Frequently Asked Questions About our Vacation Home in Central City, Colorado

Why is the Peter MacFarlane Home the best vacation rental in Central City, Colorado?

When you want a vacation home in Colorado's Mountains, the Peter MacFarlane Home in Central City is your ideal basecamp for all sorts of Mountain Fun. Just 35 miles from Denver and right in Central City, you have easy access to Colorado's casinos, a quick walk to the Central City Opera and other historical sites, and fantastic outdoor activities like hiking & biking trails, ATV and snowmobile trails, etc.

After staying at a lot of places around the world, we've taken the best ideas and fixed the most annoying problems with renting a vacation home. We think of ourselves as the most renter-friendly vacation rental in Colorado:

  • No cleaning fee, and no chores list
  • Local hosts that won't nickel-and-dime every little mess, mistake, or accident
  • Family-friendly, with amenities that suit all age ranges
  • Dog-friendly
  • Cannabis friendly
  • Large property with plenty of space indoors and outdoors
Why is the Peter MacFarlane Home better than other large properties in Gilpin or Clear Creek Counties?
There are beautiful homes to rent in Gilpin and Clear Creek Counties in Colorado, but the Peter MacFarlane Home is located right in the heart of Central City, Colorado. There's no treacherous drive up steep, icey dirt driveways in the winter, because our roads are plowed several times a day or night. We're a few minutes from great restaurants and attractions, making it easy to go out for a meal without driving crazy mountain roads at night. And with three bedrooms, a flex room, and capacity for 8 people—plus a huge parking area and yard–our home ensures your large family or group of friends has all the space they need for a great stay.
What is parking like in Central City, Colorado?

The Peter MacFarlane Home is the largest private-use parking area available in Central City.

Parking at most vacation homes in the Colorado Mountains is usually limited to one or two street spaces, if you're lucky. At our vacation home, we have a full lot that can accommodate at least 5 or 6 cars, or you easily bring an ATV / Snowmobile Trailer and park it safely right on our property.

I drive an Electric Vehicle (Tesla, Rivian, IONIQ, etc) - is visiting the Colorado Mountains a good idea? Is there a place to charge my EV?
We have an dedicated, private, Level 2 EV Charger available for our guests! It's a Tesla Universal unit with NACS & J1772 adapters. It's free for guests to use, so plug in your car and by the next morning you'll be good to go for the next day's adventures.
Where's the best place to stay for casinos in Black Hawk or Central City, Colorado?
We think our vacation rental, the Peter MacFarlane Home, is the best choice for a weekend at the Black Hawk or Central City casinos. Casino Hotels are rather underwhelming, and since the pandemic their amenities and service have dropped off. When you stay at our Vacation Home, it's a 5-minute walk or 5-minute drive to Colorado's best casinos.
I want to ride ATVs or Snowmobiles in the Colorado Mountains, can I bring my toy trailer?
Yes! The Peter MacFarlane Home boasts the largest private-use parking area available in Central City, with room for a small to medium ATV or Snowmobile Trailer on completely private land. We recommend a max length of 16-ish feet, though larger trailers could be parked at the larger public lot 500 feet up the street. In both places you should be good at reversing your trailer.
Is it easy to get to the Central City Opera from your vacation home?
We're the closest vacation home to the Central City Opera. The Peter MacFarlane Home is located just a 2 minute walk up Eureka Street from the Central City Opera and most of Central City's historical buildings. Our home is literally next door to their rehearsal hall, which used to be Peter MacFarlane's Foundry, so you are likely to get treated to a surprise aria on any random afternoon or evening.
What's the historical significance of the Peter MacFarlane Home?

Peter MacFarlane is the man who basically built Central City with his bare hands. He came here to make his fortune in America's Great West, and spent more than 50 years as an entrepreneur building and equipping homes, churches, storefronts, and especially the mills that helped extract tens of millions of dollars worth of gold from Gilpin County. Without Peter, Central City may have never been the Richest Square Mile on Earth.

It was also Peter MacFarlane that helped save the world-famous Central City Opera House. The county was going to turn it into a government building and the citizens hated that idea. Peter ultimately bought up all of the shares to keep it as a world-class arts and entertainment facility. After his death, his son and daughter-in-law donated the Opera House to the University of Denver and founded the Central City Opera Association, and since 1932 the CCOA has become a world-famous cultural institution.

