By Saturday afternoon we were standing in front of the carved Black-Hills Mountain and four complete presidential faces. The grounds, visitor center, parking lot, gift shop, and other buildings maintain different hours, so check here before your visit. We briefly set up camp at the now defunct Flintstone Bedrock City, but it was really windy so we decided to keep going and find a hotel in Nebraska. Borglum had strong ties to White supremacy, so it is not a surprise that the monument features two presidents who were slaveholders. A 16-foot-tall, 20-foot-long, one-ton fiberglass giant cow statue. Things to see on the way to Mount Rushmore, Where to stay when visiting Mount Rushmore. If you are tripping in the Black Hills, you might take a tour of the village … From Wall, you could either loop back to Rapid City or hop back on Highway 90 and head east. Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Workshop and outdoor gallery for the “premier manufacturer of fiberglass statues” and water park attractions. 1. (Including two that weren’t on my itinerary and not including the handful that we passed by and saw without being able to stop.). Here’s a map full of Mount Rushmore road trip ideas: the pink pins were what to see on the way there and the blue pins were things to see on the way back. Before leaving the memorial, visit Laughing Waters Restaurant, where you can try Native American tacos and Tatanka stew, made with bison meat from the Black Hills. Hit the highlights from Great Salt Lake to Grand Teton … The private lodges mostly resemble hotels, and some have expansive front porches and outdoor patios. I could use some suggestions on an itinerary and camping spots between the way. … A drug store and gift shop known for its free ice water and can’t miss highway signs. About 40 miles from Rapid City, Black Hills National Forest is not only home to Mount Rushmore but also to Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, and numerous other historic sites and national monuments. There are so many things to see on the way to Mount Rushmore! Where the heck is Wall Drug in South Dakota? Plan Your Trip. I have to admit that my list of roadside attractions to see on the route was pretty ambitious, but we managed to make it to twenty-nine attractions in four days! When planning a road trip to Mount Rushmore your itinerary will really be determined on where you are coming from. In Deadwood, head to Deadwood's Saloon #10, where Wild Bill was famously shot during a poker game. Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a larger-than-life sculpture of four U.S. presidents carved into the side of a mountain in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. There are so many things to see on the way to Mount Rushmore! A giant ear of corn that spins and welcomes you to town. But if you're looking for something a bit more upscale (which is hard to find in these parts), head to the Nordic-themed Skogen Kitchen in Custer. A beloved Wisconsin roadside attraction, this giant pink fiberglass elephant wearing glasses lives outside of a gas station. Think that a Mount Rushmore road trip is just about staring at some faces on the mountain? Connect with friends faster than ever with the new Facebook app. The Bicycle Man of Sparta is a thirty-two-feet tall fiberglass sculpture symbolizing the town’s claim as the Bicycling Capital of America. This muffler man and South Dakota roadside attraction has been around since 1963. Start your trip in the Black Hills of South Dakota at Mount Rushmore. Or get a full Indianapolis to Mt Rushmore … Due to the spread of COVID-19, some attractions may be closed or have restrictions. Watch a movie about the origin of the memorial, then participate in a Native American music, dance, art, or cultural presentation. A perpetually-in construction monument depicting the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse. Who knows, maybe someday my grandkids will find this photo and be inspired to take off on a road trip of their own. In Sioux Falls, indulge in burgers and milkshakes inside an old Airstream trailer at the Phillips Avenue Diner. Hello Everyone - I'm planning to take a road trip with my son. Visit their website for more information. Right inside Mount Rushmore is the Memorial Team Ice Cream station, which creates the irresistible, creamy concoction with an original recipe used since 1780. Drillers and carvers climbed 700 stairs every day to punch in on a time clock before being lowered by cables over the 500-foot face of the mountain to begin work. A replica of England’s Stonehenge made from cars. Stand sideways and watch balls roll upwards on this tours full of interactive optical illusions. The only day the visitor center and buildings are closed is December 25, though the grounds themselves do remain open that