A family vacation in South Dakota is the perfect way to enjoy your leisure time. The Mount Rushmore state is both wonderful and inexpensive, the perfect place for a family getaway that won’t leave you wondering whether you’ll need to get a second job. Not only that, but it offers something fun for everyone.

For the most part, many of these attractions are more than reasonably priced, and a surprising number of them are even free. The state offers everything, including national monuments, wildlife watching, some unusual attractions, scenic parks and byways, and even the occasional tourist trap.

One of the most remarkable and free attractions is the Corn Palace. This unique site dates back to the 1800s, when the early settlers, proud and grateful for their wonderful harvest, decided to make a marvelous display of the bounteous goods the earth had given them.

Since this tradition was established, residents of Mitchell have taken it in turns to decorate their buildings after the manner of their ancestors. The designs vary each year, so you may be sure of seeing new artwork every time you visit.

The Corn Palace is the focal point of a yearly celebration which has been dubbed The Corn Palace Festival, celebrated in August. Some of the many attractions include bike rides, concerts, and comedians, and you are even invited to participate in a variety of local events.

If you want a tourist trap, the Wall Drug, located in Wall, South Dakota, is an Old West town replica with lots of fun stuff for kids and adults alike, such as a water show, a treasure hunt, a tepee, and even the opportunity to catch a rogue dinosaur…not very “old west”, but the kids will like it. There’s also a variety of shopping and an old-fashioned soda fountain for refreshment, and picture opportunities you’d hate to miss.

For wildlife lovers, there’s Bear Country USA, a safari-style nature park that features a wide array of animals that can be viewed on self-guided tours. These tours allow families to see the various animals they are interested in, when they like, for as long as they like. Not one of the cheaper attractions, it’s nevertheless well worth the money as an educational and interesting excursion.

South Dakota is also the scene of many beautiful and evocative landscapes. The Badlands, located just off the interstate, offer hikes and picnic areas, and a view of scenic wonder not to be found or rivaled by any other.

If you enjoy outdoor sports, Black Hills National Forest may hold many attractions for you. It offers such varied activities as hunting, fishing, hiking, and even rock collecting.

Of course, no trip to South Dakota can be considered complete without a visit to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. These amazing feats of engineering were erected as monuments to the early founders, and must without a doubt appeal to the patriot in us all.

There are hikes which visitors can take up Rushmore, performances in the amphitheatre, guided tours around the site. If you prefer, you can watch an educational film detailing its history and significance.

The tribute to Crazy Horse, though as yet unfinished, is still an impressive site. Workers toil tirelessly to complete this new national treasure, and each day add a little more. The site already has a museum and gift shop.

South Dakota offers many more attractions, which you can explore by visiting South Dakota’s tourism website. This wonderful state, the home of so much fun and interest, is an affordable, attractive and exciting option for any parents planning a family vacation.