Mount Rushmore Preps for Holidays with Country Fair Thanksgiving Show!
Held each year at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, the Country Fair Thanksgiving Show in the Mount Rushmore area’s Rapid City is a great way to lighten your spirits during the year-end holidays. If you come down late in November, you’ll be able to take part in the event’s festivities, offering handmade arts and crafts, fall recipes, fun toys for the kids and Christmas decorations to prepare for the season. You can browse the booths set up all over the fair grounds to experience the full effect of the festival. If you’d like to stay for the duration of the Thanksgiving holidays, be sure to book Mount Rushmore lodging as well.
The area has plenty of other activities beyond Rapid City, and you can get your fill of interesting artifacts and influential findings through tours like the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs – Hot Springs, SD. Your guide will take you through a state-of-the-art research facility exploring the lives of the mammoths as well as the early tribes that once lived in the nearby areas. As your guide will no doubt point out, the area you’re learning about also has sections where the movie, “Hidalgo,” was shot.
Next, you can discover the President’s Park – A Sculpture Park Tribute, which features 42 of our great presidents such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt. Each presidential painting was designed and created by famous artist David Adickes. The fun museum has biographical summaries of each president as well as a delicious on-site restaurant called the Garden Cafe for the whole family as well as a gift shop and visitor center.
You can celebrate American history to your heart’s content while you’re in the Mount Rushmore area. Enjoy fellowship and fun with your whole family as well.
Mount Rushmore Attractions Offer Centuries of Historical Knowledge!
Head to one of the greatest manmade landmarks in the nation this fall – Mount Rushmore. You can view the four presidents and the surrounding landscape in all of its beauty as the leaves change from dark green to fiery red to pale gold. The pines and rocky formations will make your vacation to this South Dakota region completely worthwhile. Bring along your camera, and make sure you look into some of the other Mount Rushmore activities listed below:
Big Thunder Gold Mine – Keystone, SD
During this authentic experience, you’ll be able to tour an actual mine that was used extensively by settlers who wished to strike it rich. Tour guides will provide you with a piece of the surrounding history of the mine which was discovered in 1882. You’ll be able to pan for gold and look for veins of ore or other minerals that might still run through the mine. You’re guaranteed to find gold on this great adventure, so bring along your friends and family!
The Journey Museum – Rapid City
Nearby, you can head over to the Journey Museum to understand the history behind the Western Great Plains. Much of the archeological evidence has been preserved through collections ranging from real dinosaur bones to remnants of the artifacts spanning across more than 10,000 years of artifacts. If you’re interested in other cultures, you can view the Duhamel Collection of Native American Artifacts, which is composed of materials created and used by the Sioux Native Americans.
National Presidential Wax Museum – Keystone, SD
Finally, lighten your trip up with a walkthrough of famous Presidents both modern and older. You’ll see the presidents dressed up in some of the same period uniforms that they wore back when they served in office. The wax presidents are immersed in their own historic eras, and you’ll be able to see President Roosevelt in Yalta and President Nixon as he shook the hands of astronauts returning from their first moon voyage.
As long as you’re in Mount Rushmore, you’ll want to experience the area’s history and culture to its fullest. View the scenery of the fall season this October!
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.
Experience Diverse History in Mount Rushmore
Guests who come to Mount Rushmore will find that the area has a diverse history to share with visitors. With everything from a mine dating back to the gold rush to the National Presidential Wax Museum which chronicles the history of the United States’ presidents, there is no end to the history you can explore. Come and see it all for yourself before summer ends!
Visitors to the Mount Rushmore area should not miss out on their chance to see Mount Rushmore. This impressive monument stands over 5,000 feet tall and has the faces of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln carved into a mountain. This representation of the first 150 years of America is impressive to say the least. The audio tour of Mount Rushmore gives you the chance to study the area at your leisure while listening to narration, music, and interviews about the making of Mount Rushmore.
For a look at history that dates back to the Ice Age, check out Mammoth Site of Hot Springs. This site is a fascinating place to explore. You will start out with a guided tour of a working paleontology lab where you can see fossils of the mighty mammoth and then relax for a video presentation. Your time at the site can also be spent exploring the many exhibits and excavations taking place. This is a step back in time that proves fascinating for people of all ages.
If you’re interested in the history of the Gold Rush, you will definitely want to visit the Big Thunder Gold Mine while you’re in the Mount Rushmore area. Big Thunder Gold Mine is an authentic gold mine that dates back to 1882. A tour guide will lead you around to various sites in the mine to tell you what it was like to work in the gold mine back in the 1800s. For those interested, there is even an opportunity to pan for gold just like miners used to in the old days.
The Journey Museum – Rapid City
For a museum that will take you on an adventure through many pieces of American history, check out The Journey Museum. This museum has exhibits featuring geology, archeology, Native Americans, and pioneers. This museum clearly chronicles the history of South Dakota so you can see a timeline of how the area developed. It’s a fascinating way of learning that is fun for people of all ages!
National Presidential Wax Museum
If you’re more interested in the history of the United States and its presidents, you’re going to want to visit the National Presidential Wax Museum. This museum has a collection of incredible wax figures resembling past presidents. You can have your picture taken with George Washington as you learn about him. In addition, this museum has fine sculptures, presidential china, and other collectables for guests to view while they’re visiting.
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.
Rapid City Hosts Central States Fair and Rodeo
Rapid City is host to Central States Fair and Rodeo which is taking place from August 20-29 where you can see great grandstand events including Supercross racing, a metal crushing demolition derby, artists such as Clay Walker, The Band Perry, Uncle Kracker, Little River Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Gary Allan. To top off all the excitement there will be the PRCA Range Days Rodeo for three action packed nights during the fair. Bring the whole family to Central States Fair and Rodeo to enjoy fun crafts, a petting zoo, and many more exciting activities.
While you’re visiting the Mount Rushmore area, be sure to check out other great activities including the Chuckwagon Dinner and Music Show at Circle B Ranch, 1880 Train: A 19th Century Train Ride Tour, and many more! To view a list of activities in the Mount Rushmore area, click here.
Chuckwagon Dinner and Western Music Show at Circle B Ranch
This dinner experience has been entertaining guests with the Chuckwagon Dinner and Music Show since 1976. There are over 60 acres filled with trail rides, playgrounds, model calf roping, a wax bullet shooting gallery, and more fun activities. After a day filled with fun, you can enjoy a great supper that includes scrumptious roast beef, BBQ chicken, biscuits, and more delectable choices. After your meal, sit back and enjoy wonderful traditional cowboy music from Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, the Sons of the Pioneers, and many more classic artists by talented musicians.
1880 Train: A 19th Century Train Ride Tour
On the 1880 Train, you can experience how people traveled in the 19th century on an authentic steam engine train that has been fully restored. Enjoy the incredible scenery of the Black Hills as you travel along the smooth tracks. Choose to have a classic box lunch along the ride for the ultimate experience of the “good ole days.” The train departs from Hill City as well as Keystone making this a versatile option for your trip to the Mount Rushmore area in South Dakota.
During your trip to Central States Fair and Rodeo or if you just wish to travel to the Mount Rushmore area for your vacation, we offer several great hotels to make your stay comfortable. For a list of hotels in the Mount Rushmore area, click here.
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.
