Deadwood is a great throwback to the days of the Wild West. There are regular re-enactments on Main Street that last 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye out for them, your kids will really enjoy it. While in Deadwood, a visit to Saloon 10 is a must. Yes, it’s still an active Saloon, but until 8 pm it’s kid-friendly. Go inside to see the alleged chair where Wild Bill was sitting when he was shot by Jack McCall.
The Historic Adams House and Museum offer tours and scavenger hunts for kids. Adams House is a fun look inside 19th Century life in Deadwood.
Naturally, there are lots of gift shops and there are still casinos. However, it isn’t in your face and the entire town is kid-friendly. In the basement of a souvenir store ( I know that sounds odd, but trust me) is the Deadwood Railway Exhibit. If you or anyone in your family is into trains, it’s pretty cool! This was the largest, most detailed model train set-up we have ever seen. It costs $1 to run the train for 10 minutes. Honestly, we aren’t too into trains, but we were instantly impressed!
Include Mount Moriah Cemetery in your plans when visiting Deadwood. Mount Moriah is where Seth Bullock, Wild Bill, and Calamity Jane are buried. Wild Bill Hickok was famously murdered in Deadwood during a game of poker. He was holding what is now known as “Dead Man’s Hand”. The cemetery is a little steep, but the grave sites of Wild Bill and Calamity Jane are a pretty easy walk. To see Seth Bullock’s grave is a major hike and you need to be in pretty good shape to do it.
There is a small gift shop on the premises. Inside there is a lot of history of the cemetery and of Deadwood itself.
I honestly couldn’t say how excited I was to see the Ingall’s Homestead in your post! How did I not know this was a real place?? So much to see and do in South Dakota – now on my bucket list 🙂 Great read Nicole 🙂
I’d love to visit South Dakota and those amazing looking parks! I wish it was a closer drive from Chicago. Need to make it happen though! Thanks for your helpful post 🙂
Had no idea there was so much in this state! I’ve always wanted to go to the Badlands, but I had no idea what else the Dakotas had!
I’ll be honest, I didn’t have high expectations for either of the Dakotas. But…you’ve got me over here looking at flights now!
Love it! I think a lot of people don’t realize how amazing South Dakota is. If you go, you won’t regret it.
I have always wanted to visit the Badlands in South Dakota! Your post shows me there are other great things to check out as well!
The views are so incredible! My husband and I are both BIG outdoors enthusiasts, so this totally appeals to us. Adding South Dakota to our bucket list!
Thanks for great post with lots of detailed information and nice photos I would love to visit Badlands National park. Happy travels!
Amazing! So many cool things to see and do in SD. Gotta get there ASAP!
Hope you are able to go, there really is an unlimited list of cool things to see and do.
This is on our family’s travel bucket list but I’m so excited to see some stuff besides Mt Rushmore – thank you!
I have not been here since I was a kid! Need to get back here as a fam. Thanks for a great list!
I had no idea there was so much to do in South Dakota, great post!
Thank you so much! I think South Dakota is such an underrated state. Hope you get to visit it soon
As you said, I have seen the mountain Rushmore in a couple of movies but didn’t know the history behind it! Thanks for combining all the must-sees of South Dakota and such great photos!
I’ve wanted to visit Badlands for some time now but I’d never heard of Custer State Park before… that’s now on my list too! I didn’t realise there was so much to do in South Dakota!
Love, love, love South Dakota! We camped on the Ingalls Homestead for a couple nights and had a blast. One place we never made it to was Wall Drug. Gives us an excuse to go back 🙂 Excellent post!
I’ve heard so many positive things about South Dakota. I’m hoping that we can take a family trip there one of these days.
It really does look like I need to add south Dakata to my travel plans. So many unique experiences in this vacation.
My family and I road tripped to South Dakota and it was one of the best vacations! We had no idea there was so much to do there. We did all that you listed plus we fed the prairie dogs. I want to go back to the Badlands. Those were incredible.
Hi Monica! Family road trips are THE BEST! I think South Dakota is such an under appreciated state. YES on the prairie dogs, they
are SO CUTE!
My inlaws went on a road trip through South Dakota and loved it. They thought it was so beautiful.
It’s such a beautiful and unique state.
I really love all your pictures. I will be adding this to my bucket list now. You convinced me.
Hi Ashely! So glad it’s been added to your bucket list, you won’t regret it!