Golden History Museums, Golden

In a sense, the story of the three Golden History Museums sites goes back to 1938, when Golden citizens began collecting and exhibiting artifacts from the region's history. But in another sense, it goes back much further: the 18-inch stone walls of the Astor House were lain in the mid-19th century, and the Clear Creek History Park represents an immaculate recreation of pioneer-era Colorado. No matter how far back visitors are peering into the past, the museums flesh out the story of Golden from the time of horse-drawn wagons to today.

• Size: it's a museum in three parts with more than 15,000 artifacts in the Golden History Center, the fully restored Astor House museum, and a reconstructed ranch at the Clear Creek History Park
• Eye Catcher: the miniature town inside the Golden History Center
• Permanent Mainstay: the photography collection (which can be browsed online) contains more than 2,500 historical images
• Don't Miss: head down to the restored ranch to see events and demonstrations, a thriving beehive, heirloom-breed chickens, and one of the best skies in the country