The Denver Do: Golden Days

Overview: This edition of the "Denver Do" takes you to the gorgeous Golden, Colorado. While it's most fun on warm days (which means year-round in Colorado), there are also indoor options. It is possible to take the new lightrail line to Golden, but I'm not super familiar with that route. This is an excellent solo or partner trip!
Expected Cost: Gas or lightrail to Golden= ~$5; Museum tour, Farmers Market or hike= free; lumch or dinner = ~$10-$20.
Solo Savvy?: Absolutely! But it's also fun with 1-2 friends. The trail is thin and a bit packed, so I wouldn't recommend more than that. (It's an awesome date...)
Expected Time: 2-4 hours, depending on the agenda you choose.
Requirements: $5 to pay for lightrail plus willingness to research the bus schedule from the lightrail into Golden. Or a vehicle.
The Do: Get yourself to Main Street Golden (Washington). Head North past all of the shops and across the river until you reach 10th Street. Now, you must decide your agenda. Take a look to your West, above the mountains: Do you see rain in the forecast? Lick your pointer finger and stick it up above your head. Is the temperature moderate? Take note of your belly (are you hungry?) and your legs (do they want to work?). Using these very scientific calibrations, choose your fire: Hiking the Chimney Gulch and Lookout Mountain Trails or visiting the Golden History Museum.
If you chose to hike, drive past the library on your left into the Lions Park parking lot. Park for free in front of the baseball fields. Suit up and head West along the river. In summer you will see all the people tubing and rafting (FYI, that's another super-fun way to spend a day). Continue along the river until you come to a bridge; cross the bridge; go right onto the trail at the "Chimney Gulch" trailhead begin your hike. You will cross Lookout Mountain Road a few times and eventually pop out at a gorgeous scenic spot halfway up the mountain. Choose to end your hike here or continue to the top of the Lookout Mountain (there's port-a-potties). There is a restroom, general store, and picnic spots at the top; feel free to ignore the meal plans below and make this your final destination! Also note that Golden has a fantastic Farmer's Market on Saturdays in the Library parking lot, perfect for lunch purchases.
If you chose to visit the Golden History Museum, turn right off Washington Street. The museum is directly on your left. There are many layers to the museum, some of which are free and some of which have a price. See here: http://www.goldenhistory.org/. It's chock-full of hiking folklore. In researching this "Do" I also noticed that there's a Quilt Museum across the street. I presume that might be fascinating, as well, and recommend adding that to your tour.
When you are finished with your hike/tour, walk South along Washington. Feel free to stop by the cute stores, hang out on the bridge over the river, and partake in general merry-making. Eventually, you will come to the Table Mountain Inn on your right. This is my first recommendation for food especially if it's nice out. Sit on the front patio, get the salmon salad and a drink (they've got a phenomenal red-blend), and people-watch. If you're on a budget and have time to wait, I would also suggest ordering the self-serve salad bar at Woody's Wood-Fired pizza across the street. It's one of the few salad bars you can still find in the city and a good one at that! Just beware that I've never been to Woody's and NOT had to wait, so if you're tuckered from your hike/tour, this might make you feel "hangry" (hungry-angry).
Congrats! You've done another do! Now go home and chill out, or partake in my next adventure: Red Rocks for Locals.