For dining you might enjoy Linger. It’s a tapas place, sort of. I can highly recommend it.
Another favorite spot is Tattered Cover. Great book store and at the end of a street with a lot more to see and do.
Sorry I can’t seem to get the link to their website on here.
Good luck and enjoy the trip.
That sounds really nice. And not that far!
Elitch Gardens isn’t open yet and I’ve been to Denver before -------- so my suggestion would be a couple bottles of Jack and just staying in your room.
Hwy 6 to 119 out of Golden will take you to Central City and Black Hawk. Please see a map first.
119 is a very cool drive if you like canyons and tunnels. Black Hawk became more modern when gambling was legalized and tore down a lot of old buildings. Parking there I’m sure would be better. Central City converted their old buildings to gambling. Kinda cool too. Probably not much ski traffic on 119.
Not from Denver but I’ve been there.
If you’re willing to take a 45 minute drive and like outstanding beer I strongly recommend you go visit the The Tasty Weasel Taproom inside the Oskar Blues Brewery in Longmont.