Explore the beautiful state of South Dakota, including Mt. Rushmore, rolling prairies, Black Hills National Forest and other beautiful attractions while staying at these unique hotels, inns and bed & breakfasts.
1. The Lodge at Deadwood
The Lodge at Deadwood is not only a hotel, but also a casino that lies just over two miles outside of the Deadwood downtown area. The rooms at the Lodge at Deadwood are modern in style, and some feature private deck areas with scenic views. If you like water sports, then you will enjoy the heated pool complete with water slides, geysers, and unique features such as a pirate ship. As part of the hotel complex, there is a casino floor that has a huge range of gaming choices like slot machines, poker tables, and other games.
100 Pine Crest Lane, Deadwood, SD 57732, Phone: 605-584-4800
2. Summer Creek Inn
Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the Summer Creek Inn is the perfect choice if you want to stay in a modern lodging that is close to all the major attractions. Opened in 2009, the bed and breakfast is known for being close to Sheridan and Pactola Lakes, and is less than half an hour outside the center of Rapid City. There are both queen and king suites here that feature private patios and hot tubs, and this is an ideal location for anyone who wants to take in the beauty of the Black Hills while still being close to downtown Rapid City.
23204 Summer Creek Drive, Rapid City, SD 57702, Phone: 605-574-4408
3. South Dakota Hotels: Hisega Lodge
Nestled in the legendary Black Hills of South Dakota, the Hisega Lodge is the place to go if you want to enjoy the gorgeous landscapes in this part of the United States. The Hisega Lodge prides itself on its typical South Dakota hospitality, and you will find it conveniently located next to local attractions such as Mount Rushmore. It has the claim to fame of being the oldest lodge in the Black Hills area, dating from 1908, so if you are looking for a little piece of history, then you will definitely find it here. The lodge is also known for its relaxing atmosphere, and you can expect home comforts such as delicious breakfasts and friendly local staff.
23101 Triangle Trail, Rapid City, SD 57702, Phone: 605-342-8444
4. Amie St Jean Bed & Breakfast
The Amie St Jéan Bed & Breakfast was built in 1917 by a famous local business in the Deadwood area. The house has had a varied history, and was once the home of Benedictine nuns before being taken over by the current owner, Amie, in 2008. The Amie St Jéan Bed & Breakfast is conveniently located close to the center of town, but is also secluded in nature and perfect for couples looking to get away for the weekend. The suites have cable television and Wi-Fi, and each one is decorated individually in a unique style. Breakfast is provided and includes both sweet and savory treats that are freshly prepared every day.
624 Adams St, Rapid City, SD 57701, Phone: 605-858-0043
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5. Dakota Dream Bed & Breakfast
The Dakota Dream Bed & Breakfast sits on a property that spans 20 acres and is covered in verdant pine forests. The setting here is intimate and secluded, as there are only two guest rooms on this property, both of which have their own private bathrooms. You can spend your time relaxing as you watch the wild turkeys and deer that roam the grounds of the Dakota Dream Bed & Breakfast, as well as enjoying the natural beauty and serenity of the Black Hills. The Dakota Dream Bed & Breakfast is also a horse hotel, and has a barn and paddock to accommodate any equine visitors.
12350 Moss Rock Ln, Custer, SD 57730, Phone: 605-517-2292
6. Emerald Hills Bed and Breakfast
Anyone looking for a quiet and secluded place to stay in South Dakota should look no farther than the Emerald Hills Bed and Breakfast, which is known for its breathtaking views of the Black Hills. The bed and breakfast sits on the top of a peak and offers scenic vistas overlooking neighboring Harney Peak and the Needles. The lodging is close to all of the major sights in the Black Hills, such as Mount Rushmore, and has unique designer rooms that have king beds and satellite television. Breakfast is included at the lodge and can be enjoyed from your private patio or deck.
