Black Hills Motorcycle Show Provides Entertainment in the Mount Rushmore Area
Motorcycle enthusiasts will love the Black Hills Motorcycle Show going on in Rapid City on April 9th and 10th. This motorcycle show is one of the oldest and largest shows in the region and features over 20 judged classes of motorcycles with a total of five “Best of Show” categories for all motorcycles. Antiques, touring bikes, sport bikes, cruisers, and custom motorcycles are all welcome to attend and enter the contests. It’s an event that often brings out some of the most unique and classic motorcycles, so make sure that you don’t miss this event!
While you’re in the Mount Rushmore area for the Black Hills Motorcycle Show, make sure you don’t miss your chance to see the legendary Mount Rushmore memorial. Take the Mount Rushmore Audio Tour, so you can explore the Mount Rushmore memorial and its history at your own pace. Your audio tour includes narration, music, sound effects, and historic recordings of Gutzon Borglum and the people who worked on Mount Rushmore for one fascinating exploration of the making of Mount Rushmore.
If you’re in town for the motorcycle show, you’re certain to find the Pioneer Auto Show and Antique Town a fascinating place to visit. This attraction gives you the chance to see over 250 classic cars, motorcycles, and antique tractors. You will find a wide range of interesting motorcycle displays to keep you busy for hours. Elvis Presley’s Harley Davidson, the 1945 Hardly Davidson Motorcycle with Side Car, and the 1910 Harley Davidson are just a few of the exciting motorcycle displays you can expect to see. If you love great craftsmanship and beautiful vehicles, this museum is certain to be the highlight of your vacation!
Enjoy the Local Flavor of the Black Hills This January
Going on vacation is all about enjoying the local flavor of the area, and if you are planning a visit to Mt. Rushmore in January, you will have a great opportunity to do just that! The Taste of Spearfish will be a great night of family fun where you can taste many different culinary creations made by restaurants from many cities in the Mt. Rushmore area, including Belle Fourche, Deadwood, Lead, Sturgis, and Whitewood. Satiate your appetite after a long day of sightseeing at Mt. Rushmore by attending this exciting event! The Taste of Spearfish will feature many different types of food and will take place January 24 at the Spearfish City Park Pavilion at 5 pm.
During your stay in the greater Mt. Rushmore area, have the ultimate Mt. Rushmore experience by taking the Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour. This tour not only takes you to the Mt. Rushmore National Monument, but also through Custer State Park, where you will see breathtaking views of the Black Hills, and then to the Crazy Horse Memorial. To make this tour even more exciting, you will end the tour by riding the vintage 1880 Train through the gorgeous Black Hills.
The Black Hills are known for gold, and you can see how the precious metal is mined by touring the Big Thunder Gold Mine. This authentic mine was discovered in 1882 and has recently gained attention because another vein of ore may be present at the mine. At the Big Thunder Gold Mine, knowledgeable guides will take you on a tour of the mine and then you will get an opportunity to pan for gold in the stream. You may even strike it rich!
Holy Terror Days Bring Old West Fun to Mount Rushmore
If you’re looking for a great time filled with Old West traditions and excitement, come on down to Keystone, SD for Holy Terror Days. Holy Terror Days offers guests three whole days of fun activities like an authentic chuckwagon BBQ, history reenactments, family country street dance, and other great entertainment. Everyone can join in the fun from September 10th to the 12th in downtown Keystone for a vacation experience they will treasure for years to come!
For more Old West fun, check out Big Thunder Gold Mine in Keystone, SD. This gold mine is one of the few authentic gold mines left in the area and offers you the chance to learn what it was like to be a gold miner during the legendary gold rush era. You will tour part of the mine while your guide tells you about the people who worked there and the feeling of the times. You will even get the option to pan for gold with this mining adventure.
Don’t end your Old West experience at the mines. You can get more western traditions and fun with the Flying T Chuckwagon Supper and Show. This exciting show will give you an authentic chuckwagon experience combined with comedy and music that is appropriate for your whole family. Sing along with the cowboys and enjoy a delicious meal of barbecue roast beef, grilled chicken, and other southern favorites. It’s an evening of western entertainment that will take you back to a simpler time.
