3 days in Denver area

Question

We are traveling to Denver January 16 to attend a concert at the Grizzly Rose. We plan to also do the Coors Brewery Tour in Golden. We are trying to decide if we should stay in Denver or Golden. We will have time do other things,(but unsure what as of now) and would prefer to stay closer to where we will spend the most time. We enjoy good food, sight seeing, outdoors, and obviously music and breweries! Would love some advice on things to do and/or which would be a better location to stay, thanks!

Answer

Both Denver and Golden make great bases for a 3-day trip, but the better choice depends on how you want to balance nightlife, breweries, concert logistics, and outdoor sightseeing. Since you’re visiting in January, it's also worth factoring in driving times and winter road conditions.

The Grizzly Rose is located in north Denver, while the Coors Brewery and downtown Golden are about 20–25 minutes west of Denver. You really can’t go wrong with either location, but each offers a very different vibe.

Below is a detailed breakdown to help you choose, along with activity ideas that match your interests in food, outdoors, music, and breweries.

Stay in Denver if you want nightlife, dining variety, and convenience to the Grizzly Rose.
Denver gives you far more restaurant choices, craft breweries, music venues, museums, and neighborhoods to explore. The Grizzly Rose is in Denver, so staying nearby avoids late-night driving after the concert. Uber/Lyft availability is also better.

Best neighborhoods for visitors include LoDo, RiNo, Highlands, and Union Station — all full of food, breweries, and walkability.

Things to do from Denver:
- Explore RiNo District: dozens of breweries (Odell, Ratio, Epic), murals, food halls.
- Visit Union Station: historic building with bars, shops, restaurants.
- Denver Art Museum or History Colorado: great indoor winter-friendly options.
- Meow Wolf Convergence Station: immersive, interactive art experience.
- Red Rocks Park (20–25 minutes): short winter-friendly hikes and great views.
Stay in Golden if you want a small-mountain-town feel with easy outdoor access.
Golden is charming, walkable, and much quieter than Denver. If your biggest “must-do” outside the concert is the Coors Brewery Tour, Golden is very convenient. It’s also a better home base for outdoor time: Clear Creek Trail, Lookout Mountain, and North Table Mountain are all right there.

You’ll still have great dining and brewery options but on a smaller scale.

Things to do in Golden:
- Coors Brewery Tour: iconic Golden activity.
- Hike or walk Clear Creek: a beautiful river trail that’s easy in winter.
- Lookout Mountain: stunning views and Buffalo Bill Museum.
- Golden breweries: Golden City Brewery, Mountain Toad, Cannonball Creek.
- Local museums: Colorado Railroad Museum, Foothills Art Center.

If your priority is convenience to the Grizzly Rose, Denver is the better choice. If you want a quieter stay with mountain views and easy access to Golden’s brewery scene, choose Golden and just plan one night of driving into Denver for the concert.

Another way to choose: consider where you expect to spend the most time — if you want to explore Denver’s food/brewery scene for two full days, stay in Denver. If you’re happier doing your sightseeing in Golden and at Red Rocks with one dedicated Denver evening for the concert, Golden will feel more relaxing.

Denver for nightlife + variety + Grizzly Rose proximity
Golden for outdoors + charm + Coors Brewery convenience
Both cities are only 20–25 minutes apart, so your choice won’t lock you out of either set of attractions.

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