America, the beautiful, a land as immense as it is varied. Filled with sprawling metropolises, multifarious landscapes, and eye-popping attractions, its diversity is what makes this nation thrive. I will be visiting my 41st state next month and I feel as if I’ve only scratched the surface of what this expansive nation encompasses.

My U.S. travel partner in crime (other than T), Jenna, and I have been traversing the good ol’ US of A for nearly two decades. From exploring a variety of dynamic cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Detroit, Nashville, Kansas City, and New Orleans, to discovering smaller and quieter destinations like New Mexico, Amelia Island, and Cheyenne, Jenna and I have been fortunate to visit a wide assortment of incredible destinations throughout this extensive land.

Dining at New Orleans’ revered restaurant, Herbsaint

A night out at the MGM in Las Vegas

At the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis

Visiting the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville…and clearly my former travel outfit of choice

So it should be no surprise that upon learning that Mount Rushmore and the surrounding Black Hills were less than a six hour drive from Jenna’s home in the Denver area, we instantly knew where our next U.S. adventure would take us.

Below is how to make the most of your trip to the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota.

MOUNT RUSHMORE

Unabashedly labelled as the “Shrine of Democracy”, one could argue that this iconic monument is the epitome of American patriotism. Steeped in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is as massive as it is impressive. Four majestic figures don the side of the mountain, each sixty feet in height.  Chiseled and carved into the mountain, the faces of four American presidents grace the colossal structure: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, each chosen for his incredible contributions, guidance, and unification of the country.

In 1923, local historian Doane Robinson thought of the idea for Mount Rushmore in hopes of  promoting tourism in South Dakota. Construction began in 1927 and the monument was completed in 1941. Dynamite was used to carve Mount Rushmore, resulting in about 450,000 tons of stone being removed during construction.

After you’ve admired the enormous sculpted faces, walk the Presidential Trail (.6 miles long, 422 stairs) to get an up-close and personal encounter with the presidents as well as the area’s wildlife. You can also watch a short film to learn more about the history and building process of the memorial at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center.

Roughly three million people visit Mount Rushmore each year and it’s no surprise that summertime is its peak season. The visitors facilities are open year-round, with the exception of Christmas day, from 5am to 11pm.  Admission to the memorial is free and parking costs $10 per vehicle.

For more information about visiting Mount Rushmore: https://www.nps.gov/moru/index.htm

THE BADLANDS

Are badass. If you’ve been to the Badlands, then you know just how striking these colorful rock formations are. If you haven’t, then there’s a chance you may have never even heard of this grossly underrated national park. Hundreds of thousands of acres here have virtually been untouched and remain raw and unspoiled while native wildlife like bison and prairie dogs roam the rugged terrain.

The Badlands are primarily comprised of sedimentary rock, and have eroded over time in dramatic and various formations. The ever-changing canyon hues as the sun moves across the sky make for an awe-inspiring and fascinating experience. Its spectacular landscape changes quickly due to erosion by rain and wind. The multi-colored horizontal stripes in the rocks extend for miles, resulting in jaw-dropping beauty and splendor.

There are a number of ways to explore the Badlands. From driving the Badlands Highway 240 Loop road (that’s what we did) to tackling the variety of hiking trails, there is no shortage of ways to discover this natural American treasure.

For more information about visiting Badlands National Park:  https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm

CRAZY HORSE

If you think Mount Rushmore is big, let me introduce you to the Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest mountain carving. The memorial is a wonder of the world in progress, an entire mountain metamorphosing into a 563 foot high memorial sculpture of the great Lakota war leader, Crazy Horse. Its mission is to honor, safeguard, and preserve the culture, history, and heritage of American Indians.

The memorial does not accept any federal or state funding; it solely relies on contributions and admission fees. The structure is so enormous that it can fit all four Rushmore heads inside!

Things to know: While parking is free, admission fees depend on the number of passengers per car ($12 per person, $30 for cars with more than two passengers).

For more information about visiting Crazy Horse Memorial: https://crazyhorsememorial.org

BEYOND THE MONUMENTS & PARKS

Some DO’s and DON’Ts for when planning your trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota.

• DO your research when planning your accommodations and maybe skip the Deerview Bed & Breakfast in Hill City. Where do I begin?! To this day (over a decade later), this is the funniest place I’ve ever stayed. The decor was so gaudy with a questionable and somewhat disturbing mixture of floral prints and taxidermy. Even the doors were wallpapered! I could not control my bouts of laughter as our inn keeper showed us our room and I literally had to hide in the bathroom while poor Jenna kept her composure and humored the owner. A memorable stay for sure!
• DON’T expect many restaurants to serve food past 9:00 pm. We ate dinner at the historical Alpine Inn (established in 1886) and closed the joint down at 9:15 pm! For reference, this eatery is clearly a happening and popular spot on Hill City’s Main Street and highly regarded in the area. Be prepared for early nights out in Black Hills!
• If you are so inclined to visit Deadwood (and I think you should, just for the peculiar and unique scene that it is), DON’T believe your server when he/she tells you that Deadwood is the Las Vegas, or even Atlantic City, of South Dakota. This may be the most exaggerated and outlandish piece of travel advice I have ever received from a local. While there are a number of casinos and other gambling facilities throughout the town, they are more reminiscent of the “Old West”, which at first mention, sounds kind of cool, right? But they’re more dodgy and seedy and downright sad than historical and interesting. Jenna and I couldn’t stop laughing that night as we thought about the earlier comparison to Las Vegas. Could not be further from the truth!

The not-so-very-Vegasey streets of Deadwood at night

• DO venture out to the granddaddy of all drug stores, Wall Drug.  Located less than 8 miles from the Badlands and attracting nearly two million visitors each year (yes, you read correctly), Wall Drug pretty much has everything your little traveling heart could ever desire. From an array of souvenirs to books to candy to over-the counter medicine to boots and belts to Native American jewelry, they’ve essentially thought of everything. And if that’s not enough, you can also visit the traveler’s chapel, prairie parlor, shooting gallery arcade, rock shop and Apothecary Shop and Pharmacy Museum. But perhaps the most remarkable feature of Wall Drug is its plethora of signs. Signs. Signs. Everywhere. Signs.

Over 75 years ago, co-owner Dorthy Hustead thought up the idea of placing a single sign on the busy Route 16 advertising the establishment in attempt to attract locals and tourists alike. After the advertising experiment boosted sales, her husband Ted began scouting various routes and began erecting numerous signs more than twenty miles away. Fast forward almost 8 decades later, and Wall Drug signs have appeared in various locales around the world including Morocco,  Amsterdam, Seoul, and as far as Antarctica!

• DO get swept away by South Dakota’s rugged natural beauty and stunning sunsets. And maybe even try your best to fit in with the locals.

About as close as I get to trying to look the part of a South Dakotan.

And yes, I realize I failed miserably. 

Next up in my U.S. summer travel series: California Wine Country: Three Days in Sonoma & Napa Valleys

Happy Traveling, All!

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