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally’s 70th Anniversary Rumbles into the Mount Rushmore Area
Come to Sturgis, South Dakota and celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally from August 9-15. If you choose to break out the leather and polish up your bike to take a ride for Sturgis, you will have the opportunity to travel scenic routes like Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, and Wildlife Loop. Attractions along the way include Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, and more. During this week long event you can see bikes, concerts, races, bike shows, and have a once in a lifetime experience during many more thrilling events.
If you are traveling to the Mount Rushmore area during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally or just want to take a fun filled Mount Rushmore vacation, we offer several great hotels in the area. For a list of hotels in the Mount Rushmore area, click here.
There are several great ways to experience all the Mount Rushmore area has to offer. Whether you are wanting to take a rock climbing excursion on the 3 Hour Black Hills Rock Climbing Adventure or experience everything at once with the Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour, there is something sure to fit your fun vacation schedule. For a full list of activities in the Mount Rushmore area, click here.
3 Hour Black Hills Rock Climbing Adventure
During this fabulous three hour experience you will have the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of the Black Hills area from a whole new perspective. A professional guide will provide the equipment and make sure everything is set up perfectly to ensure a safe and fun experience for all members of the family; no experience is necessary!
Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour
See four of the greatest U.S. Presidents in larger than life fashion when you visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Take time to explore the visitor center for shopping and exhibits before departing for Custer State Park where you will enjoy lunch. Sights on the way to Crazy Horse Memorial include Iron Mountain Road, amazing views of the Black Hills, and Sylvan Lake. For the perfect touch to the end of your tour, take a ride on the 1880 Train where you can see the rugged landscape of the Black Hills from a wonderfully restored train.
Splendid Summer Fun in Mount Rushmore
There are several great activities in the Mount Rushmore area that are perfect for you summer vacation. If you are wanting to experience several Mount Rushmore area attractions in one great tour, take the Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour. Wanting to learn more about the vast history of the area? The Journey Museum in Rapid City is filled with historical information about the surrounding area. Also you can experience life in the 1880s at the Big Thunder Gold Mine in Keystone, SD. Whatever you choose, your summer vacation to Mount Rushmore is sure to be unforgettable.
Begin your Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour with the Mount Rushmore National Memorial where you can gaze in amazement at the massive memorial, take a tour of the visitor center, shop for souvenirs, and see exhibits. Next on the agenda is a stop at Custer State Park where you will enjoy lunch. After lunch, take a scenic drive on Iron Mountain Road where you can see the picturesque Black Hills and then travel on to Sylvan Lake. Next you will visit the Crazy Horse Memorial where you can see the ongoing “largest mountain carving in progress.” The last part of the tour includes a fantastic ride through the Black Hills on the 1880 Train. The Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour is the perfect way to experience the best places in the Mount Rushmore area all in one tour.
Learn how the history of the area was formed when you visit exhibits located at the Journey Museum. The Journey Museum allows visitors to visit the past in an interactive and fascinating way. There are a few different collections in the Journey Museum including the Museum of Geology, Archaeological Research Center, Sioux Indian Museum, M
innilusa Pioneer Museum, and The Duhamel Collection of Native American Artifacts. The Journey Museum is filled with educational information and items that inform visitors of the fascinating past this area beholds.
Take a trip back in time to the 1880s at the Big Thunder Gold Mine where you can take a tour of a real gold mine then pan for gold. The tour is led by knowledgeable and interesting tour guides that will show you how life was during the mining times in the Black Hills of South Dakota. After your tour is finished you can pan for gold and take home any treasures you may find. This attraction is great for the entire family and will be remembered for years to come.
If you plan on traveling to the Mount Rushmore area for your summer vacation, we offer a great selection of hotels in the area. For more information on hotels in the Mount Rushmore, SD area click here.
Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day Offer Cultural Celebration in Deadwood, SD
Enjoy the last leg of winter with the near constant celebration offered in Deadwood and the surrounding Mount Rushmore area this year as both Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day stand as pillars of the area’s entertainment in 2010!
