Smarter Car Renting

Here are car rental tips from the road trip-seasoned editors of RoadsideAmerica.com:

•  Fear of the Unknown: Unfamiliar with the streets of Golden? Consider adding a GPS navigation system to your rental. GPS provides turn-by-turn directions to a number of Golden attractions and businesses, and is offered by almost all Golden car rental agencies. The GPS helps you navigate like some mythical Greek God of Navigation! You can also add your own portable GPS on your handy windshield sucker, but remember to take it all with you when you turn in the car at the end of your trip.

•  Damaged: Always carefully eyeball your vehicle before leaving the rental agency, whether you're in Golden or East Podunkville. The last renter may have pulled in after a meteor shower! Prior scratches, dents, and other vehicle damage can cause extra headaches and costs if not noted before you leave the rental car lot. If you see any damage on the car's exterior and interior before you leave, make sure it's noted on the rental car papers, and point it out to an agency employee. This will resolve any questions that could arise when you return. And avoid meteor showers.

•  Many States, One Car: If renting a car for a longer road trip, check with the car rental companies in Golden, Colorado to see if they have policies about crossing state lines that affect the final rate you pay. May be no effect, but don't assume you can crisscross the globe with unlimited mileage impunity. There may be a GPS tracker in the car!

Click here to see Golden attractions

Golden CO Area Attractions

• Astor House Museum
• Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum
• Colorado School of Mines
• Coors Brewing Company
• Golden Gate Canyon State Park
• Golden Pioneer Museum
• Heritage Square
• Mother Cabrini Shrine
• Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum
• White Ranch Park
• Dinosaur Ridge (4.01 miles)
• Keystone Resort & Conference Center (4.56 miles)
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre (4.80 miles)
• Crystal Palace Antiques (5.43 miles)
• Colorado School of Trades (5.64 miles)
• Colorado Christian University - Lakewood Campus (6.47 miles)
• Exempla Lutheran Medical Center (6.62 miles)
• Lakewood Surgical Center (6.86 miles)

Golden rental guide