6105 Covenant Dr, Rapid City, SD 57702, Phone: 605-787-3743
7. Sweetgrass Inn Bed & Breakfast
The Sweetgrasss Inn Bed & Breakfast sits in the center of the iconic Black Hills in South Dakota, and is a little over 20 minutes away from all the key landmarks. Conveniently located between areas of interest such as Deadwood and Hot Springs, this is the place to come if you want to get away from it all while still being close to areas of interest. There are multiple choices of breakfast served here every day that you can even take in your room. As there are only eight rooms at the lodging, there is a secluded and relaxing feeling here. Places to Visit in South Dakota
9356 Neck Yoke Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702, Phone: 605-343-5351
8. 1899 Inn
The 1899 Inn dates from the end of the 19th century and used to be the former house of a merchant. Nowadays, the home has been lovingly restored, but you can still see original period features such as delightful stained glass and clapboard designs. There are just three rooms here, giving the house a relaxed feel, and these are decorated in the Victorian style. You will also find whirlpool tubs in every room, as well as heated floors and antique decorative touches. Homemade breakfasts are served here every day in the communal dining room, and there are idyllic decks that offer views over flower gardens on the property.
21 Lincoln Ave, Deadwood, SD 57732, Phone: 864-210-1899
9. Peregrine Pointe Bed and Breakfast
For anyone looking to get away from it all, the Peregrine Pointe Bed and Breakfast is situated in a 15-acre forest. If you enjoy outdoor pursuits such as bird watching or hiking, all of these are available here, and you can also enjoy stunning views of unspoiled natural wilderness. Despite its secluded location, the Peregrine Pointe Bed and Breakfast is also conveniently located close to all the premium attractions of the Black Hills. This means that you can still discover shopping, dining, and recreational activities in the local area, while also enjoying a calming and relaxing stay at the same time.
23451 Peregrine Point Pl, Rapid City, SD 57702, Phone: 605-348-3987
10. Prairie House Manor Bed & Breakfast
The Prairie House Manor Bed and Breakfast is located in De Smet in South Dakota, which is famous for its “Little Town on the Prairie” feel. You will find plenty of fresh air and gorgeous open prairies. People come here for the fishing, hiking, and hunting opportunities on offer. De Smet is famous for being the home of famous American author Laura Ingalls Wilder, and the Prairie House Manor Bed and Breakfast dates back to the 1800s, giving you a taste of how things would have been in days gone by in De Smet. A delicious homemade breakfast is served here daily, and you can enjoy period furnishings and antiques in the home.
209 SD-25, De Smet, SD 57231, Phone: 605-854-9131
11. South Dakota Hotels: High Prairie Lodge
Nestled in the picturesque Centennial Valley, you will find a farm that dates back 124 years and serves as the location of High Prairie Lodge. The property is located in the spectacular Northern Black Hills of South Dakota, and is close to Bear Butte Mountain and other famous landmarks like Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore. Breakfast is served here daily, and you can also request a picnic lunch if you want to go out exploring for the day. Hiking, fishing, biking, and boating are all popular activities in the local area. In the evening, you can also enjoy a classic campfire experience on the porch.
11904 Crook City Rd, Whitewood, SD 57793, Phone: 605-578-1222
12. Steever House Bed and Breakfast
The Steever House Bed and Breakfast sits in the middle of picturesque rolling farmland and is close to breathtaking Sioux Falls in South Dakota. The Steever House Bed and Breakfast is set in a former Queen Anne Victorian home that has been lovingly preserved and restored. You will find a range of suites with period features and decorative antiques, such as the Attic Suite. In addition to this period elegance, there are also plenty of modern touches, such as complimentary Wi-Fi on site. Finally, the town of Lennox is close by if you are in search of shopping or dining options.
