Deadwood is Alive and Well in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Fans of Deadwood, HBO’s popular series, are salivating over the impending release of the film of the same name, set to debut May 31. But did you know that Deadwood is a real place in South Dakota you and the kids can actually visit?

Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Historic Deadwood was a gold rush town, just as it’s portrayed in the show, and the real-life versions of the show’s main characters —  Wild West legends like Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickok, Seth Bullock and Al Swearengen — spent time there.

Deadwood Main Street. Photo: South Dakota Department of Tourism

Here are six of our favorite attractions where you can walk in the footsteps of your favorite characters.

Mount Moriah Cemetery

Pay a visit to Mount Moriah cemetery, where Calamity Jane, Hickok and Bullock are buried. You can take a self-guided tour with the help of an online map, and the cemetery is open year-round.

Historic Bullock Hotel

Bullock Hotel. Photo: South Dakota Department of Tourism

Take the kids on a ghost tour of the Historic Bullock Hotel, said to be haunted by Seth Bullock, the town’s first sheriff. You can stay overnight at the property, located within walking distance of Deadwood’s downtown activities, or just come by for the ghost tour and have dinner at Bully’s, named for President Theodore Roosevelt, Bullock’s lifelong friend.

The Trial of Jack McCall

Enjoy live theater at The Trial of Jack McCall, which, in season 1, depicted the actual trial of the man who murdered Hickok while he was playing poker. Billed as one of the nation’s longest running plays, the show is family-friendly, and a few members of the audience are invited to serve as members of the jury. Tickets are available online or at the door on the day of the show, which runs nightly Mondays through Saturdays. Tickets are priced at $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for children.

Lawman’s Patrol Walking Tour

Join the Lawman’s Patrol Walking Tour, led by a costumed actor portraying Con Stapleton, Deadwood’s first Marshal. The tour, which takes place at high noon from Memorial Day to Sept. 21, offers a glimpse into the life of the town in the Gold Rush days, complete with its brothels, bars and architecture. Tours last 45 minutes to an hour and must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.

Hurst arrives, Bullock arrests him – exit The Gem. (Photo by Warrick Page/HBO)

Deadwood Stagecoach

Climb aboard the Deadwood Stagecoach, the main mode of transportation in the late 1800s before the completion of the railroad and a regular prop in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West shows throughout America and Europe. The stagecoach boards on Historic Main Street every half hour starting at 1 p.m. in summer, except for Thursdays, Sundays and certain blackout dates.

Deadwood Stagecoach. Photo: South Dakota Department of Tourism

1876 Broken Boot Gold Mine

Get a sense of the drama of the Gold Rush by touring the authentic 1876 Broken Boot Gold Mine, an underground mine tour that follows the deep underground path the ore cars took into the century-old shafts of the Broken Boot. Tours run every half hour in summer and can include a gold panning lesson — and yes, you can keep whatever gold you can find. Other family-friendly museums to experience include the Days of 76 Museum, which honors Deadwood’s first pioneers, including miners and prospectors, and The Adams Museum and House, the showiest house in town where important people of the day used to meet and dine.

W. Earl Brown and Sean Bridgers. Photo: Warrick Page/HBO

This summer you can take advantage of a three-night Deadwood: Heroes & Villains package, created by the South Dakota and Deadwood tourism boards in honor of the movie premier, that includes accommodations at a number of select properties, including Historic Bullock Hotel. You can customize the package by adding some of the attractions and experiences listed above. Prices start at $303 and vary pending lodging and activity preferences.