Deadwood does not just preserve its history, it performs it. In season, the Deadwood Alive troupe stages free shootouts on Historic Main Street on a regular afternoon schedule, Monday through Saturday, with performers appearing on the street ahead of the shows. The scenes are short, loud and good-humored: gunfighters, lawmen and a bit of crowd work, with the brick storefronts as the backdrop. For visitors with kids or a limited budget, it is one of the most enjoyable free things to do in the Black Hills. The second half of the pairing is Saloon No. 10, the saloon where Wild Bill Hickok was shot on August 2, 1876, reportedly holding a pair of aces and a pair of eights, the poker hand now known as the dead man's hand. Re-enactments of the shooting are held inside the saloon several times a day except Sundays, and the building is also a working bar and gaming room with a museum-like collection of period decor. The combination of an outdoor shootout and an indoor re-enactment gives you two takes on the Wild West story in a single easy hour.
Schedules follow a simple pattern
The saloon re-enactments run through the day, the Main Street shootouts take place on the afternoon hours, and performers begin appearing a little before the first shootout. Because the schedule can shift by season and by weather, check the current daily schedule on the Deadwood Alive site or at the Welcome Center on arrival. Summer is the full season, and shows are limited or absent outside it, so winter visitors should not count on them.
Viewing tips are practical. Arrive a few minutes early to stake out a spot on the sidewalk, since the crowd gathers quickly on busy days. Shootouts include gunshot sound effects, and very young children or noise-sensitive visitors may want to stand back. Saloon No. 10 can be crowded at show times, so arrive early for a seat or catch a less popular slot.
The saloon is also a fine place to stop for a drink or a bite between shows, though it is an adult setting with gaming, so families usually watch the show and move on.
To get the most out of the pair, link them to other stops. The Trial of Jack McCall in the evening tells the aftermath of the Hickok shooting in more detail. Mount Moriah Cemetery shows where Hickok is buried. And the Adams Museum and Days of '76 Museum fill in the artifacts and the broader frontier context. A good plan is a morning museum, an afternoon shootout, a saloon re-enactment and the evening trial, which together make a full Wild West day.
What to expect
The experience
Short outdoor gunfight shows on Main Street, plus indoor Hickok shooting re-enactments inside Saloon No. 10.
Best time
Afternoons in the summer season, Monday through Saturday.
How long
Each show is brief; allow an hour to see one of each.
Tips
Check the day's schedule, arrive early for a sidewalk spot and note that shootouts are loud.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families, first-timers and anyone who wants the Wild West on the street for free.
- Families
- Excellent, though very young children may find the gunshots loud.
- Couples
- A fun, light break between museums and dinner.
- Pair with
- The Trial of Jack McCall and Mount Moriah Cemetery.
- Time needed
- About an hour.
Good questions
Are the Main Street shootouts free?+
Yes, the street shows on Historic Main Street are free to watch.
What days do they run?+
They run Monday through Saturday in the season on an afternoon schedule. Confirm the current times on arrival or on the performers' site.
What is Saloon No. 10?+
The saloon where Wild Bill Hickok was shot in 1876. Re-enactments of the shooting are staged there several times a day except Sundays.
Is it suitable for children?+
Yes, most children enjoy it, but the gunshot effects are loud, so stand back with very young kids.
Do the shows run in winter?+
The full schedule is a summer feature. Winter visitors should not expect daily shootouts.
