IS WALL DRUGS A RIP OFF?
 

Its been a while since I have seen this topic and may get the chance to go the Badlands-is this worth a visit?

NO! NO! NO! The 1,000 billboards between Wall Drug and Chicago should be enough right there to never go near the place. Can you spell, TOURIST TRAP? Don't waste your time - go to the Black Hills instead.

Do they still give out the bumper stickers??? Gezzzzz, can remember driving thru there in the early 80's and EVERY car we passed had one on there bumper "Where is Wall Drug" or something to that effect. ah hell,, GO!!!! tourist trap or not...its been around for awhile.

Yes Wall Drug is for tourists, but so is the restaurant. You may be hungry or thirsty by the time you get there. You may want to stop and stretch. You may want to use the restroom. You may want to look in the other stores that sell Jewelry, or leather. Yes it is Touristy, but isn't that what you are doing on your trip...touring? <BR> <BR>Bumper stickers are available, but you have to ask for them. <BR> <BR>Wouldn't you stop at Ron Jon's if you were in the area after seeing all the advertisements? <BR> <BR>Go and have fun. Have a free donut and coffee. <BR> <BR>You will have something to talk about in the car after your visit.

I second Sheila's approach: go there. Yes, it IS a tourist trap. (How is it that people happen to be in the neighborhood, anyway?). Several years back before he passed on, I had the lucky coincidence of being able to have breakfast and a long conversation with Bill Hustead one morning. Wall Drug an institution (albeit, an ecclectic one) and if you like western art at all, then viewing the extensive collection in the cafe alone is reason enough to take a break and wander through. Happy Trails! :o)

If you are taking kids...it's a must, the excitment & anticipation for them grows at each reading of the billboards. <BR>It's kitsch, it's a throw-back to classic road trips & it's fun to say you have been to Wall Drugs, even if you go when you are an adult.

Stopped off there (Wall Drug) when driving thru...TOTAL waste of my time, but when driving such a long, lonely stretch of interstate the time lost didn't seem to significant.

One thing to remember: going there is pretty much FREE. It might be a waste of time to go there, as it IS a tourist trap, but it's so UNASHAMABLY a tourist trap that I found it enjoyable. But something that's free can't be a ripoff; how can you claim they charged too much money when they charge nothing?

After watching and amazingly atmospheric sunset at Mt Rushmore, with the only other onlookers and their four kids, I asked the kids what part of their holiday they enjoyed most ( Crazy Horse, Badlands, buffalo, prairie dog towns, Mt Rushmore, pig-tail road etc etc). Their emphatic and unanimous verdict -- "Wall Drug"!!

I'm in England and am intrigued, what is 'Wall Drug' please? Will be coming to the US again in Oct/Nov and it sounds as though it could near where I will be touring. Thank you

On my cross-country drive, it was a MUST-SEE! Its a piece of Americana, plain and simple. It (and South of the Border) is what tacky road side attractions aspire to, and if you are at all interested in that sort of thing, it is not to be missed. Plus, they have FREE WATER!

For joankirsopp: here's link to a travel journal entry I have which may be a little redundant to my entry above, but has a couple of pics to go along with it and a more extensive description: <BR> <BR>http://www.igougo.com/planning/journ...4&EntryID=3665 <BR> <BR>(I know that's a long address -- hope it works...)

It is definetly worth stopping by. Such an example of what a little advertising will do. Is it one of the seven wonders of the world-of course not. However, it is a tourist cultural icon. I remember my grandfather talking about it years ago, and was not disapointed when I stopped for free water, a walk around, and some ice cream.

What is Wall Drug?

to g... <BR>The website is www.walldrug.com