Held February 5 and 6, Mardi Gras in Deadwood will offer a lively setting the likes of which only a Mardi Gras celebration could provide while simultaneously remaining fun for the entire family! On Friday, February 5, things will kick off with the People’s Parade and Mardi Gras Coronation Competition. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the opening parade, where at the end a king and queen for 2010 will be coronated.
The following day, the celebration will continue with the always anticipated annual Mardi Gras Parade and Cajun Cook-Off! Whether a native of the Cajun culture or simply looking to heat up the last leg of winter, Deadwood’s Mardi Gras celebrations offer an always lively time!
And just a month later, on March 13, the pubs of Deadwood will offer a conglomeration of parties as visitors and locals bounce from one establishment to another during the annual Pub Crawl. An always lively time, Deadwood’s Pub Crawl offers the perfect time to let your hair loose while enjoying the natural beauty and historical sites of the Mount Rushmore Area.
Those planning on visiting Deadwood and the surrounding Mount Rushmore area for either Mardi Gras or St. Patrick’s Day can browse and book from a variety of lodging options online. Additionally, a variety of activities and attractions can be viewed to help round out your visit to the Black Hills!
Enjoy An In-Depth Tour Through The Wild West!
If you’re planning a vacation to the old West, there is so much to see. Everything from the famous Mt Rushmore to the scenic Yellowstone National Park is worth seeing if you’re visiting the area. If you are looking for a way to cover it all in one trip, there is one perfect solution. The Yellowstone & Mt Rushmore guided tour allows you to hit all the sights of the wild West while still enjoying the care-free experience of a vacation.
This 9-day tour begins in Salt Lake City, where you’ll tour Temple Square and enjoy a performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Enjoy a nice dinner before turning in for the night. Day two is spent traveling through Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming as you make your way to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Day three is the time for sightseeing as you tour Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons National Park on your way into Yellowstone, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. On the fourth day of the tour, you will explore Yellowstone National Park. Within the park you’ll see native wildlife, including elk, bison, and bears. You’ll also see Old Faithful geyser and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
On the fifth day, you’ll travel from Jackson Hole to Cody, Wyoming, where you’ll explore the Buffalo Bill Historical Museum before crossing the Big Horn Mountains into Sheridan, Wyoming to spend the night. After a night in Sheridan, you’ll head into the Black Hills. During the trip, you’ll visit the Little Big Horn Battlefield, home of General Custer’s last stand, and the historic town of Deadwood. Following a long day of traveling, you’ll spend the night in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Beginning on the seventh day, you’ll visit the Black Hills, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Mt Rushmore. You’ll get the chance to tour Mt Rushmore twice, one during the day and once after sunset. On the morning of day eight, you’ll head west. Along the way you’ll visit Hot Springs, SD and Fort Laramie, Wyoming, which is a restored western outpost. You’ll spend the night in Cheyenne, Wyoming and enjoy a farewell dinner.
On the ninth and final day of the tour, you’ll head into Denver, Colorado. Upon arrival in Denver you will be free to head home with a suitcase full of memories.
If you would like to learn more about the Yellowstone & Mt Rushmore guided tour, or to reserve this tour, please visit the Yellowstone & Mt Rushmore page.
Visit Mt Rushmore Attractions Your Kids Will Love
Although the fantastic historical attractions in Mt Rushmore are appealing to many visitors, they are not always able to keep the interest of children. Although one day your children may appreciate the history in Mt Rushmore, you can take them to activities that kids of all age will have fun at to make sure that everyone is entertained during your vacation.
At the Holy Terror Mini Golf attraction in Keystone, Colorado, you and your family can enjoy an afternoon of fun while testing your putt-putting skills. This course was named after the last active gold mine in Keystone and features 18 fun and interactive holes. While you go through the gold-mine themed course, you can also enjoy the beauty of the area. This attraction is located at the Presidential Wax Museum, so you can also fit in some history during your visit if you want.
For a historical attraction that is also really fun, check out the Big Thunder Gold Mine. Kids of all ages will love trying their hand at striking it rich panning for gold. At the Big Thunder Gold Mine, you can enjoy a tour of the mine as well as pan for gold, as well as visit a museum. You are guaranteed to find gold during the panning experience, so everyone will have a shiny piece of South Dakota to take home with them.
