South Dakota and I-90

• Spearfish
• Sturgis
• Mt. Rushmore
• Rapid City
• Wall
• Mitchell
• Sioux Falls

Spearfish

Visitors' Center - Located in downtown Spearfish, just off their delightful Main Street, take I-90 exit 12 and follow Jackson Blvd west into town to Main Street. Turn right, go 1 block and the Visitors' Center is to your left on the opposite corner at 106 West Kansas Street. For more information, phone (toll free) 1-800-626-8013.

Black Hills Passion Play - A pageant of the last seven days in the life of Christ. This is the oldest, longest running 'passion play' in the U.S. It is held in a 6,000 seat amphitheatre at 8p every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday during June, July and August. Reservations are recommended but not required. Tickets range from about $12 to $18; less for children.
  From I-90 take exit 12 and follow Jackson Blvd westbound through town to Saint Joe Street. Turn left and follow Saint Joe to the end and the parking area. For more information, phone (toll free) 1-800-457-0160.

Booth Historic Fish Hatchery - Constructed in 1896 by D. C. Booth who used it to introduce trout to the Black Hills. Situated next to his house (also open to tourists) on a beautiful park-like campus, the site also includes a museum and ca 1899 ice house. Currently maintained by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, one very popular feature is the underwater viewing window.
  From I-90 take exit 12 and follow Jackson Blvd west into town to Main Street. Turn left and go 6 blocks (Dakota Street). Continue driving straight (Main becomes Hillcrest Drive) 2 more blocks and turn right on Birch Street. Follow it to its end (2 blocks), around the curve (to your left), across Spearfish Creek and the entrance will be on your right.
  Basically, the grounds are open from dawn to dusk but ours, typically, are from 9a-5p but the times do vary. House tours were 11a to 3p when we were there. We recommend you check with the Visitors' Center or phone the Hatchery at 1-605-642-7730. Admission is FREE! The Fish & Wildlife Service web site for the hatchery is BoothHatchery.

Dolls at Home Museum - When your collection grows until you just run out of space, what do you do? Johanna Meier, former international opera singer, started a museum. Her collection is world=famous, has been featured on National Public Television and even featured in the Wall Street Journal.
  The collection includes doll houses and miniatures all nicely presented in displays including a complete 'dollhouse village'.
  Open 10a to 4p daily June, July and August. It is open only on weekends, 1 to 5p, September through December. There is also a gift shop with a wide variety of dolls and miniatures available for purchase.
  For more information phone 1-605-645-2192.
  From I-90 take exit 12 and follow Jackson Blvd west into town to 236 West Jackson Blvd.

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Sturgis

Bear Butte State Park - A holy mountain to the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes; they still make pilgrimages to this spot. One of the rituals is to tie special pieces of cloth - or pouches filled with meaningful articles - to the trees to assist the ascension of prayers to the Great Spirit. The rock, protruding above the desert floor like a bubble is just that, - a volcanic bubble created millions of years ago. Artifacts have been found in this area dating back 10,000 years.
  Guides are available during the summer months at an 'interpretive center' at the base of the rock. Tourists are restricted to daytime hours to avoid conflicts with Native Americans meditating and/or worshiping here.
  For more information, phone 1-605-347-5240.
  From I-90 take exit 30 and follow SD-34 eastbound, through the northern fringe of Sturgis, to SD-79. Turn left on 79 and follow it to the Bear Butte State Park entrance road on your right (about 6 miles from I-90).

Mt. Rushmore National Monument

The National Monument is about 20 miles from I-90 but easily accessed by US-16. From I-90 take exit 57 and follow I-190 to its end at SD-44 (Omaha Street). Turn left, go 1 block to US-16 (8th Street) and turn right. Now follow US-16 to US-16 Alt. Just watch for the signs to Mt. Rushmore). Follow US-16-Alt through Keystone to SD-244 (again, watch for the Mt. Rushmore sign). Turn right and follow 244 to the Mt. Rushmore National Memorial parking area and visitors' center.
  A film describing the history of Mt. Rushmore and the contributions of the four sculpted presidents is shown every 15 minutes at the Visitors' Center. During the summer months, a sculptor is available to answer your questions about the sculpting techniques used in creating these monuments. Each evening a special program is conducted in the amphitheater. The conclusion of the program includes the playing of our National Anthem and the lighting of the four presidents.
  For more information, phone 1-605-574-3114 or visit the official NPS web site: Rushmore.

