What a fun place to visit the grandkids dressed up to view the town and had a blast. So many cool things to see. The ladies in the costume shop were outstanding working with the kids to help them find the perfect outfit read more

I love history, so this place was perfect for me! It's a bunch of 1800's era buildings that have been moved here, repaired & curated to look just like they would have been back then. We walked through an old bank, church, & bath house (just to name a few). Not everything is in perfect condition, but it's an ongoing project, for sure. There's also a free mule pulled buggy ride & costume rentals are available. read more

Whatever you do, don't eat at the Diner. Super slow service, doesn't look that clean. We ordered omlettes and it took 45 min. (IT WAS NOT BUSY) We took a couple bites and left. $20 shot. Yucky! read more

The Dinosaur skeleton on the side of the highway admittedly has nothing to do with a replica cowboy town, but it is an eye catcher. South Dakota is pretty barren till you get to the SW corner where Sturgis and Custer State Park is, so 1880 town was a welcome bump in the road. Long horn Steer, a show with singing cowboys and stuff from Dances with wolves. Ten dollars might seem steep for the entertainment value, but it was a fun enough distraction for the day and anyone travelling with children will welcome it. read more

All the building are original and from the Dakota area. Even have spot marks from the cowboys dragging their feet coming down the stairs. Not real fancy but amazing. Long horn steers are in the back . Wish the displays in the museum had better if tags. There many items I had no idea why they were there. read more

absolutely amazing didnt see all the stuff but will be back for sure its amazing to see how they lived back in the 1800s 12 bucks each for adults but well worth it u can even rent outfits from this era for 7 bucks defiantly doing it ne t time when have more time a must stop attraction u wont forget will defiantly be back read more

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This is a replica of an authentic "town" that was created from regional buildings that were moved and set up here. This place isn't for everyone, but if you enjoy seeing what an 1800's town may have been like it is interesting, read more

What can I say to those travelers that might be considering stopping at the 1880s town? Ive been two times! Each time was a different experience. First time when my husband and I first started dating and were travailing back from Indiana. Was it magical just because, we were fresh in love and for some wonderful reason you see everything like silly teenagers again?? we both still love westerns but I don't think that was it. they were closing but could see the excitement in my eyes, longing to see the old town. They opened the doors with welcome arms, asking us "to enjoy the town but could we make it a short visit this time" Our next visit was four years later, we had taken two of our Grand kids (8 &10) on a three week road trip. Maybe if we had stopped at 1880s with these Seattle city slickers the first week the experience might have been different. But we were on the way home and through the weeks we noticed them asking less and less to play with that tiny square monster that seemed to suck them into a trance, stealing them from every precious MOMENT of importance! By now, they asked about the historical markers we passed, asking to "Goggle" it if we couldn't stop. By now, these small children, were the first to gasp with wonder at the sunsets.. By now we were challenging each other on who would see the most deer. Was this because I we didn't strap them in front of HOURS and hours of movies avoiding the the beautiful laughter that's contagious if we allow ourselves to become childlike again?? Maybe the tears at having to take the costumes off ($5 for the day) were because by now their world had slowed down to seeing what's meaningful in life. We weren't staring into a screen watching or acting out how to kill the next "creature" or "bad guy", We were SHARING MOMENTS and making MEMORIES, that I know they will be telling their own children about. This Town might not be for everyone but if your with your kids or family, why not let it be about THEM for a day??! It's simple and no, it's not full of the "EXCITEMENT" you've become accustom to but if you let it, you'll make unforgettable memories..... read more

This is an Excellent vacation spot. You get a real taste of what the Wild West was like. We had a wonderful time. The many props from Dancing with the Wolves, are fantastic! read more

1880 Town - The Saloon was my favorite spot. - Local Flavor Near Me - Midland, South Dakota

Do not pay $12.00 to go see this place. It's dirty, and run down. They can't even take a broom and sweep? The floor boards are almost worn out and dangerous in some places. The "Dances with wolves" memorabilia is a joke. They make you think there are folks dressed up in 1880 costumes but there are just old mannequins dressed up. Old Tucson in Tucson, Arizona is a better place to go and is kept up. Very disappointing. read more

Very disappointing experience. Me and my family came here hungry, only to find the diner was closed at 2, despite the website saying it closes at 3. When we asked the old man at the counter (who was giving someone a hard time over a refund), he told us he couldn't do anything about the website and that he "only works here." Thanks, buddy. My advice: don't waste your money or time here. read more

If you like campy roadside attractions...here is your Mecca. There is an entire town set up complete with Saloon where you can get some sarsaparilla and a photo op. You can also tour the town and see some real 1880's artifacts and a little bit of history. There are many wasps around there though so take precautions. We crawled around on the train. There is a train dinner next door that just closed for the season when we passed through so we did not get to eat there, but it seems intriguing. If you are a Dances with Wolves fan then you would like some of the memorabilia around the compound and maybe even check out the map of places where they did some of the filming of the movie. It is certainly a great place to stop and rest for a long drive. read more

This was really fun for me and my family! My little brother loved the "cowboy town" and he doesn't usually play with cowboys or anything. So it was a really cool stop on our way home from Rapid City. And we could get a break from driving.! Wish we could have dressed up, but it was to hot. The saloon is cool to stop and get some root beer with live entertainment on some days!(; read more

This place is entertainment. When you're on the road and you're looking for something to do to breakup the road trip this is exactly what you're looking for. Tons of kooky artifacts and fun stuff to look at. I think the other reviewers need to loosen up a little, only a moron would expect a place like this to be completely accurate. It's fun, bottom line! read more

Good god...I really wanted to say that it was worth the ten bucks or whatever for just seeing the WHOLE floor dedicated to Dances With the Wolves....but I can't...this is a joke and a waste of money and time (we somehow spent over an hour walking around the "town.") Will kids like it? Probably....but only if they are little. read more

We visited this roadside attraction on our way back home from a wedding in Kadoka. We were accompanied by my in-laws. When we entered, I was surprised by the price to get in ($10 per adult), but once we were inside, I was surprised with what was to be found. First, you have a museum of some interesting western stuff (granted, most was not from 1880 or earlier), but it was still interesting. Then, in the upstairs, were props from the movie, Dances with Wolves, as well as pictures of native americans and settlers of the plains. When you exit the museum and are outside, you will find a mock township made up of buildings either replicated or relocated from nearby areas. I was surprised with all of the artifacts they had and the effort it must have took to bring everything to this one place. If it were 100% authentic in the time period, I would give it 5-stars, but 4-stars is as close as its gonna get, and as low as its gonna get with me. read more