Location: Idaho Springs
Top Things to do in Idaho Springs
Countries
The 10 Best Things to Do in Idaho Springs, United States
The City of Idaho Springs is a Statutory City in the western United States, the most populous municipality in Clear Creek County, Colorado. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 1,717. Idaho Springs is located in Clear Creek Canyon, in the mountains upstream from Golden, some thirty miles (50 km) west of Denver. Local legend is that the name of the city derived from annual visits to the radium hot springs made by a Native American chief and his tribe who journeyed there each year from Idaho to bathe in the magic healing waters.
Restaurants in Idaho Springs
1. Ameristar Casino Black Hawk
Overall Ratings
4 based on 347 reviews
Reviewed By PhlegmMaster - Phoenix, Arizona
We enjoyed the spacious layout of this casino. We definitely felt that this casino did quite a decent job making you feel as if you were in a top quality gambling hall as in Las Vegas.
Didn't win anything, however. Them's the breaks!
2. Hidee Gold Mine
Overall Ratings
5 based on 112 reviews
Reviewed By Arlene G
This place was great. If you read the negative reviews, (which are very few) they are hilarious. People complain about literally anything.. lol! But, I can say, my visit was fantastic and my almost five year old son loved it! Our tour guide was John, AKA “Squirrel”.. he was a really good guide. Very friendly and helpful to my son and another young boy in the group a little older than my son. He gave them nick names and interacted with them very well. Tip your guides!! People, please, understand that these guides are mostly volunteers.. so it’s common courtesy to tip your guide.
3. Mile Hi Rafting
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
Exciting whitewater rafting trips May through August. All levels All year scenic mountain ATV Tours. Personalized or group Tours. No experience needed our professional guide can help you
Reviewed By WineGreg - Chicago, Illinois
A group of high school friend met in Colorado to attend the Great American Beer Festival. We stayed in Black Hawk, an one of the group suggested and ATV tour in the Mountains. I'm not much for guided tours, but semi-reluctantly agreed to go. I ride a motorcycle and thought this would be a boring albeit beautiful experience. I was WRONG. Riding up the mountain, and it is a MOUNTAIN, takes some stamina, concentration and skill. The guides Doug and Jaco were not only fantastic instructors, making sure everyone was comfortable and safe, but great sources of historical information. When our trip was over, everyone in our group was thrilled with the experience. The scenery is gorgeous, completing the experience. DO THIS!
4. Central City Opera House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By JA M
This is a superb opera venue and a well-managed arts company. Each summer they stage major opera productions with first rate talent, including conductors, stage directors and vocalists. Many of the singers are from their Young Artist Program and are rising stars in their own right---equal to, if not better than, the mainliners, just younger. If you are in Denver during the summer months check them out. The only disconnect is that they are located in Central City, a rather uninspiring place with few decent restaurants and casinos overrun with gambling drones.
5. St. Mary's Glacier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 295 reviews
Reviewed By Rachel W - Golden, Colorado
This spot was amazing. So beautiful yet completely tucked away. I couldn't believe this area existed so close to the roads. It took us about 20 minutes to get up to the glacier lake, going slowly. Once up to the little lake, there were more trails and places to spread out and take it in. It's a wonderful place for a picnic or nice swim. There's even a 'beach' area that makes it easy for playing around in the water. It's a must-see. From the Denver area, I'd give it about 5 hours total for travel time up, hike and taking in the scenery, hike back, and drive back. Note: need to TAKE CASH for parking ($5 as I remember it).
6. Mad Adventures
Overall Ratings
5 based on 57 reviews
MAD Adventures offers whitewater rafting trips on Clear Creek. Only 30 minutes from Denver we offer trips for beginners and experienced customers alike. We hope to see on the water soon!
Reviewed By jarrodpeterson - Maple Grove, Minnesota
We were so excited to do this as a family on our summer vacation and Mad Adventures was excellent. Our leader was Henry and he was outstanding. Very personable, professional and fun. The entire raft had a good time with him. We went down one of the more calmer areas of the Colorado River and that was fine for our first trip. It was by far the highlight of our experience in Colorado. Worth the price and I would pay more to do it again.
7. The Lodge Casino
Overall Ratings
4 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By PhlegmMaster - Phoenix, Arizona
My brothers and I checked out the Lodge Casino. Nothing fancy here. We didn't hang out in this place for very long, hardly gambling at all. Although we did eat at the buffet, which I write about in a separate review, we felt the casino itself was rather plain.
8. Argo Gold Mill and Tunnel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 346 reviews
Come visit one of the regions most amazing historic mining heritage sites, the Mighty ARGO Mill. Our walking tour includes a visit to our history room to view a video describing the history of the ARGO Tunnel and Mill, a view into the ARGO TUNNEL, a descent through our historic 5 story gold ore mill, a visit in the historical artifact museum at the base of the ARGO Mill, and a chance to find real gold as we offer you a gold panning lesson! Please note: no pets allowed on site.
Reviewed By Kinnanimal
During a stay in Idaho Springs we took this tour to learn more about the town and discovered some great history. Ryan was our tour guide and he was fantastic. Super knowledgeable and very patient. Our group had some younger boys that asked about one question per second, and he kept his cool and answered each one thoughtfully. Great history and information about the mine. Definitely recommend for anyone that wants to do more than just stop in town for pizza.
9. Johnny Z's Casino
Overall Ratings
4 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By csoden - Grand Junction, Colorado
Several years ago, we voted this our "#1 casino"---here lately we have been very disappointed. I have tried to ignore it for about 4 visits now, but feel I must say something. We never go gambling with the honest expectation of being big winners, but when we lose money, we like to have fun doing it. We play in here first thing when we come into town---tradition. We used to be able to play for 2 or 3 hours before we were ready to move on, but here lately our entire day's gambling allowance is gone in under an hour or less! When you FINALLY get a bonus, and get ZERO---something is wrong!! I have played many of these machines in the past and enjoyed the people, the play and the drinks. Now, one cocktail waitress for the entire casino, AND she is also the bartender at 3 bars. Our favorite mimosa's are now made with an orange flavored syrupy substitute, and sometimes flat champagne. Cutting corners? Think we don't notice?? Do away with the big $$$$ drawings that benefit 1 or 2 people, and let us all have fun again. On the positive, they still serve their drinks in real glass, and they have Budweiser Chelada--which will be my choice from here on.
10. Gilpin History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By Cadygirl - Aurora, Colorado
I visited based on other recommendations and I'm so glad I went. The woman working the desk was extremely informative since this was my first visit to the city. She not only explained what I would find inside but pointed out points of interest from our vantage point over the city. She was full of facts about the area. The museum itself is two floors and it's packed with items and photos. Yes it's on the smaller side but definitely worth a stop.