Central City's downtown is lined with beatiful historical homes, most of which are owned by History Colorado or the Central City Opera and are primarily used for artist housing in the summer. The Peter MacFarlane Home has been privately preserved for more than 150 years, and as its latest stewards we are proud to open this home to guests. When you sleep under its roof, you're sleeping in the same space as the man who built Central City.

Is this a good place to stay for those with accessibility needs or limited mobility?

The Peter MacFarlane Home is a historical property. While it's been preserved and modernized into a luxury mountain home, there are still architectural quirks that cannot be changed. The main staircase is a bit steep, and the stairs are shallow - so please use the handrails to avoid a slip or fall. There are stairs from the parking lot to the main entry of the home. Inside, there are some uneven areas and possible trip hazards between rooms, so please watch your step.

The home is not wheelchair accessible. Those with specific mobility needs should contact us with specific questions so we can advise on whether this is the right place to stay for you.

Can I smoke weed or vape in your vacation rental?
Yes, we are 420-friendly. We allow smoking cannabis products inside the home (and will recommend our favorite local shop, too). Vaping is okay too. Tobacco smoking is not allowed inside.
Can I work remotely from your Central City, Vacation Home? How's the cell phone and WiFi coverage?
Yes, you can work remotely from The Peter MacFarlane Home. We have good cell coverage here, and our WiFi is powered by Starlink. You'll be able to stream your favorite shows and movies on any of the four televisions, or hop on that important Zoom.
Are there wildlife concerns - bears, moose, etc - in Central City?
We do occasionally get a visit from wildlife up here, though it's rare at the Peter MacFarlane Home. Our home is surrounded by steep mountain landscape, a creek and fences, so we've never seen a large animal on our property. Moose, which are still pretty rare, tend to stick to the hills across the street which are more open and grassy (we have some great video from the Blue House across the street).
Is The Peter MacFarlane Home a child-safe rental home in Central City?
Yes, we've done our best to make the home great for families and safe for kids. We've installed safety bars on the floor-level windows, and have outlet covers in all floor-level electrical outlets. There is an unfenced creek that runs along the front of the property, so you should watch your kids while outside. We also supply a travel crib and high chair for families with infants.
Can I bring my dogs to your Central City vacation home?
Yes! We love dogs. We've supplied dog-friendly amenities too, including a water bowl, food bowls, a crate, and a comfy fleece doggy blanket, and waste bags. There's an enclosed dog run area (though you should not leave them unattended).
Is there really no cleaning fee and no chores list? What's the catch?

There's no catch! We don't charge a cleaning fee, and don't have a chores list or annoying set of rules to follow when you're trying to pack up. Our only ask is don't trash the place and don't leave it a filthy mess.

But we're not going to gripe about every little thing. If you mess up a towel, break a glass, or accidentally damage something, we just ask that you let us know so we can repair or replace it. We're super relaxed hosts.

Can I host a small party at The Peter MacFarlane Home?

Yes, you can, but all gatherings, events, parties, or retreats must be pre-approved. We do charge an extra cleaning fee for these events as well, because there's more stuff to clean up with more people around.

The home and its large yard is perfect for a garden party, gender-reveal party, small wedding, family reunion, yoga retreat, business meeting, meditation retreat, birthday party, or whatever else you might want to do. We don't have outdoor party furniture (tables, chairs, tents), so these need to be rented.

I'm a content-creator or social media influencer, can I create content at your vacation rental?

Yes! Our vacation rental is great for content creators on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or spicier platforms, and we're continuously working to add flair to the spaces.

Please share your creations with us, or tag us in your photos and descriptions. We love creativity and would love to see what you create, even if you think it's not our "taste."

When's the best time of year to visit Central City & Colorado Mountains?

There is no bad time to stay at the Peter MacFarlane Home in Central City.

In the summer, we have a ton of things going on in town - from quirky local festivals to the world-famous Central City Opera Festival every July. There are fantastic hiking, bking, and ATV trails nearby. And if the summer heat is draining you in Denver or on the Front Range, know that we're usually 20 degrees cooler up here.

