Mountains, Monuments, and More in the Greater Mount Rushmore Area
April 23, 2013 by Van Shipley
Filed under Mount Rushmore, VME
It’s a great time to visit the beautiful Mount Rushmore monument and the Keystone area, but isn’t it always!? You can experience this American icon and more while taking a trip to beautiful South Dakota. You can tour the Black Hills, take a 19th century train ride, visit the presidential wax museum and even play a round of mini-golf! Here are a few of our favorite attractions from the Mount Rushmore area to keep your vacation busy and exciting!
Located in nearby Rapid City, The Journey Museum tells the history of the area, as well as the story of the people who first came to the area and the scientists who study them. Some different collections and museums include the Museum of Geology, where you can touch a dinosaur bone and observe geologists at work, or the Sioux Indian Museum, which includes interactive stories and activities while you learn the history of the Lakota Nation. These collections are just a few of the amazing artifacts, stories, and arts that The Journey Museum has to offer. For more information, take a look at our page at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GreaterMountRushmoreAreaSD/activity/TheJourneyMuseum.cfm
Check out this informative guided tour, where you will see the world’s largest mammoth research facility. You’ll learn all about the greatest creatures to roam the North American continent, the Mammoth. Unearth the history behind both the mammoths and how they shaped the culture of the people who inhabited this beautiful area. The site where the movie “Hidalgo” was filmed is available to see as well! See this historical museum and visit the paleontology laboratory. Check out more information at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GreaterMountRushmoreAreaSD/activity/MammothSiteofHotSprings1.cfm
The Holy Terror Mini Golf course is tucked-away on the side of a pine-covered slope that is located in Keystone at the Presidential Wax Museum. Named after the last active gold mine in Keystone, the course takes you on a wild adventure as you putt around huge boulders, up steep hills, thru the mine slew, around the water wheel and bubbling stream that makes getting a ‘hole-in-one’ an exciting challenge. This 18-hole course will appeal to any age, making it an excellent choice for a break from all the fantastic sightseeing in Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. It’s a family golf experience your family will never forget. Add an afternoon of fun to your itinerary by taking the challenge of the Holy Terror Mini Golf course today! View us for more information at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GreaterMountRushmoreAreaSD/activity/HolyTerrorMiniGolf.cfm
These are just a few of the options that are available in the greater Mount Rushmore area. Check us out at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GreaterMountRushmoreAreaSD/ to see all of the other great attractions in the area.
Mount Rushmore Has More in Store!
February 13, 2013 by Van Shipley
Filed under Mount Rushmore, VME
Did you know that completion of the monument occurred in late 1941? Or that the initial design was to include the four presidents from head to waist? These are just some facts about one of our country’s famous landmarks.
As the calendar moves past winter, the temperatures are beginning to rise and more of the over 3 million annual visitors will begin making the trek to the Black Hills region. Visitors are often surprised to find out that there is more to the area than just visiting the monument. Local attractions include tours, a gold mine adventure, and mini-golf. Keep reading for a few exciting events in the city, or visit us for a complete list of things to do, hotels, and more at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GreaterMountRushmoreAreaSD/
The Journey Museum
Located in nearby Rapid City, The Journey Museum tells the history of the area, as well as the story of the people who first came to the area and the scientists who study them. Some different collections and museums include the Museum of Geology, where you can touch a dinosaur bone and observe geologists at work, or the Sioux Indian Museum, which includes interactive stories and activities while you learn the history of the Lakota Nation. These collections are just a few of the amazing artifacts, stories, and arts that The Journey Museum has to offer. For more information, take a look at our page at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GreaterMountRushmoreAreaSD/activity/TheJourneyMuseum.cfm
National Presidential Wax Museum
Keystone, South Dakota is home to this exciting and patriotic museum. Your one-hour tour (approximately) is full of accurately detailed surroundings and authentic costumes which allow you to actually feel like you are right there with President Reagan while the Berlin wall falls, or standing next to President Nixon as he welcomes home the astronauts of the Apollo 11. The amazing wax statues are extremely lifelike and sure to be hit for people of all ages. Don’t forget to visit the gift shop to pick up some museum quality souvenirs of everything presidential, like collectibles, fine porcelain, sculptures, and presidential china. For tickets and more information, visit us at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GreaterMountRushmoreAreaSD/activity/NationalPresidentialWaxMuseum1.cfm
Available to visit year round, the monument is beautiful to see in all four seasons. In addition to Mount Rushmore, there are excellent attractions to visit and great hotels to stay at. For vacation ideas be sure and visit our Vacation Package page for pre-made packages, or use our package generator to create your own custom vacation ideas!
