The Best Getaway Less Than an Hour from Denver
Content Produced in Partnership with Monarch Casino Resort Spa
It has free live entertainment, great food available 24-hours a day, a luxurious spa, and an adults-only rooftop pool just 45 minutes from Denver. Where is this magical place? None other than Monarch Casino Resort Spa in Black Hawk, Colorado.
A town of less than two square miles and fewer than 100 residents, Black Hawk is one of Colorado’s best entertainment escapes where urbanites come to forget city life and let loose for the day or weekend. Known primarily for their casinos that evolved out of the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush days when gaming halls, saloons and brothels lined the streets, Black Hawk today boasts more than a dozen modern gaming resorts and mining history with small town charm and a Western feel. On the fringe of the Front Range, you still have access to all of Colorado’s wonderous outdoors – hiking, biking, river rafting — but if you never want to leave your hotel and instead opt for an indulgent, high risk, high reward retreat, no judgement.
Your Best Bet (Pun Intended) for Black Hawk Casino Fun
For the ultimate Black Hawk Casino Hotel, Monarch is finally reopened after a nearly decade long renovation and expansion and trust us, it was worth the wait. The transformation is visible in the butterfly motif throughout and the 400M facelift includes 60,000 square feet of gaming with over 1000 electronic games, 35+ tables, a sportsbook, and 500+ well-appointed rooms for the ultimate luxury escape. Even if you’re not a big gambler (guilty: I like my money where I can see it, in the closet), it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement of the ding of the slots and the cheers from the table or a supportive gal pal. Throw a few dollars in and you might just get lucky – or be surprised how long you can make $10 last.
Come Hungry
Monarch is also surprising foodie haven. Five restaurants offer a smorgasbord of international cuisine options for every whim and fancy and elevated culinary offerings including a buffet that rivals Vegas (hello all-you-can-eat carving station and crab legs) and 24-hour dining and cocktailing that will keep you fed and full all hours of the day, and a high roller steakhouse.
But their newest offering, Bistro Mariposa is the star of the show. Modern Mexican-Latin fusion with big, bold flavors in a chic, welcoming space, the open kitchen concept allows everything to be prepared in front of your eyes from smoked cabbage for the salads to house infused tequilas for the spicy, black-salt rimmed margaritas. Lobster tacos, street corn and churros were menu standouts for me but you really couldn’t go wrong with anything (unless you don’t bring a friend to share).
Relax and Unwind
But it’s the rooftop infinity pool, jetted spas and fire pits on the 23rd floor that are where you’ll find me most of the time. Boasting incredible views of the mountains, the adults-only hours from 6 am – 10 am and 6 pm – 10 pm make it a relaxing morning or raucous night – the choice is yours. There’s also live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night with bands from 8 pm-1 am behind one of the casino bars.
The spa is also worth the trip alone as any treatment includes access to the Aqua Lounge hot tub, experiential shower and ice fountain, Laconium Lounge with water feature and crystal, Light therapy Saltwater Brine-Inhalation Room, and Mountain Stonebath sauna, and herbal steam rooms.
Pro Tip: There’s a free shuttle that runs up and down Main Street, so you never have to drive once you arrive. Treat it like a mini-Vegas and roam the streets.
While You’re In The Area: More Things To Do In Black Hawk
Go on a self-guided history tour of Main Street keeping an eye out for architectural gems like the Teller House, an opulent ‘70s hotel and the Central City Opera House. If you’re into haunted history and creepy crawly stuff, the Gilpin Historical Society has you covered. They run fun events throughout the year like Old West Shootouts, Cemetery Crawls, and Paranormal Nights. You can also go underground on a guided mine tour of Hidee Mine in Central City and learn to pan for gold (finders keepers!).
When you’re ready for some outdoor action, Clear Creek runs right through the town of Black Hawk, which is the most accessible white water rafting from Denver and a great spot for fishing. There’s even a Whitewater Park for tubing and kayaking in Golden. For hiking trails in Black Hawk, head to Golden Gate Canyon State Park or Clear Creek Canyon State Park for a variety of loop options. Saint Mary’s Glacier is also a bucket list Colorado hike, while bikers will want to hit up Warren Gulch.
Further Afield: Get Outta Town
The Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway was Colorado’s first designated scenic driving route. It starts in Black Hawk and runs for 55-miles to Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. You can ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a historic steam train with themed rides and picturesque views. If you visit in winter, the slopes aren’t too far either. Eldora is the closest ski resort nearby, and the rest of the I-70 bunch are a little over an hour away (Keystone, Copper, Breckenridge).
Getting to Black Hawk
Black Hawk is an easy day trip or weekend trip from Denver 45 minutes straight West on I-70. If you’re interested in a car-free, stress-free weekend of debauchery, there are charter busses you can book with pickups across the Front Range. You can even get a comped (read: FREE!) chartered casino shuttle from Denver to Black Hawk with minimal casino play – just talk to your hotel about it ahead of time.
I really enjoy Blackhawk as it is a charming town with a rich history and is a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of Colorado. Thanks for the great article!
Black Hawk is a ton of fun. That area in the lower mountains between Idaho Springs and Boulder has a lot of great areas without the risk of getting stuck on I-70 all day.