If you are going to South Dakota your trip will be incomplete if you don’t stop in Deadwood in the Black Hills. When we were told that the entire town was on the National Register of Historic Places we knew we had to see it.
In it’s heyday during the Black Hills Gold Rush, Deadwood was a hub of gambling activity. Many colorful Old West characters passed through or stayed in this now historic town. The legends surrounding Deadwood are as numerous as the tumbleweed on the landscape. Today, about 2 million visitors visit this Black Hills town annually. If you are thinking of joining them here are a few things that you might want to see and do.
Deadwood, South Dakota; Things to See and Do #1 Gambling
This town is true to its Black Hills roots. There are many casinos and gambling halls. Miss Kitty’s is right on Main St. Home of the Chinatown Caf├⌐ they have a full bar and gaming floor. Another popular Main St. is Hickok’s Hotel and Casino. Named for the famous Wild Bill Hickok, the casino offers slots, card games, hotel rooms, arcade and more. You can also play Pkv games in this area. Most of the people who go to this place find it very interesting to play games.
Deadwood, South Dakota; Things to See and Do #2 Tours
Tours are a great way to learn more about the history and culture of this famous town. Two tour possibilities are Kevin Costner’s Original Deadwood Tour and Black Hills Discovery Tours. Both of these offer tours of Deadwood and the Black Hills. Prices vary. Contact the tour companies by clicking the links above.
Deadwood, South Dakota; Things to See and Do #3 Attractions
There are so many historic attractions in the Black Hills and Deadwood that it’s hard to know where to begin. One of the most prominent houses in the area is the historic Adams House. This was once known as the grandest house west of the Mississippi River. At different times this was a home and a bed and breakfast before becoming a museum.
In the Black Hills, about 3 miles from town in Lead, SD you’ll find Homestake Gold Mine Visitor Center. The mine was shut down as recently as 2002. The visitor center gives a fascinating recount of the community of Lead and the power of the mine.
Deadwood, South Dakota; Things to See and Do #4 Dining
We were told at the SD Welcome Center that at one time, Deadwood had one of the largest Chinese populations outside of California. For this reason the Miss Kitty’s Casino mentioned above offers great Chinese food. Other choices in the Black Hills include Mustang Sally’s which is an American style grill and bar, the Oyster Bay Restaurant, Tin Lizzie’s and others. There is no shortage of dining options to fit any taste and budget. Try the link above for a restaurant guide for the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Deadwood, South Dakota; Things to See and Do #5 Lodging
Lodging choices range from the Super 8 to the historic. There are bed and breakfasts, cabins, campgrounds, historic hotels – you name it. Click on the lodging link above to learn more.
We found Deadwood, South Dakota to be a neat place to visit. Black Hills history is everywhere. Traffic isn’t bad but the tourists are intent on having fun instead of watching for cars. When you come in on Main St. the best bet for seeing the town is to find a place to park your car and walk. Most of the motels offer parking and you can park along the street in front of a meter. Off of downtown was a city run parking lot. We saw this as we were driving around the city one last time before leaving.
