Heading to Mt Rushmore later this month. Anything else that we should see or do while where in that area? Any foodie destinations in the area? Will have 3 days to explore and I don't mind driving outside the Rapid City area.

Definitely take the drive through Needles Highway. It is right near the monument and there are some very interesting formations that you pass through. Devil's Tower is nearby also.

In no particular order:
Badlands National Park
Devils Tower
Deadwood, SD
Wall Drug Store
Wind Cave National Park
Corn Palace

Crazy Horse Monument

The Mammoth Site, South of Custer in Hot Springs, SD

Hill City has a good dinosaur museum.
West of Custer, on the way to the cave there’s a small herd of buffalo. Warning. Stay in the car.

Go to the main entrance of Ellsworth AFB and you can get up close and personal with some aircraft

Here's a couple recent threads that touch on this subject:

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...930043554#9930043554

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...500071754#2500071754

You know you're going to be getting close to the time that Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is going on. Might have some trouble finding rooms in the area for cheap prices. Go see the Cosmos Mystery Area. It's near Mount Rushmore. Also there are some good wineries with tasting rooms in the area. Try Prairie Berry Winery's Red ASS Rhubarb. It's more of a sweet desert wine

If you go to the Badlands I recommend earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, the mid day sun really washes out the colors there plus it will be less hot...

Oh yeah Spearfish Canyon is pretty cool also.

quote:

Originally posted by valkyrie1:
Oh yeah Spearfish Canyon is pretty cool also.

It sure is. I really enjoy the bison stew at Spearfish Canyon Lodge.

Rushmountain adventure park and to eat.. the Firehouse bar and grill.

There was also a Murphy's Pub

All of the above.

Check out "Bear County". It's on the way from Rapid City to Mt Rushmore.

You can rent 4 wheelers at the Spearfish Canyon Lodge, that's always a fun time.
Some good fishing in the river too.

The drive through Custer Nat. park is a beautiful ride. They have a safari tour through the park that's not half bad, however, if you have a nice set of binos, you can skip the safari tour.

Deadwood, Lead, Custer... All nice little towns.

quote:

Originally posted by rebo:

...Will have 3 days to explore...

You're going to have to prioritize. You could spend a week in the area and not see everything. Here's my suggestion:

https://www.nps.gov/mimi/index.htm

quote:

Originally posted by phil in indy:
You know you're going to be getting close to the time that Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is going on. Might have some trouble finding rooms in the area for cheap prices. Go see the Cosmos Mystery Area. It's near Mount Rushmore. Also there are some good wineries with tasting rooms in the area. Try Prairie Berry Winery's Red ASS Rhubarb. It's more of a sweet desert wine

This for sure. The rally starts 8/3 and it will be hard to find rooms a week ahead of that if you haven't reserved already. A lot of the rooms are reserved a year in advance. And yeah, you will pay a premium price for them as well.

Jim

Sturgis is Aug 2 - 11 the area will be packed with motorcycles, roads, bars, hotels, attractions, just be sure to miss the area in those times

South Dakota Air & Space Museum. Just out side the main gate of Ellsworth AFB in Box Elder, SD.

Thanks for all the suggestions. We have everything booked, no issues there. Hopefully we're gone before Sturgis goes wild. This is a do-over trip, we were there in March and Rushmore was completely fogged in. Couldn't see a damn thing lol.