Will look forward to hearing how you enjoy it.
Restaurant research is one thing we could have probably done better with. We kind of just ate whatever we came across, and nothing stands out as memorable. Really had a great trip overall though.
Vacation in the Black Hills
- Thread starter CYdTracked
- Start date
Restaurant research is one thing we could have probably done better with. We kind of just ate whatever we came across, and nothing stands out as memorable. Really had a great trip overall though.
Plans are coming together. Was able to book K Bar S Ranch for 2 nights then The Lodge At Deadwood for the last night. Pretty excited about both as they look like they have some great views and are not chain hotels. Had a friend post some vacation pictures from the Black Hills last week so reached out to see what they enjoyed. Their family really enjoyed Crazy Horse so that is on my list now, Needles Highway was another one they recommended. Right now trying to squeeze all this into 2+ days:
Drive out stops at Corn Palace and Wall Drug
Mt Rushmore
Bear Country
Wind Cave
Custer State Park
Needles Highway
Crazy Horse
76 Museum in Deadwood
Devils Tower on the way out from Deadwood
Want to do a tour at Wind Cave. The website is kind of messy, did you book online and which tour? I assume the natural entrance tour is the main one, I asked someone that recommended it and they said they just showed up and did not reserve a tour.
Drive out stops at Corn Palace and Wall Drug
Mt Rushmore
Bear Country
Wind Cave
Custer State Park
Needles Highway
Crazy Horse
76 Museum in Deadwood
Devils Tower on the way out from Deadwood
Want to do a tour at Wind Cave. The website is kind of messy, did you book online and which tour? I assume the natural entrance tour is the main one, I asked someone that recommended it and they said they just showed up and did not reserve a tour.
I have been there twice. Once like 25 years ago and another time about 8 years ago. Granted that was pre-COVID but we didn't have reservations either time.
When you're heading back to K bar S from Custer State Park, take 16A back into Keystone. You get a really cool view of Rushmore through one of the tunnels.
You can't miss it. Seriously. Second only to Wall Drug for billboards.
Check out Spearfish Canyon on the way out to Devil's Tower - very cool and right off the highway.
need some helping finding good local restaurants in Rapid City. Here now and there's a ton of chain restaurants but having a hard time finding local places that are worth going. We have 8 & 6 year old daughters with us so family friends needs to be considered. I saw Mackenzie's mentioned...what else is there? I'm seeing JRs BBQ and Holy Smokes as well for BBQ...
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There used to be a fire station brewery downtown... Long ago.
We went to a what I think was a mom and pop bagel shop. I'm pretty sure it was Black Hills Bagels. Limited menu including lots of fresh bagels, a variety of cream cheeses and bagel sandwiches. As I remember it's a popular place so it may take a few minutes. Might be a good option for breakfast.
www.tripadvisor.com
BLACK HILLS BAGELS, Rapid City - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor
Black Hills Bagels, Rapid City: See 198 unbiased reviews of Black Hills Bagels, rated 4.3 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #34 of 226 restaurants in Rapid City.
www.tripadvisor.com
If you find something you liked please share. I'm less than 2 weeks out from our trip and been keeping a list of things as I come across them on what to see or where to eat so I don't forget once we are on the road. Not sure how much time we'll spend around Rapid city as we are staying in Keystone and Deadwood so any suggestions for those 2 places as well are welcome. We may come through Rapid City on our way to Keystone the first day and may stop for supper depending on the time.
Trying to remember if we really ate anywhere in Rapid City when we were there last summer. We had a Vrbo and there were 9 of us so went grocery shopping and actually cooked a couple of meals at the house. We did order pizza one night, Boss' Pizza I think. Other than that, it was food in other places like Keystone or Savoy.
We may be in the area at the same time.
Last time we stayed in Keystone at Under Canvas but the kids are coming this time, so getting a hotel in Rapid City.
Last time we stayed in Keystone at Under Canvas but the kids are coming this time, so getting a hotel in Rapid City.
Deadwood sucks if you have kids. Its basically drunk motorcyclists in their 60s, bars & casino machines.
