Spotlight on South Dakota featuring Mount Rushmore & The Badlands

Welcome to the West. Your tour opens in Rapid City, long known as the gateway to the Black Hills. As travelers' arrival times vary greatly, there are no group activities planned during the day. Tonight, you and your fellow travelers gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Learn the history of enterprising Westerners at the Chapel in the Hills. Continue to Mount Rushmore to spend time with the towering figures of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln as you stroll along the Presidential Trail, offering the closest view of this iconic sculpture. This evening, return to Mount Rushmore for the night-time lighting ceremony.*

Today, visit the Oglala Lakota Living History Village. The Oglala Lakota are one of the seven tribes that make up the Great Sioux Nation. In their own voices, hear about their history, relationship to the land, and modern-day culture. Then, embrace the vast beauty of Badlands National Park and venture into its larger-than-life landscape with a Native American guide. Your guide will share their personal perspective of the land, weaving stories of heritage, culture, and their way of life into the journey. At the visitor center, the stage is set for your adventure, with informative exhibits, displays, and videos to introduce you to the area. Travel the Badlands Loop Road, home to vibrant colors and rock formations created by mineral deposits. Visit the legendary Wall Drug, a store barely changed since 1936. Do a little browsing, have a seat at the soda fountain, and perhaps grab a bite for lunch. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Perhaps you'll use your included Uber voucher and dine at one of Rapid City's breweries or steakhouses.

Get ready for Deadwood, where gold, gambling, and gunpowder were once the order of the day. This morning, it’s your choice! Take a guided tour of the Adams Museum and explore dynamic exhibits that shine a light on Deadwood’s legends and outlaws -OR- visit Kevin Costner’s Tatanka: Story of the Bison sculptures depicting the relationship between bison and the Lakota. This afternoon, this National Historic Landmark comes alive as if you’ve stepped onto the set of an old-fashioned Western. A local guide shows you the town, including where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried. This evening, enjoy a dinner and Western show at the High Plains Heritage Center.