46850 276th St, Lennox, SD 57039, Phone: 605-647-5055
13. Hotels in South Dakota: K Bar S Lodge
Situated close to iconic sights such as Mount Rushmore and the Keystone 1880 steam train, the K Bar S Lodge sits in the gorgeous Black Hills and is known for its rural beauty. The lodge is set in the middle of a range of hiking trails so that you can enjoy nature at its best, and when you get back to the lodge after a day of hiking you will find stylish and relaxing rooms with all the modern amenities you would expect, such as Wi-Fi and private decks to take in the views. Breakfast is complimentary and is served daily in a unique setting—a glass gazebo located on the property.
434 Old Hill City Rd, Keystone, SD 57751, Phone: 605-666-4545
14. Frontier Cabins
If you are looking for a seasonal log cabin complex, then Frontier Cabins is the place to come. Frontier Cabins is less than 10 miles away from Badlands National Park, and if you choose to stay here you will find traditional log cabins that are decorated with pine panels and all-wooden furniture. There are cabins suitable for couples as well as family cabins for larger groups, and you will also find modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, fridges, and televisions. There are private porches attached to the cabins where you can take in the magnificent views, as well as a delicious complimentary breakfast served daily.
1101 Glenn St, Wall, SD 57790, Phone: 888-200-8519
15. Romantic Getaways in South Dakota: Town Hall Inn
Situated just five minutes away from Deadwood in South Dakota, the Town Hall Inn is a boutique hotel with a historical background. The Town Hall was originally built in 1912 and was in operation until 1938, so if you choose to stay here, know that you are staying in a place steeped in local culture and history. The hotel is also close to Ski Mystic Deer Mountain and Terry Peak, so you are easily able to visit the best of the Black Hills when you are here. Rooms are furnished in period style with decorative antiques, and there is a continental breakfast served here daily.
215 W Main St, Lead, SD 57754, Phone: 605-584-1112
16. Hotel on Phillips, Sioux Falls
Hotel on Phillips is located in a wonderful historic building which was built in 1918 and served as the Sioux Falls National Bank for almost a century. In 2018, sympathetic restorations began to convert the old bank building into a charming boutique hotel which is perfect for a romantic getaway. The lobby features many impressive historic features while the rooms are modern, elegant and beautifully appointed. All the rooms and suites offer home-from-home comforts like Keurig coffee machines, luxury linens, bathrobes and walk-in showers. After a busy day of exploring you can relax with a cocktail in the Treasury Lounge before stepping out for dinner at one of several nearby restaurants.
Hotel on Phillips, 100 N. Phillips Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, 605 274 7445
17. Spearfish Canyon Lodge, Leeds
Spearfish Canyon is one of the most beautiful and pristine natural areas in the country, offering stunning views and a wide variety of outdoor activities for nature lovers. Against this dramatic backdrop, Spearfish Canyon Lodge offers the perfect romantic getaway destination. The lodge is nestled between 1000-ft limestone bluffs and offers a choice of guestrooms and suites with outstanding views. There is also a separate cabin for those who crave more privacy. The rooms and suites have been appointed with rustic/chic interiors designed to create the perfect relaxing ambiance. Amenities include outdoor hot tubs, access to amazing hiking trails and a full-service lounge for drinks and dining.
10609 Roughlock Falls Rd, Leeds, SD 57754,605 584 3435
18. Whitetail Creek Resort, Lead
Whitetail Creek Resort is located along the gentle Whitetail Creek, where it offers a variety of accommodation choices for nature-loving couples. While some like to have all their home comforts on vacation, others embrace an interesting change of pace and Whitetail Creek Resort has something for everyone, from comfortable motel rooms to cabins, romantic yurts and RV sites. The resort offers easy access for many fun activities including hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, off-road UTV and snowmobile trails, scenic drives, golf, fly fishing and much more. In the evening you can enjoy the communal fire pit and the relaxing barrel saunas.
