Planning a trip to South Dakota? If you have places like Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore in your itinerary, I recommend picking Deadwood as your base instead of Rapid City. You’d get to live and experience a historic Wild West town that’ll transport you to the 1800s.
For our stay, we chose the Historic Iron Horse Inn, a 130-year-old boutique hotel right in the heart of Deadwood, just one block off Main Street. In this post, I’ll share our experience, what the room was like, key amenities, and why this historic inn is a great choice for your next Black Hills adventure.
Why Stay at the Historic Iron Horse Inn
If you want to experience living in an old Victorian house, consider this hotel! They have 19 rooms, each with different themes but with a combination of modern amenities like tub/shower combo, cable TV, and free WiFi. So, a good combination of old and modern!
Some parts might appear creepy at night, especially the staircase leading to the first floor, because of all the squeaky noises it makes. But overall, it was a fun stay, and the staff was very helpful. We did a late check-in, and all the instructions were clearly mentioned in the email.
Room & Amenities
We booked a standard King Room, which was enough for the two of us to move around. The room had a king bed, a window facing the street, and a bathroom with all the amenities. The room decor was Victorian with a drape-style wallpaper and draped curtains as well.
The bed was a standard king bed with a comfortable mattress, and the bathroom was small but had everything: a tub/shower combo with hot water. The room also had a flat-screen TV with cable and a coffee pot, but no microwave or refrigerator.
We got free parking with our room and had elevators to help us carry our luggage to the top floor. However, the hotel didn’t offer free breakfast.
Dining Options
The hotel has two in-house dining options: a pizzeria called Three Cousins Pizza that offers stone-baked pizzas, and a pub named Stan & Ollie’s Pub with live music, finger food, and drinks. They also have other entertainment options like a billiards table and board games.
If you don’t feel like dining at either of the above, there are plenty of options on Historic Main Street. Especially in the morning if you’re looking for good coffee and a light breakfast. We went to Pump House Coffee & Deli, which was just 5 minutes from our hotel, to grab fresh coffee and sandwiches.
Location & Nearby Attractions
The hotel is located just one block from Historic Main Street, so you’ll find plenty of shops, casinos, restaurants, and museums at walking distance. Some nearby landmarks you can explore include:
- Adams Museum (~0.1 miles)
- Black Hills National Forest (5-minute drive)
- Mount Rushmore (~1 hour 5 minutes)
- Badlands National Park (~50 minutes)
- Custer State Park (~1 hour 15 minutes)
My Overall Thoughts
The Iron Horse Inn felt like stepping back in time. From the Victorian-era character to the Western charm, every corner had a vintage vibe. The staff was welcoming and accommodating, even with our late check-in. Being just one block off Main Street made it easy to walk to shops, casinos, and restaurants.
Overall, the Historic Iron Horse Inn was a perfect blend of history, charm, and convenience. Plus, how budget-friendly it was with room rates under $200 a night for two people. If you’re visiting Deadwood and want a stay that feels like part of the Wild West experience, this is a great choice. I’d definitely stay here again on my next Dakotas trip.
Useful links:
- You can check current rates and book your stay here: Iron Horse Inn
- Want to see how we fit Deadwood into our 3-day Dakotas road trip? Read our full itinerary here: 3 Days in the Dakotas
