Celebrate United States History at Mount Rushmore

Carving the likenesses of President George Washington, President Thomas Jefferson, President Theodore Roosevelt, and President Abraham Lincoln into the granite rock face began in 1927 in order to promote tourism to the majestic area and to celebrate the 130 years of history in the United States. Using dynamite to remove 450,000 tons of rock, sculptors carved into the four faces into the mountainside for over a decade. They finished the monument in 1941, 14 years later, and began to welcome visitors from all over the country. These days, 70 years later, Mount Rushmore National Memorial hosts almost three million visitors each year from across the globe. Visitors come to the area to marvel at the magnificence of the monument overlooking the beautiful Black Hills. So take your next vacation to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. For more information on things to do while you’re there and lodging in the area, click on this link.

National Presidential Wax Museum

See all 44 Presidents of the United States in one place at the National Presidential Wax Museum! Gain insight into the nation’s history with life-like depictions of the United States most famous political moments. The wax museum sets the scene of the signing of the Declarations of Independence with all the framers of the constitution gathered around. The accurate detail and beautifully designed sets will make you feel like are there with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt at Yalta as the beginning of the Cold War, or join President Richard Nixon as he welcomes the astronauts back from their first moon voyage, or step into the room with President Ronald Reagan when he learns that the Berlin Wall fell. Historical artifacts at the museum include the ballot boxes from Florida’s controversial hanging chad election in 2000 and President Bill Clinton’s famous red, white, and blue saxophone. Find out more about this fun, historically accurate museum located in nearby Keystone, South Dakota by clicking on this link.

1880 Train: A 19th Century Train Ride Tour

Explore the beautiful Black Hills area of South Dakota aboard an authentic 19th century train! The historic steam engine departs from Keystone and chugs along past several historic sites including the Holy Terror Mine, a mine that went down 1,200 feet and was one of the richest in the Black Hills, Kennedyville, an 1800s mining community, and Lafferty Gulch, an area that once housed the workers of a big feldspar quarry, to name a few. The signature train whistle marks the beginning of a smooth train ride guiding you through the gorgeous landscape of South Dakota. For ticket information, visit this link.

Mount Rushmore sits near many towns in the area. Visitors have the choice to book their stay in Rapid City, Keystone, or Hill City among many other. An abundance of lodging options awaits you in the Greater Mount Rushmore Area!