11295 US Hwy 14A, Lead, SD 57754, 605 584 9085
19. The Hotel Sturgis
Conveniently located right on Main Street, The Hotel Sturgis has had a very interesting history, having seen duty as a hardware store, a J C Penny and various other retail businesses. Now converted into a charming boutique hotel, the property is a wonderful choice for a romantic getaway in Sturgis. The comfortable guest rooms feature queen or king-size beds with an additional bed in the loft area. There are good spa-style bathrooms and many of the rooms have private balconies from which you can observe all the Main Street hustle and bustle. The hotel is located directly across from the Harley Davidson Rally Point and is close to many music and dining venues.
1144 Main Street, Sturgis, SD 57785, P605 561 0116
20. Black Forest Inn B&B, Rapid City
Located just a few miles from Mount Rushmore, in the heart of the South Dakota Black Hills, the Black Forest Inn B&B is waiting to welcome you for a memorable romantic getaway. The inn is perfectly placed for nature-loving couples to enjoy fabulous hiking, rock climbing, scenic drives and golfing, as well as snow-mobiling in winter. The elegant rooms have been individually appointed with your comfort in mind, and several offer extra luxuries like in-room soaking tubs or outdoor hot tubs. To get your day off to the perfect start you can enjoy a generous breakfast each morning before you set off to explore.
23191 Hwy 385, Rapid City, SD 57702, 605 574 2000
21. Weekend Getaways in South Dakota: Newton Fork Ranch, Hill City
Perfectly nestled in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, Newton Fork Ranch is a wonderful place to relax, recharge and rekindle romance. Completely surrounded by nature, the ranch offers a selection of charming log cabins where you can enjoy forest views and wildlife spotting. Each of the log cabins has a downstairs lounge area, a fully equipped kitchen and a queen-size bedroom in the loft area. You can spend your days exploring several nearby attractions including Mount Rushmore, historic Keystone, Hill City and Deerfield Lake. Near-by activities include hiking, mountain biking, wine tasting, fly fishing and more. The Postmaster’s House is the only cabin which has Wi-Fi and TV, for those who simply cannot bear to unplug.
12407 Deerfield Road, Hill City, SD 57745, Ph. +1 605 574 2220
22. The Historic Victorian Inn, Sioux Falls
Built in 1888, the historic Victorian Inn has been a prominent downtown landmark for more than 130 years. When you step through the front door you will feel as though you have stepped back in time to a slower, more gracious age. The inn offers a selection of beautifully appointed and utterly romantic guestrooms and suites; the Gold Suite and White Suites are particularly elegant and feature beautiful 4-poster beds. There is also the option to rent the entire home, which sleeps 10 guests, for special anniversary or wedding celebrations. The inn is located right in the heart Sioux Falls which means you are just steps from all the city attractions.
117 N. Duluth Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, 605 799 1259
23. Silver Mountain Resort and Cabins
Located about 15 minutes outside Rapid City, Silver Mountain Resort and Cabins are easily accessible while still offering guests a serene wooded location where you can relax and reconnect to nature. The rustic cabins and vacation rental homes come in various sizes to suit your tastes and budget; most have private outdoor seating areas with BBQ and/or fire pit and all have kitchens or kitchenettes. You can spend your days exploring the many near-by Black Hills attractions which include Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park. There are many scenic hiking and biking trails to uncover and the resort has an outdoor seasonal swimming pool.
13350 Silver Mountain Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702, 605 342 2246
24. Backroads Inn & Cabins, Keystone
At Backroads Inn & Cabins you will be surrounded by peace and tranquility, yet the resort is located just a short distance from all the Black Hills attractions you will want to see. The resort has a selection of cabins to choose from starting with their cozy one-room cabins which are perfect for a romantic getaway. The well-appointed cabins all feature king-size beds, small (but fully equipped) kitchens and private outdoor BBQ and fire pit. The cabins are spread out over 8 acres which means you will have complete privacy and the chance to truly get back to nature.
