Get ready for an epic road trip that culminates with seeing larger-than-life famous faces and reliving Wild West days. Driving from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Rapid City, South Dakota, is a 16-hour trip straight-through, but you’ll want to stop often to linger at places along the way. Don't forget to order your Vacation Guide before hitting the road to discover even more South Dakota adventures.

Start early today and head west on I-90. You’ll want to arrive by noon in Rockford, where two great experiences await travelers. If kids are in tow, head to the Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford water park. Adults will enjoy a slower pace strolling pathways at the high-quality Anderson Japanese Gardens. Find a place to eat along the picturesque Rock River downtown, then turn in for the night at one of the name-brand hotels. Get ready for a day of driving ahead.

You’ll drive for about eight hours today. Stop to stretch your legs and get a bite to eat in either Madison, Wisconsin (which is an hour and a half away from Rockford) or Rochester, Minnesota, about four hours from Rockford. You might opt for a pit stop in both cities. After arriving in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, make a beeline to check in to your hotel. These four are great options: ClubHouse Hotel & Suites (2320 S Louise Ave.), Hotel on Phillips (100 N Phillips Ave.), the Historic Victorian Inn (117 N Duluth Ave.) and Steever House Bed and Breakfast (46850 276th St, Lennox).

Eat dinner at All Day Café (2101 W 41st St.), Bread & Circus Sandwich Kitchen (600 N Main Ave.) or Minerva’s (301 S Phillips Ave.) and plot your itinerary for tomorrow. You’ll love how nature meshes so well with urban amenities. Must-visit places beyond the charming downtown boutiques in Sioux Falls include the signature waterfalls of Falls Park (131 E Falls Park Dr.), the SculptureWalk, Greenway Trail and Washington Pavilion (301 S Main Ave.).

From Sioux Falls, continue west on I-90. After about an hour on the road, stop in Mitchell. Go to the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village (3200 Indian Village Road) and learn more about the area’s ancient history at its Thomsen Center Archeodome excavation site. For a fun and quirky stop, go to The World’s Only Corn Palace (604 N Main St.) in Mitchell to look at one-of-a-kind corn murals. After filling up on Mexican or American fare at one of the local diners, hop back on the road.

Next stop:  Chamberlain! Between exits 263 and 265, see a replica of a 55-foot keelboat used by famous explorers at the Lewis and Clark Information Center and marvel at the 50-foot stainless steel Dignity statue overlooking the Missouri River. Learn more about Native American heritage and purchase authentic artwork at the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center (1301 N Main St.). Eat Mexican food at Mi Pueblo (120 Lakeview Heights) or Taco John’s (126 S Front St.), grab a burger at The Smoking Mule (309 E N St.) or a great steak platter at Charley’s (606 E King St.).

In addition to the national chain hotels, look into reserving a room at Thunderstik Lodge (24931 Thunderstick Road), Allen’s Hillside Motel (502 E King St.), A Bridge View Inn (115 N River St.) or across the river in Oacoma at Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center (1500 Shoreline Drive) or Baymont by Wyndham Oacoma (1100 E Highway 16).

Head west for a little over two hours and stop for a break in Wall (pop. 800), the gateway to the Badlands. The historic Wall Drug (510 Main St.) attracts road-trippers from all over. Today, it’s a combination gift shop, drug store and restaurant; buy a souvenir, eat a doughnut and sip free ice water. Refreshed, finish your drive to Rapid City, which will be your base for the next few days of exploring surrounding towns and the Black Hills and Badlands region.

Rapid City is the gateway to a wealth of wonderful outdoor destinations within an hour or so from the city. Among them are the rugged geological formations, fossil beds and wildlife of Badlands National Park; the beautiful landscapes – mountains, lakes and prairies – and a herd of roaming bison at Custer State Park; Crazy Horse Memorial (12151 Avenue of the Chiefs), a mountain carving-in-progress that is a tribute to the Lakota warrior; and, of course, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, featuring the faces of four U.S. presidents carved into the side of a mountain.

Need a break from outdoor exploration? Spend time with 30,000 square feet of slides and swimming pools at WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort (1314 N Elk Vale Road), open year-round.

In Rapid City, take a City of Presidents walking tour of the public art project that features life-size statues of U.S. presidents. The nearby local towns of Sturgis and Deadwood are great places to soak up the Old West vibe. In historic Deadwood, you’ll love watching the Main Street Shootout re-enactment that is a throwback to Wild West outlaw days.

You certainly won’t go hungry in Rapid City. In addition to a bevy of downtown restaurants, visitors will want to pop into local brewpubs, including Firehouse Brewing Co. (610 Main St.), which is South Dakota’s oldest brewery. (You can also order its Firehouse Wine Cellars wines). In the mood for Mexican food? Try the lively downtown hot spot ¿Que Pasa? Cantina (502 Main St.), a restaurant and tequila bar. Enjoy the modern spin on diner food for breakfast, lunch or dinner at upscale Tally’s Silver Spoon (530 6th St.). Admire vintage décor at Colonial House Restaurant & Bar (2315 Mt Rushmore Rd), known for its bakeshop and seasonal fare served from 7 a.m. to  9 p.m.

Rapid City boasts comfortable hotel and motel accommodations for travelers with varied budgets and interests. Find a comprehensive list— including cabins, campgrounds and vacation rentals — at Visit Rapid City’s website. Among local favorites are the romantic Summer Creek Inn bed-and-breakfast (23204 Summer Creek Drive), the elegant Rushmore Hotel & Suites (445 Mt Rushmore Road) in historic downtown Rapid City and Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City (523 6th St.), a Curio Collection by Hilton property.