Astor House: A Glimpse into Golden's Past

4.5 (8)

Step back in time at the Astor House in Golden, Colorado's oldest standing hotel, and discover the rich history of the Wild West.

Home
Colorado
Denver
Astor House

The Astor House, built in 1867, stands as Colorado's oldest surviving hotel in Golden, CO. Originally intended for visiting lawmakers when Golden was the territorial capital, it served as a hotel and boarding house for over a century. Saved from demolition in 1972, it now functions as a museum, offering a peek into 19th and early 20th-century life.

A brief summary to Astor House

822 12th St, Golden, Colorado, 80401, US

Monday 10 am-5 pm
Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
Thursday 10 am-5 pm
Friday 10 am-5 pm
Saturday 10 am-5 pm
Sunday 12 pm-5 pm

Local tips

Check the Foothills Art Center's website for current exhibits and events at the Astor House.
Explore downtown Golden's shops and restaurants after your visit.
Take advantage of the free parking for the first two hours in downtown parking lots and garages.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

Golden City Brewery

Golden City Brewery: Golden's Backyard Brewpub

Golden Welcome Center

Golden Welcome Center: Your Gateway to the Rockies

Golden History Museum

Golden History Museum: A Journey Through Time

Getting There

Walking

From anywhere in downtown Golden, the Astor House is easily accessible on foot. Head towards 12th Street; the museum is located at 822 12th St. Enjoy the scenic walk through this charming town.
Public Transport

From Denver, take the RTD W Line to the Jefferson County Government Center–Golden Station. From there, you can take the free Ore Cart Shuttle or walk. The Ore Cart has three routes and is free for all riders. Check the City of Golden website for routes and schedules. Walking from the station to the Astor House takes approximately one hour. RTD bus Route 17 also runs between Golden and the Federal Center Station in Lakewood. A single ride on RTD costs $3.
Driving

The Astor House is located at 822 12th St, Golden, CO 80401. Golden can be accessed by car via several highways: I-70, Hwy 6, Hwy 58, Hwy 93, and C-470. Parking is available in downtown Golden, with free parking for the first two hours in city parking lots and garages. Register your license plate at the pay station or via the Parkmobile app, even if staying less than two hours. After the initial free period, parking costs $2 per hour, up to a maximum of $8 per day. Parking is free on weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays. Electric vehicle charging stations are available at the Astor House parking lot.

Discover more about Astor House

The Astor House, located at 822 12th St in Golden, Colorado, is a tangible link to the city's vibrant past. Constructed in 1867 from locally quarried sandstone, the two-story building initially served as a hotel and boarding house. Seth Lake, a pioneer hotelier and devout Baptist, commissioned the building, ensuring it remained a temperance establishment, the only hotel in Golden to not serve alcohol. Although its construction coincided with the relocation of the territorial capital to Denver, the Astor House played a significant role in Golden's commercial and social life. It hosted a diverse clientele, from miners to territorial legislators. Over the years, the building transitioned from a luxury hotel to a boarding house, undergoing several changes in ownership and surviving multiple fires. In 1972, facing demolition, local citizens formed the Golden Landmarks Association and successfully rallied to save the Astor House, marking a pivotal moment in the city's historic preservation movement. It reopened as the Astor House Hotel Museum, showcasing life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, Foothills Art Center manages the Astor House, using it for exhibits and events. While the Astor House has been undergoing structural rehabilitation, it continues to welcome visitors to explore Golden's artistic heritage.