Mount Rushmore

June 8, 2020
10 States   5 Days    Go           

10 STATES 5 DAYS GO!

  • Set out on your adventure in COLUMBUS, OH

     – Photo Op: Your Driveway

  • Head west traveling thru INDIANAPOLIS, IN – (3 hours)

    – Photo Op: Rainbow Bridge, 6357 Guilford Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220

A colorful bridge over the Central Canal that leads to the Broad Ripple Village one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods, known for it’s art, good and vibrant culture. A stop on this trip but maybe a good weekend destination point on your next trip to Indianapolis.

  • On to ST LOUIS, MO – (4 hours)

The iconic Gateway Arch never gets old, every time we pass by on our way to somewhere new, we always find our way off the freeway, turn our way thru downtown to pull over and get a photo of the Arch. It’s like a right of passage West.  We stop just along the Park and the Hyatt at 315 Chestnut Street, St. Louis, MO for a picture.

     – Photo Op: Gateway Arch Park,  Chestnut, Market, N 4th St

https://www.gatewayarch.com/plan-your-visit/#directions-parking

https://www.curbed.com/2018/6/28/17514454/st-louis-arch-gateway-park-review-alexandra-lange

  • Arrive in Kansas City, KS – (4 hours)

Stop in Kansas City just inside the Kansas / Missouri border to capture a photo and make a stop in the State of Kansas.

      –  Photo Op: Visitor Center, 4010 Blueridge Cutoff, Kansas City, MO

Visitors center overlooks both stadiums of the SuperBowl Champs KC Chiefs & KC Royals, a nice spot to pull over off the interstate, nice photos, and clean restrooms when open.

     – Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, 3002 W 47th Ave, Kansas City, MO

https://www.joeskc.com/pages/gas-station-restaurant

A famous BBQ restaurant born out of the back of a gas station, this family owned restaurant has won countless BBQ championships over the last 20 years. Known for ribs & brisket, try the famous burnt ends! Open 11a-9p Mon-Sat, until 8p on Sun.

If you have left early, this is a great Stopping point for the night. This can be a good fueling station for LUNCH and your vehicle. ????

  • Northbound to OMAHA, NE (3 hours) 

-Photo Op: Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, 705 Riverfront Dr, Omaha, NE

http://omaha.net/places/bob-kerrey-pedestrian-bridge

This is a great opportunity to get out and stretch your legs a little. A short work to the Pedestrian bridge over the Missouri River, offers great scenery & the chance to stand in two states at one time. Put one foot in Omaha, NE and one foot in Council Bluffs, IA.

      – Hungry: Brewburgers, 4629 S 108th Street, Omaha. Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives location

  • Continue North along the Nebraska / Iowa State Line to SIOUX CITY, IA (1.5 hours)

    – Photo Op: Sioux City Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, 900 Larsen Park Rd, Sioux City, IA

https://www.siouxcitylcic.com/

The historical Lewis & Clark Trail runs thru Sioux City, a great place for history & for a break.

  •  North onto, SIOUX FALLS, SD (1.5 hours)

   – Photo Op: 131 E Falls Park, Sioux Falls, SD

https://www.experiencesiouxfalls.com/things-to-do/falls-park/

The sky in Sioux Falls is like seeing the world in 3D. The clearest sky I’ve ever seen. The park is nice, paved paths, or get out on the rocks & get your best photo shots.

  • Westbound, thru the BADLANDS, SD (4 hours)

     – Photo Ops: Unlimited – Head south off 90 on 240, to take the 240 loop thru the Badlands.

https://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/parks-monuments/badlands-national-park

https://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/scenic-drives/badlands-loop-state-scenic-byway

See prairie dogs, bison, hawks, and landscape unlike any other. The whole loop can take a couple of hours, take a look at a map to plan a route to fit your schedule.

  • Rapid City, SD (1 hour)

 A great place to stay for the night, after a long day of driving, so you are fresh and prepared for your Mount Rushmore destination! Make your reservations as soon as you know where you will end up for the night, hotels near Mount Rushmore can fill up fast, leaving you with less and less options later in the day. Staying on the east side of town may also be a good spot to plan to stay after your day at Mount Rushmore, think of booking a 2 night stay. Get some rest.

  • Mount Rushmore (1/2 hour)

 –  Located at:   13000 US 244 Keystone, SD

While Mount Rushmore National Memorial is only 25 miles from Rapid City, expect traffic, long lines, make sure you and your vehicle are well hydrated. Watch for mountain goats / rams, along the roadways. We saw them leaping across the road like deers, nearly taking out a motorcyclist. The views driving to and from Mount Rushmore are amazing. It is literally one of most beautiful places in the USA. Be patient and enjoy the emotions felt, at your first glimpse of the nation’s treasures.

There are parking garages I suggest, that lead right up to the entrance. Many photo ops along the entrance and there is a relatively short path to get close to the carving. While up hill most the way, and steps it is very well maintained and a good walk. We stayed maybe 2 hours from parked to back in the car, I am sure you could spend the day if you are so inclined.

*Nearby attractions for fill out your day – https://visitkeystonesd.com/plan-your-trip/attractions

  • Crazy Horse Monument, 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, SD (1/2 hour)

   –  Great Photo Ops: near and far of the Monument,  I’d suggest the bus tour, it does not take long, it is informative, and we enjoyed it.

You have approximately 20 hours of driving ahead of you to get back to Columbus, OH, so once you are done at Mount Rushmore and any nearby sights, head back east. The return trip will take you back thru Rapid City, then East on 90. Again figure out where about you will end your day and plan for a hotel room as soon as you see how the day goes, the hotel options go fast near the nation monument, maybe book that Rapid City room for a 2 night stay or seek out a room along 90E.

  • This day of driving will take you back across South Dakota to Rochester, MN (8 hours)

   – Salem Glen Winery http://www.salemglenvineyard.com/

   – Four Daughters Winery https://fourdaughtersvineyard.com/

Stop for a bite, sit outside and have a glass of wine and get a bottle to take home.

  • On to Madison, WI for the night (3 hours)

A good place to call it a day. Get a comfy room at reasonable rates and stretch out for the night.  In the morning, before you head out, stop and get some Cheese to go with that Wine.

   –  Stop at Brennen’s Market, 5533 University Ave, Madison, WI  typically open by 8am

https://brennansmarket.com/

  • Schaumburg, IL will be along your route to Chicago. (2 hours)

    – Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL

This mall is known for being one of largest malls in the United States. Retail therapy is a must on most trips, is it not? Walk around and enjoy a couple hours out of the car, grab lunch so you are ready for the drive ahead.

  • Head HOME, this leg of the trip will take you thru Indianapolis and back home (6.5 hours)

I hope you enjoy your trip to Mount Rushmore, and that you are able to stop and see fun, exciting things along the way. Remember opportunity for breaks across the rural states can be far apart, plan accordingly as you come to roadside rests, hotel options, switch drivers often if you can. Travel Center such as Love’s, Pilot, Flying J often offer restaurant partners and clean restroom facilities along with fueling opportunities.

GO Ahead – Get Out There and See Stuff