Short Vacation Ideas For Mount Rushmore

1880 Train

1880 Train

If you only have time for a short stay in the Mount Rushmore area, you'll want to make the most of your time by hitting all the "must-see" spots.

For everyone...

• You can't visit the area without seeing Mt. Rushmore. Take the 1880s Train and Mount Rushmore Lighting Ceremony Tour. You'll ride on an 1880 Train through the scenic Black Hills for spectacular views that won't be forgotten. After the ride, visit Mount Rushmore at dusk for a patriotic show that bathes the images of our country's greatest leaders in illuminating light.
• The Journey Museum in Rapid City displays four major collections of prehistoric and historic significance including the dinosaurs, the Lakota people, the pioneers, to present day. Visit the Museum of Geology, Archaeological Research Center, Sioux Indian Museum, Minnilusa Pioneer Museum, and The Duhamel Collection of Native American Artifacts.

For the Western lover...

• You'll definitely want to put the Circle B Ranch on your list of places to visit. Visiting the Circle B is like spending a day in the Old West. Choose from an antique covered wagon or horseback and take a trail ride through the forest. Or pan for your own gold, play horseshoes, challenge your family and friends to a round of miniature golf. Watch a Wild West shoot-out and then enjoy dinner in the 1,300-seat Chuckwagon Barn (where dinner is served on tin plates and tin cups). After dinner, you can enjoy the music and comedy show of the Circle B Cowboys.
• You'll definitely want to visit Keystone. See the Parade of President's Wax Museum, visit the Big Thunder Gold Mine, and then travel Iron Mountain Road to visit Custer State Park.
• One stop that should definitely be on your schedule is the Crazy Horse Memorial, the world's largest sculpture. The work on the Memorial began in 1948 and still continues to this day. The memorial also includes the Indian Museum of North America. The memorial and museum are located in Custer.

For the nature lover...

• The trails and scenic routes through the Black Hills, the Needles, and other scenic spots in the area will satisfy any nature lover's cravings for beautiful scenery. If you're only going to spend a day or two and would rather do it exploring nature, this is the place.