12 Best Things to Do in Deadwood, South Dakota

By VacationIdea Staff on September 15, 2022 - Updated

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The town of Deadwood, South Dakota can be found along the northern border of Black Hills National Forest, defined by its Wild West history and scenic surroundings, offering an interesting and exciting place to explore for a while. There is an abundance of outdoor opportunities in and around Deadwood that accompany the area’s Gold Rush history. The town’s dynamic history comes to life with several sites like historic Main Street and Mount Moriah Cemetery, highlighting the stories of infamous characters, such as Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Broken Boot Gold Mine, Deadwood, South Dakota

Back in 1876, the search for gold brought a flood of madams, muleskinners, merchants, and miners to the Deadwood Gulch. The fascinating tale of one of the last great gold rushes in the United States is brought to life at the Broken Boot Gold Mine of Deadwood, which was established in the year 1878. Experienced guides help today’s visitors discover the magic and mystery of the old-time techniques of gold mining, with tours available every thirty minutes. After the tour, guests can also try gold panning themselves, just as numerous prospectors once did at the same site over one hundred years ago.

1200 Pioneer Way, Deadwood, SD 57732, Phone: 605-578-9997

2.Tatanka: Story of the Bison, Deadwood, South Dakota

Tatanka: Story of the Bison tells the story of the millions of bison that once roamed across North America’s Great Plains. It’s estimated that not even one thousand bison roamed the area. Tatanka was created by Kevin Costner as a centerpiece for two different cultures, one of which depended that depended on these buffalo and the other that saw them as a “means to an end,” recognizing and accepting the mutual history, as well as representing a chance “to move forward.” Visitors will more than life-sized sculptures, an interpretive center, movie costumes, the Sweetgrass Grill, a gift shop, and much more.

100 Tatanka Dr, Deadwood, SD 57732, Phone: 605-584-5678

3.Mt. Roosevelt Monument, Deadwood, South Dakota

The Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower, or also known as Deadwood’s Mount Roosevelt Monument, was constructed in 1919 by Seth Bullock, the first Sheriff of Deadwood. This monument was built to honor Bullock’s closed friend for numerous years, President Theodore Roosevelt. The idea was to establish a memorial to Roosevelt’s life, as well as a place where people could take in the wide open spaces that Roosevelt and Bullock were so fond of throughout their lives. The Mount Roosevelt Picnic Area consists of five different sites for picnicking, with a nature trail starting from the one with restroom facilities.

FSR 133, Deadwood, SD 57732

4.Terry Peak, Deadwood, South Dakota

Terry Peak, just outside of Deadwood, is home to the highest lift service found anywhere between the Alps and the Rocky Mountains with a summit of approximately 7,100 feet, providing nearly three times more snow than elsewhere throughout the region. With one Terrain Park and twenty-nine trails, the Terry Peak Ski Area offers plenty of adventure and action. The ski area ensures ideal conditions all season long with the help of man-made powder in case of a more lean snowy winter season. For lodging, the Nevada Gulch Lodge and the Stewart Lodge provide a bar, a cafeteria, and home comforts.

21120 Stewart Slope Rd, Lead, SD 57754, Phone: 605-584-2165

5.Silverado, Deadwood, South Dakota

The Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel and Gaming Complex combines hotel accommodations, delicious food, and thrilling and fun gaming. The gaming complex offers a wide array of popular casino games, including slot machines, Three-Card Poker, Blackjack, Texas Hold’Em, Roulette, and Craps. There is also a Poker Room and Winner’s Circle. As for dining, the Silverado Grand Buffet is the only casino in Deadwood with a Las Vegas-style buffet, featuring more than eighty feet of buffet, wood-fired pizzas, salad bar, dessert bar, and live food stations preparing made-to-order dishes. On Fridays and Saturdays, diners can enjoy all-you-can eat prime rib and crab.

709 Main St, Deadwood, SD 57732, Phone: 605-578-3670

6.Mineral Place Hotel and Gaming, Deadwood, SD

The Mineral Place Hotel and Gaming is a modern place where visitors can try their luck at striking gold. Visitors and locals alike can test their skills and luck with a variety of casino games, such as roulette, three-card poker, and blackjack. Mineral Place also is home to the latest in slots. SItuated in historic Deadwood, the grand hotel offers first-class dining and one of the best and biggest casinos around. The Gem Steakhouse serves the most variety of steaks within the Black Hills region. Other amenities include a gift shop and in Wild West fashion, a liquor store.

