Let the Good Times Roll in Deadwood, S.D.
Since 1876, Deadwood has been entertaining travelers.
Roulette is a game of chance. It’s also one of the many games you’ll find in historic Deadwood—a Wild West town famous for taking chances. In 1876, fortune seekers took a chance when they came looking for gold and settled in the rough and tumble camp of Deadwood.
Today, visitors to this national historic landmark will find plenty of the Wild West without any of the danger. Walk the cobblestone-lined Main Street where you’ll meet Old West re-enactors who bring history to life. Visit Mount Moriah Cemetery to learn how western legends met their end. The cemetery is the final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock. Discover all of Deadwood’s stories and legends in one of three world-class museums.
There’s always something new in this Old West town. You’ll find plenty of 24/7 casinos, unique shops and award-winning restaurants. Plan a trip during one of Deadwood’s many year-round events and you’ll enjoy free Main Street concerts, food festivals, parades, classic cars or the PRCA’s “Best Mid-Sized Rodeo” for 14 consecutive years.
Here are four things to do to experience the best of Deadwood.
1. Mount Roosevelt Memorial Friendship Tower
Why go: Get incredible views of the Black Hills when you hike less than a mile to this iconic Deadwood attraction.
Little-Known Fact: Deadwood’s first sheriff Seth Bullock built the tower in 1919, the same year his friend President Theodore Roosevelt died.
2. Hike the George S. Mickelson Trail
Why go: Stretching 109 miles with more than 100 railroad bridges, this rolling trail is gorgeous.
Tip: Built last year, the Homestake Trail shares the parking lot with the Mickelson Trail but offers a 6.8-mile out-and-back adventure to Lead (pronounced “leed”) and back.
3. Listen to Live Music
Why go: During the weekends, you can’t walk through downtown without hearing live music filling the night air in the streets. And if you time it right, you might hit one of Deadwood’s rollicking take-over-the-streets events.
Tip: Do karaoke at Bodega Bar, which was founded in 1877, was frequented by Buffalo Bill Cody and is the oldest bar in town. Oyster Bay in the historic (and haunted) Fairmont Hotel is another great place to belt out the tunes.
4. Roll the Dice
Why go: Deadwood’s casinos are primarily in historic districts, offering smaller, more charming settings.
Tip: Explore the gaming scene by foot or by the trolley that costs $1 per ride to hop from one casino to the next.
For More Information:
Deadwood Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
(605) 578-1876
767 Main Street, Deadwood, South Dakota 57732
www.deadwood.com