10. Experience the true Wild West in Deadwood
If you could envision a Wild West town in your mind, it would be Deadwood. Lured by the Gold Rush of 1876, all sorts of people found themselves here from miners and madams to gamblers and gunslingers – people like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok, who was shot in the back right in Deadwood’s No. 10 Saloon. And Deadwood has done an excellent job of showcasing this history, especially for families.
Every day during the summer (Memorial Day through mid-September, no shows on Sundays), you may just find yourself in the middle of gunfight on Main Street. Live actors re-enact historic shootouts, typically at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; the shows are free. Also, I highly recommend catching the free Shooting of Wild Bill show at Saloon No. 10 (657 Main Street) at either 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. or 7 p.m. (revised schedule during the off-season). After the last show during the summer, actors chase the murderer, Jack McCall, into the streets and haul him off to trial at the Masonic Temple (715 Main Street) for another show. Cost: Youth $3; Adults $6. Despite the nature of the Saloon No. 10 historic re-enactment – yes, Bill does get shot – I think that it’s appropriate for ages 7 and up. (And yes, despite the fact that it’s a bar, children are allowed inside.)
Another spot to catch some entertainment is Outlaw Square. During the summer, you’ll find a splash pad, Friday farmer’s markets, movie nights, and special events here; during the winter, it transforms into an ice rink.
To get a better handle on the history in Deadwood, visit Adams Museum (54 Sherman Street). This well-done museum is a collection of curiosities: a one-of-a-kind plesiosaur fossil, Potato Creek Johnny’s massive gold nugget, and my personal favorite, a two-headed calf! It that doesn’t get your kids attention, I don’t know what will! Suggested donation: Youth $2; Adult $5. Ask about the scavenger hunt for kids.
Ok, it’s time to really dig into Deadwood’s history with a tour of Broken Boot Gold Mine. After the 30-minute tour, your family can pan for gold, and get this, the mine guarantees that you’ll walk away with a nugget (albeit a very tiny nugget, but still)! Cost: Youth (5 & under) Free; Youth (6-17) $4; Adult $6; Panning (up to 8 people) $8.
KidTripster Tip: If you want to have a more realistic experience, take the last tour of the day at 5:30 p.m. It’s done by candlelight. It’s the only tour that requires a reservation.
This last suggestion is a bit of a mystery in itself: the Chinatown Tunnels beneath the Gold Nugget Trading Post. I’m unclear as to whether locals simply don’t know about this piece of history or whether they’re not keen on advertising it, but nonetheless, it is history. Up to 400 Chinese immigrants lived in Deadwood at the height of the Gold Rush. They re-worked abandoned mines and worked in service industries. However, by most accounts, they were discriminated against by the locals; in fact, there was a town ordinance saying that those of Chinese descendant couldn’t be on Main Street after dark, so they used tunnels to delivery goods and reach the Chinese district, called Elizabethtown. Some of these tunnels still exist, but as of this writing, I’m told that they’ve been closed for maintenance with the intention of opening them for tours in the near future. So when you’re in Deadwood, it’s worth stopping by the Gold Nugget Trading Post to see if you can get access. Apparently, a 7-foot Buddha made from South Dakota’s state mineral, rose quartz, sits in the underground tunnels.
Finally, Deadwood has an outdoorsy side, as well. You can rent bikes at Rabbit Bikes’ Deadwheels at Deadwood Gulch Resort (304 Cliff Street) alongside the 109-mile Mickelson Trail. It offers a shuttle service, so you can ride about 47 miles (approximately 4-1/2 hours) to Hill City and then catch the shuttle back. Cost: varies; kid-size bikes are available. And make sure to hike to the top of Mount Roosevelt and climb Friendship Tower for beautiful sunset views of the Black Hills. The trailhead is located about 1-1/2 miles north on Highway 85. Just turn left on Forest Service Road 133 and continue about 2 miles to the parking area.
This writer received some complimentary activities for the purpose of this review. However, all opinions expressed are solely her own.
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