As a kid, I remember taking a family trip to Mount Rushmore and camping at some Flintstone theme park like place. Sadly, the Flinstone thing doesn’t exist anymore. Now that I’m in my 40s, I thought it would be fun to take my own kids to vacation in South Dakota. We piled in the minivan…
The town of Deadwood is a popular spot for people to visit during a Mount Rushmore vacation. Regardless of whether you’re there with your kids or just a couple’s getaway, there’s plenty of things you can enjoy in the Wild West town. There are historic museums, shopping, photo opps, a Wild West shootout and more….
Custer State Park is a staple for people traveling to South Dakota. The Black Hills provide an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with hiking, swimming, kayaking, fishing and much more. Sylvan Lake is the northwest area of Custer State Park, and our family enjoyed a fantastic hike. Some of the activities weren’t available during our…
Heavy traffic is something people dread. After all, who wants to sit in their car in super slow traffic? Well, if it’s because you’ve got wild animals roaming around, then I think it’s totally worth it. Bear Country USA in South Dakota is a unique drive-thru wildlife park that allows you to safely get up…
I love to learn, and travel allows me to do just that. When I was planning our family’s summer vacation, I stumbled upon Minuteman Missile National Historic Site in South Dakota. I wasn’t very familiar with the Cold War or terms like Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), but I thought it would be cool to see…
Badlands National Park is a popular stop for people visiting Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Our family enjoyed exploring the park, although the 100-degree temperature that day made it less enjoyable. However, we were able to hike the trails in the east end of Badlands National Park. Here’s a rundown on…
It’s hard to find your balance at the Cosmos Mystery Area near Rapid City, South Dakota. You can feel the weight of gravity pulling you this way and that. The tour through the cabin definitely plays tricks with your mind. While that description may steer you away from wanting to visit, it’s that mystery that…
The Black Hills gold rush started in 1874. Two years later, thousands flocked to Deadwood, South Dakota, to search for gold. The Broken Boot Gold Mine was opened in 1878, functioned as a mine until 1918, and today tourists can take a gold mine tour to see it for themselves. Our tour guide was wonderful…
The National Presidential Wax Museum in Keystone, South Dakota, is a great stop to learn about America’s presidents. We stopped by during our visit to Mount Rushmore and were able to learn a little more about the role each president played in America’s history. If you’re looking for a great spot to stop and learn,…
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one spot everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. I remember visiting the area in my youth, and this summer I was able to share it with my wife and kids. Our stop at Mount Rushmore was one of the many things we explored in the Black Hills…
