Let’s face it: it’s been a long, strange pandemic. So long, in fact, that the recent return to something much more closely resembling normalcy has almost felt rather sudden, even as it could hardly come at a better time as Goldenites rush out to make the most of a gorgeous Golden summer and make up for all the fun they missed out on last year (note to parents: your kids are ready to do stuff).
But while it’s no secret that many people, organizations and businesses alike are increasingly back to their regular schedules, many others are still closed or at least not quite get back to business as usual, which can have the effect of making planning a rather confusing and labor-intensive process.
Luckily, we’ve done the work so you don’t have to and compiled this list showing what’s open, what’s still not and what to expect when you head out.
So go enjoy your summer. It’s been a long time coming.
American Mountaineering Museum
The museum is now open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for kids (free for kids under five).
The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave
The museum is currently open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $1 for kids 6-15 (kids under six free).
Colorado Railroad Museum
The museum, which offers two gallery spaces with rotating exhibits and a train yard, is again open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 2-17 and $8 for seniors 60 and over.
-Colorado Railroads & The Black Experience
Through Dec. 31 in the upper gallery
Black families share tales of railroading ancestors who endured hardship, exploitation, opportunity and change.
-Across the Fruited Plain
Through Jan. 22, 2022
This exhibit uses objects and archival materials to explore what it took to come west to Colorado in the age of rail, and why one would make the trip.
Colorado Music Hall of Fame at Red Rocks (Morrison)
The free museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Masks are required to enter the museum.
Coors Brewery Tour
According to the Coors website, tours have not yet resumed after going on hiatus at the start of the pandemic and the gift shop remains closed. Coors has not yet announced when it will resume tours but the website states tours will resume only “when it is safe for everyone.” People can sign up to receive up to date information about the tours at coorsbrewerytour.com.
Foothills Art Center
The art center, which offers free admission, is currently open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday. It is open on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
-Nicole Banowetz: The Intervening Substance
Through Aug. 8
Inflatable sculptures based on microscopic organisms.
-Flowstate: A watermedia exhibition featuring Janet Nunn
Through July 16
Juried water media show.
Golden Community Center
The community center has reopened with reduced capacity and temporary hours. Those hours are 5:30 a.m.-6:45 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Saturday. Drop-ins are welcome for individual workouts in the weight room and to shoot hoops and play pickleball in the gym. However, reservations are required for pool use and group exercise classes, including aqua exercise. Reservations can be made at www.cityofgolden.net/play/recreation-attractions/community-center.
Golden History Museum and Park
The museum, which features exhibits that offer a window into Golden’s history, expanded its hours at the end of May and is now open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. The history park, which offers a chance to view buildings from Golden’s past, remains open from sunrise to sunset daily. Both the museum and history park are free.
Golden Public Library
After being limited to curbside service for much of the last year, the library has reopened to walk-in visitors. The current hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Services such as computer access and study rooms have resumed. However, many of the services offered during COVID-19, including appointmentless curbside hold pick-up and contactless printing, remain available. The library is sponsoring a weekly outdoor story time for kids at the Golden History Museum & Park from 10 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays. The library’s Summer Challenge summer reading program runs through July 31.
Mines Museum of Earth Science
The museum reopened earlier this month. It is currently open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.
Miner’s Alley Playhouse
The theater is currently selling tickets for new shows with an option for audiences to either attend in-person at the theater or view a taped version of the show. The next show is “The Treasurer,” which will run July 16-Aug. 7. Tickets are available at minersalley.com. Miner’s Alley has also resumed its summer camps and still has spaces for camps starting in July.
Sixth Avenue West Public Pool
According to the Foothills Recreation District website, the pool will not open for the 2021 season after a substantial leak was discovered. Foothills is planning to unveil “a renovation concept” for the pool, which opened in 1974, soon.
The Splash at Fossil Trace
Golden’s beloved mini water park has reopened, but hours are currently very limited due to a continuing lifeguard shortage. As a result, reservations are currently required for both Splash leisure swimming and lap swimming and there are no set advertised hours. To view available time slots and make a reservation, visit splashgolden.com. Admission is $6 to $9 for Golden residents, depending on age, and $8 to $11 for non-residents depending on age. No passes or punch cards are allowed for the 2021 season.