Celebrate the Holidays at Mt. Rushmore
November 20, 2012 by Shannon Walter
Filed under Mount Rushmore, VME
There’s plenty to do in the Mt. Rushmore area during fall and winter, starting with the 15th Annual Festival of Lights in Rapid City. Thousands of visitors each year come to watch the parade of glowing, light-covered floats, horse-drawn carriages, animals costumed in their holiday best, animated scenes, live marching bands, and a full-size locomotive. The parade kicks off at 6:00 in downtown Rapid City on November24.
Mammoth Site of Hot Springs
Geology buffs or anyone looking for family fun will love the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs. A 30 minute tour from a knowledgeable guide, special exhibits about the mighty mammoth, and an active scientific excavation site are yours to explore. Learn about mammoths and how they influenced past people of the Dakotas, and see how paleontologists are working to solve the mysteries of the past.
Mt. Rushmore Audio Tours
See the Mt. Rushmore national Memorial at your own pace with the Mt. Rushmore Audio Tour. A hand held audiobox plays informative narration, interviews, sound effects, and recordings of the monument’s creator, Gutzon Borglum. You can listen to the tour as you walk around the memorial grounds or while you sit and relax. The tour is available in English, German, Spanish, and Lakota.
Browse our selection of cozy hotels in the Mount Rushmore area, from Rapid City to Deadwood and various points in between.
Take A Nostalgic Vacation in South Dakota
November 6, 2012 by Shannon Walter
Filed under Mount Rushmore, VME
Late October marks the beginning of pheasant season in sprawling South Dakota. Each year more than 1 million roosters pheasants are harvested with hunters greatly stimulating the economy of South Dakota while reducing the pheasant population. Pheasant hunting lasts until January 6, 2013. Out-of-state residents will have to purchase a special liscence to hunt. Hunters are only allowed to bring in 3 pheasants per day. For more information about pheasant hunting, visit the South Dakota gaming website. After doing some hunting, check out some of South Dakota’s great attractions including Mount Rushmore in Keystone and the Pioneer Auto Show & Antique Town in Murdo.
Pioneer Auto Show & Antique Town
Auto enthusiasts will not want to miss this awesome attraction in Murdo, South Dakota, located east of Mount Rushmore. The famous attraction all started in 1954 when AJ “Dick” Geisler had a great idea. After moving to South Dakota to farm ten years previously, Dick, who was always looking for new challenges, opened a gas station on a busy corner. Many of his customers were travelers stopping in town to buy gas on the way to Mount Rushmore. To entice people to stop by, Dick parked vintage cars in the parking lot. His crown jewel was a 1913 Ford Peddler’s Wagon, a classic car that is still on display at their antique show. What started as a simple idea to drum up some business turned into a modest collection of vintage cars that the public loved. So, four years after purchasing the gas station, he decided to build a museum to display his car collection properly thus marking the beginning of the Pioneer Auto Museum.
Eventually the attraction grew to more than 30 buildings featuring, of course, classic cars but also tractors and hundreds of vintage collectibles including gas pumps, bicycles, and antique toys. Since Dick passed away in 1973, his sons John and Dave have been running the business which is now home to a 1950’s style diner, the National Rockhound Hall of Fame & Lapidary, and the historic WNAX Filling Station.