In the winter, things are a little quieter in Central City but it's still a wonderful place to visit. Go snowmobiling. We're within decent driving distance of ski resorts, especially Loveland, Eldora, Echo Mountain, Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Breckenridge. Or you can just get cozy as the snow comes down in our very warm and well-appointed vaction home.

Is the Kitchen actually well-equipped for a chef?
Our vacation home has a fully-equipped chef's kitchen, with nearly pot, pan, utensil, and supply you could possibly need to serve a world-class meal. We even supply spices and cooking basics, because no one wants to buy more of what you already have at home. Check out our complete amenities list.
Where is the closest grocery store to Central City, Colorado?
While Central City and neighboring Black Hawk have smaller convenience stores for basic snacks, drinks, and essentials, the nearest full-service grocery store is in Idaho Springs, about a 15 minute drive away on the Central City Parkway. We recommend stopping for groceries on your way here. But Instacart works here too!
What is the elevation of Central City, and do I need to prepare for altitude sickness?
Central City sits at a beautiful elevation of about 8,500 feet (2,590 meters) above sea level. If you are visiting from lower elevations, you will likely feel the thinner air. We recommend drinking plenty of water, taking it easy on your first day, and pacing your alcohol and cannabis intake until your body adjusts.
How do I get to Central City from Denver International Airport (DIA)?
The Peter MacFarlane Home is about a 60-minute drive from Denver International Airport. Renting a car is the easiest way to get here, especially if you plan to explore the surrounding Gilpin and Clear Creek Counties, visit ski resorts, or access trailheads. There are also casino buses and shuttles that run from the Denver metro area if you prefer to skip the mountain driving.
Are there restaurants and bars within walking distance of the house?
Absolutely. You are just a short stroll or drive from Central City's Main Street and Black Hawk, where you can grab a bite or a local pint at spots like Dostal Alley Brewpub or JKQ BBQ. We have a bunch of great options including family-friendly places (outside of casinos) and some award-winning restaurants for adults as well.
Is there public transportation between Central City and Black Hawk?
Yes! If you want to explore the casinos but prefer not to drive or move your car from our private lot, there is a free shuttle service that runs continuously between Central City and Black Hawk. It's a convenient, safe way to enjoy a night out on the town. The nearest stop to The Peter MacFarlane Home is on Main Street, about a 5-minute walk (with a hill).
How does check-in work, and what are the check-in/check-out times?
We want your arrival to be as easy as possible, so we offer a seamless, contactless check-in process using a secure smart lock. Standard check-in is at 3:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM. And because we don't have a tedious chores list, your check-out morning is completely stress-free—just pack your bags and lock the door behind you.
Do you offer heating and air conditioning (A/C)?
Our historical home is equipped with a modern, cozy heating system to keep you perfectly warm during those snowy mountain winters. Like most homes in the high country, we do not have air conditioning. Fortunately, at 8,500 feet, summer temperatures are usually a comfortable 20 degrees cooler than in Denver, and opening the windows for that crisp mountain breeze cools the house down beautifully.
Is your vacation home available for Thanksgiving?

Yes, you are welcome to host your family for Thanksgiving at our vacation home in the Colorado Mountains. It's a wonderful venue, with a chef's kitchen for the perfect turkey, a large dining table, and plenty of seating. The large yard means the kids can play yard games outside, and there's plenty of parking for everyone.

For Thanksgiving, we won't charge an extra fee for family events / gatherings.

Is your vacation home available for Christmas and New Years Day?

Yes, you are welcome to host your family for Christmas, Hanukkah, and/or New Years Day at our vacation home in the Colorado Mountains. We'll even decorate and put up a Christmas Tree for you.

For Christmas and Hanukkah, we won't charge an extra fee for family events / gatherings.

Are we allowed to use the piano in your vacation home? Is it tuned?

Yes! Any home this close to the musical excellence of the Central City Opera should have a piano. Ours is a spinet upright piano, and as historical preservationists we're glad to say this was a part of its previous family for 75 years, and happy to give it a new home in this special place.

We do have it professionally tuned periodically, but in full disclosure we are not musicians so do let us know if it needs another tune-up.