Where to go: South Dakota

[Happy_Lendervedder]

Three years ago I would’ve recommended Pee Wee’s Mountain Music Show. But Pee Wee died and I think they shut it down. Too bad, because it was friggin’ fantastic!

I would recommend traveling through Needles Highway, as you can park your car, get out and climb away. (From I-90 and Rapid City, take Highway 79 south about 18 miles, then Highway 36 and 16 southwest about 20 miles until you reach Highway 87, the Needles Highway.)
Also, in the Black Hills, as far as kitchy goes, there’s The Cosmos:

The Cosmos - Nature’s Mystery Area
Rapid City, SD 57702 (605) 343-9802 / (605) 343-7278

Located 17 miles south of Rapid City on US Hwy. 16. The Cosmos is the strangest location in the Black Hills. Here the world is different, topsy-turvey with nothing in its normal position (including yourself). The laws of nature seem to have gone completely beserk, especially in the old mystery cabin. But to feel the pressure of the area against you is the most unusual feature of all, a physical experience you will never forget. Balls roll uphill, no one stands straight, you can stand on the wall. Kids 11 and under free with parents. Open April to November. Summer hours: 7:00am to dusk. Off Season Hours: 9am - 5pm.

(From here)

Happy, who spent every other summer there growing up

[stpauler]

@MissTake

The itinerary so far:
Leave Minneapolis at Noon on a Wednesday
Drive to Champlain (?). Spend the night. I have been told the best way to see the badlands is early, and slowly. So that’s what we’re gonna do.
Make our way into Deadwood Thursday (stopping at Wall Drug. We’ve scratched the Corn Palace of our To-Do list). Explore Deadwood and that which is near.
On Friday we’ll hit Mount Rushmore and the Flintstones Park
Saturday will be Custer State Park.
Sunday afternoon, home.

The last time I was in SDak, I was 14. I remember seeing Mt Rushmore and thinking to myself “…and? it’s a friggin’ ROCK”

On that same trip we broke down. In the middle of nowhere. In 100F heat. Two adults and 9 teenagers. It wasn’t pretty. Ergo, going in June

NOW: Where are the other kitschy places to hit in SDak? I know in Champlain they have the huge buffalo monuments. No Ball-O-Twine? No Enormous Chicken?

Well, if you’re leaving from Minneapolis, MN, contingent on the route you can stop in Darwin, MN for one of the world’s largest balls of twine which is right out US Highway 12 towards SD.

[moonstarssun]

If you get into the Hot Springs area, hit Evans Plunge to cool off (a natural spring–all indoor) and also make a trip to the mammoth site. You can see a mammoth dig in progress.

For Kitsch, Wall Drug is great, but you might also hit Keystone (near Mt. Rushmore). They have a bunch of touristy little shops–good place for souvenirs for the kids.

I grew up in Rapid City. I can’t say I miss living there (few job opportunities, backward politics, etc), but I miss the Black Hills. It’s a beautiful place. Have fun!

[Shoeless]

I haven’t seen many mentions of places to stay, so I’ll just toss this one out. My wife and I spent a night in a nice little B&B outside of Deadwood called Black Hills Hideaway. Don’t know if it is in your price range or not but it was sooooo nice. I highly recommend it.