Denver Day Trips Half an Hour Away
Golden
The city of Golden lies 15 miles from Denver. It is a half hour drive but if you do not have a car you can take the RTD bus route 15 right into historic downtown Golden.
Downtown Golden
There are various activities and museums you can visit in this beautiful city without spending too much money.
One of my personal favorites is the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum. It offers free admission and has an extraordinary exhibit where minerals, gold, silver, gemstones and fossils from all over the world are displayed. There is a very interesting radioactive exhibit as well.
Exhibit from the museum
The famous Coors Brewery is the largest single site brewer in the world! It can brew up to 22 million barrels and package up to 16 million annually. They offer free self paced tours from Thursday to Monday 10am to 4 pm with free samples for those older than 21.
The American Mountaineering Museum is the first museum in the USA dedicated to the culture, spirit and technology of mountaineering. There are exhibits on climate, science, cultures, and even an Everest replica where you can see the more popular routes used to reach the highest point in the world. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children.
One of my research fellows at the museum. Do you see Sasquatch?
The Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave is a $5 museum where the famous cowboy William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody is buried. It is located atop of Lookout Mountain so you do need a car/taxi to reach this place but once you do, it is one of the best views you will see in all of Colorado. The museum offers a peek into the Old West, Indian artifacts, Western art and firearms.
Other 30 min Drive Trips
Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Park
Red Rocks if known for being one of the best concert venues in all of Colorado since it has 70 million year rocks acting as natural acoustics. It is open year round and you can visit the Performers Hall of Fame or hike the 1.4 mile Trading Post Loop Hiking Trail. If you are looking to go to a concert, click here to see the concerts offered during ARVO week.
A view of Red Rocks
Dinosaur Ridge
Dinosaur Ridge is an outdoor museum containing real dinosaur tracks. Bones were discovered in 1937 and you can see Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus or Cretaceous footprints. You can take a guided tour for $6. It is great for kids.