The 50s style diner strives to provide travelers with a truly nostalgic dining experience complete with small-town charm. The classic diner serves up yummy old-fashioned burgers and shakes among other things. The atmosphere will take visitors back to yesteryear when Elvis Presley was rocking the stage and Marilyn Monroe was lighting up the silver screen. The National Rockhoud Hall of Fame showcases the gems and minerals collection of the late June Culp Zeitner who was dubbed “First Lady of Gems.” Zeitner contributed greatly to the study of rocks and minerals, wrote 12 books, and published more than 1,000 articles on the subject. Her fascinatingly diverse collection can be seen in the museum. Last but not least, the Pioneer Auto Show & Antique Town showcases the historic WNAX gas station relocated from Vivian, South Dakota, to Murdo. The famous “Fair Price Station” was originally built in 1930. The service station perfectly compliments the collection at the museum.
Next time you’re passing through South Dakota, take the time to stop at this amazing attraction in Murdo. For ticket information and hours of operation, visit this website.
There are several small towns in South Dakota with fabulous hotels, cozy hunting lodges, or rustic vacation rental cabins. For more lodging information, check out our website.
Celebrate United States History at Mount Rushmore
October 23, 2012 by Shannon Walter
Filed under Mount Rushmore, VME
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!
Celebrate October in the Greater Mount Rushmore Area
October 8, 2012 by Shannon Walter
Filed under Mount Rushmore, VME
Enjoy a night of mystery in nearby Rapid City, South Dakota, with Uncle Monkey’s Melodrama. The group will be presenting “The Secret of Skull Island” October 19, 20, and 21 at the Dahl Arts Center. Guests will be lured into an eerie world on Skull Island on Cape Cod when seven guests receive letters of invitation from a New Jersey bank at the beginning of the show. They are all hoping for financial gains but what they get is murder! Follow along with this tantalizing story as you unravel the mystery during the show. There are several prime suspects but there is only one murderer!
After a night of mystery, travel back in time at the Journey Museum in Rapid City, South Dakota. The museum’s goal is to preserve the history of the area and explore the heritage and cultures of the people who call the area home. Upon entrance to the museum, you will be taken back in time, to approximately 2.5 billion years ago when the Western Great Plains were formed in this area. You will discover dinosaurs in the prairie, learn why the Sioux Indians called the Black Hills the “Center of the Universe,” and follow along with the hardships that settlers experienced as they came upon the vast wilderness of the area. The entire museum brings together four prehistoric and historic collections to tell visitors the complete story of the Western Great Plains. For more information on exhibits and tickets, follow this link.
Located in nearby Keystone, South Dakota, the Holy Terror Mini Golf course, will take you and your family on a wild adventure. The course is named after the last active gold mine in Keystone. The 18-hole course forces you to putt around giant boulders, up impossible hills, through a mine, around a water wheel, and finally past a bubbling stream. Getting a “hole-in-one” is an exciting challenge suited for the best putters! The Holy Terror Mini Golf course is located just 5 minutes from Mount Rushmore so it is the perfect stop for families after seeing the magnificent structure. For more information, follow this link.
A plethora of lodging options await in the Greater Mount Rushmore area. Whether you’re searching for a fun hotel for the family with a water slide shooting into the pool or looking for a unique historic hotel, you’re sure to find the perfect hotel for you!
Celebrate October with Pumpkin Bog Fest
September 26, 2012 by Shannon Walter
Filed under Mount Rushmore, VME
Prairie Berry Winery is celebrating the month of October with Pumpkin Bog Fest, featuring fun events every Saturday starting October 6 and lasting until October 27. For the first week, the winery is going to celebrate the artist that designed this year’s label for their Pumpkin Bog Wine, a seasonal pumpkin and cranberry wine that’s released each year. Get a signature from the artist and take home your own bottle on October 6. The next week, they are hosting live music from Tony Memmel, a songwriter who was born without his left forearm and has taught himself to play several instruments. His music and story are an inspiration that should not be missed. Finally on October 27, bring the kids out to enjoy Magic Keith as he performs fascinating tricks and creates amazing balloon art. All events are appropriate for the whole family and are free to the public.
