Things to do in Golden

Canadians and the world have realised that not only are we ideally located for all the National Park attractions surrounding us but that there are lots of things to do in Golden. 

I moved to Golden in 2004 when it’s fair to say that not everyone had discovered its delights.  When I said I lived in Golden people used to say it was a place to stop for the night on a long journey to somewhere else.  Golden was known as the strip of services on Highway 1.  Those days are definitely gone.   An authentic, unpretentious mountain town, rich in history with an outstanding range of things to do, energetic or less so.  How to spend 48 hours in Golden is a challenge – because there is just too many things to do!

It obviously varies in summer and winter but if you only have time for a couple of nights here is what we recommend in snow free seasons.

Check-in at Home Lodge

Anytime from 4pm you can arrive and unpack your things.  Store your food and drink in the fridge, put any outdoor gear or bikes into the mud-room or garage.  Help yourself to tea, coffee or something stronger and make yourself at home.

You won’t fail to see that we have a small fold (the name for a group of) Highland cattle.  People joke that most activities in Golden are extreme, so we say that at Home Lodge you can partake in extreme cow-watching.  It’s very therapeutic- really!  If you’re lucky you can join us in some cow brushing – they love a good scratch and sometimes beg to be brushed, especially in those spots under the chin or the very top of their tail where their horns can’t reach. 

Dinner in Golden

Eating is one of the great things to do in Golden.  Visitors are constantly surprised at the quality of restaurants we have.  We have food trucks, cafes, Indian, Tacos, burgers and modern bistros – the ones we recommend are all places to find wonderful, fresh, quality food.   

Eleven22 is consistently popular and rightly so.  Small, slightly eclectic with a Swiss/Asian twist on some items.  The freshest salads, wonderful pasta or cannelloni of the day, a seafood extravaganza with their dragon boat platter.  Eat inside or in their cute garden patio.  Reservations highly recommended as they get very busy.

The Whitetooth Mountain Bistro is another fabulous spot.  A bit more expensive than others but with menu items and cooking you probably won’t find elsewhere in Golden: duck, occasionally rabbit and excellent Vietnamese or poke bowls. They have a great wine list too.

Next door is a new arrival in Golden, Reposados Tacos.  Offering simple, healthy, delicious fusions of flavour.  It’s owned and operated by 2 great women, Jenna and Mel.  Everything is handmade fresh everyday.  Well worth a trip even if just for one of their tequilas or margaritas.

A great night’s sleep

Back to Home Lodge for some serious star watching if the skies are clear.  We don’t have many lights around us and some nights the sky is just unbelievable to witness.  Enjoy a nightcap on the deck before turning in for a good night’s sleep. 

Breakfast at Home Lodge

We are well known for a great breakfast.  Each morning help yourself to tea, coffee, juice, fresh fruit, cereals, yogurt, breads and home made muffins or scones.  Then enjoy the hot plate of the day with all tastes, allergies and preference catered for.  Pre-covid breakfasts are hugely missed – everyone around the large dining table sharing their stories – oh we look forward to those days again.  Until then we are staggering breakfast times so the table isn’t too busy and we’ve set up dining tables under the pergola on the deck for breakfast al-fresco.

Visit Boo at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

A unique experience is the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge. The 20-acre area is the home of a resident grizzly bear, Boo. He was rescued as a cub after poacher killed his mother.  Within this natural mountainside habitat, Boo hunts, plays, forages, and explores just like his wild cousins.

The interpretive centre is open daily during the summer and provides guests the opportunity to observe an adult grizzly bear going about his daily routine. Talks are on the hour and most people see him first thing in the morning.  If you don’t see Boo during your initial visit you can return for another free tour.

Lunch at Kicking Horse

Next door to Selkirk Ski and Bike at the base of the Kicking Horse gondola you will find Double Black, a great little cafe/coffee shop.  Kicking Horse coffee, home made sourdough sandwiches and great soups and salads with a range of home-made treats: vegan date square, carrot cake and the best nanaimo bar outside of Nanaimo can be had here.

Hiking at Kicking Horse

After lunch head up the gondola and enjoy the 360 degree views over the Purcells, Glacier National Park, towards the Columbia Icefields and down the Columbia Valley.   Take a hike over to T2 or Ozone.  Get up to over 8000ft with the hard climb done for you!

Beer at Whitetooth Brewing

Head down the mountain and on the way back to Home Lodge stop in at Whitetooth Brewing company.  A beautiful building inside and out brewing a wonderful variety of beers you can enjoy in the tasting room or on the patio.  We take the spent mash from the Brewery and supplement our Highland Cattle’s feed in winter.

Dinner in Golden

Enjoy any of the other great restaurants in Golden: Ronin Noodles, The Island, The Wolf’s Den, or make use of the BBQ under the gazebo at Home Lodge.

Breakfast

After another coffee on the deck, a bit more cow watching and marvelling at the hummingbirds feeding, enjoy another Home Lodge breakfast.

A morning in Golden

Check-out, say goodbye and head into Golden.  Perhaps stop off at the Golden Skybridge, Canada’s highest suspension bridges.  Walk 426ft above the canyon below, up a forest trail to a viewpoint and back across another high bridge.  A canyon swing and bungie are being added.

Or park downtown and walk the Rotary Trails, along the Kicking Horse River to the confluence with the Columbia River.  Take in the Pedestrian Timber frame bridge spanning the Kicking Horse River, built by volunteers and the Timberframers Guild in 2000.

Up behind the campground and ball diamonds is a Frisbee Disc Golf course (you can buy discs at Higher Ground downtown)

Lunch in Golden

You must visit Bacchus Books, a locally owned independent bookstore with lots of new and second hand books and a few craft and gift items.  Head upstairs to the cafe for a great lunch: a mountain menu of home-made goodness.  Operated by backcountry queens Petra Muzak and Katie Mitzel.

Shopping in Golden

People generally don’t come to Golden for the shopping but there are a couple of must see little stores.  In addition to Bacchus books try to visit the Art Gallery of Golden. Over 80 local and regional artists sell unique hand-crafted gifts here.  At White Pine you’ll find a gorgeous modern selection of items for the home and kitchen.  In Signature clothing you’ll find great pieces you never knew you needed!.  Here you can also buy fresh flowers from Castledale Flower Farm, a new venture by a lovely local lady growing and selling fresh cut flowers here in the Columbia Valley

Maybe head to the Golden Cinema for a Dutchman ice-cream before heading home.

Now, I haven’t even mentioned visiting the Rocky Mountain Buffalo ranch, the Wolf Centre, hiking to Thompson Falls or the Mummery Glacier (or any of the other hikes listed on Golden Hikes).  Did you know you can rent a canoe and paddle the Columbia Wetlands?  I may write a blog for the more adventurous visitor detailing the tandem paragliding and sky-diving, cross country and down-hill mountain biking.  I think you need to stay another day.

Hope we see you soon in Golden.  If you need any ideas or advice for your next trip please don’t hesitate to get in touch.