It is Road Trip Time! It is Summer Time. The kids are out of school, my parents are here from the Netherlands, so let’s go to the Mount Rushmore area.
Why Mount Rushmore?
This is the 4th year that our family is doing a road trip with my parents. As long as they’re able to cross the big pond and feel healthy enough to see more of the USA. The first year we went to the south of us: St. Louis and spent a weekend there. The 2nd year we enjoyed the Indiana Dunes and Holland, Michigan. The 3rd year, which was last year, we traveled north to see Madison, Wisconsin and Milwaukee. This year it was time to check out the west!
But what is in the west of us to go and see within a week? We’ve heard so much about the Omaha Zoo, so that was clear to put that one on our list. But what else was out there?
I decided to post something on Facebook:
We’re going on a trip to Mt. Rushmore this summer. What do we need to see, where do we eat and what can we do, which is beautiful, yummy and awesome. Not the average tourist places????
And an amazing amount of reactions and comments were given on this post. Here are some of them:
- “The cosmos mystery area. While it looks hokey and touristy from the outside, they use science and optical illusions to trick the mind, pretty fun. Needles highway is SUPER Cool, lots of rocks for the kids to climb and beautiful vistas. Crazy horse and the 1880s central railroad are also must see items.”
- “Were planning a trip there too!”
- “Reptile Gardens is fun as well. They have giant tortoises that the kids can touch and a prairie dog town.
- “Sorry, I keep coming up with more stuff. Custer state park is a short drive away from Mt Rushmore and is magnificent. They have wild bison herds, wild donkeys and beautiful lakes and plains. We fed apples to the donkeys and they loved it.”
- “I was discouraged to go because there’s not much around the area, so I’m curious to find out what people have discovered”
- “It is a lot of fun to do but we found was only good for one day’s worth of entertainment. There is an enormous amount of tourist attractions in the area that you pay for – mini golf, arcades, etc. – but we were done with the place after one day. What we’ve done is a road trip that included Mt. Rushmore, Devil’s Tower in Wyoming and the Badlands in South Dakota. Makes for an awesome trip!!!”
- “We used to go as kids every year, and went a couple back. I’ve got a list of places we would camp, places to go, etc. I’ll post it later. If camping, make reservations ASAP. We always camped at Lake Sheridan.”
- “Hike Harney Peak/ Black Elk Peak! It’s a lovely hike up to the highest peak East of the Rockies. My husband proposed to me on that peak so I’m biased.”
- “There’s a drive throw wildlife park called the bear country not far away from the monument”
- “Be sure check out the stalagmite caves in the Black Hills while you are there – 140 miles of of underground passages with all sorts of amazing natural rock/crystal formations. I went to Wonderland Cave but there are several options. It’s kind of mind blowing especially if you haven’t experienced stalagmites before.”
- “I would camp in Custer State Park ~ an awesome state park very near many things there. also see the wildlife loop ~ sure to see lots of different wildlife. buffalo, for instance. you must also see the monument of Crazy Horse once you realize the US government put Mt. Rushmore right in the middle of Native American sacred land. The badlands is a very special place. you will have lots of fun.”
And much more….so, that’s WHY we decided to go to the area of Mount Rushmore!
But we only had ONE week and I had to be sure everyone was happy and….the weather was going to be crazy! Very hot and some thunderstorms were in the forecast. We had to make some decisions, even though I wanted to see everything.
Mount Rushmore Road Trip Plan
This is what we did!
Day 1: Des Moines
We decided to leave a little later in the day, because we’re in the middle of selling our house!
The idea was to travel with an RV, but that didn’t happen for many reasons. One of them was the money. But seeing all those RV’s on the road, made me wanting that kind of traveling more!
It was almost “koffietijd” ( coffee time) and we all looked for a nice place to have some coffee. We all know the Starbucks coffee, but I’d like to find those hidden places with their own stories and people. We found “Zanzibar “. A place a little outside of downtown Des Moines. They had big bags with all kinds of coffee beans from all over the world and “sniff jars” where you can smell the different kinds of coffee. Fun art on the wall and friendly staff and not to mention the delicious coffee!
At about 7 PM we got into our hotel in Omaha, Nebraska. On our 2 hour trip we ate at a Panera.
To read about the hotels and the 2nd day, click here
Day 2: Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha.
To read all about this adventure on the Day 2 of our trip, click here.
Day 3: Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
After our second night at the Victorian Inn and Suits we drove up to Sioux Falls. I had heard of Sioux City, but heard from a lot of people, to go to Sioux Falls instead. As the name already says, this town has waterfalls in the middle of town. We had some storms that week, so the waterfalls were muddy and wild.