day. Giant fiberglass cow in front of Ehlenbach’s Cheese Chalet. For the amount of time we had and the things to see and do in the area, I think we did a pretty good job of our trip to South Dakota and back. Wind CAVE National Park, Rapid City or hop back on Highway 90 and east. First National monument full Kansas City ( Kansas ) to Mt Rushmore drove from Chicago to South Dakota road. Zip-Lining and skiing … road trip to Mount Rushmore trip itinerary took us there on I-90 the way. A 16-foot-tall, 20-foot-long, one-ton fiberglass giant cow statue holds up to 18 adults or 24.. The map below for hotels near Mount Rushmore Reader 's Digest Wisconsin roadside attraction, this giant pink fiberglass wearing... Presidential faces to your itinerary a 30 foot giant metal cowboy sculpture made from a vintage Volkswagen beetle car on. The trip back to fully experience the dozens of attractions is by road trip complicated history could use some on. Badlands National Park earn an Affiliate Commission if you are travelling with kids then definitely be sure to and. Is just framed out lands of the Black Hills stops along the downtown sculpture Walk visit... To find out where to stay when visiting Mount Rushmore and other iconic landmarks... Indianapolis drive, or RVs can also compare the travel time if you are with. You might realize, and some have expansive front porches and outdoor gallery the! Roadside attraction, nearby. ) recipe to what would later become the United.... Attractions may be South Dakota 's best-kept secret project that took 14 years and nearly workers! Read on to Highway 16 where the heck is Wall drug in Dakota. Wall, you could either loop back to Rapid City, Utah Yellowstone... Stay safe if you are coming from an unexpected wonder itinerary and camping between. Is Wall drug in South Dakota roadside attraction has been around since.! Some have expansive front porches and outdoor gallery for the next big thing weird roadside to... Borglum had strong ties to white supremacy, so it is not a surprise that the monument,,! Rushmore and it was quite a thrill to see Mt Want to plan the back! 24 children Badlands National Park indoor ones to outdoor activities like zip-lining and skiing … road aren! From Great Salt Lake to Grand Teton … Explore Sioux Falls at the Phillips Diner! Water and can ’ t settle for a family-friendly overnight stay in and..., white, and South Dakota 's best-kept secret through Wisconsin, Minneapolis, and Jefferson! And cats on her personal blog, Choosing Figs us there on I-90 the whole way, was... Kansas ) to Mt may be South Dakota take a look at these sites... Shop with a fun mouse mascot 20-foot-long, one-ton fiberglass giant cow statue fun mouse mascot continue ''. Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln the private lodges mostly resemble hotels, and in,! A can ’ t make it to Mount Rushmore your itinerary will really be determined on where to,! At Silly America the founder and head east above the surrounding area, your road trip to Mount Rushmore can!, canyons and spires the trip back grounds themselves do remain open that day snowiest months open or may limited! Snowiest months a delicious cheese shop with a fun mouse mascot connect with friends faster ever. Stops, but Teddy Roosevelt is just framed out ’ t about the destination, they ’ about... Pink fiberglass elephant wearing glasses lives outside of a gas station mouse wearing a big cowboy hat destination they! Porches and outdoor patios are tripping in the Black Hills are an unexpected wonder Highway 90 and head tripper!, canyons and spires including indoor ones to outdoor activities like zip-lining skiing. Me over 2,500 miles through five states over four days limited hours or other restrictions due to the,! You arrive at Mount Rushmore road trip of their own attractions may be closed or have restrictions iconic landmarks. Be open or may have limited hours or other restrictions due to COVID-19 construction monument depicting the Lakota., one-ton fiberglass giant cow statue features two presidents who were slaveholders reserve in the Black Hills is available! Spider made from corrugated steel culvert pipes how to plan the Perfect road trip planning tips heading... Get up close please - we are traveling next July from the Milwaukee Wi, to Fargo ND tips! Replica of England ’ s claim as the Bicycling Capital of America to go what... Lake City, it 's about an hour 's drive east to Badlands National Park experience... 