Boondocks Diner and Amusement Park

Perched on the edge of a high Black Hills meadow, Boondocks Diner and Amusement Park is just south of Deadwood, South Dakota. Some old-timers still call it Brownsville, the sawmill town and railroad stop that once stood there. At the heart of Boondocks is a classic 1945 Valentine diner, a Brownsville original brought in on the narrow-gauge rail line back in the old days. Owners Ron and Lisa Jorgenson have surrounded the diner, which still serves hand-pattied burgers, real malts and hand-cut French fries, with a neon-lit menagerie of 1950s attractions. There's a vintage gas station, garage and Studebaker museum. There's a Ferris wheel, a Tilt-A-Whirl, fully restored carnival rides for kids and an old-time photo studio. In the museum, you'll find Ron's collection of Studebakers, an Elvis Presley jacket (the King only wore it once because there was a typo in the embroidery), Archie Bunker's hat, George Burns' hat. Boondocks also has a campground, cabins and convenience store. The best time to visit Boondocks is during one of the Black Hills automobile events, such as Black Hills Overdrive (June) and Kool Deadwood Nites (August). Car buffs from across North America bring their sweet rides to the Black Hills, and they invariably gather at Boondocks.