901 Echo Valley Rd, Keystone, SD 57751, 605 519 9920
25. Canyon Lake Resort, Rapid City
Perfectly positioned for visitors who want to get away from it all in the Black Hills, while still having quick and easy access to the tourist attractions, the Canyon Lake Resort provides a peaceful atmosphere and close proximity to Rapid City and many other Black Hills attractions. The resort is located on the west shores of Canyon Lake, where it offers visitors a choice of accommodation options. You can stay in one of the comfortable motel rooms (most of which have kitchenettes) or opt for more space and privacy in one of the comfy cabins which all have full kitchens and an outdoor gas BBQ.
2720 Chapel Lane, Rapid City, SD 57702, 605 343 0234
What are the 25 Best Romantic Weekend Getaways in South Dakota?
The 25 Best Romantic Weekend Getaways in South Dakota according to local experts are:
- The Lodge at Deadwood
- Summer Creek Inn
- South Dakota Hotels: Hisega Lodge
- Amie St Jean Bed & Breakfast
- Dakota Dream Bed & Breakfast
- Emerald Hills Bed and Breakfast
- Sweetgrass Inn Bed & Breakfast
- 1899 Inn
- Peregrine Pointe Bed and Breakfast
- Prairie House Manor Bed & Breakfast
- South Dakota Hotels: High Prairie Lodge
- Steever House Bed and Breakfast
- Hotels in South Dakota: K Bar S Lodge
- Frontier Cabins
- Romantic Getaways in South Dakota: Town Hall Inn
- Hotel on Phillips, Sioux Falls
- Spearfish Canyon Lodge, Leeds
- Whitetail Creek Resort, Lead
- The Hotel Sturgis
- Black Forest Inn B&B, Rapid City
- Weekend Getaways in South Dakota: Newton Fork Ranch, Hill City
- The Historic Victorian Inn, Sioux Falls
- Silver Mountain Resort and Cabins
- Backroads Inn & Cabins, Keystone
- Canyon Lake Resort, Rapid City
Attraction Spotlight: Rushmore Cave
Rushmore Cave, along with Rush Mountain Adventure Park, provides hours of family fun and adventure through four different thrilling attractions, all in one spot. In addition to scenic cave tours through the stalactite-filled caverns of Rushmore Cave, guests can also experience the mountain aboard the Rushmore Mountain Coaster. For more thrills, visitors can fly through the sky on the Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride, or test their shooting skills at the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride. There's fun to be had for the entire family on all levels.
Both cave tours and cave spelunking in Rushmore Cave are offered at the park. Rushmore Cave is home to the famous BIG room, and is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore. The one-hour Scenic Cave Tour is a guided walking tour that leads visitors through a series of winding passages and room, ending with the BIG room. This stunning, massive cavern is one of the largest cavern rooms people will see on any cave tour in the area.
The BIG room features a remarkable number of stalactites dropping down from the cavern ceiling and walls. In this expansive room, as well as others in Rushmore Cave, there are large flowstones, stalagmites, and mighty columns, along with stunning displays of helictites, ribbons, and draperies. Visitors are able to explore the cave from May until October.
Tours of Rushmore Cave are designed towards families and provide a particular focus on revealing the cave's secrets in a way that is fun, interesting, and informative. The tour's pace, route, and content can be modified to better meet the needs of guests. Many guests that may have special needs are able to successfully tour Rushmore Cave. There is a written version of the cave tour for visitors who are hearing impaired. With the help of a family member or close friend, visually impaired guests can also enjoy the tour.
The educational and fun guided underground cave tour exposes visitors to the amazing and stunning carvings Rushmore Cave that have been carved over time by nature. The tour explores subterranean passages that guide guests to fascinating rooms filled with stalactites, as well as other natural limestone formations. A knowledgeable guide leads each of the one-hour cave tours, guiding visitors on a journey through cave geology, local history, and several untold stories revealing more about the hidden world beneath the ground. For anyone visiting the area of Black Hills, Rushmore Cave is a "must-see" attraction.
