy Taproom & Hotel
- 👔 Best for Business –SpringHill Suites by Marriott
- 🛎️ Best Boutique – The Silk Pincushion
- ⛰️ Best Near Red Rocks – Origin Red Rocks
- 👪 Best for Large Groups – Lookout Mountain Log Cabin
- 💵 Best Budget – Holiday Inn Express & Suites Golden
Click here to see all top Golden hotels or here for apartments.
Ok, let’s do a deep dive into the best areas and neighborhoods in Golden:
4 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Golden
If you’re a first-time visitor, I’d recommend staying in historic downtown Golden. There are several hotels in this area, and you can walk to shops, restaurants, and key attractions.
North Golden is a more residential area, and Denver West positions you a little closer to Denver. Meanwhile, Mt. Vernon Canyon is near Red Rocks Amphitheatre and several mountain parks.
Historic Downtown Golden
👉 Best Area For Tourists | ✨ Best Historic Golden Hotels: Table Mountain Inn • The Golden Hotel • The Silk Pincushion
Downtown Golden has shops, restaurants, and bars within easy walking distance of several hotels — including my top recommended stay, Table Mountain Inn.
You’ll also be near the iconic Coors Brewery, the Golden History Museum, and the Colorado School of Mines. Clear Creek is nearby, too, which features walking paths and a whitewater park for tubing, kayaking, and paddle boarding.
Pros of Staying in Historic Downtown Golden:
- Lots of great restaurants and bars
- Close to museums
- Near Clear Creek and outdoor recreation
- Wild West ambiance
Cons of Staying in Historic Downtown Golden:
- Hotels can be pricey
📚 Historic Golden Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Table Mountain Inn • The Golden Hotel • The Silk Pincushion
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Golden
🍽️ Where to Eat – Table Mountain Grill & Cantina ($$), Bob’s Atomic Burgers ($), D’Deli ($)
🍸 Where to Drink – Buffalo Rose, Indulge Bistro & Wine Bar, Mountain Toad Brewing
🎟️ Top Attractions – Coors Brewery, Golden History Museum, Golden History Park, Colorado School of Mines, Clear Creek White Water Park, Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave
Denver West
👉 Best Area For Freeway Access | ✨ Best Denver West Hotels: SpringHill Suites by Marriott • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Golden • Residence Inn by Marriott
Denver West is close to several great open space parks for hiking and mountain biking. Colorado Mills Mall and other convenient amenities are nearby, too.
This neighborhood is also between US 6 and I-70, so it’s easy to reach both areas of Denver and several mountain towns. While lacking in charm, Denver West wins points for convenience — and affordability, with my top budget pick being the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Golden.
Pros of Staying in Denver West:
- Easy freeway access to Denver and other areas
- Less expensive hotels
- Lots of chain restaurants and fast food options
Cons of Staying in Denver West:
- Lacks character
- May be noisy due to vehicle traffic
- You’ll need a car to get around
📚 Denver West Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Freeway Access
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – SpringHill Suites by Marriott • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Golden • Residence Inn by Marriott
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Denver West
🍽️ Where to Eat – El Tequileño ($$), Yard House ($$), Bono’s Italian Restaurant ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Barrels & Bottles Brewery, The Night Owls Bar and Speakeasy, Teller’s Taproom & Kitchen
🎟️ Top Attractions – William F. Hayden Green Mountain Park, Applewood Golf Course, Colorado Mills Mall
North Golden
👉 Best Area For Suburban Feel | ✨ Best North Golden Hotels: The Eddy Taproom & Hotel • The Golden Bungalow • Foothills Vacation Home
If you drive north through downtown Golden, you’ll end up in a suburban area. Grocery stores, gas stations, chain restaurants, and coffee shops are a few nearby amenities. You’ll be slightly closer to Boulder, which you can access by continuing north on Highway 93.
There aren’t many hotels on this side of town, with The Eddy Taproom & Hotel being an exception. But there are several short-term rentals. Fewer tourists and mountain views are some of the greatest perks of this area. North Table Mountain, White Ranch Park, and Mount Galbraith Park are all nearby. Golden Gate Canyon State Park is also a short drive away.
