CASINOS

• Black Hawk


• Central City


• Cripple Creek

TOWNS/HISTORY


• Black Hawk


• Central City


• Cripple Creek
PROMOTIONS
TRANSPORTATION
ENTERTAINMENT
LODGING
EVENTS
GROUPS
WHAT'S NEW
DINING
ADVENTURE GUIDE
VACATION GUIDE
LINKS PAGE
MAPS

The gaming towns of Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek and their respective casinos are attractions in themselves. Guests will find lots of other things to do while visiting or planning an extended trip both indoors and outdoors. With their mountain locations these cities let visitors experience a true taste of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains, while soaking up the rich history of these historic mining districts.

BLACK HAWK & CENTRAL CITY AREA Out-of-town visitors and Denver residents can not only take advantage of all the attractions of the metro Denver area, they will also find plenty to do and see heading up to the historic districts of Gilpin County and surrounding area. From shopping and museums to outdoor activities, there's always something to do! Bring a camera for some stunningly-gorgeous, scenic pictures.

BLACK HAWK METHODIST CHURCH Located on Swede Hill, but destroyed by flood in the early 1860s, the church began to hold services over a billiard saloon for a year. In 1868 a brick building was built and by 1871 there were 30 members and 60 students. Today the church is used by the Rocky Mountain Free Evangelical Church.

CENTRAL CITY CEMETERIES (AND DORY HILL CEMETERY) A must see when in the Central City area, the old Central City cemeteries are an eerie reminder of the tough days of mining in the area, when typhoid fever and other deadly ailments took the lives of hardy pioneers. Many died young. Cemeteries are separated by religion and all hold keys to a turbulent past. Central City hosts an annual Cemetery Crawl, bringing to life the stories of the ghosts of the cemeteries. Great photo opportunities, abundant bird watching and wild flowers.

COEUR d'ALENE MINE SHAFT HOUSE Towering above Central City on Academy Hill, this old, original 1885 mine produced ore from 1885 to 1940. You'll see wonderful views of the city down to Gregory Gulch. There are outdoor, self-guided interpretive tours. Call 303-582-5283, for details. COLUMBINE CAMPGROUND/WILLIAM C. RUSSELL CITY PARK Just above Central City, going up Eureka Street, you'll find overnight camping at Columbine Campground, and picnicking, fishing and a children's playground at the William C. Russell City Park. There is also a small park, Lion's Park on H Street, on the outskirts of town to the north, with a picnic table in a shady area by the stream.

ELDORA MOUNTAIN RESORT SKI AREA Perfect for downhill and cross-country skiiers, snowboarders and snowshoers. Located in Nederland, about 15 miles north of Black Hawk on Highway 119 is the closest ski resort to the Denver metro area with no passes to cross. Annual snowfall is over 300 inches and the resort enhances it with man-made snow, for a 100% groomed terrain. With 680 acres on 43 trails on a diversified terrain (27 miles of trail for cross-country skiiers), there's something for everyone. Snowboarders will love the Super Pipe with 12-foot walls. Downhill skiiers can experience the thrill of a 1,400-foot vertical slope, with top elevation at 10,600 feet to a base of 9,200 feet. Eldora features 12 lifts and two quads. Snowshoe rental is available on designated trails in their own special terrain park, with overnight and on-trail lodging. The new 16,000-square-foot lodge at Eldora is the best!

EXPLODING MINE SHAFT Harvey's Casino on Gregory Street has a special attraction, along with their great entertainment and sports viewing, an exploding mine shaft by the downstairs bar. Sit and sip a drink and don't be startled when the mine shaft explodes just feet away from your bar stool. Call Harvey's at 1-800-HARVEYS.

GAMBLER'S EDGE RV PARK At 605 Lake Gulch Road, the RV park offers 45 sites with full hook-up. The park is open year round and offers fantastic views. Call 1-800-877-660-3465.

GEORGETOWN LOOP NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD West of Idaho Springs on I-70, you'll find historic Georgetown (close to Loveland Ski Area). Restoration in this old town has been successful from gaming funds from Black Hawk and Central City, an originally-planned rail destination. Today's steam-powered narrow gauge train traverses its way over the restored Devil's Gate High Bridge, looming 95 feet above Clear Creek. There's shopping and dining in Georgetown.

GILPIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE The old courthouse on Eureka Street in Central City is a treasure trove of historical papers including property transfers, mining claims and rocks and minerals. It still stands proudly on the hill off Central City's Main Street.

GILPIN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM This old school house on 228 E. High Street in Central City was built in 1870. It was used as a school up until the 1960s. Exhibits are geared to the history of the area and include a replica of Central City's old Main Street. There are also vintage clothes, toys and dolls on display, the Black Hawk Fire Department exhibit, old school room exhibit and mining equipment on display along with vintage carriages. You'll see how residents used to furnish their homes in Victorian finery, plus there's a gift shop to buy trinkets of all sorts. Call 303-582-5283 for hours and rates.