Colorado Gold Rush Towns: Georgetown, Central City and Black Hawk

After a totally brutal day of altitude changes, we decided to alter our original plans for the day. We were supposed to hike Mount Bierstadt, which would have been our first 14er, but we decided that this was a little too ambitious.

By the way, if you missed my previous Colorado posts, check them out first:
- A Day at the Pack Burro Races in Leadville, Colorado
- Exploring Colorado's Great Outdoors + Is the Dwight Howard?

Instead, we decided to start heading to Denver from Silverthorne, which had been our base for the past two days, and stop off at a few towns along the scenic drive.

Our first stop, though, was breakfast at a cute place called the Sunshine Cafe! Although it is located in a strip mall, the food and service were excellent. I ordered the hueoves rancheros with vegetarian green chili, which came with a side of hash browns. Yum!

Georgetown, Colorado

The first town we visited was Georgetown. In its heyday, it was the mining center of Colorado and a huge silver mining town. Today, it still attracts many visitors due to its historic preservation. During the drive, we passed by the Georgetown Loop Railroad, which was completed in 1884 and takes visitors between Georgetown and Silver Plume.

Georgetown Loop Railroad

Georgetown's historic district is filled with preserved period buildings, with many serving as boutiques and souvenirs shops today.

Kneisel & Anderson Grocery

Hotel de Paris Museum

In addition to the Historic District, Georgetown also has a number of beautifully preserved Victorian era homes. This part of town reminded me of Cape May, New Jersey. How I miss it. 

Continuing to the next town, we passed by the Argo Gold Mine. I thought this was funny because of the film Argo, which I loved.

We took a scenic, partially paved path that is only open during the summer months towards Central City. The road had reminders of its old purpose, serving the mining industry, with long ago abandoned equipment along the road.

Central City, Colorado

Central City also has beautiful historic district, but instead of having many historical points of interest, it seems that casinos are its main attraction. There were very few people in town the day we visited and there didn't seem to be much going on.

I loved seeing this old stable.

Central City also has some cultural attractions like its Opera House.

Central City Opera House

Black Hawk, Colorado

Black Hawk seems to be beating Central City at the gambling game. It has 17 casinos! Many of them casinos are also newly built, huge Vegas-style casinos. We wound up having a late lunch at the Lady Luck Casino. I had steak and veggies. 

Raisin Bread and I both aren't the gambling type so it is hard for us to understand the culture of gambling.

We made the rest of the journey to Denver, where we settled in to our studio from Airbnb.

Sunshine Cafe
250 Summit Place
Silverthorne, CO 80498

Lady Luck Casino
340 Main Street
Black Hawk, CO 80422