Pros of Staying in North Golden Neighborhood:
- Fewer tourists
- Nearby amenities
- Several mountain parks
Cons of Staying in North Golden Neighborhood:
- You’ll need a car to get around
- Farther from historic downtown attractions
📚 North Golden Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Suburban Feel
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – The Eddy Taproom & Hotel • The Golden Bungalow • Foothills Vacation Home
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Golden
🍽️ Where to Eat – Cast Iron Tavern ($$), Ali Baba Grill ($), El Dorado Mexican Restaurant ($)
🍸 Where to Drink – New Terrain Brewing Company, Holidaily Brewing Company
🎟️ Top Attractions – North Table Mountain Park, White Ranch Park, Mount Galbraith Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Mt. Vernon Canyon
👉 Best Area For Red Rocks Concerts | ✨ Best Mt. Vernon Hotels: Origin Red Rocks • Lookout Mountain Log Cabin • Spacious Mountain Retreat
Mount Vernon Canyon is a beautiful area in the foothills with some of the best hikes near Denver. You’ll be close to Matthews / Winters Park, Dinosaur Ridge, and Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre.
Origin Red Rocks is a great spot if you’re headed to a concert, or just want a weekend getaway to hike and mountain bike.
Pros of Staying in Mt. Vernon Canyon:
- Close to Red Rocks Amphitheatre
- Beautiful views
Cons of Staying in Mt. Vernon Canyon:
- You’ll need a car to get around
📚 Mt. Vernon Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Red Rocks Concerts
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Origin Red Rocks • Lookout Mountain Log Cabin • Spacious Mountain Retreat
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Mt. Vernon
🍽️ Where to Eat – Genesee Pub and BBQ ($$), Kalaka Mexican Kitchen ($$), Seasoned Swine BBQ ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Nomad Taqueria and Beer Garden, Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
🎟️ Top Attractions – Matthews / Winters Park, Dinosaur Ridge, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, Genesee Park, Mother Cabrini Shrine
Tips for Staying in Golden
You’ll Want a Car to Get Around Golden
If you’re staying in historic downtown Golden, you can walk to shops, restaurants, and other things to do easily.
However, if you want to hike at nearby parks, see Red Rocks Amphitheatre, or explore Denver attractions, renting a car is the easiest solution.
🚗 Need a set of wheels? Discover Cars is a great option to find good rates on rental cars in hundreds of destinations, including Denver.
Drink Plenty of Water
Golden may be known for its breweries, but be sure to drink plenty of water as well. Like many Colorado mountain towns, the elevation here is high — 5,675 feet above sea level, to be exact. You should definitely bring along a water bottle, especially when engaging in exercise.
Find the Public Bathrooms
With all that hydration, you may find yourself in need of a bathroom. There aren’t many in downtown Golden, but take note of the ones available at Parfet Park, the Lion’s Park Ball Field, and near the Astor House. They’re available from 7 am – 10 pm daily.
Use Plenty of Sunscreen
Colorado weather is often sunny — although, you can still get sunburned in bad weather, too! Whether you’re spending the day hiking, tubing, or walking through town, make sure you have plenty of sunscreen, and don’t forget to reapply.
Layer Up
Colorado weather is notoriously fickle. You can find yourself wearing t-shirts in the middle of winter, and throwing on a warm coat in July. It’s always a good idea to bring a few layers when you head out for the day.
For more tips on what to pack, check out Abigail’s Colorado packing list.
FAQs About Where to Stay in Golden
Is Golden a good place to stay?
Golden is a good place to stay. It’s close to the foothills, so there is plenty of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding in the area.
Golden’s mining history is reflected in the historic downtown storefronts. Golden is also close to Boulder and is one of the best day trips from Denver as well.
What is Golden, Colorado known for?
Golden, Colorado is known for the Coors Brewery, which is a fun place to visit while you’re in town. The mountain town is also known for the Colorado School of Mines, as well as an abundance of outdoor recreation.
Is Golden, Colorado beautiful?
Golden, Colorado is a beautiful town in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Clear Creek runs through town, and there are nearby state parks, local mountain parks, and hiking trails that give you great views of the Denver metro area. Golden also has many trees, and the town is beautiful in fall as the leaves turn colors.
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Hopefully, I’ve helped you to figure out where to stay during your trip to Golden. For more travel-worthy destinations, see our guide to the best places to visit in Colorado!
