This museum is definitely a walk in history of the way things were back then. I found it to be very…read morefascinating and enjoyed looking at the old telephone, first sewing machine, horse equipment, how much things were back then. They even have dinosaur bones there. They even had military information for each service and what their uniform looked like back then. Also gave tribute to those who were in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Definitely something to take preteens or older teenagers to see how things were back then. That way they may have more appreciation for the things they have today. The ladies that ran this museum were very kind and friendly. They have a sign-in book when you first walk in the doors. On the left side and down some stairs is the actual seal/plate for the Geo Center of the US surrounded by flags. They even had an old carriage you can look in to see how they looked inside back in the day. They even have a very cute gift shop of many different things and toys for kids. If you're ever in the area or on your way to Devils Tower, this is a must stop place to see. On interstate 90 they have a sign for the exit. If we didn't see the sign for it we would have never known it was there.

An unexpectedly well curated collection in the heart of the US. I was not originally planning to…read morecome into this museum - only to visit the various placards declaring the geographic center of the US. I'm quite glad I decided to wander in. At the front, I was greeted by a friendly woman who seemed to be working here in retirement as a way to pass the time and stay social. She was very welcoming and answered all of my questions. From her I learned the most important point: this museum is free! The collection includes all manner of items representing ranching, horseback riding, and cowboy life. A small exhibit on local historical military members. Some fascinating items donated by local individuals and businesses including (but not limited to) western wear, an old x-ray shoe machine, and a very old bicycle that lit its way with a carbide lantern. I particularly loved the display board of various types of barbed wire and the names and years associated with them. They do rotating exhibits on different topics - surprising to me, honestly! The exhibit at the time of my visit was called "Turn on the Light!". They ran a film on Edison and had placards and explanations on the human development of light. A local elementary school field trip was visiting while I stopped by, so it's clear they serve a purpose in the community. There is a great little gift shop where I purchased a sticker proclaiming its origin at the geographic center of the US. While in truth this is not the exact location of the center of the US, they have a map for how to get there. It's not far away, but requires several miles of dirt road driving to get there. This museum was, again, totally free to visit. However, I was more than happy to make a donation before leaving and would recommend it to anyone visiting the area!

Maybe it's just me. But after a few days of being imbued in SD history and culture at multiple…read morelocations, this 1980s-ish place looked like 'more of the same.' Yeah, the building is spacious and attractive and houses a great collection of art, artifacts and ephemera. The exhibits are comprehensive and well organized, and knowledgeable docents were eager to explain things and answer questions. But apart from a photo opp in a genuine 'surrey with a fringe on top,' I thought the displays and interpretations were 'old school,' i.e. more passive than interactive. Don't get me wrong; this is an OK museum. During an orientation video, though, a few of our traveling companions nodded off. Dare I say, "Yawn?" After perusing the exhibits, our group was served a catered chuckwagon supper, followed by live musical entertainment. Both paled in comparison with the lively dinner show we had attended the previous night at Fort Hays in Rapid City.

A delightful museum. As many museums as I have gone to, I'm going to have to start a list…read more The only truly fun tourism, in my humble opinion, is cultural tourism with a heavy dose of local color and good food. It's not my favorite museum in the Black Hills, (my favorite would have to be the one in Hot Springs for its architecture), but it's right up there. I just don't go for modern buildings, which is entirely subjective. However, the exhibits here are excellent. Open year round, this is a perfect way to spend the afternoon and fill in your knowledge of the High Plains history. They have many acres and you can view a schoolhouse and log cabin. This is perfect stop if you've got a long day planned wanting to visit the northern hills. I'd stop here in the morning, lunch at the Bay Leaf Cafe, also in Spearfish, then head east over to Devil's Tower for the afternoon. By the end of the day, you will have learned a lot.

We enjoyed visiting FT Meade. There's so much history to enjoy. I definitely recommend taking the…read morewhole family here.

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!

Great place to see some awesome motorcycles. Reasonably priced. If you're in this town for a…read morevisit, this place is a must. A beautiful collection indeed.

Drove all the way to find out they're closed. Stopped at the visitors center who assured me I was…read moremistaken. Nope they're closed. Bummer

We had spent several days in the Badlands of South Dakota, and were on our way to cross Wyoming to…read moreYellowstone. This is a quick and easy stop at the start of the journey. I had actually never even heard of it before I started researching my trip, but once I spotted it, I knew we had to do it since it's such a quirky thing. Very easy to find, with great parking, and clean public restrooms. There is a little visitor center, and we spent quite some time walking around the actual disk itself taking pictures. There is a little historical cabin on site, which was open and had a volunteer inside who explained its meaning. It was fun and a quick little detour to get our day off on the right foot. If you are in the area, definitely make it a stop!

Visited in Autumn and not much was open nearby. There is a visitor center on site. It too was…read moreclosed day of our visit. The monument is down a hill so you have a good view from above. The geographic center of the U.S. changed after Alaska and Hawaii were added as states which is how Belle Fourche was given this distinction. BTW, Belle Fourche means 'beautiful fork' according to info at the site. A staircase and a ramp lead down to the monument. It is encircled by a walkway and a small garden area. Like any good tourist, you can stand on a disc at the center of the monument and get your photo taken. Also on site is an historic cabin. We could only peer in the windows and read the available info outside. Parking is a gravel lot. No restrooms as the office was closed. All in all this is just a fun, quirky little stop on our cross country stop.