Visit the world’s largest mammoth research facility in Hot Springs, South Dakota, where more than 26,000 years ago large wooly mammoths roamed. In 1974, the bones of these fascinating creatures were discovered near a spring-fed pond in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Hundreds of scientists dedicated themselves to carefully excavating 59 of these magnificent creatures. Now, years later, they have built a climate-controlled museum around the site creating a world-renown research center for Pleistocene studies. Most of the mammoths have remained in the ground creating a one-of-a-kind museum experience. More and more mammoths are being found each year. Find out more about visiting Mammoth Site of Hot Springs at this link.
Flying T Chuckwagon Supper & Show
Receive a true Old West experience at the Flying T Chuckwagon Supper & Show where you’ll be treated to a hearty meal, hilarious comedy, and toe-tapping Western music. The Flying T Wranglers will delight you from the moment that you arrive at this fun cowboy show. The show starts when the bell rings at which point you will be served a feast including buffalo stew, chicken and dumplings, cole slaw, cornbread, and Native American-inspired blackberry pudding. Once you’re stuffed, the show will start on the live Western Stage Show. The show is appropriate for folks of all ages to enjoy. The Flying T Wranglers will play a mixture of cowboy classics, bluegrass, and country swing music. For more information about the show and how to get tickets, follow this link.
The Greater Mount Rushmore area offers a plethora of lodging choices at affordable prices. Looking to stay in the area longer? Choose a historic vacation rental for you and the whole family! Click here for more information on lodging in the Mount Rushmore area.
Oktoberfest in the Black Hills
September 12, 2012 by admin
Filed under Mount Rushmore, VME
Oktoberfest in Deadwood, South Dakota, offers a perfect blend of German and Wild West culture. The festivities take place in historic downtown Deadwood. The festival runs October 5-6, with a polka party, free food, a myriad of vendors, giveaways, and of course beer! Don’t miss the festival on Saturday, when the celebration culminates with several friendly competitions: a German cook-off, a wife-carrying contest, the Beer Barrel Games, and a wiener dog race.
Mt. Rushmore Grand Legends Tour
The Grand Legends Tour gives you a full day of effortless exploring and sightseeing in the Black Hills. Start the day with breakfast at the Mt Rushmore National Memorial, where you’ll see the monument itself and explore the exhibits at the visitor center. You will also see the very best of the rugged Black Hills scenery as you pass through Custer State Park and visit the Crazy Horse Memorial. The tour includes a ride on the 1880 Train for a taste of South Dakota history.
1880 Train
Travel in high 19th-century style aboard the 1880 Train! This authentic steam train has been restored to let you see the gorgeous Black Hills scenery the way some of South Dakota’s early settlers did. The train travels between Keystone and Hill City and passes several historical sites from the era of the first western steam trains: Kennedyville, an 1880s mining community; the Holy Terror Mine; Addie Camp, where there was once a mine and camp; and many more, not to mention the stunning natural scenery.
The Journey Museum
Delve further into history at the Journey Museum, where you can learn about the history of the Black Hills area. Start by learning about the dinosaurs whose fossils are still hidden in the hills, then see artifacts and exhibits about the Native American cultures of the area, the pioneers and miners, and the modern cultures and industries of South Dakota. Hear stories from a Lakota storyteller, touch a dinosaur bone, see artifacts from the first pioneers and soldiers, and learn about the formation of the Black Hills themselves.
There are plenty of fantastic lodging options in the area as well. From historic hotels and casinos in Deadwood to modern hotels in the heart of Rapid City, there’s sure to be something perfect for you. Click here for more about great lodging in the Mt. Rushmore area.
