I had a really fun and surprisingly memorable visit to the National Presidential Wax Museum. It's…read moreone of those places that you don't expect much from at first, but it ends up being a highlight of your trip. Right at the beginning, you get to step up to a presidential podium and read from a teleprompter, which is such a unique and entertaining way to start. It immediately sets the tone for a more interactive experience. Inside, there are over 100 life-sized wax figures, including every U.S. president, displayed in scenes that represent important moments in American history. The attention to detail is impressive, and some of the figures are incredibly lifelike. It's both educational and fun, which makes it great for all ages. The self-guided audio tour adds a lot of value, giving context and background to each exhibit so you're not just looking at displays--you're actually learning as you go. If you're in Keystone or visiting Mount Rushmore, this is definitely worth stopping for. It's engaging, unique, and a great way to experience history in a different way. Check out our video. We post on all socials @reessroots

Very amazing museum. We had fun listening to the stories on the little phones. Going at your own…read morepace was nice. The story at the beginning of how they make them was very amazing too. The store had lots of things we bought to take home as souvenirs.

As little house on the prairie fans we had to stop and see what they had preserved from Carrie…read moreIngalls. They had a room filled with curated items that we saved prior to Carrie's house burning down. They also have a room filled with local keystone historical items from both settlers and Native Americans. GPS brought us close but not directly to the location but we could easily see how to get the last few hundred feet. Another hidden gem. The volunteer at the door helped guide us and gave us background that wasn't written on any of the exhibits. The classrooms upstairs look like the students just left the room. Great place to visit for local history.

Great place with great volunteers So neat to learn so much…read moreabout Keystone, and Carrie Ingalls

first of all, they charge $5 to park in the parking lot, even if you go to the museum or not, or…read morejust want to walk around the town or check out the stores. And its on the honor system as well. but we paid and used the restroom, which was horrible, you can smell the mold and mildew as you walk in it. But the outside Dahls Chainsaw Art was so awesome, and so was walking around the town!!

Great collection of historical information. Nicely layed out. Enjoyed the movie narrated by Tom…read moreDaschle. They need a gift shop, though.

This was an incredible tour of the Badlands led by Kare Bear, the best tour guide ever! She has a…read morewealth of knowledge, a great personality and kept us going with jokes and fun stories. She asked us where we wanted to go and what we wanted to see and we saw it all, from bears to deer to Prarie dogs to incredible views that allowed us to take great pictures, see movies at Visitor Centers and of course by souvenirs. As a group of 6 each one of us took a boatload of pictures of incredible images of rocks and animals and more. The tour itself was great, but Kare Bear made it a 10-star

Black Hills Above and Beyond is wonderful! You get some of the most incredibly beautiful scenery in…read morethe USA, along with the very best person in the USA--Kare Bear--to keep you entertained the whole time. There isn't a better experience anywhere for travelers!

I definitely recommend putting this on something you go and visit in your lifetime. It is a very…read moreamazing monument from the time you walk up through the main gate you can start to see the monument and it's just amazing at the work that was put into it they have lined the pathway with the flags from all 50 states and it just kinda gives you this amazing walk up experience and that if you haven't seen you early enjoy. My family and I spent about an hour and a half there which is a great amount of time you can walk up get some great photos plenty of park Rangers around to talk to get directions and tell you a little bit more about the park They do offer videos certain times of the day that are very informative. They have a full-blown theater at the foot of the mountain, which is really amazing when people can perform and things like that which I had no idea that was there until later. And then they have this amazing easy to travel trail. You can do about 50% of it with the stroller and get close up to the monument and take a great photo but then there comes an area where it says I have almost 450 steps so we stopped right there and turned back, but it does do a loop around the whole area with spectacular views. I definitely think that this is a great place to go and visit really peaceful place well-maintained. They do have restaurants and gift shops there so if you're ever in South Dakota, go and give this place a visit

