Friendly? Golden, CO knows friendly. Arched across Golden's main thoroughfare of Washington Avenue is a sign that says, "Howdy, Folks! Welcome to Golden!" Passing under the arch, groups will be greeted by historic landmarks, quaint shops, antique stores and restaurants as well as two classic Golden venues with first-class dining, accommodations and meeting space: the 62-room Golden Hotel and the 74-room Table Mountain Inn (each with 6,000 square feet of meeting space).
Just 36 miles from the Denver International Airport (DEN), Golden is north of I-70 and west of Denver at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. It is the home of Coors, the third-largest brewery in the U.S. and the world's largest single brewery site.
Located just off of I-70 is the Marriott Denver West. With more than 10,000 square feet, it is chief among Golden meeting venues. Event venues in Golden include the stunning 9,000-seat Red Rocks Amphitheater, a natural, geologically formed, open-air theater in the 868-acre Red Rocks Park. Located in Golden but managed by the City of Denver (15 miles to the east), Red Rocks Amphitheater is a renowned concert venue, hosting groups ranging from the Beatles to grand symphony orchestras. Meeting groups can enjoy an already scheduled concert or book the latest meeting venue addition, the 30,000-square-foot Burnham Hoyt Visitor Center. (Other available Red Rocks venues include The Rock Room, Southwest Heart of the Rock Theatre, Ship Rock Grille and plaza areas.)
Meeting groups can enjoy numerous restaurant venues, many with private meeting space, including fine dining at the elegant Briarwood Inn and casual dining at the historic Old Capitol Grill.
Prehistoric dinosaur relics can be viewed adjacent to the 12th green of the Fossil Trace Golf Club, and inside the clubhouse attendees can read about the discovery of the dinosaur tracks and other impressive fossils on the golf course. Offering private meeting space in Golden, Fossil Trace Golf Club can also host private golf tournaments.
The former territorial capital of Colorado, Golden is a great place for groups to learn about the Old West. Start with a great view atop nearby Lookout Mountain, with a stop at the gravesite and museum of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody. Celebrating Golden's Old West beginnings is an array of museums and attractions, including three centrally located Golden History Museums. View works by Colorado artists within the Foothills Art Center. The outdoor train yard exhibit at the Colorado Railroad Museum offers attendees hands-on experiences and information about the Colorado railway system, including train robberies.
Groups should also find time to experience the New West – in the form of popular, free group tours and beer samples at the Coors Brewery.
