When I started to plan our trip to Rapid City, South Dakota I knew we were going to need a place to stay. Traveling with two kids, I had some specific amenities and qualities I was looking for in a hotel. Here are a few things I was looking for - It had to be family friendly. There needed to be a pool. Wireless internet was a must. Restaurant on site. Easy access to … [Read more...]
Wind Cave National Park: Scenic Cave Tour
Peyton discovered cave tours last year when I took her on one in southern Minnesota. From that moment on, she has been begging to go on more cave tours. South Dakota has several guided tours available to the public at various caves. Since we were already exploring Wind Cave National Park I decided to take the kids on tour through Wind Cave. There are several tours available at Wind Cave National … [Read more...]
Wind Cave National Park
While we were visiting South Dakota I wanted to spend some time in the National Parks. There are a few different parks you can visit while in the Rapid City area. Unfortunately, time flew by and we were only able to fit in one National Park. Wind Cave National Park is located just a short 10-minute drive from Custer, South Dakota. Wind Cave National Park is considered a smaller national park in … [Read more...]
Custer County Candy Company
On our trip through South Dakota, we stumbled across an adorable old fashioned candy store. The Custer County Candy Company is located in Custer just a 15 minuted drive from Wind Cave National Park. It's right off the main drag, tucked back just a little ways off the street. If you see a huge metal sculpture of two horses stop, the candy store is right behind them. First thing I saw when I … [Read more...]
Mammoth Site
Peyton has a fascination with dinosaurs. There was one point when she would only watch The Land Before Time and Ice Age movies. She's better now and watches other shows but when I saw an opportunity to take her to a site where they are excavating Mammoth bones I knew I had to take her. For Peyton to see a real Mammoth bone up close would be something she would never forget. The Mammoth Site is … [Read more...]
Wall Drug
Stopping at Wall Drug is a must if you are in South Dakota. I had never been before so I wasn't sure what to expect. When we arrived, immediately I felt overwhelmed. Thank goodness we visited during the off-season, I don't think I could've driven Wall Drug during peak season. It would've been way too stressful for me. Because it was the off-season many places were closed but the main attraction, … [Read more...]
Reptile Gardens: Wild Animal Park
Peyton loves to go to zoos and it is my goal to take her to as many as I can while she is little. When I heard about the Reptile Gardens: Wild Animal Park I wanted to check it out. At first, I thought it was a zoo full snakes but I was completely wrong. There are many more animals besides snakes. But, you do see a lot of snakes. Like a whole building full of various snakes. I must admit, even … [Read more...]
Crazy Horse
South Dakota is steeped in history, it's one of the main reasons I chose to take the kids here for MEA break. After visiting Mount Rushmore we headed over to Crazy Horse. It's only about a 15-20 minute drive. Crazy Horse is a privately funded memorial surviving on donations from the public. It's a shame there is no state or federal aid to this memorial. Because it's only funding source is … [Read more...]
Dinosaur Park
If you've followed us for a while, you probably know Peyton is obsessed with The Land Before Time. She owns every single movie and episode ever made. Even the one that came out earlier this year! When I found out there was a dinosaur park in Rapid City I knew it was going to be on our list of places to stop by. Unfortunately, majority of attractions close the first part of October in Rapid City, … [Read more...]
Christmas Village
It's always Christmas time at Christmas Village in Rapid City, South Dakota. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. I love decorating our tree, the home and our walkway. It's something Peyton and I have been doing together since the day she was born. Granted, when she was a baby she sat and watched. But now, Peyton has just as much fun as I do unwrapping each one of our holiday decorations and … [Read more...]