The drive was almost 3 hours, so it was nice to walk down the river and over the bridge to go up the 5-story observation tower.
It was getting warm and time to find our hotel. The hotel was simple but clean and again we had connecting rooms. There was a swimming pool and breakfast. Next door was a restaurant called Roll’n Pin Cafe which had good reviews. It was a nice place with good food. Time to go to bed.
Day 4: The Balands in South Dakota.
This 5, 5 hour drive to Rockerville, SD was interesting. Thunderstorms and cool weather combined with sunny and warm made us stop in a small town called Murdo. It was still raining and chilly. My parents asked for hot coffee at the Drive-Inn, which they had to make fresh, because, until then, it was too warm outside for coffee.
We ordered, salads and fries along side with chicken burgers. The chicken had a different texture almost, because it was so fresh. We felt a little out of place, when we saw men with cowboy boots and hats entering the Drive-Inn.
On our way to the Badlands the sky cleared up. We past lots of signs with remarkable advertisements. South Dakota’s original 1880 Town was one of them. I was interested to go, but we didn’t! Another time. Next were Wall Drug and Firehouse Brewing company in Rapid City billboards. 5 cent coffee at Wall Drug and an old fire truck at every bill board of this brewery down the road…and there were quite a few of them.
Going into the Badlands is fantastic, as probably most of the National Parks in the United States. It was only $20 for a car and several beautiful stops and views along the way. We stopped at the visitor’s center and exhibit hall as well. If you have a fourth grader in your family, check this out.
Time to move on to Wall Drug…yes, for the 5 cent coffee….an ice cream;). A big store with a restaurant, cowboy and cowgirl boots, clothes and other accessories, souvenirs, jewelry and more. A must see, especially if you are from Europe, like us, lol!
On our way to Rockerville, we saw more breathtaking views. We knew we had a kitchen with our next hotel room, so we bought some groceries, to make some French toast, omelets and a salad. We were told we could have a log cabin, but somehow the description on the booking website was different than in real life. The rooms were newly renovated with a kitchenette, though and that was all that mattered. There was room to sit outside and eat. At their office was an area for bonfire’s and making s’mores.
Day 5: Mount Rushmore.
It was a warm day, so we decided to go in the morning and see Mount Rushmore before it was getting too hot. The drive up there was beautiful.
A lot of people told me the monument would be smaller then you’d think it would be, but I just kept thinking how people just made this thing. It seemed that 90% was done with dynamite and the rest with jackhammers. And the most amazing thing was that no fatality occurred in those 14 years. Always glad to hear something like that!
In the afternoon we stayed at the hotel “lobby” where it was cool. We played games, had snacks and I blogged for some time;)
In the evening we crossed the street and eat at a restaurant, and probably the ONLY restaurant in this old gold mine town: “The Gaslight”. Every Thursday they’d have Bluegrass music. It was Thursday…so there we went!
Day 6:
On our way back to Des Moines. This would be a tough way back, because it was Friday and we tried to catch the Farmers Market in Des Moines, because we heard it is a good one and a big one. Today we were driving aaaaa lot!!! Next time I would break this day up, for sure!
On our way back, we had lunch in a little town called Mitchell and home of the Corn Palace. A big building with murals inside out with all kinds of corn.
At a totally new renovated lunch room called Elixr Roasterie. It was very cozy and the coffee, soups and sandwiches were very good!
We made it to Des Moines. I was 11 Pm and totally done with driving. Time to go to bed at the AmericInn at the airport.
Day 7: Des Moines and Pella Iowa
The kids were too tired to go to the Farmers Market. They decided to stay with dad in the swimming pool at the hotel. My parents an I went to see the Farmers Market on this hot morning. Things like smoothies, juices and ice coffees were a big hit it seemed like. There is one street with several side streets which form this Farmers Market. We found some yummy things for our Sunday brunch at home.
Time to pick up the kids and daddy to go back home, but first…..lunch in Pella at the Smokey Row Coffee
We are home!
Please let me know if you’ve found some fun things to see on your way to Mount Rushmore. Don’t forget to pin!
Hello everyone,
Welcome to my Crafty Dutch Girl blog! Grab a cup of “koffie” and browse through fun blog posts about our Dutch family expat life in the USA, Dutch history, Dutch recipes, Dutch things to do in the USA and all kinds of crafts and activities. Don’t forget to connect with me for new ideas! “Groetjes en tot ziens”.