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.
Celebrate Independence Day at Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is perhaps one of the most fitting places to celebrate Independence Day. This year’s celebration is packed with two days of fun and activities. This Independence Day celebration spotlights local talent and if you visit, expect musical entertainment, patriotic tributes, and educational programs. Activities scheduled are appropriate for all ages so bring the whole family to Mount Rushmore and celebrate the Fourth of July.
This year at Mount Rushmore there will not be a fireworks display due to the infestation of Mountain Pine Beetles that have left standing dead trees which cause a high fire danger. In place of the fireworks display will be a sculpture lighting.
While in the Mount Rushmore area, there are several great activities to experience. One activity is the Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour. You can see the great presidents, shop for souvenirs, visit exhibits, and tour the visitor center. Also during your tour see Custer State Park. Here you can have lunch then see Sylvan Lake. After seeing the Crazy Horse Memorial take a ride on the 1880 train through the rugged terrain of South Dakota and the Black Hills.
Travel to Rapid City while you’re in the area and enjoy a great time with singing and a fantastic dinner at the Chuckwagon Dinner and Western Music Show at Circle B Ranch. This dinner experience has been happening since 1976 and is better than ever. Enjoy foods such as roast beef, BBQ chicken, biscuits, and more. Hear songs by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and more.
Plan on coming to the Mount Rushmore area to celebrate Independence Day? We have a list of great hotels in the Mount Rushmore area that are sure to complement your great vacation. Click here for a list of hotels in the Mount Rushmore area.
National Trails Day Brings Big Fun to Mt Rushmore, SD
Celebrate National Trails Day in Mount Rushmore, SD on June the 5th this year. National Trails Day was created to encourage people to remember their favorite trails in the nation. Mount Rushmore is one of the most popular spots for people to visit during this day because of the incredible landmarks as well as the rolling Black Hills. Come walk or jog the trails of the area and become a part of the National Trails Day tradition.
If you love the trails, one of the activities you are sure to enjoy on your vacation is the Mount Rushmore Audio Tour. This tour allows you to walk the trails while also hearing the history of Mount Rushmore. Interviews, sound effects, and music help bring the story of Mount Rushmore’s creation to life. The fascinating tale combined with the beauty of the area surrounding Mount Rushmore make for a perfect activity that can be as long or as short as you’d like.
While you’re in Mount Rushmore to enjoy nature, you should do something unique and go on the 3 Hour Black Hills Rock Climbing Adventure. This fun activity is great for beginners or intermediate climbers. All equipment is provided for you and a professional guide and climber will be with you to ensure that you are safe while you climb. After this experience, you may become a dedicated rock climber!
Kids Have a Blast at Mount Rushmore
Take your children to the Mount Rushmore area for your next vacation. Not only will they get to see a national monument, but they’ll have a blast with the other activities available in the area. From gold panning to miniature golf, there is no end to the fun you can have with your family in Mount Rushmore, SD.
Nobody knows how fast or how slow you would prefer for your tour of Mount Rushmore more to be better than you do. Choose a tour that allows you to set the pace with the Mount Rushmore Audio Tour. You can walk or sit as an audio guide plays music, interviews, and sound effects to bring to life the history of Mount Rushmore. You can go on the trails or just stand and examine this incredible monument. It’s all up to you.
Big Thunder Gold Mine – Keystone, SD
Take your children to an authentic gold mine and let them experience the past in a fascinating way with a tour. The legends of gold mines have fascinated generations, and this tour only enhances their interest. The life of a miner is vividly displayed to make the past come to life. At the end of your tour, you even get to pan for gold.
The Roo Ranch: A Piece of Australian Outback
Take your children to the Outback in South Dakota with The Roo Ranch. This incredible ranch covers 13 acres and is home to 60 kangaroos, wallabies, and other animals native to Australia. Indoors, a 2,500 foot animal exhibit featuring birds, dingoes, possums, and many more animals gives you even more Outback wildlife to explore. It’s an out of this world experience.
Holy Terror Mini Golf – Keystone, SD
This miniature golf course has twists, turns, steep hills, and mine slews to keep you on your toes. Located at the Presidential Wax Museum, this course is surrounded by beautiful pine trees and South Dakota scenery. When you aren’t trying to gauge the distance between your golf ball and a water hazard, you will be enjoying the scenery surrounding the course.
Scenic Mount Rushmore Provides Peaceful Getaway
If you’re looking for some peace on your next vacation, take a trip to Mount Rushmore. Not only is it a peaceful place, but it has great history and incredible scenery. Take some sightseeing tours once you’re in the area to experience the great countryside. Start out with a tour of the famous Mount Rushmore to experience the wonder of what men can achieve when they work together with the Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour. After viewing Mount Rushmore, you will also see Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, and go on a train ride.