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Rapid City

Visitors' Center - The Convention and Visitors' Bureau is just a couple blocks from the end of I-190. From I-90 take exit 57 and follow I-190 to its end at SD-44 (Omaha Street). Turn left, go 1 block to US-16 (8th Street) and turn right. You'll cross a whole bunch of tracks and the visitors' center is to your left on the other side at 444 Mount Rushmore Road (US-16). For information, phone (toll free) 1-800-487-3223.
  There is also a visitors' center at the I-90 rest area on the east side of town at exit 61.

Circle B Ranch - Here is a very different venue - especially attractive to folks not residents of the American West. The Horn family puts on a old-fashioned western chuck wagon supper (tin plates and all). You might as well come hungry because it is an 'all you can eat' fest. After everybody has filled their bottomless pits to the max, you get to see a hilarious show. There is so much more - especially for the younger kids. Prices start at $16 (believe it was half price for kids even though they probably eat twice as much). Their main season is June through August.
  When we were there, a gentle remarked to one of the servers that he though chuck wagon coffee was supposed to be horrible. The server said, "I can fix that." He then took the gentleman's cup and handed him another. The gentleman took one taste and asked if he could have the first one back. He agreed that it was good we didn't have to get too realistic - at least with the coffee.
  From I-90, take exit 57 and follow I-190 to its end. Turn right on SD-44 and follow it all the way to US-385 (about 18 miles). Turn right on 385 and follow it to the Circle B Ranch (it will be on your right) about 1 mile from SD-44.
  For more information, phone 1-800-403-7358 or visit their web site: CircleB.

Black Hills Caverns - What can you say - it is a set of caverns - and they're all different. The folks here have put in a lot of thought to organization. They even have a special, 30 minute tour for those of us for whom walking isn't quite so easy anymore. (The 60 minute tour takes you through three levels of caverns and something like 150 steps to climb up and down.)
  Tours are conducted daily from 1 June through 30 September, 9a to 5p - BUT the last tour departs at 4p. Admission is $8 ($5 kids 6-12) for the 60 minute tour; $7 ($4 kids 6-12) for the 30 minute tour.
  From I-90, take exit 57 and follow I-190 to its end. Turn right on SD-44 and follow it about 4 miles to the Caverns (big sign - they don't want you to miss it) on the right.
  For more information phone 1-800-837-9358 or visit their web site: Caverns.

Ellsworth Air Force Base - The South Dakota Air and Space Museum (which is just outside the main entrance of the base) has something over two dozen aircraft on display, some inside their building and some outside.  The museum also provides bus tours of some of the facilities of the base (e.g., an old Minuteman Missile silo and a bit of the support for the B-1 bombers based here.
  The museum is open daily (year-round) and the admission is FREE. The bus yours are conducted from mid-May through mid-September and there is a $4.50 charge for the tour.
  From I-90, take exit 66 and drive toward the base entrance (north of the Interstate). Just after Main Gate Dr (on your left) is Villa Drive (on your right). Turn right onto Villa Drive and you will see the museum a couple hundred yards ahead to your left. For more information, phone 1-605-385-6295.

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Wall

Wall Drug Store is a warmly regarded, famous old fixture in the northern Great Plains. Before there was an Interstate 90, there was US-14. The drive from Pierre to Rapid City was hot and tiring but you know that when you got to Wall there would be a tall glass of water, filled with ice, awaiting you - and free of charge. A simple act which no only became famous but certainly put Wall Drug Store on the map.
  Now you breeze along on I-90 and, for many, stops are to be avoided until the buggy is about to run out of gas or Daddy has to make a 'pit stop'. But Wall Drug is still in Wall, with their trademark of super friendly service; and you just may be surprised at what you can buy there without popping a hole in your budget.
  From I-90 take exit 110 and drive north into town to South Blvd. Turn left, go two blocks and turn right into Main Street. Wall Drug Store is two blocks down Main at 510 Main Street.
  For more information, phone 1-605-279-2175. They now have a web site with a little bit of history and a lot of things you can order over the Internet. It's at WallDrug.

