There are so many places to visit in the United States, but often families and individuals get into the habit of going to the same vacation destinations over and over again. One beautiful place to visit that doesn’t rate on many people’s “top tourist destination” lists is the state of South Dakota. Here are some tourist attractions that you might consider seeing if you do decide to visit the Mount Rushmore State.
- Mount Rushmore Since South Dakota is nicknamed after this impressive monument in the gorgeous Black Hills, it’s a must-see for anyone visiting the region. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln gaze out of the President’s Mountain. The memorial was completed in 1941, and is open to the public. Although there are no entrance fees, there is a parking fee of $11 per car. You can take a free guided tour while you’re there. The memorial opens at 8:00 am and closes at various times depending on the time of year.
- Dinosaur Park If you have a dinosaur-lover in your family, you can’t call a trip to South Dakota complete without a stop at Dinosaur Park. Looming over the Black Hills from Rapid City, five enormous, cartoon-like dinosaurs are just waiting for kids of all ages to visit, climb on them, and take photos. The attraction is free and is open from dawn until dusk. After your kids have had their fill, you can spend some time in the gift shop.
- Little House on the Prairie Does your family love the Little House books? Or maybe you’d like to introduce your kids to Pa, Ma, Laura, Mary and Carrie. If so, visit the Little House history museum in De Smet. Here, you can see replicas of the houses described in On the Shores of Silver Lake and The Long Winter. Laura’s Living Prairie is nearby, and allows visitors to ride in a covered wagon and try their hands at grinding wheat. Most of the year, the museum is open from 9:00 to 4:00, Monday through Friday; during the summer, it’s open a little later in the evening and has hours on the weekends, as well.
From the breathtaking scenery of the Black Hills to the historical attractions, South Dakota makes a great place to visit as a family. While in the state, you can enjoy camping, hiking, and visiting National parks.
If you are from the area or if you have visited South Dakota, where are some of your favorite places to go in the Mount Rushmore State?
