While fans have been going wild over HBO’s new teaser for gritty series-turned-movie Deadwood, (finally returning to screens on 31 May), many of them may not realise that they can actually travel to the real place to learn about the real people that the characters are based on.
Many fans do not realise that Deadwood is a real place. Image by Historic Deadwood
Once a legendary gold rush town as portrayed in the show, Historic Deadwood is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. To celebrate the forthcoming movie, the South Dakota and Deadwood tourism boards have launched Deadwood: Heroes & Villains, a customisable package that allows visitors to walk in the footsteps of characters such as Seth Bullock, Al Swearengen, Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock.
The Bullock Hotel. Image by Historic Deadwood
Experiences include a visit to Mount Moriah, where Bullock, Calamity Jane and Hickock are buried, a walking tour of the town’s brothels, bars and buildings (led by a re-enactor), a ride on the Deadwood Stagecoach, tours of the 1876 Broken Boot Gold Mine, Adams Museum and House (where influential business leaders of Deadwood gathered for dinner), as well as a ghost tour of the Historic Bullock Hotel, said to be haunted by the man himself. Visitors can also view The Trial of Jack McCall, a play based on the actual trial which took place in the mining camp after Jack McCall murdered James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok.
Mount Moriah Cemetery where Seth Bullock, Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock are buried. Image by Historic Deadwood
“While the show is wildly popular, many are surprised and excited to hear that Deadwood is a real place. The package pulls together experiences that are inspired by the town of Deadwood’s history, while also paying tribute to the quintessential (and real) moments that are featured on the show,” James Hagen, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism told Lonely Planet Travel News. “Fans will feel like they’ve been transported into another world with a chance to learn about what Historic Deadwood was like in its prime as a legendary gold rush town in the 1870s”.
Visitors can choose from a number of different experiences and tours. Image by Historic Deadwood
The package includes three nights’ accommodation at select properties in Deadwood, with the events taking place between 25 May and 2 September. Prices start at US$303 (€268) and vary depending on lodging and activities.
More information is available at the official Historic Deadwood site, with the Deadwood: Heroes & Villains package available to book here.
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