Top Indoor Things To Do in the Black Hills

The Black Hills are known for natural scenery and outdoor activities, but sometimes the weather just doesn’t cooperate. Fortunately, there are plenty of things to do indoors on your vacation.

Eat Out

There are plenty of unique local restaurants in the Black Hills region. For example, locals love the Firehouse Brewing Co. in Rapid City. As suggested by the name, it has its own craft beer on tap as well as the usual amusements, such as a dartboard Rapid City SD. It also offers family-friendly dining, so it is appropriate to bring the kids.

Go To a Museum

It is hard to find a community in the Black Hills that does not have a museum devoted to preserving some aspect of the area’s unique culture and history. Favorites include the Journey Museum in Rapid and the Adams Museum in Deadwood. Deadwood is also home to the Adams House, the preserved residence of the museum’s founder and an educational experience in its own right.

Take the Plunge

There are several indoor water parks in the Black Hills, but the best is Evans Plunge in Hot Springs. The mineral water is geothermally heated to remain a toasty 87 degrees year-round. Attractions include multiple waterslides and a health club.

Go Underground

The Black Hills boasts an extensive cave system. Some cave tours are offered by private companies, but Wind Cave and Jewel Cave are National Parks. The Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center in Lead takes visitors underground virtually to learn more about the history of gold mining and the mine’s subsequent conversion to an important research center.

Take a Train Ride

Passenger cars on the 1880 Train are enclosed, their original furnishings restored to the way they looked in the 19th century. The route runs between Hill City and Keystone and offers full immersion in the beauty of the Black Hills from a perspective rarely seen.

Striking a balance between indoor and outdoor activities on your Black Hills vacation helps you get a taste of everything the region has to offer.