Planing a vist to S.D - PLEASE HELP (Rapid City: good hotels, restaurants)

[Jammie]

Raindrop, that looks like a nice itinerary. I would still stop by the Corn Palace in Mitchell and Wall Drug in Wall. You're passing right by them. They're both free of charge and will only be costly if you buy all the trinkets and stuff they have. I'd spend one hour time at each place.

You could easily see Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse in a half day. You're pretty close to Custer State Park and I'd just make a full day of it and go through that while I'm there. (Hopefully Danny knows if it's for sure open all winter long) Also, I'm thinking the Cosmos is in that same area. (I'll wait for verification from my neighbors to the West on that one though)

Spearfish Canyon is further northwest of Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer Park so you'd want to figure that for a different day. It's just a canyon that's full of beauty and a stream and waterfalls and nature. It's probably my fave place in the Hills, well except for Keystone. You'll be passing right through Keystone when you go to Rushmore. It's right at the bottom of that hill.

Deadwood isn't IN Rapid City. They're both two different towns, but not too far apart. When you say, "Hanging out in the Hills", it just means you're in the area. The whole area is the Black Hills and you're still in the Hills when you're in the towns.

10 Day Weather Forecast for Rapid City, SD - weather.com

Unfortunately, it looks like they'll have a bit of snow just before Thanksgiving. Nothing Thurs. and Fri. though.

I hope your family has a very nice vacation and if you have any more questions, we'll be right here.

[raindrops]

Thanks Jammie, I planned on adding the Corn Palace in Mitchell and Wall Drug in Wall too, just waiting for someone to confirm if its worth the stop, would probably do now, since you mentioned it. What is Cosmos ? also, what is there to see at Custer park ??? are there any fees or can we drive in our own car or is there some kind of tour bus ? Also, would you recommend any hotels in Deadwood ?

[Jammie]

I just checked on hotels.com and the AmericInn looks familiar to me. If it's the one I'm thinking of, it's nice. It's been years since we've actually stayed out in Deadwood. We like to go for Deadwood's Kool Summer Nights, which is just one big outdoor concert with thousands and thousands of people. Needless to say, everything in that area is booked so we stay up in Spearfish.

Custer State Park is just a huge park with a lot of wild animals in it and nice scenery. I'm not sure if they have a tour bus cause we've always just driven through it ourselves. I think they recommend that you stay in your car though.

Fee Information for SD state parks

It sounds like you're putting together a nice vacation.

[raindrops]

Hi Jammie, do you think I should get a cabine in/at Custer State Park ( Hope there is something like that and not to expensive) instead of a hotel ? do you think we would get to see some wild animals on one of those days, sorry if I'm asking too many questions....yes, I'm trying to put together a nice vacation especially we have our folks and traveling 600 miles and would definitely would like to make it a memoriable one :-) and I'm sure with all the help from you guys, it will definelty be.

[DannyBanany]

Originally Posted by raindrops

Hi Jammie, do you think I should get a cabine in/at Custer State Park ( Hope there is something like that and not to expensive) instead of a hotel ? do you think we would get to see some wild animals on one of those days, sorry if I'm asking too many questions....yes, I'm trying to put together a nice vacation especially we have our folks and traveling 600 miles and would definitely would like to make it a memoriable one :-)

Raindrops, if I were you, I would stay at a hotel like the Ramada or Econo-Lodge in Rapid City. They are cheaper than any of the resort gambling hotels in Deadwood and you are close to restaurants like Olive Garden, Outback, Friday's, and Boston's. There is PLENTY to see and do in Rapid City. It is a fairly large city. Rapid City is not IN the Black Hills, it is on the prairie and the foothills with the Black Hills as a backdrop.

On day two, go up to Mount Rushmore and spend an hour or two there, then drive over to Crazy Horse for an hour or two. After that head north to Deadwood and do some gambling, eat some Prime Rib and Crab at one of the buffets and when it gets late, head back to Rapid City. It only takes 30 to 45 minutes to drive from Deadwood to Rapid City via Interstate 90. Going that way will also take you through Sturgis, so you could see where the famous motorcycle rally takes place.

Cosmos is a tourist trap (personally it is my favorite place in the Black Hills) where you can see balls roll uphill, stand on walls, your kid is taller than you, and a lot of other weird phenomena. If you have time, try it out. It is between Rapid City and Mount Rushmore on Highway 16. There are signs.

Have fun and don't worry. You're going to LOVE your trip!