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Mitchell

Corn Palace -  This is the world's only 'Corn Palace' - a building, the entire facade of which, is decked out in murals of agricultural products. A drive by the Corn Palace is a must.
  Every year, the facade is strip down and new murals are created for next year's facade. This requires thousands of bushels of local produce: corn, various grains and grasses and even straw. And the fruit of their labors is always a work of art.
  From I-90 take exit 330 if eastbound, 332 if westbound, and follow I-90 Business (the green signs) into Mitchell. After a few blocks, I-90 makes a right-angle turn and becomes Havens Street. Continue a few more blocks to Sanborn Boulevard (SD-27). If you were eastbound on I-90 you now turn left; if you were westbound you now turn right. You are now northbound on Sanborn. Drive up Sanborn to 6th Avenue and turn right. Drive the 3 blocks to Main Street and the Corn Palace (and visitors' center) will be on the corner at your left. Find a place to park because there are a couple more places you would probably like to see - all within walking distance.
  For more information, phone 1-866-273-2676 (toll-free). Web site: CornPalace.

Enchanted World Doll Museum - Here's another 'can't miss' attraction - visually and spiritually. Right next door (yes, this place looks almost like Disney Land) is a reproduction of an Middle Ages English castle, moat, turrets, drawbridge and all. Inside - if you dare enter - are over 4,000 dolls all carefully organized into about 400 real-life scenes, some even animated. Call this the land of 3-D displays.
  For more information, phone 1-605-996-9896.
  To get here just follow the directions (above) to the Corn Palace.

Strolling downtown Mitchell - We needed to find a Post Office and were told it is only two blocks from the Corn Palace. So we walked west 1 block on 6th Avenue. There were a couple novelty stores (gift shops?) just around the corner. Detour One. Then we walked south on Rowley Street to the Post Office. No surprises, here. We asked if Mitchell has a coffee shop where you can quietly sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee and some diet-breaking sweets. "Absolutely!" was the response; "Walk one block (east on 5th Avenue) and it's around the corner next door to Kay's Kreations." While there we encountered a military family on their way to Fort Bragg, NC. Our grandchildren accompanying us were 8 and 10; the other family's children were 14 and 16. They wanted to go to the Dairy Queen across the street so we enjoyed almost an hour of adult conversation - free baby sitters!
  Mitchell is this kind of town. Relaxed, super friendly with someone, nearby, ready to help.

Prehistoric Indian Village & Museum - Here you can view - and walk through - the site of a millennium-old Native American village. Though this is an active archaeological site, you can witness, first hand, how the artifacts are uncovered, restored and then placed on display. Walk through a full-scale reproduction of an ancient earth lodge; view a fully reconstructed buffalo skeleton. Audio-visual presentations supplement the displays.
  You need to drive to this one. From downtown Mitchell, head north on Main Street to 23rd Avenue. Turn left, go west to Indian Village Road (about 300 yards) and turn right. Follow Indian Village Road along the shore of Lake Mitchell to the Indian Village.
  From I-90 take exit 330 if eastbound, 332 if westbound, and follow I-90 Business (the green signs) into Mitchell. After a few blocks, I-90 makes a right-angle turn and becomes Havens Street. Continue a few more blocks to Sanborn Boulevard (SD-27). If you were eastbound on I-90 you now turn left; if you were westbound you now turn right. You are now northbound on SD-37. Follow SD-37, up through town and around the bend to Minnesota Street. Turn left, go one block and turn right; go two blocks to Indian Village Road and turn left. Follow Indian Village Road along the shore of Lake Mitchell to the Indian Village.
  Open 8a-6p daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Open 9a-4p Monday through Friday the rest of the year except major holidays and the Winter holidays. Admission is $5 (ages 6-18, $3).
  For more information, phone 1-605-996-5473 or visit their web site: IndianVillage.

