The home of the 1876 Gold Rush, Deadwood is a charming place that brims with old heritage and history.
Set against the backdrop of the gorgeous Black Hills National Forest, the city in South Dakota attracts history buffs and nature lovers alike.
It’s an excellent place that’ll make you feel you’ve stepped back in time, with its old brick buildings and horse-drawn carriages.
From touring fascinating museums and visiting historic buildings to skiing and hiking along scenic trails, there’s a lot to get excited about in this city.
Interested in making it your next destination?
Here are the best things to do in Deadwood, South Dakota:
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Deadwood is all about history.
The historic Main Street is the best way to take in what Deadwood has to offer.
It’s covered with gift shops and historic boutiques.
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If you want to buy some souvenirs for your loved ones back home, Historic Main Street is the spot for you.
A lot of plays are shown on Historic Main Street, the most famous one being The Trial of Jack McCall.
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For the best adventures in Deadwood, head to the great trails of the George S. Mickelson Trail.
There are many tunnels through which these trails pass.
These are favored by hikers and bikers.
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The paths are well-maintained and won’t pose any threat to you.
You can even opt to roam around the trails on horseback.
The year 1876 was one of the best for Deadwood.
It was when a lot of travelers, businessmen, traders, and even explorers came to the city in search of gold.
This was during the Gold Rush, a time when people went crazy for places where gold was found in plenty.
The Broken Boot Gold Mine preserves the remnants of that era by keeping the old techniques and methods alive.
You can relive the old days here.
They still use traditional gold-digging methods and show you how gold panning was done.
The tours are pretty exciting.
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The Great Plains of North America were once entirely inhabited by majestic bison.
Did you know that almost a thousand bison lived here?
American actor Kevin Costner established Tatanka: Story of the Bison in 2003.
The story mainly focuses on two groups with different mindsets about this huge number of buffaloes.
One of these groups thought these buffaloes were quite valuable, but the other didn’t think so—they thought they meant death.
The story is portrayed gorgeously, with all the means of exploring the animals and these two groups of people.
The attraction features an amazing 17-piece sculpture of a bison, which happens to be the third-largest bronze sculpture in the world.
Tatanka: Story of the Bison employs and empowers Lakota people, and you’ll find their locally crafted products for sale in the gift shop.
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The Historic Adams House tells all about the deadly tales of Deadwood.
Deadwood was once a notorious town filled with characters you now see in Western movies, the most famous being “Wild Bill” Hickok.
The museum also tells stories from the times of the Gold Rush.
You can see a lot of artifacts and documents that date back to that time.
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Mount Roosevelt Monument also goes by another name: the Friendship Tower.
Seth Bullock was the first sheriff of the town of Deadwood.
He and President Theodore Roosevelt used to be very good friends.
Bullock constructed this monument in memory of Roosevelt’s life.
The memorial is entirely dedicated to him and has a lot of natural sites enclosed within it.
If you are looking for a place filled with hiking trails and picnic spots, this is the perfect place.
It is quite a cool place to hang out with your family for an afternoon.
The Gold Rush of 1876 played a pretty important role in the history of Deadwood.
Half of the city’s population came during that time.
Many of Deadwood’s famous tourist attractions are based on or inspired by the Gold Rush.
The Days of ’76 Museum is one of the city’s must-visit places filled with articles, documents, and photographs, paintings from that era.
You can learn a lot about the Gold Rush and the city’s history at this museum.
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Mount Moriah Cemetery is a piece of history itself.
With the Deadwood Gulch as its backdrop, it is one of the top spots to check out when you are in the city.
Built in 1878, Mount Moriah Cemetery is a resting place for thousands of men and women.
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Those buried in this spot include people who lost their lives during the Gold Rush era.
The graveyard is quite gorgeous.
It is built in a Victorian style.
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Whether you’re interested in gambling or treating your taste buds, the Silverado-Franklin Hotel & Gaming Complex is an excellent place to enjoy yourself.
In Deadwood, good food and fun are synonymous with Silverado.
The place gives off Vegas vibes, with premium casino games and generous buffet.
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Silverado Grand Buffet’s spread includes some of the best dishes.
You can’t miss out on their mouth-watering pizzas and desserts.
To maximize your experience, you can book an overnight stay here.
His & Hers Ale House and Wine Bar is one of the best-loved bars in Deadwood.
The location is quite good, too.
You can easily pop in after sightseeing since it’s located on Historic Main Streethe city.
The ambiance here matches the unique historic pieces of Deadwood.
A couple manages this bar, and the two have put together an excellent menu that guests will surely enjoy.