The scenic cave walking tour is ideal for visitors of all ages. During the one-hour guided tour, some stooping may be required for areas of Rushmore Cave with low ceilings. The ability to climb several stairs, as well as inclines, is also needed to explore the cave during the entirety of the tour. No reservations are needed to tour the cave, so visitors are welcome to come at their convenience. Guided cave tours regularly depart from the visitor center during the summer. During the fall and springs, visitors are advised to call for the current schedule for guided tours.
13622 Highway 40, Keystone, South Dakota, Phone: 605-255-4384
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Attraction Spotlight: Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center
The Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center is located in Chamberlain, South Dakota. Visitors to the museum will learn about Lakota culture and history and the way contact with explorers affected them. The Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center was established on the St Joseph’s Indian School grounds in 1991.
History
The name “Atka Lakota” which means “to honor the people” was picked because the museum’s goal is to preserve and honor the Lakota culture and its people.
The museum is located in an old school building in the shape of an octagon. It boasts fourteen thousand square feet of space for displays. The collection showcases artifacts and art and includes educational displays that show the Lakota’s proud heritage. Most of the original collection was gifted to the museum by alumni since the school’s opening in 1927. The Akta Lakota Museum is also home to a gallery specifically for local artists to show and sell their work.
The center is not just a traditional museum, but an experience offered to visitors with a demonstration of the way of life of Native Americans in the and today. The Atka Lakota and Cultural Center is a monument to the Sioux nation and provides visitors a unique and captivating look into the culture of the Lakota. Visitors embark on a graphic voyage through Sioux heritage and into modern day Sioux art.
Highlights and Exhibits
The Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center offers visitors a tour of it’s many highlights and exhibits promoting Lakota heritage.
Tour- The tour offered by the museum reflects the cardinal directions and colors.
· East: Camp Circle- This exhibit shows how life was on the plains before contact with Euro-Americans. It examines the historical relationships of bands and tribes and showcases artifacts from traditional culture.
· South: Two Worlds Meet- This exhibit highlights Euro-American explorers, traders, settlers, and missionaries and their arrival early in the 1800s.
· West: Broken Promises- This exhibit highlights the involvement of the United States government with the Sioux, treaties and their loss of land, and maps of present-day reservations.
· North: Continuity and Change- This exhibit shows how Native Americans were able to adapt to a new way of living life and preserve their heritage and customs.
Lakota Buffalo Days- This display is a diorama standing thirty-six feet constructed by Tom Phillips. It offers a grand view of prairie life starting from the Missouri River and ending at the Black Hills.
The Lakota Belief System- The museum includes interactive displays that highlight the symbolism of animals in the Lakota beliefs and offers several of their traditional stories for visitors to learn. Visitors can learn the stories and the meanings behind many of the ceremonial artifacts in the museum’s collection.
Daily Life- Through the use of audio and visual technology, the Center transports its visitors into the daily life of the Lakota.
Collector’s Gallery- This gallery features original paintings, sculptures and traditional crafts done by/and about the Lakota.
Outdoor Medicine Wheel Garden- The garden’s goal is to have a positive impact on the well-being of the students and alumni of St. Joseph’s Indian School. It incorporates sculpture and its spiritual and healing aspects, into the heart of the school. The garden offers visitors, students, and alumni a relaxing and inspiring break from daily life. The garden merges contemporary sculptures with traditional ones to create an atmosphere useful for both learning and healing.
Lakota Language- The museum strives to keep the language of the Lakota people alive. It offers a variety of ways for visitors to learn the basics of the language including and online archive and hosting Lakota Word Wednesday on Facebook and Instagram every week.
Lakota Legends- The Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center has edited several Lakota legends from original historical documents for the public to enjoy.
Lakota Prayers- Visitors can learn the Lakota prayers that are an essential part of traditional Lakota life.
Artist Biographies- The Center offers biographies on their website of the Native American artists that have contributed to their collections.
