6 Places to Visit in South Dakota
So, I must admit – South Dakota wasn’t somewhere I was expecting to blog about. We decided to go as a surprise to celebrate my husband’s 55th birthday because he’s always wanted to see Mount Rushmore. I must say I didn’t have high expectations for the trip, but it turns out South Dakota is beautiful and has A LOT of cool places to see. We had an amazing time! Below I’ve listed some sightseeing ideas that are driving distance from Rapid City.
Where to Stay:
We flew into Rapid City, rented a car and stayed in their downtown area. Talk about charming! Lots of walkable shops, restaurants and breweries. As you’re walking around the downtown area they have life-size bronze statues of the American presidents on each street corner. Lots of fun photo ops to be had with those! We stayed at the Alex Johnson Hotel and would absolutely recommend it. It’s a Hilton so it has modern amenities, but they kept a rustic feel to the lobby. They have a Starbucks and Irish pub attached for easy access to coffee or cocktails. The hotel also a killer rooftop bar with enclosed glass and fire pits. You have an amazing view of the whole city and can have dinner served up there.
- Mount Rushmore
Obviously, this was going to be on the list – however I highly recommend hiring a driver for visiting the monument. We hired a car and driver through Viator.com. This worked out perfectly for us. We had a driver who was very knowledgeable about the history of South Dakota. He was funny and gave lots of information on the sights we were going to see. The entry fees to the monument were all included in the tour price. They have a nice museum on site and souvenir shop for after you see Mount Rushmore. Afterwards our driver showed us some secret tunnels along the roadways that showcased the monument. We definitely wouldn’t have experienced that without a knowledgeable driver.
2. Custer State Park
It’s a beautiful park with over 70,000 acres of land and lots of animals to see. There are many wild roaming bison. Of course, it’s not recommended that you approach them, but we saw several people outside of their cars trying to get a closer look! One thing we really loved was the wild donkeys that roam the park. They will come up to your car with hopes you will give them treats! So this is your reminder to bring some apples! The state park excursion was also included in the tour we booked through Viator.com. We were thankful that we had someone to drive us so we could enjoy the scenery.
3. Crazy Horse Memorial
The Crazy Horse Memorial has been in progress since 1948 and is still under construction. The portions that are currently in process are quite stunning. It’s anticipated to be the world’s second tallest statue if it’s completed as designed. The Indian Museum of North America is also located at the Crazy Horse site. They have a lot of neat American Indian artifacts and is worth visiting.
4. Sturgis
Well known for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally held in August which brings 500,000+ people into the town! But even in off season it’s an interesting place to visit. Its home to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it houses some incredible vintage motorcycles and historical artifacts. My husband is a motorcycle guy and really enjoyed the whole thing.
5. Full Throttle Saloon
It’s the world’s largest biker bar and THE MOST incredible bar I have ever seen. You might remember the reality TV show that aired from 2009-2015. We visited during the off season and the employees working that day opened the place up and gave us a whole tour! They were so friendly and fun! The place itself is huge and decorated with enormous unique metal art pieces. There are literally full-size cars and motorcycles mounted on the walls as decoration. I’d absolutely recommend seeing it in person. There’s also a storefront attached where they sell Full Throttle Sloonshine from their distillery.
6. Deadwood
This charming town has lots of history. Many old west figures have come through such as Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane and even Wild Bill Hickock (who was killed there.) Both Calamity Jane and Wild Bill are buried in the Mount Moriah Cemetery located in Deadwood. Pam’s Purple Door is also located there which was a famous brothel that goes back to 1876. Now the brothel is a souvenir shop. There are so many cute shops and bars lining both sides of the main street! Be sure to pop into Pink Door Boutique which has great women’s clothing and accessories. Gambling at Cadillac Jacks is a must and getting cocktails at Saloon #10 where Wild Bill Hickock was shot. Above Saloon #10 is a rooftop bar called The Social Club that has great Martinis.
Honestly, South Dakota had a lot more to offer than I originally expected. There are several national parks, museums and historical sites that we didn’t have time to visit. Hopefully this gives you some inspiration and ideas for your next destination. Feel free to leave a comment letting me know what your favorite SD experience is!