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Sioux Falls

Visitors' Center - With a Visitors' Center near the I-29 interchange (I-90 exit 396), their main office is at 200 N. Phillips Avenue. Get on I-229 (on the east side of Sioux Falls) and drive to exit 6. Drive west on 10th Street (SD-38) to Phillips Ave (4 blocks after you cross the Big Sioux River). Turn right on Phillips , go 2 blocks north. The Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors' Bureau is on the opposite corner at your right.

Falls Park Visitors Center & Tower - Another, perhaps more interesting, visitors' center, is just a few blocks from the downtown Convention & Visitors Bureau is the Falls Park location - just a few blocks away. Next to their office is a tall, enclosed viewing tower with an outdoor viewing deck. No stairs, folks, they have an elevator. You look down at the waterfalls, the city and the surrounding area - a great view and well worth the detour.
  Follow the directions to the Convention & Visitors' Bureau (above) but, instead of stopping at 8th Street continue north on Phillips Avenue to 6th Street. Turn left and go west, crossing Main, etc., to Falls Avenue. You can see the tower standing tall above the buildings.
  The Falls Park phone is 1-605-367-7430.

Sioux Falls: The Waterfalls - It may be one thing to have a large, powerful river running right through your downtown but Sioux Falls has something more: a 300 foot waterfall.
  This, once industrial area, had fallen into serious decay. In 1991, funds were collected to revitalize the area and restore Sioux Falls (the waterfalls) to a prime tourist attraction. Perhaps not completed (will it ever be 'completed'), Sioux Falls now has Falls Park, great views of their 300 foot waterfalls and even an observation tower for their visitors' enjoyment.
  Directions to Falls Park are above.

Catfish Bays Greatest Show on H20 - This is a 90 minute summer theater production that has acting, singing and dancing but all choreographed to amazing stunts on the water. This is probably the most popular summer show in Sioux Falls area.
  From I-90 take exit 399 and go 1 block to the north of the interchange. Turn left and follow the frontage road about 0.5 miles to Catfish Bays.
  Admission runs $9; $6 for kids 6-12. Show times vary - phone for schedule for the dates you expect to be there. For more information, phone 1-605-339-0911 - or - visit their web site at CatfishBay.

Chuck E. Cheese - First, we did not visit the place but were told about it by a family who had. The following information is condensed from a phone conversation with the folks at Chuck E. Cheese.
  This is a chain with several locations around the country. They are seriously family-oriented and provide entertainment from puppet shows to video games (including levels for all ages) while helping you gorge yourself on their famous Chuck E. Cheese pizza. The family with whom we talked were happy with the experience but warned that you can spend a lot of money if you don't keep a close rein on the kids.
  For more information phone 1-605-362-6100. The lady with whom we talk on the phone mentioned a web site, chuckecheese, We have viewed it and were impressed by how much more the designer was concerned with fancy graphics than communicating any useful information.
  From I-90, take exit 396-A and follow I-29 southbound to exit 77. Exit, turn left and follow W. 41st Street  3 blocks to Louise Avenue. Turn left and it is a block and a half up on your right at 2600 S. Louise Avenue.

Sertoma Butterly House - Step into the world of tropical and semi-tropical butterflies. Here you can stand among them as they, free-flying, wander about looking for bright colors and, hopefully, nourishment. They do have a snack shop and a gift shop.
  Open from 10a to 6:30p daily except Sundays (1-4:30p) from 1 April to 15 October. From 16 October to 31 March hours are 10a to 3:30p daily except Sundays (1-3:30p). Admission $6 (kids 3-12 $4).
  From I-90, take exit 396-A and follow I-29 southbound to exit 77. Exit, turn left and follow W. 41st Street  3 blocks to Louise Avenue. Turn right on Louise and drive south to 49th Street. Turn left and follow 49th to Oxbow Avenue. Turn right on Oxbow and then the first left into their parking lot (4320 S. Oxbow Ave.).
  For more information, phone 1-605-334-9466 or view their web site at: Sertoma. 

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