Deadwood might not be the first place that comes to mind for a casino getaway. But it probably should be.
After discovering the old mining town last year founded in 1876 after a gold rush in the Black Hills, I couldn’t wait to get back, and I decided that my friends needed to visit, too. A group of seven of us visited for the annual St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl, because pub crawl, duh!
Kelly Koffler photo
On Thursday, we arrived for our stay at Cadillac Jack’s. The property has three options for hotel rooms, but we all stayed on the SpringHill Suites side. It was actually a great choice; it included free breakfast that was pretty darned good and who doesn’t love a free hotel breakfast?
FLYT Steakhouse (Cadillac Jack’s courtesy photo)
For dinner, FLYT Steakhouse was our go-to. We had the same waiter each night and he was great! And of course, the food was delicious. Make sure to get the chocolate peanut-butter cake if you go. It’s mouth-watering good. Will you judge me if I tell you that I had it three times during our trip?
In between the snowstorms — because yes, Mother Nature decided it was a great weekend for a blizzard — we explored the town. On Main Street, Mr. Wu’s quickly became one of our favorite stops. It has that local dive-bar feel with an easy-going vibe, cheap cocktails, and even free hot dogs. Yes, please!
Thankfully, we did get a break from the snow on Saturday afternoon, so the pub crawl went off without a hitch. It was a blast! People of all ages were hanging out and enjoying life … and green beer. Don’t forget the green beer. It was a great time!
Kelly Koffler photo
Monday morning came quickly, which meant it was time to say goodbye to Deadwood. On our way to the airport, we made a detour to Mount Rushmore. Seeing it in person was awe-inspiring and a reminder of how much more the area has to offer beyond gaming.
Deadwood isn’t trying to compete with Las Vegas and that’s exactly why it works. Instead of the fast-paced and luxurious lifestyle offered on the Strip, downtown Deadwood delivers laid-back gaming, nostalgia, and a strong sense of place in a way that feels authentic and refreshingly different — and that’s just the way I like it.
