Illinois to Mount Rushmore. Suggestions?

[DVCBob]

Our family will be traveling to Mount Rushmore from the Chicago area this summer. The route we are planning to take is from Illinois thru Wisconsin and Minnesota stopping over night in Sioux City and then on to Rapid City. On our return trip we were thinking of going back to Sioux City and then turning South and going thru Omaha just to go back a different way. Any suggestions for alternate routes, interesting places to visit or interesting places to eat?

Thanks!

 

[crz4mm2]

Bob, we did this trip (and then some) last year. It was great fun. I am about 3 1/2 hours south of you so our route was a bit different. We took 80 across to 29. 29 to 90. We spent night number one in Souix Falls SD. There was a great mexican restaraunt there near the mall. We stopped at the Corn Palace in Mitchell. It was 'ok'. It is free and IMHO not worth it if you have to pay to get in. We stopped at Wall Drug store (BIG Tourist Trap- but they have GREAT ice cream!). We took a tour through the Badlands NP. On to Rapid City where we spent the night and then did Mount Rushmore the next day. We went on from there and saw Crazy Horse (which was my personal favorite! and well worth the extra distance). We then went on to Deadwood and on and on.

Can I ask why you were going to do the northern route?

It was a great trip for us. we drove 4100 miles.... A LONG way to drive, but we sure saw a lot of great things. If you are planning on several national parks, then get the family pass. It will save you money and is cheaper through AAA.

Have a great time! Mount Rushmore is unbelievable! So massive. But Crazy Horse is even more so!!

Cathy

 

[bambii]

I live in rapid city.

www.travelsd.com

www.theblackhills.com

www.rapidcity.com

www.rcgov.com

www.rapidcityjournal.com

www.newscenter1.com

www.kevn.com

www.kotanews.com

in sioux falls they have the Falls Park.. A zoo. there is a fun hotel if you have kids. www.ramkota.com/ there is a few ho...I love Crazy horse and check out Jewel cave..