Exploring the Historic Wild West Town of Deadwood, South Dakota

Jul 27, 2024

In the 1870s, the gold rush era was in full swing, and Deadwood, South Dakota was prime real estate for panhandlers looking to strike it rich. The city became a hotbed for entertainment, merchants and traders, saloons and brothels, and more. Today, it’s a historic site leaning into its storied past as well as keeping the tradition alive. You’ll find historic museums, small shops and art galleries, plenty of taverns and eateries, local casinos and gaming halls, and plenty of places to rest your weary head.

For our Deadwood travel guide today, though, we’re highlighting the more historic aspects of the town, and leaving you to your own devices to explore the rest at your leisure. We know you’re going to have a rip-roarin’ good time and find a gold-mine of happy memories and excitement here!

Wonderful Can’t-Miss Attractions to Experience When You Visit Deadwood, SD

Mount Moriah Cemetery of Deadwood is more than just your typical cemetery or graveyard. This is a historic site commemorating the lives of those who pioneered “the wild wild west”. It’s the resting place for local cowboy legends, notorious gangsters and murderers, the madams of local brothels, and of course pioneers in the town’s earliest business ventures. You can take a self-guided tour after stopping by the Visitor Center for a brief interpretive history video and several displays of local history and plant/wildlife. This unique historic site offers a lot of insights into the past local residents you won’t soon forget!

The Days of ‘76 Museum is a seasonal attraction offering unique memorabilia, historic documents, and themed exhibits highlighting the history of the region. From stories about local pioneers and settlers to a historic collection of horse drawn wagons and coaches to artifacts, firearms, and personal archives, this museum is a must-see stop! You’ll be able to explore Western and Native American artifacts, archives, photos, and documents, and get a real feel for what it was like to live during Deadwood’s early days.

Broken Boot Gold Mine is a local tourist attraction and seasonal experience featuring underground mine tours, daily panning lessons, and an up-close-and-personal look at living life in the gold rush era. We highly recommend checking out the Candlelight Tours for a true taste of the olden days!

The Adams Museum & House is considered the Black Hills’ oldest history museum! Inside its doors you’ll find a long legacy of history including artifacts from and exhibits about Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, Deadwood Dick, and the infamous Black Hills Gold Rush era. It’s open year round to visitors, and offers a rotating number of exhibits as well as special events and programs/lectures.

The Brothel Deadwood provides a new insight into the life and times of sexworkers throughout the ages recommended for visitors 16+. This historic 104-year legacy is chronicled through a 45-minute guided tour of each of the rooms at the 610 Main Street Location, site of the original Shasta Rooms Brothel. Each room is curated with period-appropriate furnishings and decor from the 1800s to the late 1970s, allowing you to see into the intimate lives of the women who worked here. You’ll learn about the women who lived and worked here, their storied pasts, the madams who ran the operation, and the interesting clientele that waltzed through the doors.

The Black Hills Mining Museum is located in the nearby city of Lead. Dedicated to commemorating the legacy and history of the mining era of the region, you can explore the unique history museum, learn about the upcoming future museum addition, learn how to go panning for gold, and take a fun tour in the underground mine.

Take the Historic Main Street Urban Trail for a 30 minute, 1-mile walking tour of the town including a restored depot turned Visitor History and Information Center. Along the way you’ll find 21 different informative signs documenting the history of each location and sharing a story from Deadwood’s history.

The Legends and Lore Haunted History Walking Ghost Tour is a 1 hour 15 minute walking tour of the region from a long term resident historian. Combine your love of all things historic with a titillating taste of the paranormal! You’ll learn about the underbelly of the city and its notorious residents, and perhaps even hear a gory story or two. It’s better suited to older visitors as some content may be a bit graphic for little ears.

Deadwood Alive is one of the longest running historic reenactments and plays! You’ll experience an immersive live-action reenactment at the Mainstreet Shootout with Wild Bill. Or grab a ticket to the “Hang ‘em! Justice for Wild Bill” play based on the trial of Jack McCall. Or catch one of the other educational and live performances happening around town during the day on the local calendar of events.

Learn more about the real history of Deadwood before you visit: