West of Denver, a town as good as gold | Main Street Colorado

Within the remaining chapter of a legend, a imaginative and prescient got here.

It was a view, in a single path the excessive peaks of Colorado’s Entrance Vary and in one other the sprawling plains the place a buffalo hunter made his identify.

On his dying mattress in 1917, the story goes, William F. “Buffalo Invoice” Cody dreamed of Lookout Mountain above Golden, west of Denver. This was the place he wished to be buried.

Guests will pay their respects on the mountaintop grave, which is accompanied by the Buffalo Invoice Museum alongside a excessive, ascending street from city. Golden is proud to be the person’s resting place. Proud to symbolize the Previous West that Buffalo Invoice knew.

“Howdy of us!” reads the arch above Washington Avenue downtown. “Welcome to Golden, the place the West lives.”

It appears a fast escape from Denver, the skyscrapers all of a sudden changed by Lookout Mountain and large, flattop neighbors. However Golden isn’t with out the site visitors and crowds of town.

It’s no marvel the vacationer curiosity, what with the surroundings and spoils on the town. Washington Avenue isn’t the primary road from Buffalo Invoice’s day. The West lives a contemporary life — and delivers nonetheless one thing treasured like gold:

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Whether or not you’re a fashionista, present giver, house decorator or somebody with an appreciation for one thing distinctive, Washington Avenue gives.

Shut by the long-lasting arch is Silver Horse, which payments itself as “Outpost of the New West.” It’s a showcase of Western artwork, boots, hats and Native American jewellery.

Child Doe’s goals for “quirky and high quality” in its choice of ladies’s attire and equipment. Regulars have been including to their wardrobe since 1999.

Consignment scavengers comb the racks and cabinets at Rewind on the primary drag. Extra shock finds at Rockin’ Horse Vintage and Collectibles.

Blue Moose Buying and selling Co. guarantees a present for everybody, together with a country array of house decor. Different bets for souvenirs alongside Washington Avenue: Golden Items and Purple Wagon Reward and Backyard Store.

In your wellness, try Spinster Sisters, specializing in plant-based pores and skin, hair and physique merchandise. The senses awaken, too, at Earth Candy Botanicals, only a block off the primary road. Extra fragrant goodness at Previous Barrel Tea Co., peddling unfastened leaf tea, native honey and spices.

You’ll have seen sufficient street cyclists and kayakers on Clear Creek to know Golden is an outdoor-loving city. Extra proof of that at such outlets as Bentgate Mountaineering, a staple for greater than 25 years; Golden Bike Store, one other downtown go-to; and Icelantic Skis, the producer with its flagship retailer on Washington Avenue.

Food and drinks

For downtown brunch, Sassafras’s Southern consolation meals will get rave critiques. Additionally on the primary drag is Windy Saddle Cafe, a comfy, Western-themed espresso store serving breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Off Washington Avenue is the old-school Golden Diner.

For lunch, you’ll probably see a line exterior D’Deli. You’ll be able to go in your turkey, ham or membership sandwich, however the little store asks you to step exterior your consolation zone. The Junker, for instance, combines roast beef, peanut butter and egg salad, whereas the Piggly Wiggly consists of ham, bacon, cream cheese, guacamole, salsa and fried onions.

Woody’s has been domestically owned and operated since 1993. The buffet of wood-fired pizza and salad will get the eye, however don’t overlook the wood-fired wings from the menu.

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Desk Mountain Grill and Cantina’s large, adobe entrance turns heads on Washington Avenue. For a distinct twist on Latin delicacies, try El Callejon. Sherpa Home is beloved for Nepalese and for its outside house subsequent to Golden Metropolis Brewery, which has operated out of a historic house for almost 30 years.

Golden calls itself “the most important little beer city,” and that’s not only for the presence of Coors. It’s the saturation of a lot smaller breweries. One other one alongside Washington Avenue is Mountain Toad, the place there’s normally a tasty meals truck.

These are examples of recent watering holes, whereas Buffalo Rose represents one relationship to 1858. Ace-Hello Tavern opened its doorways on Washington Avenue in 1961, and the great instances proceed to roll with stay music and pool.

Leisure

In strolling distance from downtown, the Coors Brewery tour requires reservations effectively upfront. That’s “a uniquely Golden expertise,” in keeping with the native guests bureau. So is a tour of geology on the Colorado Faculty of Mines within the coronary heart of city.

For extra historic appreciation down right here under Buffalo Invoice’s grave, children and children at coronary heart will benefit from the Colorado Railroad Museum. Locomotives of Colorado’s early years are preserved. Pioneers of journey are celebrated on the American Mountaineering Museum.

For contemporary air and canyon views, hit the Clear Creek Path from downtown.

Just lately launched to Washington Avenue: the Itty Bitty Artwork Venture, that includes whimsical works for households to search out in hiding.

Examine the present calendar for Miners Alley Playhouse.