This Sunday and Monday only in Rapid City- what to see?

We%26#39;ve got two kids, 10 and 14, girl and boy respectively, and are flying to Rapid City tonight, saturday the 10th and staying in Lead, SD, coming back Tuesday the 13th. We could possibly do something on Tuesday morning but mostly Sunday and Monday. Can you advise?

This Sunday and Monday only in Rapid City- what to see?

A one day trip could comprise of seeing:

1. Spearfish Canyon-Very scenic drive between deadwood/lead area and Speafish.

2. Belle Fourche:

-Center of the Nation

-Tri-State Museum

3. From Belle Fourche drive west to Hulett to see Devils Tower before heading back toward the Lead/Deadwood area.

Belle Fourche is about a 30 minute drive from Lead and another 45 to get to Devils Tower. This would probably take most of an afternoon, leaving your morning open for sites nearby deadwood.

I would recommend seeing Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse in one day and drive HWY 385 which is quite scenic

This Sunday and Monday only in Rapid City- what to see?

The Lead/Deadwood/Spearfish area had snow overnight so you%26#39;ll have to fight that a little bit. You should be able to get there, though. This time of the year, the kids stuff in Deadwood is pretty slow.

Like the last post says, I%26#39;d split your stay into two days. One day centered around Devils Tower and one day centered around Mount Rushmore.

For your Devils Tower day, drive Spearfish Canyon, go to Devils Tower and return. You and your kids might get a kick out of eating at Sanfords in Spearfish. It%26#39;s a Sanford and Son theme restaurant with stuff and junk everywhere in an old garage. Even if your kids don%26#39;t know about Sanford and Son, they enjoy the stuff.

For your Mount Rushmore day, take 385 down to Mount Rushmore. 385 itself isn%26#39;t all that scenic--the best scenery will be had on the Norbeck Loop which involves The Needles Highway through northern Custer State Park and Iron Mountain Road back to Mount Rushmore. Best use of your day will be Mount Rushmore in the morning and the Needles loop in afternoon. If you think your kids will like German food, try lunch at the Alpine Inn in Hill City (which would have to be Monday since they are closed Sunday).

If you find yourself with more time, you could check out the Wildlife Loop but that turns into a long day.

Actually, 385 near Hill City and Pactola Reservoir is scenic with some views of Harney Peak--I didn%26#39;t mean to discount tsmd2007%26#39;s post. I was thinking of 385 south of Deadwood. It%26#39;s kind of plain in that area.

Take a trip through Spearfish Canyon and then head over to Hulett, WY to check out Devils Tower, on the way back take SD HWY 34 to Belle Fourche. This is another wonderful drive that will allow you to stop at the Aladdin General Store and then head into Belle Fourche. Belle Fourche is the Geographic Center of the Nation and dedicated a new monument last August and will be dedicating the avenue of flags in June. Definitly worth the time to stop by and see. You can also check out the Tri-State Museum which has free admission as well as the Johnny Spalding Cabin at the same site as the Monument and museum. If you are into Geocashing...Belle Fourche has many geocash sites for you to choose from. From Belle Fourche the drive back to Deadwood is only 30 minutes. Making a big loop for the days activities would prevent you from back tracking over the same roads and allowing you to check out a few more of South Dakota%26#39;s hidden wonders.