5 Best Performing Arts in Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills, South Dakota

If you want to see a rodeo in South Dakota, consider circling the five days ending on July Fourth and attending the Black Hills Roundup, one of the biggest, best, and most historic rodeos on the Great Plains. There are multiple rodeo performances at the city's outdoor rodeo grounds, where professional cowboys and cowgirls come from all over the country to compete in front of a covered grandstand. There's also a slate of other events, including a cattle drive, fireworks, concerts, a parade, and a carnival.

A troupe of local Old West re-enactors gives free performances daily during the summer, including Main Street shootouts and Wild Bill Hickok shooting re-enactments inside Saloon No. 10; additionally, the troupe performs paid shows, such as a re-enactment of the trial of Jack McCall (the man who murdered Will Bill). Check the website for show times and further details.

Investors including Kenny Alphin of the country music duo Big & Rich developed a former mining facility into a gaming resort and casino with a large entertainment hall that routinely hosts nationally recognizable music acts and comedy performers. Past shows have included the likes of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Larry the Cable Guy, Cheech and Chong, Foreigner, and Tanya Tucker.

Residents of Spearfish have lovingly restored this ornate, 1906 theater, which has architectural and design flourishes including a ceiling dome, a mural-painted arch over the stage, and chandeliers in the lobby. The box offices sells tickets for concerts, locally produced plays, magicians, and film screenings, and there's an attached fine-arts gallery showcasing the work of local and regional artists.

This large, recently constructed, open-floor concert hall regularly hosts bands and other performances on its stage. There’s also a restaurant, bar, and outdoor seating area, making the Beacon a lively community gathering place.