Last summer, June 2025 - completed my quest to visit all 50 states. ND and SD were my last two -…read moreand no visit to SD would be complete if you didn't stop off to see Mount Rushmore. I don't remember how much parking was. There are signs there. Or check the site. Just follow the signs, grab a ticket and pay for it at one of the kiosks. It's not rocket science. You'll figure it out. Usual shops for gifts and things but know it's tourists' prices. Multiple exhibits where you can learn about how the memorial came to be before taking a walk on the trail that gives you a closer look. Don't forget to grab some shots of the way leading up to the memorial of all 50 states' flags and plaques. Admission is free - and check the site for different events like lighting ceremonies. Didn't catch that but maybe next time. I say that because I can see myself visiting the area again. Lots to see and do out there.

Seeing the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln up close is already wild, but…read morewalking the Presidential Trail takes it to another level. It's a short loop (0.6 miles) with stairs and boardwalks that bring you closer to the sculpture, with different angles you don't get from the main overlook. There are a good amount of stairs, but it's broken up with scenic spots and benches along the way. Honestly, it made the whole visit feel more immersive instead of just a viewpoint stop.

Mount Rushmore genuinely surprised me -- and I don't say that easily. Growing up, I watched Richie…read moreRich (1994) and saw Mount Rushmore on screen for the first time as a kid. From that moment, I told myself I had to visit it someday. Fast forward to 2026 -- I finally made it happen, standing right there with my own kid. That full-circle moment alone made the trip unforgettable. The Presidential Trail loop is 0.6 miles but don't underestimate it -- 425 stairs and a strenuous path that takes you right up close under the monument. It's a real hike, but every step is worth it. The Sculptor's Studio is just 0.2 miles in if you need a shorter option. Entry to the monument itself is free -- just $10 for parking, valid for a full year. If you're passing through South Dakota, this is non-negotiable. Stop. Walk the trail. Read the history. Take the photos. You won't regret it.

Longest and Last homestead gold mine in Lead, South Dakota (near Deadwood)…read more Everyone should check this gigantic hole out for themselves. The history is interesting, except for the fact that wealthy entrepreneurs exploited the common folks during the 1929 depression and bought their gold claims/homestead for less than market value. The museum was informative and had incredible exhibits but lacked a feature movie to chronically narrate its evolution.

This was not in my itinerary to go here. It was recommended by our friends who are residence of…read moreDeadwood. For sure make a quick stop here in Lead if you're on your way to Deadwood. Pretty cool to learn and see the mine from above ground. It was active until 1998. There are tours available.

HIGHLY recommend! We loved our key lime gelato (all their…read moregelato is homemade in shop!!) We loved our iced caramel latte (even offered some whipped cream for my tween). Loved the wine tasting - I tried 5 local wines from wineries: Prairie Berry and Firehouse. The three Prairie Berry wines were all VERY fruity and sweet (two reds and one white). And the Calamity Jane blend is the sweetest they offer she said! The two Firehouse were tied for my favorite! Sangiovese and Syrah. It did NOT disappoint! My wine pourer was still getting to know the wines themselves - but she was super kind and lovely to talk to - thank you Moriah!! Mya helped us at the register and was equally amazing. No joke - we've been to a few local businesses in the Rapid City/Keystone area and every single last person we talk to is LOVELY! Everyone has been super kind, helpful and willing to help a newbie Black Hills tourist find her way around. Oh! And have you seen the yard at G&G? Filled with corn hole (2 sets), a playground, an outdoor foosball table, two giant chess sets and tons of tables and chairs. And a fabulous way to spend our lunch break from sightseeing!

This place stands out just driving by. They got kid's playground, big chess boards, and foosball…read moreoutside. Their menu is pretty simple but tasty. Reasonable and they even offer free local wine tasting! Definitely a nice place to relax during a visit to Mt. Rushmore.

We enjoyed the national rangers talk about the creation of the sculptures from this sculpture…read morestudio. She explained that the heads here are 5 feet tall and on Mount Rushmore they're 60 feet tall. We walked passed the compressor machine that cut into the rock. There was a bookstore here.