601 Historic Main St, Deadwood, SD 57732, Phone: 800-847-2522

7.Mount Moriah Cemetery, Deadwood, South Dakota

The historic Mount Moriah Cemetery is set on a mountain plateau that overlooks the scenic Deadwood Gulch. Established back in the year 1878, the cemetery is the final resting place of many pillars, madams, murderers, and western legend of the early economic development of Deadwood, South Dakota. There is more to Mount Moriah Cemetery than just being a graveyard. Visitors have a chance to explore a late Victorian-era cemetery with the northern Black Hills as its backdrop. The paved roads throughout the grounds make it easy for people to explore the site. Information can be found at the Visitor Center.

10 Mt Moriah Dr, Deadwood, SD 57732, Phone: 605-722-0837

8.Things to Do in Deadwood, South Dakota: His and Hers Ale House and Wine Bar

The His and Hers Ale House and Wine Bar is located in historic Deadwood, South Dakota and was founded by a couple who wanted to bring something unique to the town’s historic Main Street. Randy and Molly Brown aimed to create a venue that’s all-inclusive with great wine and great beer, where people can have a couple drinks before dinner or an event, meet up with friends, or listen to some local musicians. The His and Hers Ale House and Wine Bar offers the most rotating taps in Deadwood with twenty-four rotating beers and a constantly growing wine list.

696 Main St, Deadwood, SD 57732, Phone: 605-717-2455

9.Days of '76 Museum

Get to know the first pioneers of Deadwood at the Days of ‘76 Museum, which is dedicated to honoring the memory of the prospectors, muleskinners, miners, and madams that triggered the growth of the town. Days of ‘76 Museum features thematic exhibitions from within its state-of-the-art facilities such as the Firearms Exhibit, which showcases about 120 different kinds of arms and handguns from the Black Hills and American history. Deadwood: A Story of Movement and Change, is another great exhibit that has 50 historic wagons, buggies, and other types of animal-powered vehicles being showcased. Not to be missed is a recreation of Deadwood’s Main Street, which includes panoramic photographs of the local landscape, vintage vehicles, representations of wooden and brick buildings, a Victorian home, and other landmarks.

18 Seventy-Six Drive, Deadwood, South Dakota 57732, Phone: 605-578-1657

10.Adams Museum

Established in 1930 by the museum’s namesake, W.E. Adams, the Adams Museum is dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of Black Hills’ history. Learn more about Deadwood’s iconic legends like Charlie Utter and Calamity Jane through artifacts like their personal belongings and other memorabilia at The Legends Gallery. Meanwhile, visitors can find out about the questionable activities throughout Deadwood’s history and how they managed to stay active for many years at the Riskey Business exhibit. Visitors can also see Great Black Hills treasures such as a sketch of Wild Bill Hickok by the American illustrator, N.C. Wyeth, a 3.346 troy ounce golden nugget that belonged to Potato Creek Johnny’s, and even a rare plesiosaur.

54 Sherman Street, Deadwood, South Dakota 57732, Phone: 605-578-1714

11.Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort

Just a stone’s throw away from Historic Deadwood is the self-proclaimed “most daring casino” in all of Deadwood, the Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort. Open all day and all night, the Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort has more than 220 of the industry’s newest slot machines, 10 live gaming tables for 3-card poker, craps, roulette, blackjack, ultimate Texas hold’em. When guests aren’t playing, they can enjoy a meal at one of the resort’s many dining options like Paddy O’Neill’s Irish Pub and Grill. Try their best-seller, the Pulled Pork Paddy Pile, and enjoy Paddy Hour twice a day from Mondays through Thursdays where wells and taps are half off. Other dining establishments include Lizzie Burgers, The Bowl, Snitches, and Starbucks.

555 Main Street, Deadwood, South Dakota 57732, Phone: 605-578-1715

12.Deadwood Escape Rooms

Players are welcome to test their skills at the interactive and realistic puzzle adventures prepared by Deadwood Escape Rooms. While in Deadwood Escape Rooms, players will have to find clues with keen and trained eyes, solve one puzzle after another, and beat the 60-minute clock. Players can try to save the city and its heroic masked vigilante from Doctor Plague’s evil schemes in The Vigilante’s Maze. Meanwhile, the Wild West Heist will you searching for a large stash of cash and gold at an 1800s entertainment bar before the owner returns.

25 Lee Street, Deadwood, South Dakota 57732; Phone: 605-559-1400