Faces of South Dakota

Day 1 • Chicago Suburbs: Our adventure begins today with a scenic drive westward. Overnight in the suburbs of Chicago, IL.

 

Day 2 • Jackson, MN: Cross the great Mississippi River this morning prior to lunch in Nashua, IA. Here, we’ll be delighted by a stop at the Field of Dreams. Made famous in the heartwarming film, you can play out your own dreams on the baseball diamond surrounded by farmland. Then travel to the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" for overnight in Jackson. (B, L)

 

Day 3 • Keystone, SD: Today we take in the natural splendor of Badlands National Park. Enjoy time to explore the famous Wall Drug before checking into our unique home for the next five nights. K Bar S Lodge offers tranquility in the secluded Black Hills with amazing views of Mount Rushmore! (B, L)

 

Day 4 • Rapid City: Visit The Journey Museum, telling the story of the people who shaped the Great Plains. Then, enjoy a guided tour and shopping at the Black Hills Gold Factory. After lunch on your own, a local guide leads us on a tour of highlights of the City of Presidents. Dinner is at our lodge. (B, D)

 

Day 5 • Train Ride & Crazy Horse: View the gorgeous surroundings of our lodge before departing for the 1880 Train in Keystone. Experience a scenic vintage steam train ride through the Black Hills to Hill City, where we stop at the Dinosaur Museum. Venture to Custer and the Crazy Horse Memorial, where we enjoy a step on guide and dinner. (B, D)

 

Day 6 • Rushmore & Custer State Park: Visit the Borglum Historical Center to learn the story behind the sculptor of Mount Rushmore prior to exploring his amazing work in person. Spend the afternoon in breathtaking Custer State Park, home to free roaming bison, elk, big horn sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn antelope and more. We’ll drive the Wildlife Loop Road before departing for Fort Hays Old West Town and Dinner Show. Browse the gift shops and check out the Dances with Wolves film set. After the supper bell calls you for a delicious chuckwagon meal, enjoy the Cowboy Music Variety Show. (B, L, D)

 

Day 7 • Spearfish & Deadwood: Learn about the country’s first national monument at Devil’s Tower Visitor Center. A local guide joins us for a tour of Spearfish Canyon and a stop at the Deadwood History and Information Center followed by free time in Deadwood. (B, L)

 

Day 8 • Sioux City, IA: We bid adieu to our mountain lodge this morning and stop this afternoon for a tour on own of the Corn Palace in Mitchell. We overnight in Sioux City. (B, D)

 

Day 9 • Portage, IN: We continue east with a stop at the Amana Heritage Museum. A national historic landmark, Amana offers a rich historical experience of the German communal settlement in the Iowa Valley. Enjoy lunch at the site’s Ox Yoke Inn before arriving in Portage for overnight. (B, L)

 

Day 10 • Home: En route home we stop at the beautiful campus of the University of Notre Dame. Lunch in Middlebury, IN, before returning this evening with a deeper appreciation of America’s history and beauty. (B, L)