Deadwood is for the girls.
A long weekend itinerary for the Black Hills, South Dakota.
Hiii, it’s been a bit since I’ve been able to write and post. I hit the ground running when I arrived home in Nebraska in May with a new summer job, adjusting to life back in the states, and lots of family and friend time mixed in with a post long-haul flight illness that always hits me like a truck when I return home. Writing and posting hasn’t been at the top of the list but I am hoping to get back to creating regularly now that I feel healthy and a little more settled in. Many posts to come including more Spain adventures, Midwest/United States travels, and interviews with other travelers.
I hope summer has been a pleasant arrival, thanks for being here. ☀️
I haven’t been to a bachelorette party in years but recently got to celebrate one of my closest friends in Deadwood, South Dakota. South Dakota always brings feelings of nostalgia of family road trips in the summer. Vast openness of the prairie, driving through the badlands, and stopping at Wall Drug Store. I remember being totally disappointed the first time seeing Mount Rushmore…am I the only one that thinks it looks way smaller in person than on the T.V.???
If you are over thirty and going into a bachelorette party weekend, the pre-hangover scaries can have you wishing you could still recover like your 21 year old body used to do. Venturing to Deadwood as a real adult surprised me in the best way possible and I think it’s one of the ideal spots in the Midwest for a girls getaway or to celebrate a bride-to-be.
Chill and relaxing.
From Omaha it’s about a 8 hour drive and to people who grew up in the United States—that’s nothing. I know you non-Americans are thinking that’s an insane distance to drive but it’s our way of life here in the Midwest and one of the biggest cultural differences I noticed between Americans and non-Americans. Turn up the music playlist, pack plenty of snacks, and enjoy the gas station culture. Mini pony sighting in transit likely.
The Black Hills are gorgeous and unique, filled with history of indigenous inhabitation, cowboys, and gold rushes. Deadwood is an adorable small town with brick laid streets and buildings full of casinos, antique hotels, shops, and bars. It’s close to Sturgis and Rapid City along with all the nature and wide open space you could ever want. You will see motorcycles everywhere especially as the summer rally in Sturgis nears, make sure to pick up any leather biking gear at Harley Davidson.
Day 1
Arrive in Deadwood safely. I would recommend staying outside of the city up in the Black Hills. Get an airbnb with great views and a hot tub, I can’t say enough positive things about the property we stayed at, each room had it’s own ensuite and the views were incredible (DM for the link). After driving 8 hours don’t be afraid to open as many bottles of wine as you want and grill some steaks. Talk, laugh, play card games, and then hot tub with the view of Deadwood in the distance.
Day 2
Explore Sturgis, maybe even find some leather chaps and a rhinestone push-up bra. There is not much going on here if the nightlife is shut down and if there aren’t any bike rallies going on but it’s still an iconic stop in the area. There are cute shops and good coffee. Have lunch and beer at Sturgis Brewing Company.
Watch sunset on the balcony as you get ready to take on Deadwood nightlife. Head out to the casinos and bars, make sure to stop at Buffalo Bodega and Saloon No. 10, may you have beginners luck at the black jack tables. There are ample bars with live music as well as all the gambling you want to do. Pace yourself or lose all your money in 10 minutes. Either way, it’s a much softer place than Vegas.
Day 3
Nurse your hangover by laying in the sun on the balcony. Head into Deadwood to see it in the light of day for lunch and shopping. I would recommend Jacobs Brewhouse Restaurant. If you aren’t too hungover, put a visit to the winery on your list or music bingo happy hour and an optional night out number two. But let’s be real…that second night out is only for the under thirty crowd. So enjoy the final night chatting with the girls in the hot tub as a finale for the bachelorette party weekend in the Black Hills.
Vegas might be for the boys but Deadwood is definitely for the girls.
Travel Tips for South Dakota:
Weather is unpredictable especially if you are in-between seasons. We were blessed with great spring weather but a few days before we arrived it had snowed, so pack accordingly.
Bring a valid ID. Most of the bars have Casinos attached AND they will refuse you if you have an expired ID… even if you are well above 21. Trust me on this one. Bring a hard copy of a valid ID, no electronic photos accepted.
Unless you want to go to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (that is a cultural trip in itself) I would avoid the end of July through the first few weeks of August. The official summer tourist season starts mid May and runs through autumn (peaking in June, July, and August). Places and bars may be closed outside of this time, make sure to call ahead if you are wanting to go somewhere specific or check hours of operation.
There are plenty of Uber and cab companies within the area—don’t drink and drive—just pay for the taxi and help support the locals who rely heavily on that income during tourists season. There are many Ubers/vans that can accommodate bigger groups.
There is plenty of outdoor adventuring and nature here, pack your hiking gear if you are into that. Put the Badlands and Custer State Park at the top of the list.