For your next activity, try something a little different with the Buffalo Round-up with Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Watch as park rangers round up 1,500 buffalo for branding, counting, and vaccinations. It’s an old West tradition that has brought people to the area for years. After your buffalo round-up experience, you will continue on to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse memorial for more unique views of both areas.
After the excitement of the buffalo round-up, take a break and just enjoy the scenery of the black hills. Go on the 1880 Train: A 19th Century Train Ride Tour and experience the wonder of riding an authentic steam engine train. This renovated train will take you through the black hills and Hill City and Keystone. You can even buy a box lunch to enjoy on this train ride. The West at its best is waiting to welcome you on this tour.
Memorial Day Weekend Brings Extra Significance to Mount Rushmore
Spend Memorial Day Weekend at Mount Rushmore where history and all that America stands for is rich and plentiful. Remember America’s veterans from May 27th to May 31st in a place that represents what they fought for. The beginning of the summer season couldn’t possibly be better spent elsewhere. With Mount Rushmore and the open plains of South Dakota before you, you’re sure to really appreciate the sacrifice of our veterans on Memorial Day Weekend.
Take the Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour to learn more about the historical landmark. See the faces of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt carved into rock and turned into a legendary landmark. Afterwards, visit Custer State Park for lunch and some scenic views. Then go for a trip to the Crazy Horse Memorial and more. This tour is one must-see adventure for everyone who ventures into the Mount Rushmore area.
After a trip to Mount Rushmore, you might find yourself inspired to go rock climbing. For those who have never been rock climbing before, a great rock climbing experience can be found with the Mt Rushmore Rock Climbing Adventure for Beginners. This course teaches you the basics for a fun and safe first rock climbing experience. You can enjoy the beauty of the landscape while enjoying the thrill of learning a new skill. The 3 Hour Black Hills Rock Climbing Adventure is also great for beginners, and a rock climbing professional stays with the group for safe climbing.
Celebrating George Washington’s Birth in February at Mt. Rushmore, SD
On February 22nd, in the year 1732, our first president was born. George Washington, a great American leader, is honored for his contribution to the United States of America. What better way to celebrate the day of his birth than to visit Mount Rushmore, SD and gaze at the 6 story tall carving made to honor him and others who continued to help build America?
There are many events offered at Mount Rushmore to help you get the ultimate experience of the great monument. There are vacation packages such as the Mount Rushmore Weekend Getaway Package, which lasts for two days for those who can’t spend as much time visiting South Dakota. Or, for those who would love to spend more time celebrating Washington and visiting Mount Rushmore, there is the longer option of the Best of Mt. Rushmore Vacation Package, which lasts for five days.
Of course, there are other ways to visit the beautiful Mount Rushmore for those who are not interested in packages for their trips. There are train rides that will take you through the beautiful terrain of the Mount Rushmore area. One particularly special train ride is on an authentic steam engine. This restored steam engine can be ridden as part of the 1880 Train: A 19th Century Train Ride Tour. Or, there is the Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour which also includes a train ride on a similarly restored steam engine. No matter your choice, Mount Rushmore is sure to be a place to enjoy and remember.
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!
The Mt Rushmore Area Offers a Patriotic End to Winter
Featuring numerous small, inviting towns; patriotic, national landmarks; and a general rustic feel; the Mt Rushmore area offers a perfect escape for those looking to end their winter focusing on charm and revered history of America. Certainly, a visit to the area is incomplete without experiencing Mt Rushmore itself, though amidst the shadow of the national tribute to our forefathers, visitors will find a variety of attractions to compliment all that Mt Rushmore stands for.
Located in Lead, SD, President’s Park is one such attraction. Featuring twenty-foot busts of 42 of our nation’s presidents, President’s Park continues where Mt Rushmore leaves off. From iconic figures including Abraham Lincoln and George Washington to current president, Barack Obama, this larger-than-life attraction features a veritable timeline of the men who have guided our country to greatness.
In Keystone, SD, visitors will find a more life-like rendition of our nation’s leaders with the National Presidential Wax Museum. At the museum, visitors will enjoy scenes displaying each of America’s presidents captured in some of their most memorable moments. Whether reliving President Roosevelt’s visit to Yelta, President Washington overseeing the creation of the nation’s flag, or President Bush’s visit to Ground Zero, each step is a veritable trip into the powerful history that helped shape America.
Travel back in time this winter with a visit to the Mt Rushmore area for a memorable look into America’s rich history and a glimpse into the greatness to come!
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.
