With its collection of iconic attractions within about an hour’s drive or less from one another, South Dakota’s Black Hills area is the perfect destination for the quintessential American road trip. Rugged landscapes, historic monuments and cool art are all part of what’s in store when you make the drive from Kansas City. Here’s the best route – and a little on what to see and do along the way. Don't forget to order your Vacation Guide before hitting the road to discover even more South Dakota adventures!

Head north on I-29 for an easy day of driving, most of it along the Missouri River. Stop for lunch in Omaha in the Old Market neighborhood. Craft Sliders + Beer is a crowd-pleasing option, as is Old Mattress Factory Bar & Grill (a.k.a. “The Matt”) and Zio’s Pizzeria. While you’re here, wander around this hip neighborhood’s shops and galleries.

In less than three hours, you’ll be in South Dakota’s biggest city. Here, a gentle waterfall cuts through town (hence the name) and public art lines the thoroughfares. Take some time to explore.

Things to Do

No visit here is complete without a stroll around Falls Park (131 E Falls Park Dr.). Get your steps in along the Big Sioux River waterfront via Beadle Greenway Park (421 S 8th Ave.). You’ll want to spend part of one day taking in the art that lines SculptureWalk, which culminates in Arc of Dreams (300 N Cherapa Place) on the riverfront. Visitors young and old will love learning about the creatures that inhabit the Butterfly House & Aquarium (4320 S Oxbow Ave.).

Where to Eat

Sioux Falls is packed with dining options. Try chef-inspired fare at Grille 26 (1716 S Western Ave.), find a modern casual menu and great craft beer at JL Beers (323 S Phillips Ave.), get retro with American comfort food at Phillips Avenue Diner (121 S Phillips Ave.) or slow down with some wood-fired dishes at ROAM (4525 W Empire Place). Hungry yet? We are!

Places to Stay

Accommodations are no one-trick pony in Sioux Falls. ClubHouse Hotel & Suites (2320 S Louise Ave.) offers travelers familiar amenities, historic Hotel on Phillips (100 N Phillips Ave.) serves up a delightful boutique experience and just south of town, Steever House Bed & Breakfast (46850 276th St, Lennox) is loaded with cozy Victorian charm.

The road to Rapid City along I-90 is packed with iconic roadside attractions. The first is the World’s Only Corn Palace (604 Main St.), which is decked out in an ever-changing array of colorful kernels. Snap some photos, grab a popcorn ball and hop back on the interstate.

Here’s a great spot for snaps of those legendary Badlands spires. After 198 miles, turn onto SD-240 W and enter Badlands National Park. Stop by the Ben Reifel Visitor Information Center for a photo op and up-to-date visitor info, as well as Big Badlands Overlook. If you have time, there are some great trailheads here that’ll reward your effort with striking views – try Castle, Cliff Shelf or Door Trail. If you’re up for a challenge, opt for Notch Trail.

As the billboards indicate, there’s no passing through here without a stop at legendary Wall Drug (510 Main). Take in the kitschy vibe, spot the rare jackalope and buy a cup o’ joe for just a nickel. If you haven’t hit the Badlands yet, head south to Pinnacles and Yellow Mounds Overlooks.

A good basecamp for any Black Hills adventure, Rapid City isn’t far from all the places you’ll be hitting. Plus, it’s a destination in its own right. Between your excursions, explore the city’s exciting arts scene, from brilliant murals of Art Alley to the 44 U.S. presidents that dwell on the streets in sculpture form to the old-school charm of Dinosaur Park (940 Skyline Drive).

Things to Do

First thing’s first: Mount Rushmore National Monument. Get frame-worthy pics from the park’s scenic overlook, wander along its walking trails, and learn the story behind one of the U.S.’s most recognizable landmarks. When you’re done taking it all in, head to Custer State Park via legendary Iron Mountain Road, a 17-mile route so spectacular it even has its own gift store.

An equally jaw-dropping road (albeit for different reasons) is Custer State Park’s Wildlife Loop, where you’ll spot roaming buffalo, elk and other Great Plains-dwelling creatures.

Carve out a good part of a day for a visit to Crazy Horse Memorial, the stone monument to the great Lakota leader that, once finished, will be the largest of its kind in the world. While you’re here, learn about indigenous history at the Native American Educational & Cultural Center.

For a glimpse of the gleaming ore that helped put the Black Hills on the map for 19^th-century prospectors, head to Wade’s Gold Mill (12401 Deerfield Road) near Hill City. Go panning for gold, explore a Gold Rush-era facility, and have legitimate fun learning about modern mining practices.

Where to Eat

From hearty Midwestern menus to health-conscious locavore spots, Rapid City and the surrounding area have tons of food options. After checking out those famous presidential carvings, head to Custer and check out the oh-so-appropriate Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company & Pounding Fathers Restaurant (140 Mt Rushmore Road) for excellent craft beer and a menu to match. Chef-driven Skogen Kitchen (29 N 5th St.) is a great option if you’re up for an elevated breakfast or dinner experience, and The Custer Wolf (506 Mt Rushmore Road) offers imaginative fare and a great beverage menu.

Closer to your home base of Rapid City, Harriett & Oak (329 Main St.) is a great spot for coffee and a healthy breakfast. After a day of sightseeing, it’s always good to grab a cold one at Lost Cabin Beer Company (1401 W Omaha St.), where you’ll often find food trucks serving up good eats.

Places to Stay

Rapid City’s historic Hotel Alex Johnson (523 6th St.) is a great place for history and art buffs, but if you’d rather stay in a rustic setting outside town, you have plenty of options. Sylvan Lake Lodge (24572 SD-87) and Harney Camp Cabins (24345 SD-87) are great spots near Custer (the former is even within Custer State Park). In Hill City, there’s Pine Rest Cabins (24063 US-385) as well as Trails End Cabins & Motel (320 Park St.), and you’ll find overnight charm at  Ponderosa Pines Inn & Cabins (705 Glendale Drive) in Lead.