Planing a vist to S.D - PLEASE HELP (Sioux Falls: hotel, home)

[raindrops]

Thanks DB, How long do you think the tour would last at Cosmos ? How far is Hill City, keystone and Rapid city from one another ? we probably will be staying in Rapid City( Checking out cheap but good Hotels to stay at) Mmmm started to snow already ha, are we allowed only at the foot of mount rushmore or can we go further up to get a closer view, is it all drive abouts or any walking is to be done ? thanks

[raindrops]

Thanks D.B, I should have known that better coz. last week I'd been to sioux city, mmmm guess I am tripping on this trip :-) B.T.W how do you get those smily faces on

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by raindrops

Thanks D.B, I should have known that better coz. last week I'd been to sioux city, mmmm guess I am tripping on this trip :-) B.T.W how do you get those smily faces on

Instead of clicking on the "quick reply", you can click on "Quote" if you're replying to someone in particular. OR you can click on "Post Reply". Either way, you'll have smilies are your right hand side.

[raindrops]

Jammie and D.B, Whats your take on the rosyinn, based in Keystone, I've got a real good rate, $ 54.99 for one suite 2 queen bed and a pull out bed, that way I don't have to book 2 rooms. just wondering is keystone better or R.C ? are they far apart ( Sorry if I'm driving you'll crazy with all these Q's)

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by raindrops

Jammie and D.B, Whats your take on the rosyinn, based in Keystone, I've got a real good rate, $ 54.99 for one suite 2 queen bed and a pull out bed, that way I don't have to book 2 rooms. just wondering is keystone better or R.C ? are they far apart ( Sorry if I'm driving you'll crazy with all these Q's)

You aren't driving us crazy with questions. That's what this forum is all about.

But I've got to leave this one totally to Danny or someone who is familiar with that motel. Keystone is fairly isolated and tiny. Rapid is much larger with much more to do. Keystone practically shuts down for the winter. Rapid booms year-round. Keystone is basically just a little village about three miles down the road from Mt. Rushmore.

I think that Keystone might be around 20 miles south of Rapid. It MIGHT be something like 16A that you take to get there from Rapid. (check map cause I'm not positive)

This is just me and it wouldn't be most people's preference~I love Keystone and that is where I would personally stay. But I've been to Rapid before and seen a few of the things there so I wouldn't be missing out on something. Rapid may have things you'd like such as Reptile Gardens. (YUCK~I hate reptiles, but it is a cool place) I guess that would all come down to personal taste, but Keystone would be my choice.

[DannyBanany]

Originally Posted by raindrops

Jammie and D.B, Whats your take on the rosyinn, based in Keystone, I've got a real good rate, $ 54.99 for one suite 2 queen bed and a pull out bed, that way I don't have to book 2 rooms. just wondering is keystone better or R.C ? are they far apart ( Sorry if I'm driving you'll crazy with all these Q's)

You would much rather stay in Rapid City than Keystone. Keystone has almost a ZERO population this time of year and even though it is ony two miles from Mount Rushmore, it is a ways of a drive from Rapid City. Rapid City has a populaton of nearly 80,000 so you can get anything you want there. Keystone would probably be boring. Try the Ramkota Inn, Econo-Lodge, Super8, Quality Inn, in Rapid City. They all have great rates and they are off Exit 59 in Rapid City.

Rapid City will be your "base". The drive to Mount Rushmore from Rapid City is on Highway 16 and it takes you past Cosmos, through Keystone, and up to Mount Rushmore. There are signs everywhere so it is easy to get around. The drive takes about 30 minutes.

At Mount Rushmore, you will pay $8 to park in a parking ramp and that connects to the terrace where you can view Mount Rushmore from probably 100-200 feet away. On the Viewing Terrace there is a restaurant, cafe, gift store, and information center on Mount Rushmore. There is also a wide, paved path that leads from the Viewing Terace to the foot of Mount Rushmore. It is an AMAZING PLACE!!

Really study the map that I sent you before, I have a feeling that it will come in handy!!!

[Jammie]

OMG that's funny, Danny. We were posting at about the same time and we'd chose the opposite place. But I concur. You do have a very good point about Keystone this time of year. We love being there in the summertime, but it does get desolate now.

[DannyBanany]

I agree. Keystone is really booming in the summertime, it takes about ten minutes to drive through the dinky town because it is PACKED with pedestrians, but this time of year it becomes a ghost town. Most shops are closed too. It started snowing too, so I amsure there is hardly anything to do there now. Rapid City hotels are near really good restaurants and they all have waterslides and pools for kids. It'd be the best bet!

Cosmos takes about 30-45 minutes. I haven't been there for about 2 years though. Usually when family visits we have to play tourist and go there. I LOVE IT! I hope they're open this time of year too...

[raindrops]

Seems like the hotel rates in R.City is over $350 :-( I'm unable to reach the hotels directly, is it cheaper calling them directly or booking via the net from hotels.com etc ?

[DannyBanany]

Call Them Directly-

Hampton Inn- (Exit 59)
605-348-1911

Howard Johnson Downtown- (Exit 57)
605-737-4656

MicroTel Inn- (Exit 59)
605-348-2523

Quality Inn- (Exit 59)
605-342-3322

Days Inn- (Exit 59)
605-348-8410

Econo-Lodge- (Exit 59)
605-673-4400

Best Western Ramkota- (Exit 59)
605-343-8550

All of these hotels are off of the LaCrosse Street Exit in Rapid City. They will also have many brochures and information on what is available in the Black Hills for tourists.

Never feel bad for asking a question. That is what this forum is all about!