Am heading to Deadwood South Dakota. Any advise???
Spent a week in the black hills, stayed in a rented cottage in Hill City, I think. There is a museum in Hot Springs, that is a working wooly mammoth "dig" its under roof and cool. We rented quads and blasted around on the trails while there. Mt Rushmore, went to Deadwood, rode the old train from Hill City to Keystone.
Hit the tourist traps, rock shops, checked out the rock museum at the university in Rapid City, thats about all I can remember. It was a good time, this was back in 2008.
Also passed by Cliton Rock while we where there.
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Make sure to visit the old gal in the hardware store. It is the ONLY building in Deadwood where you can not gamble . Her parents sold the dynamite for blasting Mt Rushmore. A guy that started MTV has a casino there and if you are lucky enough to find him ( a VERY NICE guy) , ask to go down to the basement for a tour- especially the cistern area. Make sure to pay homage to The Midnight Sun- a self made shrine to Kevin Costner. Don't eat the fish out of the local creeks.Bout sums it up..........My info is 20 years old 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) Rob
Keep going west to Sturgis, SD, Gillette, WY and then on to Spotted Horse for a good hamburger.
Back when we lived in Oregon I would end up going through this way as I would cut down from Rapid City on my way to I-80 in Wyoming. All I can say is the whole area is simply amazing. I used to stop into one of the Black Hills Gold places along the way and find something for my wife for X-Mass or birthdays, some unique finds in the area.
If you're that close, don't forget to go to the Crazy Horse Monument!! I liked it a bit better than Rushmore. The story of it is pretty great! I like that area, and hope to get back there sometime!
John
Was up that way (out that way not) some 30 years ago. Was very nice place to VISIT back then. Did the Mt Rushmore place at the touristy places and got off the beaten trail a bit. In the Black Hills Gold district was a small shop that I stopped by with the other half. Bought a Silver Arrow Head necklace (she bought it for me actually) 8) & was only bit of jewelery I ever wore made by someone else other than wedding ring. He was not on the strip & was made on site & met the at the time old Native artist. At the time I had on a REAL Arrow Head necklace I had made using silver wire wrapped around the flint barb. He took a liking to the bright white flint arrow head & tried to trade me for it. ;D I kept it but walked away with a nice sterling silver job he made, was diamond cut & really nice. It ended up getting stolen off my closet door knob by someone>? >:( >:( >:(
You will see plenty of Wall Drug signs and Petrified wood, & I suggest you dont try to slab any of that as it is a bit hard ::) :D
Mark
Ahh yed. Wall Drug. Got to stop in and get you a glass of water!
Wall Drugs has quite a story and is a must see. Another is the Corn Palace in Mitchell SD.
Bought a Harley and went to Sturgis a while back and took a side trip there. Gets pretty packed during Sturgis ( Only room to park motorcycles ) so you may want to time your trip accordingly
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It is a great area to put some miles on a bike. :)
I spent 7 years stationed at Ellsworth AFB, SD, 15-20 miles from Rapid City and still didn't see all that was offered!
Great area to visit, try contacting Dakota, a Forestry Forum member, he's located in Deadwood, SD.
He'd be a great help in your tour of the area!
I really miss the area!
It would be best to stay away from the second floor of this building.
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Now you tell us......too late. :D
When are you going?
The OP has not logged on since July 6th, so maybe he is already there?? ???
I'm remembering back to when I was in Deadwood ! Fun time , everyone else was gambling while was searching the roadside creeks breaking holes in the ice to fish for trout . Did 'ok " too!
Just returned from our Deadwood trip. Saw a few of the suggested tourist stuff and was greatly impressed. The country is beautiful and of course there never is enough time to do it all. Will have to try another trip in the future. Personal commitments kept us from spending all the time we wanted to out there. Came from West Michigan and most of the country is the same until about the middle of S.D. Amazing transformation. Loved it. Will be back.
I love the Black Hills, they have a character all their own. I'm more into the natural attractions, like Custer State Park, the Needles, Spearfish Canyon, etc. It's a nice place for a family to visit, because there is something for everyone.