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1st Trip: Black Hills, SD
sammohanty
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Mount Rushmore being the prime focus.
What would be the ideal time to visit ? How many days ? What are the different things to see ? Which is the nearest airport ? Ideal airport ? Any reasonably prices hotels ?
lastly, is it worth it ?
Any feedbacks from travellers from all over the world would be greatly appreciated ?

I am leaving from US and traveling for 11 days
London, Brussels, Basel, Paris, London
Requesting help with Transport, Itinerary, Sights
oldlady
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I think Rapid City is the only commercial airport that’s close. I’d look at September as the ideal time — fewer tourists but the weather’s still nice.

Other things:

Carving of Crazy Horse on a nearby mountain — I think all of Mt. Rushmore will fit under Crazy Horse’s outstretched arm when this one is finished.

Old West tourist stuff and casinos in Deadwood.

Huge, huge buffalo herds at Custer State Park

Drive the Needles highway for great mountain views.

It’s not too far to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming.

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Yes, Rapid city is the best bet. However, your message suggests, that staying in Black Hills is worth 7 days. I have upto 10 days to take this.
I am a little concerned with September. Won’t it be too cold ?

I am leaving from US and traveling for 11 days
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Requesting help with Transport, Itinerary, Sights
Cil
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No, it should be quite golden and pleasant in September.
There’s always a chance for snow, but I really doubt it.

sammohanty
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I am still unclear on the number of days I need to stay in Mt Rushmore.
What do i do after more than 3 days ? is it worth to stay over 3 days ?
It seems like everyone seem to be advising to go in September. I am postponing it till sept.

I am leaving from US and traveling for 11 days
London, Brussels, Basel, Paris, London
Requesting help with Transport, Itinerary, Sights
oldlady
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Unless you 1) consider hiking, camping, kicking back outdoors, listening to park ranger campfire chats, etc. as entertainment in and of itself, 2) are into casinos and wild west tourist schlock, or 3) are so into Western History that you spend serious time at all the musuems and historical sites, three days is plenty.

Actually, two days is enough to just "see the major stuff." Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Needles highway can be "done" in a day — assuming it isn’t foggy.

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Will you have a car?

If you’re there more than 3 days, consider trips to Devil’s Tower, the Badlands (& Wall Drug) and the battlefield at Wounded Knee.

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Yes, I will rent a car. Secondly, I have a 10 month infant so i want to make sure my trip’s are infant friendly.
Third, I do not want to spend more time for the heck of it unless there is something really wonderful.

There is just too many places to cover in this world and not enough time.
Smile

Therefore all this hiking, listening to park rangers, casino’s is out.
Based on what you are saying, my focus should be really
Mt. Rushmore
Crazy Horse and
Needles highway

And 2 day is more than enough….

I was asking the AAA consultant and it didn’t seem like Badlands in anything interesting…

Can you please give me an honest opinion on Devil’s Tower, Badlands,

What is wounded knee and the wall drug ?

I am leaving from US and traveling for 11 days
London, Brussels, Basel, Paris, London
Requesting help with Transport, Itinerary, Sights
oldlady
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Wounded Knee (as in "Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee&quotWink is the battle field where the US Cavalry massacred over a hundred Native American non-warriors, almost entirely women, children and the aged. It’s on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation. South Dakota Indian Reservations are a bit of culture shock.

Wall drug is the ultimate in back-to-the-fifties roadside tourist trap. It’s great. http://www.walldrug….

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As for the Badlands and Devil’s tower, it’s all about how interesting you find wierd geological formations. I own "roadside geology" for just about every western state. They’d both be "can’t miss if you’re in the area and have transportation" in my book, but there’s nothing to DO there, just look at the geology and cruise the displays at the visitor’s center.

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How far is rapid city from Mt rushmore ?

Considering that I have a 11 month old, I am getting nervous whether i can handle him or not.
i would like to put up close to the city so in case of any emergency, I can have access to the care and food.

Has anyone ever travelled with an infant without having family or friends with you ?

I am leaving from US and traveling for 11 days
London, Brussels, Basel, Paris, London
Requesting help with Transport, Itinerary, Sights
oldlady
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Worst problem with an 11 month old is that they fall asleep in the car and then they’re awake all night — a problem for you, for sure, and sometimes for your neighbors. For a day that’s mostly driving try leaving early in the morning so you can get a couple of hours on the road before stopping for a breakfast break at your kid’s normal wakeup time.

I would plan on two or so play breaks during the day. That gives the kid a little activity/exercise and some undivided attention from you. Try to follow his/her normal daytime wake/nap cycle as closely as possible. A DVD player and Baby Einstein (if you can stand it) might keep him/her awake for longer periods in the car. McDonalds is a good break — the kid will be awake, alert and probably happy just watching all the other kids even if he/she is too little to enjoy the play area and too sophisticated to enjoy the food.

I’m not sure what your concern is with access to care and food. You really aren’t going anywhere that’s remote. Baby food, apple juice and emergency medical care are readily available. The desk staff at the motel will help you find whatever you need. In South Dakota and Wyoming, anybody you stop on the street will help you get what you need and a fair percentage of them will have emergency medical training since they’re volunteer firefighters and emt’s. The Park Ranger’s job is helping people and handling emergencies.

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Biggest concern is when I leave the hotel in the morning for sightseeing and do not return till midnight, how is the baby going to take it, considering that he needs his sleep and gets very uncomfortable in a stroller after about an hour.

More importantly, he dose not seem to like Gerber foods.

I am leaving from US and traveling for 11 days
London, Brussels, Basel, Paris, London
Requesting help with Transport, Itinerary, Sights
oldlady
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quote: Biggest concern is when I leave the hotel in the morning for sightseeing and do not return till midnight, how is the baby going to take it, considering that he needs his sleep and gets very uncomfortable in a stroller after about an hour.

Try a back-pack carrier for part of the time. My kid was really too wiggly for a back-pack and generally kicked me black and blue, but he did stay still enough that we toted him around a fair percentage of Yellowstone — including a couple of miles down the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. I think if you get yours out of the stroller for some wiggle time (blanket on grass will work)when he starts to get uncomfortable and then switch to back-pack for awhile (unfortunately you still end up pushing the stoller) he’ll fall asleep when you put him back in the stroller.
quote: [More importantly, he dose not seem to like Gerber foods.
So what does he eat? Apple juice, graham crackers, milk, formula, those baby cookies, cheerios and bananas are also readily available — at most gas stations.