Golden Eats & Sights - 2017 Favorites

Are you coming to Golden, Colorado for the 2017 3D Collaboration & Interoperability Congress + Quality Information Framework Summit? Here we present Action Engineering’s favorite eats and sights around downtown Golden, all within short walking distance of the American Mountaineering Center, unless otherwise noted.

Click here for an interactive Google map with markers indicating the event venues, parking locations, and our favorite eats and sights.

Breakfast + Coffee Shops

Fill up your tummies and get your caffeine fix before the event begins!

Bridgewater Grill: Full breakfast menu including culinary creations of their executive chef. Located inside Golden Hotel. Opens at 7:00 am.
Cafe 13: Pastries and heartier breakfast options with responsibly sourced coffee. Located on Arapahoe St, around the corner from Table Mountain Inn. Opens at 6:30 am on weekdays.
Golden Diner: Perfect for when you’re craving a diner breakfast. Located on 12th Street, just one-half block east of Washington Ave. Opens at 6:00 am on weekdays.
Higher Grounds: Coffee shop with light breakfast far. Located on 14th St, just across from Table Mountain Inn. Opens at 5:30 am on weekdays.
Sassafras American Eatery: Specializes in Southern cuisine. Located on Washington Ave across from Golden Hotel. Opens at 7:00 am.
Table Mountain Grill & Cantina: Start your day with country biscuits and gravy, omelets, benedicts, smoothies, and skillets, or their signature huevos rancheros. Located inside Table Mountain Inn. Opens at 6:30 am on weekdays.
Windy Saddle Café: Serious coffee and homemade food in a cozy Western atmosphere. Located on Washington Ave between Table Mountain Inn and Golden Hotel. Opens at 6:00 am on weekdays.

These are our favorite lunch and dinner locations in downtown Golden. Early closing times are noted.

Abejas: Upscale restaurant dedicated to seasonality, with fresh local produce, organic meats, and sustainable fish. Next door to Table Mountain Inn. Closed Mondays.
Cafe 13: Yummy sandwiches, soups, and salads. Located on Arapahoe Street, around the corner from Table Mountain Inn. Closes at 3:00 pm.
Indulge: Trendy bistro and wine bar. Catty-corner to Table Mountain Inn.
Bob’s Atomic Burgers: A local favorite hole-in-the-wall burger joint. Good gluten-free buns and quinoa burgers, too. Located near 13th St & Ford St.
Sherpa House: Authentic Himalayan cuisine. The interior is an authentic representation of a typical Sherpa house in the Solu-Khumbu region of Nepal. Many of their staff have summited Mt. Everest. Located at 16th St & Washington Ave.
El Callejon: Quaint eatery with homestyle Colombian & Latin-American fare. Located near 12th St & Washington Ave.
Bridgewater Grill: Enjoy New American fare along Clear Creek. Located inside Golden Hotel.
Sassafras American Eatery: Specializes in Southern cuisine. Located on Washington Avenue across from Golden Hotel. Closes at 2:30 pm.
Woody’s Wood-Fired Pizza: A favorite among locals and tourists alike. Across the street from Table Mountain Inn.
Ali Baba Grill: Authentic Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine with beautiful Middle Eastern ambiance (don’t let the strip mall location fool you). You’ll probably want to drive here (only 3 minutes from the American Mountaineering Center), but this place is too good not to mention.

Golden has no shortage of watering holes!

Barrels & Bottles: Large selection of craft brews (their own and guest taps) and wines. Baguettes and side plates to fuel your hunger.
Golden City Brewery: Golden’s original craft brewery. Until the recent explosion of other breweries in town, their tag line was Golden’s 2^nd largest brewery (a joke compared to behemoth Coors). Relaxed outdoor setting, open until 7:30 pm. Only brats and pretzels on the menu, but you can have food delivered.
Golden Moon Speakeasy: Speakeasy style cocktail lounge and distillery tasting room featuring handcrafted drinks in warm environs with a vintage vibe. Tucked away secretly behind a hardware store. Get locally distilled spirits on the sly.
Holidaily Brewing Company: The only dedicated, gluten-free brewing facility in the state of Colorado. Just a 7 minute drive from downtown Golden.
Miners Saloon: Modern day saloon reminiscent of Golden’s mining days in the late 1800s. Gold Rush-inspired decor sets the tone at this tavern serving craft beer, cocktails, and casual eats.
Mountain Toad Brewing: Popular local craft brewery located across the street from the American Mountaineering Center. Check the food truck calendar for their daily menu.
Trailhead Taphouse & Kitchen: Local craft beers served with Cajun specialties, gourmet sandwiches, and fresh salads.

Just a few of the gems in and around Golden:

Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum: Incredibly well done displays of minerals, fossils, gemstones, meteorites, and historic mining artifacts, at the #1 ranked engineering university in the United States (according to College Factual).
Golden History Center: Learn about the colorful history of Golden. Closed Tuesdays.
Coors Brewery: Free tours and tasting room.
Lookout Mountain: Drive up 19^th Street to the top of Lookout Mountain for stunning views of Golden and Denver. Stop at the top to visit the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave.
Drive west on I-70 into the mountains. Stop at historic Georgetown, founded during the gold and silver rushes of the 1860s. Have extra time to spare? Ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad.

Golden offers plenty of options for staying fit while you’re traveling for work:

Golden Community Center: Full fitness center and pool for your daily workout. Day passes available.
Clear Creek Trail: Do yourself a favor and take a stroll (or run) along Clear Creek through the heart of Golden.
Earth Treks: Huge indoor rock climbing and bouldering gym, with yoga and fitness classes, too. Just a 7 minute drive from downtown Golden.

Check out the Visit Golden website for more ideas.

Click here for an interactive Google map with markers indicating the event venues, parking locations, and our favorite eats and sights.

Enjoy your stay in Golden!