[kattlekate21]

We are finally goin on a vacation! Sort of - we are heading up to Harvey ND for an auction and going to take our sweet time along the way. We are planning on taking some time in Rapid City, Bismarck and I think Spearfish. What is there to do around those parts and what stores do you guys have - I know, but I would love to catch up with a couple of places that maybe double or triple and have fun that way!!

Any help is appreciated!!

[DTHRESH]

I have gone to Bike week in Sturgis many times; got married in Spearfish Canyon. We always stay at the Franklin Hotel in Deadwood. Spearfish canyon is a beautiful drive, but I suggest you do it from the "top to the bottom" instead of vice-versa. Otherwise, you are driving up hill the whole way and the car (or motorcycle, in my case) just struggles the whole way. Deadwood is alot of fun, but not really a place for kids. Lots of Bars & Casinos. Site of where Wild Bill Hickock was shot playing poker, hence aces & eights being called "the dead man's hand". They have a museum and tours to boot hill cemetary which are both very interesting if you like that kind of stuff. Wild Bill and Annie Oakley are buried there. Custer State park is beautiful, but STAY IN YOUR CAR! We were there when the herd of buffalo decided to stampede and it WAS VERY SCARY! They were literally bouncing off people's cars and stuff! DO go thru the badlands loop in Wall. It is some of the most beautiful scenery..... Also you will see a million signs to visit Wall Drug. It is a tourist trap, but would be fun for the kids. Just a bunch of unique western stores, etc. Reptile Gardens is worth the price. The caves are quite scary, I think anyway - wouldn't go again. Take Needles Highway - it is even better than Spearfish Canyon. It was made with a "road trip" in mind, with scenic overlooks and hairpin turns! Mt. Rushmore used to be much better than it is now. They kind of "modernized" it and they get you big time to park (I don't remember how much, but I remember thinking it was a rip off). It is worth seeing once; I wouldn't go back again. The other carving they are doing is Crazy Horse Mountain, which will take them forever to finish. Not much to look at, it isn't done. This is the difference between a government-funded project (Rushmore) and a publicly funded project (Crazy Horse). Tried to go to the "Cosmos", but we were on the motorcycle and it was an uphill gravel road so we turned around. I thought that would be a neat thing to see - it is one of those places that has no gravity, etc. Have also been to bear country, but I don't know if it's still there - I heard there was a forest fire there. You drive thru a zoo where the animals are loose. (Ask for a loaner car, just in case - which they will provide to you free). Well, have I rambled on enough? Hope this helps.....Debbie

[kattlekate21]

Wow!! We are set now!! So many of those things I hadn't heard of! I was planning on bear country, reptile gardens and hopefully the cave. But the cosmos sound cool. Our baby is just almost one, so we are def after the type of things that will excite him in the moment since we won't exactly have lasting memories of all of this!!

Thank so much, looks like I have some googling to do!

[CJCAREY]

I live in Rapid City...and there are tons of fun things for kids to do here! In Spearfish there is a fish farm/hatchery that is by their city park that is totally worth the trip. It is free to the public except for the food to feed the fish, and you will be amazed at how big they are!! Spearfish canyon is worth the drive and if you turn at Spearfish Canyon Lodge there is a beautiful waterfall hidden back there! In Rapid City there is Storybook Island (park for kids) and canyon lake park (you can feed the hundreds of ducks that stay there) both totally free!! Bear Country is alot of fun as well, next door to that is Old Mcdonalds Farm (not sure if it is still open though) it is a fun place to let the kids run around and chase animals all day! It's also nice to go down through Keystone and Hill City and just walk through the shops. And of course you can't forget Mt Rushmore. I could go on and on, so if you want to know any more specifics just send me a message!!

[CJCAREY]

I forgot to mention I also grew up in Bismarck! Not a whole lot to do there for kids though. Medora is worth the trip if you are headed up that way anyway!

[kattlekate21]

Thanks so much for the tips!!! I might be checking in with you on a few things in Rapid! I have never been there before so this is all new to us! I didn't really know what to expect in Bismarck so we got a nice hotel and figured after the auction we are going to be too worn out to worry about too much else!!

You are so kind to help me out with this one!! Thanks