Flying T Chuckwagon Supper and Show
What better way to end a day of fun activities than with an interactive cowboy-style supper? At the Flying T Chuckwagon Supper and Show, you and your family can enjoy an Old West meal complete with a barbecue feast and singing around the campfire. While you enjoy a meal with buffalo, chicken, or roast beef, you and your family can enjoy a stage show with the Flying T Wranglers. This unique dinner show is sure to please even your pickiest eater and provide an evening your family will not soon forget!
Study Native American History in Mt. Rushmore
The Black Hills of South Dakota are filled with the history of its past inhabitants. With many museums and monuments in the area, the Mt. Rushmore area offers many opportunities to learn more about the early residents of this region.
Located in Rapid City, the Journey Museum contains many exhibits on the development of the Mt. Rushmore area. Visitors can see the Museum of Geology, Archeological Research Center, Sioux Indian Musuem, Minnilusa Pioneer Museum, and the the Duhamel Collection of Native American Artifacts. In addition, admission to the museum includes a film that covers the history and development of the region. Each exhibit contains many artifacts that help tell the story of the past of the Black Hills region. Visitors can see pieces from the Sioux Indians, the early pioneers, and a collection of Sioux arts and crafts. Also, the Archeological Research Center contains an archeological dig and artifacts that are thousands of years old.
Wounded Knee Museum
The Lakota Indians were another native resident group of the Black Hills, and the Wounded Knee Museum is dedicated to their life in this area. The museum contains many artifacts on Lakota life and the Wounded Knee Massacre that happened in 1890. This museum also chronicles the struggle of the Indians against the pioneers in the 1800s. Visitors will see newspaper clippings, films, photographs, artifacts, and eye-witness accounts of what happened the day of Wounded Knee. This museum shows a realistic presentation of the Lakota’s struggle in South Dakota and preserves their memory.
The Crazy Horse Memorial is another must-see tribute while on a trip to Mt. Rushmore. Crazy Horse was the warrior who led the Sioux Indians in the Battle of Little Bighorn. This memorial has been in ongoing construction for the past two decades. When the sculpture is completed, it will be 563 feet tall and over 600 feet wide. The sculpture is on Thunderhead Mountain located between Custer and Hill City. The Crazy Horse Memorial is one of the stops on the Mt. Rushmore Tour.
Go Back to Prehistoric Times in South Dakota
Due to the Black Hills’ area long history, there are many archeological wonders to be found hidden deep in the rich and rocky soil of South Dakota, affording visitors the rare opportunity to see fossils and authentic dig sites during their vacation. The following attractions in the Mount Rushmore area offer fun and education to visitors of any age.
This activity allows visitors to enjoy a guided tour of a working archeological dig site. Visitors can learn about mammoths and their history, as well as see real mammoth skeletons. While at the Mammoth Site, visitors can also see the paleontology laboratory and experience multimedia presentations of archeological endeavors in the Black Hills. This activity includes a guided tour of the site, but you will also have time to explore on your own. You can also see scenes from the movie Hidalgo at this site.
To continue your education on the area’s geology, a visit to the Museum of Geology in Rapid City is a great addition to your vacation. This site is a teaching and research facility that contains over 250,000 fossils and 6,000 minerals. Collections at this museum include White River Badlands fossils, Jurassic and Cretaceous reptiles and mammals, and Black Hills minerals. This museum also has several rare specimens and fossils on display that you will not find at many other places. The museum it typically open daily and is a great experience for anyone interested in the interesting geological construction of South Dakota and the Black Hills.
No area is more of a tribute to the geological makeup of the area than the Badlands National Park. This natural attraction features canyons, gullies, sharp cliffs, and other topographical features that reflect the centuries of wear and erosion that crafted the landscape you see today. The Badlands also contains a large collection of fossils from the Oligocene Epoch of the Animals, and more pre-historic fossils are still being uncovered by paleontologists. The park covers over 200,000 acres, and many hiking and walking trails are available.
