Small exhibition of the Bison and story of the native people in the area. Built and funded by Kevin…read moreCostner. Nice display of artifacts and history on display. The coolest part is the bronze statues on display. If you like museums you'll enjoy this stop.

My sister and I were in Lead recently researching our family and decided to take the tour of the…read morecity plus head out to Story of the Bison. Our bus driver was so interesting and made me and others laugh and enjoy the ride. Later out at Tatanka we enjoyed the video shown of Kevin Costner and seeing his dedication toward the Lakota and seeing the native costumes worn in Dances with Wolves. Our native guide was very open and knowledgeable about his culture. Later I shared some of my local pacific northwest native culture with him. We also enjoyed the bison and warriors sculptures outside. Its obvious alot of thought went into creating the experience. Thank you!​​​​

This was such a surprise! We stopped in after our drive back from Spearfish and so glad we did!…read more Paid the extra $5 to do the underground tour and it was such a great tour! The gentleman that sis the tour used to work in the mines. He was so knowledgeable and we learned so much. Really enjoyed his stories! Totally worth the stop!

Best museum I've been to in a long time we learned so much about the South Dakota mines I would…read morerecommend this museum over any else both gentlemen were very helpful answered all our questions and were helpful teaching us to pan for gold.

Driving thru the town we saw signs for a Fish Hatchery. Not knowing what to expect we decided to…read morecheck it out. What a beautiful area. Many ponds of fish throughout. Great place for kids as they sold bags of fish food to feed them. You can walk down a lower level and view fish under water. Very cool!! You can also visit a rail car that used to transport fish across the country and an ice house. If in town you must stop in and visit. Such a wonderful fine.

The fish hatchery was unexpectedly awesome- and free! My family and I spent several enjoyable hours…read morefeeding the fish (you can buy bags of food from the window shop), watching them, and exploring the beautiful grounds. We were able to bring our leashed dog to the outdoor areas and Michelle gave a wonderful house tour to my son and I. I highly recommend checking out the hatchery when in Spearfish!

Maybe it's just me. But after a few days of being imbued in SD history and culture at multiple…read morelocations, this 1980s-ish place looked like 'more of the same.' Yeah, the building is spacious and attractive and houses a great collection of art, artifacts and ephemera. The exhibits are comprehensive and well organized, and knowledgeable docents were eager to explain things and answer questions. But apart from a photo opp in a genuine 'surrey with a fringe on top,' I thought the displays and interpretations were 'old school,' i.e. more passive than interactive. Don't get me wrong; this is an OK museum. During an orientation video, though, a few of our traveling companions nodded off. Dare I say, "Yawn?" After perusing the exhibits, our group was served a catered chuckwagon supper, followed by live musical entertainment. Both paled in comparison with the lively dinner show we had attended the previous night at Fort Hays in Rapid City.

A delightful museum. As many museums as I have gone to, I'm going to have to start a list…read more The only truly fun tourism, in my humble opinion, is cultural tourism with a heavy dose of local color and good food. It's not my favorite museum in the Black Hills, (my favorite would have to be the one in Hot Springs for its architecture), but it's right up there. I just don't go for modern buildings, which is entirely subjective. However, the exhibits here are excellent. Open year round, this is a perfect way to spend the afternoon and fill in your knowledge of the High Plains history. They have many acres and you can view a schoolhouse and log cabin. This is perfect stop if you've got a long day planned wanting to visit the northern hills. I'd stop here in the morning, lunch at the Bay Leaf Cafe, also in Spearfish, then head east over to Devil's Tower for the afternoon. By the end of the day, you will have learned a lot.

OH my after seeing the Peter Fonda movie it has always been my dream to make the trek to Sturgis…read more 3 years ago I made a bucket list of of the top 100 places I want to visit before turning 45. I've always resisted the idea of doing such a long drive on a motrocycle, until a friend suggest driving then rent a bike in Sioux Falls and continue the last 100 miles. This is a type of town that could be any movie set projecting yhe wild west or a reproduction of Disney's Frontierland. There's tons and tons of souvenir shops and burger joints, bar catering to a fun sometimes rowdy crowd. As a minority I was worried of the type of reception I would be recieving, my fears were unfounded, it has been a fun time, everyone has been very friendly.

A fantastic fun filled event! It is a tradition for all. Although we ride we saw many non-bikers…read morethere. Good looking women everywhere after it starts. Definitely not on the 1st day. We camped in Rapid City so we didn't have to deal with the non stop party lol . We went during the day and at night and had an absolute blast. 650,000 people were projected to be there. In a town that normally only hold 6,500. There were bikers everywhere, it was wonderful!

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is biggest bike rally in America. Naturally Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is…read moreheld in Sturgis, South Dakota, The rally attracts over half a million attendees and is considered the largest motorcycle event in the world. Sturgis is held annually in early August. The 10-day event features live music, bike shows, scenic rides through the Black Hills, and a massive gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts from across the globe. It's amazing that this rally began in 1938! I was thrilled to see a review by another Elite Yelper. You know when I was young and traveled from Eastern United States to the West I most certainly would stop at this event. Make your plans now to attend next year. I'm recommending!!