Chief Biographies- The museum offers biographies of several important Native American chiefs of the Great Plains on their website.
Seven Lakota Rites- Visitors can learn about the seven Lakota Rites and their significance of life as Lakota.
Shopping
Visitors have two options when shopping for souvenirs, gifts, and mementos from their trip.
Gift Shop- Visitors are invited to shop at the giftshop which highlights a unique assortment of star quilts, dolls, jewelry, cards, books, baskets, prints, pottery, dreamcatchers, moccasins, sweet grass, sage and more.
Collector’s Gallery- Visitors can visit the gallery and buy original works by local Native American artists.
1301 North Main Street, Chamberlain, SD 57325, Phone: 800-798-3452
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Attraction Spotlight: 1880s Town
Visiting the 1880s Town in South Dakota is a blast from the past. Guests who visit can try on historically accurate costumes, take a wagon ride, or just walk around and take in the beauty of this historic town. 1880s Town was originally dreamed up in 1969 when the original 14 acres were purchased by Richard Hullinger, although he did not purchase them with any plans for developing an attraction, when a movie production company came to town he jumped on the chance to develop it into a main street experience that still delights and entertains guests to this day.
Permanent Attractions and Exhibits
Available in the Longhorn Saloon, a family favorite of visiting the town is renting one of the costumes and dressing up in historically appropriate clothing. After renting costumes, guests are welcome to walk around the town wearing them, take as many pictures as they want, or just stay in the saloon, drink a chilled sarsaparilla, and listen to the piano. There is a small fee per rental and they are available from June through August.
If you take a good look through the town, you should be able to find various props from the famous movie you’ve likely already seen, “Dances with Wolves”. Guests should make sure to check out the sod house, tents, and wagons (Timmons Freights). A beautiful brown horse named Cisco (nicknamed Buck), who had seen his fifteen minutes of fame when he starred in the movie, even lived at the town his entire life, and sadly passed in the year 2008. His memorial is still located there, as his body was buried on-site.
The town itself is home to over 30 original historic buildings (circa 1880 to 1920) that have been collected and moved to the grounds for preservation and display. They were chosen based on not only their historic nature but also how interesting they are to view. They are furnished with thousands of unique historic relics. One of the favorite buildings of many of the visiting guests is the 14-sided barn that was built in 1919, which is where tours of the town depart from. Complete with an automated manure and hay handling system, the barn also showcases antique buggies, stalls with live horses, and a saloon piano that came from Deadwood.
Make sure to check out the Vanishing Prairie museum, which was built for housing the most valuable of the memorabilia and collectibles located at the town. Chief among those collectibles are a pair of boots found at an Indian camping site that were originally from the Custer battlefield, arrowheads, and items from Buffalo Bill himself. This is also where the Casey Tibb’s exhibit is located. Born in 1929, Tibbs was a nine-time world championship winning rodeo cowboy. Before he died in 1990, he was a renowned bronco rider and the museum features a huge array of collectibles and memorabilia owned by the man himself, like a saddle, jackets, belt buckles, and hats as well as event advertisements, sculptures, and photographs of Tibbs.
Special Events
While visiting the town, guests should make sure to check out the live entertainment! Two different live shows are offered on a regular basis at the town.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays play host to Jeff Kline. His piano stylings are always a favorite of guests, due to both his skill and his enthusiasm for the music. He started playing the piano at just five years old, and joined his first band when he was only 12! During high school, he even played in the Beach Boys before they took off. Now that he is older, he enjoys playing piano in smaller, more personal settings. The live piano entertainment is offered from June through August.
Thursdays through Mondays at the town are when Wild Bill comes out to play. Guests awe over his ability to perform tricks with a simple rope. Make sure to stop by and see if he has learned anything new, or just take a break from walking around the town.
There are also other entertainment events offered, like wagon rides through the town and a renowned music and comedy show. These are all offered free of charge.
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