​South Dakota offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, wild west heritage, Native American history and unique patriotic attractions. During this season, the aspens’ golden leaves shimmer in the

fresh air, creating a breathtaking tapestry of yellow against the clear blue sky.
 

DAY ONE: Journey across Missouri in our deluxe motor coach to an overnight in Iowa.

DAY TWO: Arriving to South Dakota - The Mount Rushmore State… offering some of the most diverse landscapes in the country.  Immersed in beautiful views of the Dakota prairie, we’ll stop for a lunch break before arriving to the world’s only Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. Part museum, part preservation, the Corn Palace is a must see in the Dakotas.  Our next stop is to see the new ‘Dignity’ Statue. The 50’ tall sculpture of a Dakota Native American woman is a stunning combination of art and history as she casts a peaceful gaze across the waters of the river. We’ll overnight just across the Missouri River at the iconic Al’s Oasis in Chamberlain/Ocama, SD.   

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DAY THREE: Our journey west continues to Badlands National Park. Mesmerizing in every direction, we’ll drive the entire park loop to experience its dramatic rock formations while watching for bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs amidst the park’s sprawling grasslands. Of course, there will be time to spend at the National Park Visitors Center. Leaving the park, we’ll head west again to the town of Wall, SD which is home to famous Wall Drug! Enjoy shopping and lunch in this fun western town. Our Black Hills hotel accommodations in Rapid City, SD will welcome us in the evening with dinner at a local favorite restaurant.

DAY FOUR: Our exploration of the magnificent Black Hills begins! First stop is the most famous attraction in the state and one of the most iconic American destinations - Mount Rushmore! This enormous National Monument, designed by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, is carved into the granite of the Black Hills, featuring George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.  We will have plenty of time to explore the National Parks Visitors Center, movie, walking trails, museum and bookstore before lunch in the town of Keystone. Next stop will be the at Crazy Horse Memorial, an emerging colossal sculpture. Once completed, this monument will depict the Ogalala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse. Take time at the visitors’ center to peruse the history and impact of this developing memorial before our tour heads back to Rapid City.

DAY FIVE:  Don your gold miner’s hats for our visit to the largest Black Hills Gold factory with a tour and plenty of shopping time.  We’ll learn about the fascinating and intricate process of getting gold from the ground ready for distribution and sale. Our next stop is at the beautiful Chapel in the Hills which is an exact replica of the famous Borgund Stavkirke in Norway. Visit the museum, gift shop and meditation trail.  We’ll end the day traveling back east and will overnight in Ogallala, NE.  

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DAY SIX: We’ll continue journeying east across the prairie lands for our overnight accommodations and dinner in Nebraska City, NE.

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DAY SEVEN: Our final day of this amazing journey will lead us back east across the “Show Me State” returning to St. Louis by early evening.