arjay

The first week of May, we'll be taking this route before dropping down to Colorado. I don't expect it to be especially scenic (just a welcome change from the 70 and 80 we always took when departing from Chicago). But I would appreciate any must-sees/must-eats/etc. What are folks impressions of Mt. Rushmore - while I've never been there, it's always seemed a little tacky to me - am I wrong? What part(s) of the Black Hills should we focus on, given that we won't be able to spend much time in the region? Any help appreciated!

Bob Brown

I agree with you on Mt. Rushmore. In my view someone took several dozen jackhammers and ruined a perfectly good mountain. I have caught some flack over this assertion, but that is my view.

You might consider seeing the Badlands National Park. It is a slight detour, but to me looking at something that is natural and colorful is interesting.
I suggest the scenic drive through the region with a few stops to read the informative plaques.

Also Wind Cave is in that area, too. I am not a cave person, but some people find them interesting. It, too, is a National Park.

Also, the Black Hills have some scenic views, if you can escape the Rushmore rush.

My biggest problem with your route was one of boredom. I needed something in the way of a stimulant to keep me awake at the wheel. So I consumed about a quart of Mr. Pibb, which is high in caffeine.

G. Kremer

I-90 across South Dakota is a never ending rolling hills & ranches effect. Nice if you like counting fence posts. You could make a stop at Mitchell & see the Corn Palace (nothing much else there), or stop at Chamberlain to see Al's Oasis. When you get off the Wall exit to the Badlands there's Wall Drug (tacky but interesting). Just before you get to the Badlands entrance there's Prairie Homestead. I mostly remember driving like crazy to get across the state. Mount Rushmore is a bit overrated. Near Rushmore is the Crazy Horse Memorial (very nice). In the Black Hills there's also Bear Country U.S.A. (nice for kids), Rushmore Cave, Custer State Park (very nice- lots of wildlife). If you want just nice scenic drives, try Needles Highway or Spearfish Canyon. You can also check out Four Mile Old West Town in Custer, South Dakota. Hope this helps you some. Good Luck!!

arjay

Hmmm...canyon, as in spearfish canyon sounds interesting! The Crazy Horse memorial - isn't that, too, carved from a mountainside? I'm expecting 'boring," I'm afraid...but then so is the stretch on 80 across Nebraska or 70 across Kansas - just no way out of it to get from here to there, tho, if you're wheeling it. But thanks to both of you for the suggestions, I'll look into them.

Minnesota Girl

Hello, Arjay!
I happen to live on I-90 in SW Minnesota. Welcome to our state. I think the best of South Dakota is the Needles Highway and The Badlands. Don't bother with Wall Drug, it is very commercialized.
I don't think Mount Rushmore is tacky, some people really like it. It is interesting, however. I find it fascinating that people from all over the world visit this site.
If you get this message before you leave, let me know the dates you will be passing my neck of the woods. Perhaps a cup of coffee is in order?
Safe, happy travels.

John

As a west coaster, I happen to love traveling across SD, especially the Corn Palace and Badlands NP, for the sense of space and openness. I took some British friends on a drive from Chicago to Seattle and the spot where an I-90 turnout allows the first view of the Missouri River was one of the highlights of their trip. Kept humming "Shenandoah" for hours, especially the part about bound across the Wide Missouri...
Wall Drug is funky, yeah, it's commercial but so what? Landmarks don't have to be stylish. Ditto Deadwood in the Black Hills - yes, it's been casino-ized but the cemetery is really interesting (Wild Bill and Calamity still there) and a funeral parlor named "Chaput," well, what's not to like? I also thought Mt. Rushmore would be cheesy but I was surprised at how moved I was the first time. Write back with your review; maybe you've already left...

Tony Hughes

I'd have to disagree with Bob and others regarding Mt Rushmore--it truly is an amazing sight. If you visit that area, you'll see that there are literally thousands of these hills so using one for a national monument isn't a crime. It's free to visit and the museum/visitors center is very well done. Not tacky in any way.

I thought Wall Drug was kitschy but worth a look however the five cent coffee was overpriced.

The Corn Palace may be worth five minutes for a photograph, nothing more.

Cali

WE didn't know what to expect at the Corn Palace in Mitchell but enjoyed seeing it and recommend that anyone going through that area stop and see it - hard to believe all the work in it!

Kim

If any of your family have an interest in the Little House on the Prairie books you can take a detour to Walnut Grove, MN and you can see where the Ingalls' sod house was on the banks of plum creek and they have a small museum in town too.

I would recommend you not go to Bear Country in S.D. It's a horrible place, way too many bears in way too small of an area. When we stopped in they had a grizzly kept in an extremely small pen.