Article contributed by Rich Grant author of 100 Things to Do in Denver Before You Die
In the 1860s, the original road west into the mountains from Denver was known as “the Golden Road,” because it led from the fledgling town of Denver to the first capital of the Colorado Territory, Golden. The road was renamed and today we know it as Colfax Avenue – the longest business street in America.
A less traveled route was the cut off from Colfax to downtown Golden, which is still called South Golden Road. It was always “the road less traveled.” While today South Golden Road has modern shopping centers and supermarkets, there is also a great deal of fun here too – a sort of “Route 66” mix of restaurants, murals, eclectic signs and shops. Today along South Golden Road (which converts to Jackson Road as it enters downtown Golden) you can find two breweries with outdoor beer gardens – Coda and Barrels & Bottles at Camp George West (a one-time army barracks along the route).
The infamous Rock Rest Lodge across the street was built in 1907 as a bar, dance hall and brothel for the troops. It’s haunted (of course) by a “Lady in Red,” has a mounted Rhino head once owned by Charlie Chaplin, and is still the most rocking and giant dance floor in Metro Denver with live bands and a ceiling covered with ladies’ undergarments. They’ll explain why at the bar.
You’ll find every type of international food along South Golden Road, from Mexican to Mediterranean, from Italian to curry from India. Eggers Lapidary is filled with precious rocks, crystals and jewelry, and down the road, the Golden Curiosity Shop is a trip into a real and fantasy world of skeletons, taxidermy, and gems and minerals, with all sorts of curiosities thrown in. The exterior of the shop may seem plain, but inside you enter of wonderworld of the real and the fantastic.
A new addition to South Golden Road is the weekend Country Market at the Golden Hayride’s Outpost, at 17695 S. Golden Road. These lively weekend markets feature fresh produce as well as food vendors and fun activities, two-stepping, anyone? The markets should run through October, but dates and hours vary so check their Facebook page for info. Also plan to check out Pancho & Jane, a brand-new taco spot on South Golden Road brought to you by the same team at The Eddy Taproom & Hotel, serving Mexican favorites with a rebellious twist. The menu includes a creative spin on scratch-made tacos, family-style sides, cocktails, extensive lists of bourbon and tequila and more.
What are you waiting for? Spend a day exploring South Golden Road. Check out this page for more info on the merchants you can find in the South Golden area.