Cosmos Homepage-
Cosmos Mystery Area Home

Map of the Black Hills-
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills/m...dlands_map.pdf

[raindrops]

Hi Jammie & DannyBanny, Thanks, this is what I put together, please let me know if this looks like a fun trip or even doable, please let me know if I should add/delete any from this itinerary.

Nov23: Omaha to Rapid City. There by evening. Eat, look around & hit the sack.

Nov24: Get up check out M.R and Crazy Horse, head towards Deadwood, eat some Prime Rib and Crab at one of the buffets and do some gambling, on the way check out Cosmos and head back to Rapid City.

Nov25: Get up early head towards Custer State park for the whole day (Would it take the whole day to see C.S.P), if not, please suggest/advise what we can do to fill in the time)

Nov26: Morning, head back to Omaha, stop over Corn Palace in Mitchell & Wall Drug in Wall stay the night at Sioux City.

Nov 27: Wake up early catch the
The Sertoma Butterfly House, Sioux Falls in Falls Park have a hearty lunch and then head back home 

[Jammie]

Raindrops, that looks like a very good itinerary from what I can tell. Danny will know for sure how it will all fit into your schedule out in the Hills. I actually don't pay attention as to how far apart the towns are out there and I've never lived there. We've just vacationed there since I was young and in the 70s even went a couple times a year.

I'm thinking it was just an error for where you're spending the night of Nov. 26th. You mean you're staying in Sx. Falls right? Sx. City would be a lot out of your way. I'm sure that's what you meant, just making sure. It looks like you'll have a great time. Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. they have the nicest little deli right in Falls Park. They don't really have fully cooked meals, but a lot of sandwiches, salads, and goodies and it's surprisingly cheap for being in Falls Park.

[raindrops]

Hi Jammie, Isn't Sx. falls in Sx. city ? where is the falls park at ? :-)

[DannyBanany]

Originally Posted by raindrops

Hi Jammie & DannyBanny, Thanks, this is what I put together, please let me know if this looks like a fun trip or even doable, please let me know if I should add/delete any from this itinerary.

Nov23: Omaha to Rapid City. There by evening. Eat, look around & hit the sack.

Nov24: Get up check out M.R and Crazy Horse, head towards Deadwood, eat some Prime Rib and Crab at one of the buffets and do some gambling, on the way check out Cosmos and head back to Rapid City.

Nov25: Get up early head towards Custer State park for the whole day (Would it take the whole day to see C.S.P), if not, please suggest/advise what we can do to fill in the time)

Nov26: Morning, head back to Omaha, stop over Corn Palace in Mitchell & Wall Drug in Wall stay the night at Sioux City.

Nov 27: Wake up early catch the
The Sertoma Butterfly House, Sioux Falls in Falls Park have a hearty lunch and then head back home 

The only problem is that Cosmos is nowhere near the Interstate between Deadwood and Rapid City. You would have to go there on the 24th before you go to Mount Rushmore because it is between Rapid City and Mount Rushmore on Highway 16.

Custer State Park will probably not take up the WHOLE day because it is the off-season and there is usually not much going on there during the winter. It is still beautiful to drive on Iron Mountain Road and go through all of the tunnels and see views of Mount Rushmore and Harney Peak. This would be a good time to see Cosmos, eat at The Alpine in Hill City, visit Prairie Berry Winery in Hill City, play tourist in Keystone, shop in Rapid City, or drive around in the Black Hills. No matter where you are in the Black Hills, you will find something interesting to do or you will see something interesting.

If you plan to stay in Rapid City, visit shops downtown. Prairie Edge has a HUGE collection of Native American art for sale and show. That store is like a museum! It's BEAUTIFUL! Also visit The Journey Museum near the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. This museum tells the history of the Black Hills and serves as a great information center.

Just thought I'd tell ya, Rapid City got its first snow last night too. We only got about half an inch, but areas above 5,000 feet probably got 2 inches. This should be melted soon though. It won't affect your trip though. Now the pine trees are even more beautiful!

Prairie Edge Trading Post of Rapid City-
Native American Indian Lakota and Northern Plains authentic arts, crafts and artifacts from Prairie Edge

The Journey Museum-
About The Journey Museum

The Alpine Inn Restaurant of Hill City-
http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/alpine/default.asp (broken link)

Prairie Berry Winery of Hill City-
Prairie Berry Winery : Home

[DannyBanany]

Sioux Falls is the name of the largest city in South Dakota. Sioux City is in Iowa at the South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska state line. They are two completely different cities separated by over 75 miles!