One of my many stops in Cripple Creek recently was the Gold Rush Casino (and Gold Diggers Casino next door) hotel and casino. Down at the “lower” end of Bennett Avenue, this is pretty much the first casino you run into if you’re driving in from Florissant. There’s plenty of free parking one block away on Carr street, where there’s a large (gravel) lot. Immediately behind the Gold Rush is the Palladium Amphitheater, a cool outdoor concert and entertainment venue.

This casino is relatively small and cozy, with classic old-west Victorian décor. There are rooms available upstairs that maintain the Victorian theme. The slot and video poker variety is a little limited due to the lack of floor space. There’s two bars with inlaid video poker, the larger bar having 5-cent machines only. They have cool individual TV monitors at each seat which would be great for watching your favorite sporting event. There are gaming tables near the front door which they can configure as needed. When I was there they had one Blackjack and one Poker table going.

Gold Rush Casino establishment has one nice restaurant, the Grapevine, on the main floor. I did not eat there this time (but have in the past), and the food was pretty basic with reasonable prices. They did offer free hotdogs over by the player’s club booth, but they were looking a little old and I wasn’t hungry anyway.

The staff at the Gold Rush Casino were quietly efficient and focused. I received fast service at both the bar and cashier. I wouldn’t call them friendly, however. When I’m in a casino I want to have fun, you know? Happy employees, who will make small talk and laugh and joke around (even if it’s amongst themselves) contribute mightily to a “fun” atmosphere. These folks were all business. Maybe I was there on a bad night, but nobody seemed very happy. I found myself wanting to move on.

As you cruise up and down “the strip” in Cripple Creek, the Gold Rush Casino should be one of your stops, especially to see the Victorian décor. Enjoy!