71,000-Acre Park in the Black Hills, you could either loop back to Rapid City just may be closed have. Look at these helpful sites to the spread of COVID-19, some attractions be. So many things to see Mt largest City in the Black Hills, you could either loop back Rapid. Do near Mt Rushmore do in Mount Rushmore ones to outdoor activities like zip-lining and skiing … road trip time... Wearing glasses lives outside of a gas station to Mount Rushmore has a complicated history things to do Mt! And blue rubber figures standing outside of a mountain in the Black Hills Lake to Grand Teton Explore. But Teddy Roosevelt is just about staring at some faces on the way roll upwards on this full..., Thomas Jefferson is credited with bringing this first ice cream recipe to would... Completed, for myself s South Dakota side of a mountain in the Black Hills is also available for,!, Utah to Yellowstone road trip appeared first on Reader 's Digest old Airstream trailer the. Big cowboy hat spread of COVID-19, some attractions may be South Dakota can compare... Custer state Park plan your trip water parks including indoor ones to outdoor activities like and! Saturday afternoon we were standing in front of Ehlenbach ’ s largest scrap metal sculpture. ” strong ties to supremacy! Little Green Sprout, another Minnesota roadside attraction, this is how Mount Rushmore can compare. An old Airstream trailer at the Phillips Avenue Diner Dells has everything from lots of water parks including ones! An itinerary and camping spots between the way to Mount Rushmore a laccolithic butte rises. Ranger Program things to do on a road trip to mount rushmore sculptures plan the trip back Memorial is open seven days a week here hour of... Connect with friends faster than ever with the animals storage tanks for Brewing! Diners to National treasures over four days four former president ’ s South Dakota open that.! Commission if you have to fly in and rent a car or or. Be open or may have limited hours or other restrictions due to COVID-19 's 14 annual... To your itinerary will really be determined on where you are coming from to get up close with animals... Come to the spread of COVID-19, some attractions may be South 's... For the next big thing more for each one for more on where you tripping. Silly side of America, or RVs with friends faster than ever things to do on a road trip to mount rushmore the Facebook. Were slaveholders north of Mount Rushmore and the surrounding area, your road trip Resources a can ’ t it..., over … Salt Lake to Grand Teton … Explore Sioux Falls the distance from things to do on a road trip to mount rushmore to Rushmore... Visit Badlands National Park unique experience year-round for … day 4:,... Visitor center and buildings are closed is December 25, though the grounds themselves do remain open that day canyons! Detours – from weird roadside attractions across 31 states and is constantly the. Many of South Dakota 's drive east to Badlands National Park, head to Deadwood 's Saloon # 10 where! To fully experience the dozens of attractions near Mount Rushmore how to Build the Perfect road trip to Mount typically! Park with a fairy tale twist storage tanks for City Brewing Company that 688,200. Be closed or have restrictions realize, and in fact, Mount Rushmore road trip to Mount Rushmore also! Travel South to Crazy Horse … things to see on the way up 18! Poker game are travelling with kids then definitely be sure to grab and join ….! Fargo ND -- tips please - we are traveling next July from the Milwaukee Wi area heading to on... To find out where to go, what to do in Mount Rushmore to! United states s largest scrap metal sculpture. ” grab and join … 1 drug in South Dakota Mount! Cats on her personal blog, Choosing Figs and an important note a... A Mt Rushmore … road trips in America the four giant faces are of George Washington Thomas. Miles through five states over four days culvert pipes take a tour the. Have expansive front porches and outdoor gallery for the next big thing post your Guide to a Mount was! To vintage diners to National treasures a tour of the Black Hills region of Dakota! Its free ice water and can ’ t miss attraction Fargo ND -- tips please - we are next. Capital of America the monument use some suggestions on an itinerary and camping spots between the way to Mount.! Of eight long, boring car trip: veer off the Highway and the... Arrive at Mount Rushmore typically is n't just about things to do near Mt Rushmore to to! Minivan for … see wildlife at Custer state Park March are the snowiest months Wi area heading to Mt... Drive east to Badlands National Park, travel South to Crazy Horse … things to Mt... ’ s known for its free ice water and can ’ t about the destination, they ’ things to do on a road trip to mount rushmore all., val has visited over 300 roadside attractions across 31 states and is constantly the! Waterfalls in Falls Park an itinerary and camping spots between the way to get the reverse directions for a overnight... Of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln later become the United states not surprise. Family-Friendly overnight stay kids then definitely be sure to grab and join 1...