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Black Hills
Most people travel to the Black Hills to experience that Old Western feeling that is so prevalent in the area. The Black Hills of South Dakota are also teeming with national parks, monuments, and attractions. Here are just a few of the most popular attractions and family activities in the Black Hills.
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is undeniably the biggest attraction in the Black Hills area, and most likely in the entire state of South Dakota. People flock by the thousands to see the portraits of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt carved into Harney Mountain. This memorial took an astounding six years of continuous work to complete and now stands proudly, a granite masterpiece. Do you want to know some interesting facts about Mount Rushmore? How about the fact that if the Presidents were scaled to life they would be 465 feet tall? Or the fact that each Presidential eye is 11 feet across? In addition to the actual memorial, there are trails, a Visitor's Center, and several other activities located inside the national memorial park. Mount Rushmore is open year round and is a perfect family destination.
National Presidential Wax Museum
Keeping with the nationalistic theme, why not mention the National Presidential Wax Museum? A great supplementary activity that goes well with Mount Rushmore, this museum gives you the opportunity to learn a little bit more about the men on the mountain as well as other presidential leaders. See life like wax figures that act out represent some of the most important people and events in American history. When you are through touring the museum grab a bite to eat at the Executive Order Grill or check out the Holy Terror Mini Golf course.
Broken Boot Gold Mine
Aside from Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills are known for a few other things; namely gold! This particular gold mine was established in 1878 and though it did yield quite a bit of gold, iron pyrite (fool's gold) was the main find in this mine. Today tours are given every thirty minutes. These tours take you down into the mine where you can see and experience the mine firsthand. After touring the century old mine, you can pan for your own gold in the stream outside.
Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns
People began visiting these caverns in the late 1920's, most of them Native Americans who traveled from nearby homes and reservations at the request of the cave's owners. It was one of these Native Americans, a medicine man named Black Elk, who chose the name Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns to honor his friend. Today tours operate seven days a week, all year long. Inside the caverns you can see the world's most extensive display of dogtooth spar crystal and beautiful rooms that defy description.
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is undeniably the biggest attraction in the Black Hills area, and most likely in the entire state of South Dakota. People flock by the thousands to see the portraits of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt carved into Harney Mountain. This memorial took an astounding six years of continuous work to complete and now stands proudly, a granite masterpiece. Do you want to know some interesting facts about Mount Rushmore? How about the fact that if the Presidents were scaled to life they would be 465 feet tall? Or the fact that each Presidential eye is 11 feet across? In addition to the actual memorial, there are trails, a Visitor's Center, and several other activities located inside the national memorial park. Mount Rushmore is open year round and is a perfect family destination.
National Presidential Wax Museum
Keeping with the nationalistic theme, why not mention the National Presidential Wax Museum? A great supplementary activity that goes well with Mount Rushmore, this museum gives you the opportunity to learn a little bit more about the men on the mountain as well as other presidential leaders. See life like wax figures that act out represent some of the most important people and events in American history. When you are through touring the museum grab a bite to eat at the Executive Order Grill or check out the Holy Terror Mini Golf course.
Broken Boot Gold Mine
Aside from Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills are known for a few other things; namely gold! This particular gold mine was established in 1878 and though it did yield quite a bit of gold, iron pyrite (fool's gold) was the main find in this mine. Today tours are given every thirty minutes. These tours take you down into the mine where you can see and experience the mine firsthand. After touring the century old mine, you can pan for your own gold in the stream outside.
Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns
People began visiting these caverns in the late 1920's, most of them Native Americans who traveled from nearby homes and reservations at the request of the cave's owners. It was one of these Native Americans, a medicine man named Black Elk, who chose the name Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns to honor his friend. Today tours operate seven days a week, all year long. Inside the caverns you can see the world's most extensive display of dogtooth spar crystal and beautiful rooms that defy description.