Of everything we did in the Black Hills it's the one place I wouldn't waste your time on.
Needles Hwy, Custer Park, Rushmore & Crazy Horse, Devils Tower, even Wall Drug (if you haven't been) are all far better experiences. Hill City is a surprisingly fun little town too. Has a little dinosaur museum, winery, brewery, and a lot of fun "touristy" stores for how small it is. Less crowded too.
Also recommend the "Alpine Slide" in Keystone, SD at the adventure park. First listen to a podcast about "Adventure Park in New Jersey" and their Alpine Slide - it'll really give you a rush when take your life in your hands that way lol
Of everything we did in the Black Hills it's the one place I wouldn't waste your time on.
Needles Hwy, Custer Park, Rushmore & Crazy Horse, Devils Tower, even Wall Drug (if you haven't been) are all far better experiences. Hill City is a surprisingly fun little town too. Has a little dinosaur museum, winery, brewery, and a lot of fun "touristy" stores for how small it is. Less crowded too.
Also recommend the "Alpine Slide" in Keystone, SD at the adventure park. First listen to a podcast about "Adventure Park in New Jersey" and their Alpine Slide - it'll really give you a rush when take your life in your hands that way lol
There's a street show about a historical event in Deadwood around 2 or 3 every day that they get the kids involved with. If they are planning to go with the kids, that's the ideal time to be there. Beyond that, you correct about the general vibe of Deadwood.Deadwood sucks if you have kids. Its basically drunk motorcyclists in their 60s, bars & casino machines.
Of everything we did in the Black Hills it's the one place I wouldn't waste your time on.
Needles Hwy, Custer Park, Rushmore & Crazy Horse, Devils Tower, even Wall Drug (if you haven't been) are all far better experiences. Hill City is a surprisingly fun little town too. Has a little dinosaur museum, winery, brewery, and a lot of fun "touristy" stores for how small it is. Less crowded too.
Also recommend the "Alpine Slide" in Keystone, SD at the adventure park. First listen to a podcast about "Adventure Park in New Jersey" and their Alpine Slide - it'll really give you a rush when take your life in your hands that way lol
Deadwood sucks if you have kids. Its basically drunk motorcyclists in their 60s, bars & casino machines.
Of everything we did in the Black Hills it's the one place I wouldn't waste your time on.
Needles Hwy, Custer Park, Rushmore & Crazy Horse, Devils Tower, even Wall Drug (if you haven't been) are all far better experiences. Hill City is a surprisingly fun little town too. Has a little dinosaur museum, winery, brewery, and a lot of fun "touristy" stores for how small it is. Less crowded too.
Also recommend the "Alpine Slide" in Keystone, SD at the adventure park. First listen to a podcast about "Adventure Park in New Jersey" and their Alpine Slide - it'll really give you a rush when take your life in your hands that way lol
Honestly am not planning to spend a lot of time in Deadwood, only staying 1 night before heading into WY for 4 nights so plan is probably to get into Deadwood mid to late afternoon to look around, get something to eat and maybe have the kids play at the water playland at the lodge. Probably going to check this place out which looks kind of interesting: Days of 76' Museum - Deadwood History Also found a page with a schedule of live shootouts: Main Street Shootouts - Deadwood Alive
Found this as well on that page:
In addition to the Main Street shootouts, the shooting of James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok is held daily inside Saloon No.10 at 1:00PM, 3:00PM, 5:00PM and 7:00PM
I would have questions about a museum who can't even figure out where to put the apostrophe...
Yeah, it is a typo but on their webpage they have '76 about half of the time and 76' the other half. You put it where something is missing. It isn't rocket science... 1876 --> '76
Unless it really is a museum dedicated to the days of 76 feet.
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I'd drive the road through Badlands National Park if you have time and are driving I-90 from the East. Costs $30 to get in.
oh and you already have a place to stay, but the lodge at the KOA campground right beside Mt Rushmore is available for anyone to book (don't have to be a KOA member) and it was shockingly nice. pools, horse riding, quad rental, laundromat, restaurants, etc, etc. all onsite. We'd never stayed at one and had low expectations, but were very impressed.
