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Golden in autumn is calm, simple and beautiful. With a touch of winter in the air, there’s no jostling with crowds, reservations are easy to come by, and the city is decked out in a tapestry of orange and yellow — with perhaps a dusting of snow on the mountaintops. It’s the perfect time to visit if you’re keen to relax, unwind and enjoy the comfortable season in Golden, BC.
Plan a stay in one of Golden’s gorgeous cabins or hotels with amenities like hot tubs, fireplaces, and saunas. Add a bit of soft adventure – like a hike or two – to nearby places like Wapta Falls In Yoho National Park, Thompson Falls Off Blaeberry Rd Rotating ring Right in the city. You may also want to try the suspension bridge Golden Sky Bridge.
Enjoy very interesting wildlife viewing. If your timing is right, you can visit grizzly bear Boo at his 20-acre home Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Or take a walk with the wolf in Northern Lights Wolf Wildlife Center. Prefer bison? Join a tour Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch.
Comfortable places to stay in Golden
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to comfortable places to stay in Golden. There’s everything from romantic B&Bs to geodesic domes to log cabins and condos near Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
Lodge house – This luxurious bed and breakfast is the epitome of comfort. The rooms are well appointed with soft sheets and warm blankets. The welcome shortbread is a nice touch – and the breakfast is great. After a few hours outside, it’s great to come back to the outdoor hot tub – where you can see deer or one of the very adorable Scottish Highland cows roaming their spacious courtyard. Sipping wine under the stars is also great.
I love the convenience of camping – and Blueberry base – Check all the boxes. Located near the Northern Lights Wolf Center, it features two equipped geodesic domes – complete with a full kitchen. Outside there is a deck, a communal cedar sauna, a fire pit, a grill, and plenty of green space.
Reserve one of our handcrafted log cabins at Moberly Lodge Relax by the fire, relax on the deck, sip wine around your private fire pit, and enjoy the mountain views and all of the nature surrounding the lodge.
If you like the idea of staying near Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, check out Lush accommodation For cozy one bedroom apartment options – all have a hot tub and many have a gas fireplace. The place I stayed also offers beautiful mountain views.
Easy adventures for cold days in Golden
Drive to Kicking Horse Mountain ResortEven if the elevators are not working. If you’re visiting in September, take the gondola to the top for a stroll and enjoy a leisurely lunch with a view. The fall colors are stunning, and you can easily spend half a day here.
You may also like: Best fall hikes in Golden, BC and nearby
Walk or bike part of the 7km loop trail Along the Kicking Horse River. Be sure to include a walk over the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge, especially on a starry night.
Visit Reflection Lake If you want to slow down and enjoy bird watching in a quiet place. Look for a variety of waterfowl and excellent views of the Columbia Mountains.
Walk across the highest suspension bridge in Canada If you are visiting before mid-October. If you want a break from the peace and quiet of Golden, you’ll find plenty of exciting adventures at the Golden Skybridge.
Get your wildlife fix
Visit the Northern Lights Wolf Wildlife Center To learn about wolves and their critical role on every plant and animal in the ecosystem. Better yet, sign up for Walking with wolves in the wild. Over the course of 90 minutes, you can learn about their behavior and take photos with a pair of wolves that are not afraid of humans.
Check out Rocky Mountain Buffalo RanchLocated off Blaeberry Road, just 10 minutes from Golden. Ranch owner, Leo Downey, brilliant guitarist and Movie theme The Banff Film Festival offers up-close buffalo viewing tours from mid-May through the end of September. It also offers unique cozy cabins for rent year-round.
Visit Boo the Grizzly Bear at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort through late September and learn how the 20-acre ecologically diverse plot of land below the gondola house is named. You can choose from ranger assistance tours to simply visiting the Grizzly Bear Refuge at any time throughout the day while the lift is in operation.
Indoor and local experiences during the off season in Golden
Downtown Golden is filled with small-town warmth, where you can browse locally owned stores, grab a coffee at a cozy café, or enjoy a meal at one of the many great restaurants.
The combination of bookstore and café is compelling. Lingering over a bowl of soup in Bacchus Cafe – while being surrounded by books across genres. It’s one of my favorite places to visit!
If you’re outdoors, take the time to browse Golden outdoors. They have a selection of outdoor clothing, shoes and gear – from the best brands in the outdoor space. And a lot of personal attention.
If you love massage, why not book Mobile masseuse Ask them to come to your cabin or apartment. This is one of the best ways to relax in the comfortable season in Golden.
For history lovers visit Golden BC Museum To peak into the city’s railway and mountaineering past. It is open daily except Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
Where to warm up and eat well in Golden, BC
For a city with a population of about 4,000, Golden, BC has a large number of very good restaurants and cafes.
To start your morning, try Blue Bird Cafe With delicious lattes and baked goods plus more delicious treats if that’s what you’re after. For breakfast with some local flavor and history Big Bend cafe. Their selection of hot sauce is enormous and so are the portion sizes. Bring your appetite and enjoy the atmosphere. For one of the best coffees in town, head to Ethos Cafe.
the Al Jazeera Restaurant It has an interesting location – and an eclectic menu with pizza, pasta, Mexican and a bit of Asian fusion. It’s perfect for a relaxing dinner in Golden. Another local favorite is Eleven22 – It was named after its address on 10th Avenue South. Housed in a historic home, it serves gourmet food along with local beers and Okanagan wines. Reposados tacos Perfect for tacos and margaritas while next door White Tooth Bistro It’s all about old favorites like salads, steaks, bowls and burgers.
Visit Golden White Tooth Brewing Company For a flight of Belgian-inspired or West Coast-influenced beers. If you’re hungry, order food from one of three local restaurants (they’ll tell you which one) and they’ll deliver it straight to your table.
I also recommend picking up food from a local restaurant or a bottle of wine and dinner supplies from the grocery store. Return to your comfortable accommodation in Golden, pour a glass of wine with dinner, light a fire, and enjoy the beauty of the dark night sky.
Golden, BC is made for a comfortable season
If you crave mountain views, fresh air, and relaxing moments, Golden, BC is one of the best places to visit in the Canadian Rockies in the fall. The city slows down enough to allow you to enjoy its charm and enjoy the beauty of the area. After a few days you will feel like you have the mountains to yourself and experience Golden at its best.
More great things to do within a few hours of Golden
Many thanks to Tourism Golden for hosting my stay. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.
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