A Very Scenic Vacation in Mount Rushmore
August 27, 2012 by admin
Filed under Mount Rushmore, VME
If you’re looking for some scenic activities while traveling in the Mount Rushmore area, there are plenty to choose from. Visit the incredible structure with one of two exciting and picturesque tours. Climb aboard a classic, 19th century train and travel through the beautiful Black Hills. The possibilities are endless in Mount Rushmore.
With the Mount Rushmore Grand Legends Tour, you’ll get the opportunity to see the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, the Crazy Horse Memorial and more. You’ll also get to ride an 1880 Train to get a more personal feel with the history and culture of South Dakota. See the magnificent and massive faces of four of our nation’s presidents. Drive on the Iron Mountain Road, with pigtail bridges and views of the Black Hills that will take your breath away. All of this and more is available with the Grand Legends Tour.
The Mount Rushmore Audio Tour won’t just allow you to see the spectacular sights, but will also give you the chance to listen to a handheld audio box on a self-guided tour. Take your time at the monument as an audio guide relays narrations, music, interviews, sound effects and historic recordings. You’ll even get to hear from Gutzon Borglum, the creator of Mount Rushmore, as well as members of his family, American Indians and workers. Along the way, you’ll get to stare out at some of the most unbelievable views in the area.
For a truly incomparable sightseeing experience, take the 1880 Train: A 19th Century Train Ride Tour. This opportunity will give take you through the Black Hills, winding through the countryside on a smooth and powerful steam engine. You can depart from Hill City or Keystone on this roundtrip ride. Along the way, you’ll see historical sites such as Tin Mill Hill, Kennedyville, Addie Camp, Good Luck Tungsten Mine, Battle Creek, Etta Camp, Holly Terror Mine, Blue Bird Mill and much more.
Any of these exciting activities will give you some of the most beautiful views of South Dakota. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to get a truly scenic trip.
The Mount Rushmore Ultimate Family Vacation
August 22, 2012 by admin
Filed under Mount Rushmore, VME
If you are considering Mount Rushmore for your next family trip, then you’re in luck. Vacations Made Easy has come up with a package that will make your trip the “Ultimate” family vacation. This package includes four nights’ lodging, the Grand Legends Tour, admission into the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs and the Big Thunder Gold Mine Tour and Panning Combo. All of these activities will make your visit the best possible experience.
Pick the hotel of your choice in the Mount Rushmore area, including the Best Western Buffalo Ridge Inn, the Comfort Inn & Suites Rapid City, the Hotel Alex Johnson and the Best Western Four Presidents Lodge. Each of these hotels will provide you with all of the comforts and amenities you need, while putting you nearby all of the fun activities.
Spend day one of your trip exploring the national landmark. The Grand Legends Tour will take you to some of the most interesting points in the area. You’ll see the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, the Crazy Horse Memorial, the Iron Mountain Road and more. You’ll also get the opportunity to ride the 1880 Train. Also included in the tour is a Monumental Breakfast Special. The tour lasts for approximately nine hours, so be sure to bring your camera and your energy.
Then, after you’ve rested up in your comfortable hotel room, spend the second day at the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, where you can visit an actual, working paleontological dig site. Learn all about the wooly mammoths that once resided in this area. This museum will allow you to combine exhibits, a 30-minute tour, a video presentation, a scientific excavation and more all into one incredible experience.
Next on the agenda is the Big Thunder Gold Mine. With the Ultimate Family Vacation Package, you’ll get to combine a tour of the mine with the gold panning option for a day filled with fun and history. You’ll go back in time to see what the mine was once like and learn why the Black Hills of South Dakota are so famous for gold. Then, after you’ve heard and seen what it was like for the workers of the mine, you’ll get to become one yourself. Try out gold panning in the stream for yourself; you’re guaranteed to find something!
This Mount Rushmore package is the perfect choice for you and your family. Spend some time together on a vacation that is both educational and entertaining. It’s sure to be one trip you won’t soon forget.
