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Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center

160 West Main Street · Lead, SD

Why you should go…

The Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, operated by the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority, sits above the former Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, South Dakota, now home to the Sanford Underground Research Facility. Exhibits cover mining history and the underground physics research conducted at the site, and an observation deck overlooks the massive open cut. Admission is free, and it is open daily May through September and Monday through Saturday the rest of the year.

  • #museum
  • #science
  • #mining history
  • #black hills
  • #free

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Black Hills Discovery Tours

    $50+

    Narrated day-long van tours of the Black Hills, including Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Tours

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Deadwood Alive

    Free

    Free Wild West gunfight reenactments and the Trial of Jack McCall staged live on Deadwood's Historic Main Street.

    2.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Eat & Drink
    Local Gem

    Cheyenne Crossing

    Under $25

    Historic cafe and general store at the mouth of Spearfish Canyon, known for its Indian tacos.

    2.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Adams Museum

    Under $25

    The Black Hills' oldest history museum, with Wild West and gold rush artifacts tied to Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.

    2.4 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    The Brothel Deadwood

    Under $25

    Guided tour through the preserved second-floor rooms of a former Deadwood brothel that operated from 1876 to 1980.

    2.5 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Local Gem

    Sturgis Car Museum

    Under $25

    A Sturgis museum of rare Saab automobiles and General Motors heritage cars spanning 1950 to 2011.

    13 mi awayMore like this