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.

Driving thru the town we saw signs for a Fish Hatchery. Not knowing what to expect we decided to…read morecheck it out. What a beautiful area. Many ponds of fish throughout. Great place for kids as they sold bags of fish food to feed them. You can walk down a lower level and view fish under water. Very cool!! You can also visit a rail car that used to transport fish across the country and an ice house. If in town you must stop in and visit. Such a wonderful fine.

The fish hatchery was unexpectedly awesome- and free! My family and I spent several enjoyable hours…read morefeeding the fish (you can buy bags of food from the window shop), watching them, and exploring the beautiful grounds. We were able to bring our leashed dog to the outdoor areas and Michelle gave a wonderful house tour to my son and I. I highly recommend checking out the hatchery when in Spearfish!

WOW x the 6th dementional level. Local SD artist D.Termes paints on spheres which, when completed…read moreare known as Termespheres ( a trademarked sphere). The unique art pieces can be found on site in his quaint active gallery. Each painted piece is floating in front of you, they are beautiful and expensive. A must see stop. Shop local. Friendly greeter on site, she was a delight to talk to.

Truly unique and fascinating work by Dick Termes. The curator was very knowledgeable and friendly…read more I had a lovely visit. The signs on the road along are also very helpful.

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is biggest bike rally in America. Naturally Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is…read moreheld in Sturgis, South Dakota, The rally attracts over half a million attendees and is considered the largest motorcycle event in the world. Sturgis is held annually in early August. The 10-day event features live music, bike shows, scenic rides through the Black Hills, and a massive gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts from across the globe. It's amazing that this rally began in 1938! I was thrilled to see a review by another Elite Yelper. You know when I was young and traveled from Eastern United States to the West I most certainly would stop at this event. Make your plans now to attend next year. I'm recommending!!

"Traveling in a car is like watching a movie. Riding a bike is like starring in one."…read more It's time to plan your trip to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this summer. Yes, you! What is that, say you? And why should you go? Well, I am happy to tell you! Sturgis is the world's largest rally of motorcycle riders. It takes place annually in Sturgis, South Dakota, near the Black Hills. This now 10-day event started back in 1938. At that time, it was a place for motorcycle enthusiasts to come and do stunts and races. But it's much more than that now. Sturgis is like a counter-cultural rallying cry for the maverick, the one who likes to go his or her own way, and if at all possible, on a motorcycle! Now, you do not have to have a motorcycle (nor drive one) to enjoy Sturgis. I did enjoy Sturgis last summer without one in my brief visit to the town during its annual convergence of riders as I was traveling cross-country. You just need to appreciate the sights and sounds of the magnificent machine--as well as, the sights and sounds of many folks who have never quite managed to color "between the lines," but who love a good time, good company, and their country. American Patriotism is in full and florid display at the rally. Motorcyclist veterans will be well-treated here. If you do ride, you could hardly ride better anywhere than at Sturgis (with your bike, or renting one). Some of the best motorcycle rides in the world are in the Black Hills: Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, Spearfish Canyon, not to mention, Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Bear Mountain (Devil's Tower), Bear Butte Park (with breathtaking geological formations), the Badlands (stunning park of natural rock formations), Custer Park (where you are almost guaranteed to see bison), and more. Winding, beautiful, clear roads with fresh mountain air. You can't ask for more than that. And yet, you get more than that! (More on that below). Sturgis is now a national phenomenon. 500,000 people attended last year! Those are post-pandemic numbers. (As many as roughly 700,000 people attended the annual rally in prior years, particularly at its 75th anniversary). In the words of the CEO last year, this event is about "music, motorcycles, freedom, and friends." The rally features concerts of all kinds of music--rock, rap, and country. And big names! Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr., aka, Snoop Dogg (yes, "gin and juice" himself) performed at the rally last year. He was joined by legendary American rock band, Buckcherry, classic rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bush (British grunge rock band), Rob Zombie, Lita Ford, country music star, Travis Tritt, Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners, Pop Evil, and Puddle of Mud. All at the same rally, guys. Yes, that's what I'm talking about. And that is in the midst of hundreds of other events you will find nowhere else (such as a literal wall of fire and beer-smashing with homemade battering rams mounted on a bike with a motorized coach--yeah, that happened!), a really cool, legitimate motorcycle museum in the middle of town, unique street vendors of everything from trendy t-shirts to Harley-Davidsons, and fabulous fairgrounds-style food of all kinds. (Can you say, "giant Turkey leg?" YUM). All in the midst of raucous behavior, anthropological attire (full leather ensembles, spurs, "homemade bikinis," a few topless women, and a couple of nearly bottomless ones, not to be overlooked). And of course, the constant hum of the rides. Motorcycle rides, that is. I am a person who usually does not like the sound of a motorcycle, but in Sturgis, in unison with others, in the open South Dakota air, it all starts to blend into the background. And eventually becomes soothing. It sounds like...well, freedom. Despite the fact that you find yourself in the midst of what looks like a massive motorcycle gang, the people are generally polite and respectful. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem even did a charity ride at Sturgis last summer. Sturgis occurs each year for approximately 10 days starting the first week of August. This coming year it will be from August 4-13, 2023. Get registered, get your tickets for events, and your accommodations for the area, (they book fast). Life is short. Live a little!