Food Traveler Magazine Winter 2013 | Page 39

Northern WINTER DESTINATION legalized, paving the way for historic restoration and revitalization. In 2000, bet limits were raised from $5 to $100, and in 2012, bet limits increased again to $1,000 to entice high-stakes gamers. Several high- end hotels have opened in Deadwood in the past few years and a new full-service mountain spa will be opening in 2014. Deadwood hotels offer a variety of amenities, dining, shopping and gaming, along with lavish rooms, infinity pools and world-class customer service. For those who want to get completely out of town, Deadwood offers a wide range of luxurious cabins and lodges—from two-bedroom hideaways to eight-bedroom homes. Cabins have unique offerings like stone fireplaces, wraparound decks and outdoor hot tubs with milliondollar views. BOTTOM LEFT: BARBARA DUDZIÅSKA THE DECADENCES OF DEADWOOD seekers rushed to the area to find riches. In 1876, they came across a gulch full of dead trees and a creek full of gold...and Deadwood was born. Practically overnight, the tiny gold camp boomed into a town that played by its own rules. Bars, brothels and gaming halls lined the streets and miners, outlaws and prostitutes took up residence. It’s one of the few places left where visitors can walk in the same footsteps of the Wild West legends that put a town on the map and in the history books. REINVENTING DEADWOOD Since its early days as a boomtown, Deadwood has reinvented itself time and time again. It has survived three major fires, flash flooding and numerous economic hardships. In 1989, limited-stakes gambling was Imagine sitting at a rooftop table that overlooks Historic Main Street while you dine on Buffalo Ravioli in a rich brown butter