When it comes to planning a vacation, many Americans first look to the coast. The promise of fun in the sun and crystal clear water is a strong draw, but there are equally amazing destinations in the middle of the country. Just consider South Dakota. While you won’t find sandy beaches in the Upper Midwest, you will find unique and awe-inspiring sites that will set the stage for a vacation to remember.
The Monuments
Nicknamed “the Mount Rushmore State,” it should be no surprise the national memorial is the state’s biggest draw. Mount Rushmore attracts more than two million visitors each year, with tourists from across the country excited to see the 60-foot carved stone faces of presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt. A short drive away, visitors can find another mammoth stone monument. A work-in-progress, the 563-foot high Crazy Horse Memorial is the world’s largest sculptural undertaking.
The Palace
It’s not quite the Taj Mahal, but visitors to Mitchell, South Dakota can visit The World’s Only Corn Palace. The building, which in addition to attracting up to a half million visitors annually regularly hosts concerts, festivals and sporting events, was created more than a century ago to celebrate South Dakota’s agricultural heritage. The palace is redecorated every year, using 12 different shades of naturally colored corn. Seeing all that corn is bound to make you hungry, and fortunately there is excellent casual dining Mitchell SD.
The Parks
South Dakota is home to two major national parks. The Badlands highlights the state’s striking landscape of hills, pinnacles and rugged rock formations. It’s also a great place to watch wildlife, as the park is home to bighorn sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn and even a large bison herd. In the southwestern corner of the state is Wind Cave, which features what may be the world’s largest karstic cave system. Above ground, the park’s prairie and pine forest is home to elk, bison and numerous other animals.
There is so much to see and do in South Dakota. Visiting the state will introduce you to many of the country’s greatest treasures.