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Mineral Palace Hotel and Gaming is one of the city’s iconic attractions.
Long gone are those days of gold, but who says you can’t still win gold in Deadwood?
Head to the Mineral Palace, and you might be one of the lucky ones who get to take home the gold.
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There are many options for casino games here, and you can try out your luck by playing any one of them.
After you are done playing, you can have dinner at the hotel’s luxurious restaurant.
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When in Deadwood, you are bound to catch The Trial of Jack McCall.
No other play has been running as long as this one—it’s been around since the 1920s.
You might wonder what it’s based on and why it’s so important.
James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok was murdered by Jack McCall.
The latter went through trial for shooting Hickok.
The entire play is based on that story.
The portrayal is done beautifully and has been going on for generations.
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This is where Deadwood got more exciting.
After all, it is an old city.
Deadwood has seen many ups and downs, and it might be believable that the city is haunted in some parts.
Are you interested in the paranormal?
If so, this spot is definitely for you.
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The ghost you might see, however, is that of someone who used to protect the city.
The corridors of the historic Bullock Hotel are said to be visited daily by the spirit of Seth Bullock, Deadwood’s very first sheriff.
The hotel is not just any ordinary hotel, either—it was the first one to be built in Deadwood.
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Blacktail Horseback Tours is one of Deadwood’s most iconic tour operators.
They’ll bring your dreams of riding a horse along the South Dakotan roads to life.
You will be allocated a horse at the starting point of your journey in the iconic Bessie Gulch.
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Don’t worry, because all of the horses are well-trained and are guaranteed to listen to you.
They’ll take you through the most scenic locations, and you’ll get to enjoy the best of Deadwood.
You will also travel around the region of the Homestake Goldmine.
There will even be a person guiding ahead who will tell you tales of the past.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity when you visit Deadwood.
Inaugurated in 2017, this welcome center is a cutting-edge visitors information facility.
Are you seeking great locations?
Get all the most recent information about the city’s top tourist attractions at the Deadwood Welcome Center.
This hive-like welcome center is the ideal option if you find yourself in this situation.
It provides the most up-to-date information on the finest locations to visit, transportation services, excellent restaurants, excellent shopping districts, and hidden attractions.
To ensure that your trip is truly unforgettable, spend a few minutes talking to courteous and informed employees at the information center.
If you’re planning a trip to Deadwood, the Welcome Center has all the information you’ll need.
It is possible to learn more about the area’s history by visiting the nearby informative exhibits.
The Deadwood Model Trains gallery may include intricately detailed model trains and dioramas.
Spend quality time with your loved ones while visiting the many downtown attractions, including this unique museum displaying exquisitely detailed miniatures representing Deadwood scenes.
Visitors looking for a destination that won’t eat up too much of their day might check out this tourist hotspot.
Deadwood Model Trains is a photographer’s dream, so don’t forget to bring your camera!
In addition to the conventional train miniatures, you may also see ancient streets, old mines, lovely homes, charming villages, and much more.
Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort has various games available to its visitors, from new releases to classics.
In this well-known casino, have a good time with your traveling companions in Deadwood, South Dakota.
It has over 20 table games, more than 240 slot machines, and a variety of promotions throughout the year to keep things interesting.
Enjoy a night out with friends or a special someone at our full-service casino.
There are hundreds of slot machines and table games, including roulette, craps, poker, and blackjack.
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Aside from its fantastic food and occasional live music, the Buffalo Bodega also features casino games.
In an 1877 structure, you’ll uncover this gem of a treasure.
Make a stop at the Buffalo Bodega on your favorite Deadwood nightlife attractions list.
It has a wide variety of casino games to choose from, a variety of live entertainment to keep you engaged, mouthwatering steak meals, and delectable drink concoctions.
Together with pals or your significant other, have a great time on your night out.
There is a live concert on the weekends where you can eat delicious steak and drink beer or wine while you enjoy the entertainment, which is free.
Slot machines and various table games are all available here, like many other types of gambling.
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Do you miss the mountains?
You’ll have to drive a few minutes outside of Deadwood to visit this spot.
Terry Peak is a remarkable place.
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There are no other places with a lift service as high as this one does.
If you are visiting in the winter, the snow is powdery and wonderful here.
Skiing here is one of the best things to do when in South Dakota.
There are a lot of trails here for you to follow.
There’s no better place than Deadwood to go on vacation and escape the monotony of city life.
At the same time, it’s a tranquil and exciting place where you may spend time with friends, family, or your special someone.
Explore museums, ancient gold mines, attractive streets, and more.
With this list, get ready for a much-deserved getaway to Deadwood, South Dakota!
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