"Traveling in a car is like watching a movie. Riding a bike is like starring in one."…read more It's time to plan your trip to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this summer. Yes, you! What is that, say you? And why should you go? Well, I am happy to tell you! Sturgis is the world's largest rally of motorcycle riders. It takes place annually in Sturgis, South Dakota, near the Black Hills. This now 10-day event started back in 1938. At that time, it was a place for motorcycle enthusiasts to come and do stunts and races. But it's much more than that now. Sturgis is like a counter-cultural rallying cry for the maverick, the one who likes to go his or her own way, and if at all possible, on a motorcycle! Now, you do not have to have a motorcycle (nor drive one) to enjoy Sturgis. I did enjoy Sturgis last summer without one in my brief visit to the town during its annual convergence of riders as I was traveling cross-country. You just need to appreciate the sights and sounds of the magnificent machine--as well as, the sights and sounds of many folks who have never quite managed to color "between the lines," but who love a good time, good company, and their country. American Patriotism is in full and florid display at the rally. Motorcyclist veterans will be well-treated here. If you do ride, you could hardly ride better anywhere than at Sturgis (with your bike, or renting one). Some of the best motorcycle rides in the world are in the Black Hills: Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, Spearfish Canyon, not to mention, Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Bear Mountain (Devil's Tower), Bear Butte Park (with breathtaking geological formations), the Badlands (stunning park of natural rock formations), Custer Park (where you are almost guaranteed to see bison), and more. Winding, beautiful, clear roads with fresh mountain air. You can't ask for more than that. And yet, you get more than that! (More on that below). Sturgis is now a national phenomenon. 500,000 people attended last year! Those are post-pandemic numbers. (As many as roughly 700,000 people attended the annual rally in prior years, particularly at its 75th anniversary). In the words of the CEO last year, this event is about "music, motorcycles, freedom, and friends." The rally features concerts of all kinds of music--rock, rap, and country. And big names! Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr., aka, Snoop Dogg (yes, "gin and juice" himself) performed at the rally last year. He was joined by legendary American rock band, Buckcherry, classic rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bush (British grunge rock band), Rob Zombie, Lita Ford, country music star, Travis Tritt, Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners, Pop Evil, and Puddle of Mud. All at the same rally, guys. Yes, that's what I'm talking about. And that is in the midst of hundreds of other events you will find nowhere else (such as a literal wall of fire and beer-smashing with homemade battering rams mounted on a bike with a motorized coach--yeah, that happened!), a really cool, legitimate motorcycle museum in the middle of town, unique street vendors of everything from trendy t-shirts to Harley-Davidsons, and fabulous fairgrounds-style food of all kinds. (Can you say, "giant Turkey leg?" YUM). All in the midst of raucous behavior, anthropological attire (full leather ensembles, spurs, "homemade bikinis," a few topless women, and a couple of nearly bottomless ones, not to be overlooked). And of course, the constant hum of the rides. Motorcycle rides, that is. I am a person who usually does not like the sound of a motorcycle, but in Sturgis, in unison with others, in the open South Dakota air, it all starts to blend into the background. And eventually becomes soothing. It sounds like...well, freedom. Despite the fact that you find yourself in the midst of what looks like a massive motorcycle gang, the people are generally polite and respectful. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem even did a charity ride at Sturgis last summer. Sturgis occurs each year for approximately 10 days starting the first week of August. This coming year it will be from August 4-13, 2023. Get registered, get your tickets for events, and your accommodations for the area, (they book fast). Life is short. Live a little!

Came to Deadwood wanting to take the kids in a bit of a history lesson and stumbled upon this…read moretheater. $6 for adults and worth every penny. They got the kids involved, clean humor, and very nice people. Highly recommend!

Worth every penny! We came to deadwood with the kids not knowing what to expect. We happened to…read moreshow up downtown right before "The Capture of Jack McCall". After the street show there is a procession up to the trial. For a few bucks each we figured why not? Turned out to be a fantastic show a little over an hour long. Lots of participation from the audience, especially the kids, who get to be jurors. Was much more than a trial. It was music, comedy, and history all in one!

Exploring spearfish canyon we say a sign on the turn for Roughlock Falls that noted a "Dances With…read moreWolves" movie site was up the road. The site is a little over a mile past Roughlock falls and all in a dirt road. You have to be watching for it but there is a small pullout and a metal sign. If no one is there you might drive right past it. If you get to an intersection you've gone too far. The location is right along the creek. If you are familiar with the movies final scene where Dunbar leaves the Sioux tribe from their winter camp, this is where it was filmed. Looking around it's a little hard to pick up on the exact locations but I think we got a few. The longer you spend there and kind of explore they come to mind. Even if you aren't familiar with the movie, it's a pretty spot and neat to see a location where filming of this Oscar winner took place.

Nothing to see really. Just a dirt road back to a sign. It's okay if you want a ride and of course…read morethe surroundings are nice, but not unlike the gorgeous lands around the entire area!