The presidents of Mount Rushmore National Memorial will embark on a 14-city tour across the Midwest, beginning May 23. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln will visit some of the most popular sites in the Midwest and personally invite residents to make a trip to South Dakota this summer.

The official tour by the presidential mascots and an accompanying street team from the Department of Tourism are part of the Department’s “Your American Journey” marketing campaign. The campaign encourages vacationers to visit places of great historic significance, unimagined beauty and patriotic inspiration within the borders of South Dakota. The group will ride in style in a bus wrapped with custom artwork depicting the variety that South Dakota offers travelers.

“All of the cities along this tour are filled with people who have a high propensity to travel to South Dakota,” says Jim Hagen, Secretary of the Department of Tourism. “The goal of the presidential mascots’ tour is to build awareness about South Dakota, create excitement among those who see them, and plant the seed of a South Dakota vacation with all of the potential visitors we have the opportunity to speak with one-on-one.”

Cities, in order of the tour schedule, include:

• Rapid City, S.D.
• Pierre, S.D.
• Omaha, Neb.
• Lincoln, Neb.
• Kansas City, Mo.
• Des Moines, Iowa
• Chicago, Ill.
• Milwaukee, Wis.
• Madison, Wis.
• Eau Claire, Wis.
• Minneapolis, Minn.
• Fargo, N.D.
• Watertown, S.D.
• Sioux Falls, S.D.

The presidential mascots and accompanying street team will also offer residents of these cities a chance to win one of four vacation giveaways. Contest details and registration can be found beginning May 15 on the Department of Tourism’s Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/SouthDakotaTourism. The contest runs through June 14, 2013.

The mascots, designed to depict the mountain carving in the Black Hills, have traveled across the country the past two years, including a stop in New York City to watch the “Mount Rushmore’s American Pride” float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The presidents’ journey can be followed online at www.Facebook.com/SouthDakotaTourism, or by using the hashtag, #SouthDakota, on Twitter (@SouthDakota).

Watch our social channels for more details on where the presidents are and what they are doing!

Gear up outdoor enthusiasts and bird watchers! South Dakota’s 3^rd Annual Birding Festival is taking place in just a few days.

May 3-5, 2013, birding enthusiasts will migrate to Lake Andes, South Dakota, to see hundreds of bird species that have migrated to South Dakota after spending time in other parts of the country. Festival goers will also see birds that are temporarily in South Dakota before they move on to another region.

The Lake Andes area is known to play home to more than 322 species of birds, 164 of which are breeding species.

In previous years, birders have enjoyed the sight of Snowy owls, and a Western grebe paired with a Clark’s grebe. The sighting of the two together is very rare and special for the enthusiasts.

Registration for the event is in Pickstown, South Dakota. The group will be taking “field trips” to Karl Mundt National Wildlife Refuge – this is the only time that the Refuge (near the Fort Randall Dam) is open to the public. Other activities include bird banding, bird identification, a session with birding experts, guided field trips and activities for children.

For more information on the festival, visit this link.

Go Outside!  Play!

It was beginning to seem like spring would never come, but finally, thank goodness, it is here. Warmer temperatures are a welcome change in their own right, and combined with the color explosion that is close at hand, South Dakota will soon be an even more wonderful place to spend time outside.

From canyons to trout, to foxes and ringed-necked pheasants, there’s plenty to see while enjoying the upcoming warm temperatures. Whether you’re a South Dakotan or a visitor, here are some of the best spots in the state for enjoying springtime treasures.

Wildlife Loop Road Scenic Byway

It can be a downer when the weather doesn’t match the season. In South Dakota, cool temperatures often still make the prospect of getting outside on foot a little daunting. This is why the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park is such a treasure. Without leaving your car you can see a variety of animals (foxes, deer, coyotes, elk, prairie dogs, pronghorn), including one of the world’s largest buffalo herds. There are also other great scenic drives in the park to complete your truly American safari experience.

McCrory Gardens

The McCrory Gardens maintained by South Dakota State University in Brookings is a must-see for flower and plant enthusiasts. The gardens consist of 25 acres of flowers, trees, herbs, shrubs and grasses. Especially exciting is the rose garden with over 30 varieties of roses, given that they’ll soon be blossoming. Just think of the smell!

McCrory Gardens
photo taken by: Jeremiah M. Murphy

Roughlock Falls Nature Area

The Roughlock Falls Nature Area in Spearfish Canyon may be one of the most picturesque spots in the state. A multilevel waterfall spills onto moss covered rocks, making it a popular subject for photographers and admirers alike, but the falls themselves are only half the fun. The Roughlock Falls Nature also boasts ample hiking trials and trout fishing spots, and a wonderfully high concentration of wildlife and bird life.

Roughlock Falls
photo by Matthew Paulson

Oyate Trail

The Oyate Trail is a grassroots, alternative route for traveling along South Dakota’s southern border from North Sioux City west to the southern Black Hills. The trails system of highways, like US-18, bend and twist through some of the state’s most beautiful and most culturally important areas. The vistas are endless and the trail’s path connects thousands of visitors to several places to learn aboutNative American culture and history. The Oyate Trail is superb option for those who’d like to enjoy the outdoors with a few creature comforts.

Bid Winter Farewell

Even when winter seems hesitant to leave, we can take heart in the fact that spring is right around the corner. Outdoor excursions, concerts, wildlife viewing, hikes, photography, fishing; these are just a few outdoor options South Dakota offers in the spring to those who’ve been craving fresh (warmer) air.

No matter if you do your exploring on foot or behind the wheel, enjoying spring’s resplendent glory in South Dakota can be the perfect post-winter recharge. Have fun, and remember your camera!

Jeffrey Ferraro is a travel expert and enthusiast. Jeffrey loves uncovering lesser known travel destinations and sharing them with his customers. He is the Director of Marketing of Diamond Tours, the leading provider of charter group bus tours in the US and Canada, including popular bus trips such as the Smoky Mountains bus tour.

South Dakota is home to six National Park Service (NPS) units. Despite federal sequestration, visitors should know that our national parks in South Dakota are ready to welcome them this summer. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, and Missouri National Recreational River are open for business!

South Dakota is fortunate and proud to be home to these great parks in the Mount Rushmore State. We certainly encourage you to visit their webpages at www.nps.gov for more information before your visit to confirm hours and educational programming.

As of today, here is the status of the National Parks in South Dakota:

Mount Rushmore National Memorial: Operating normally. Visit their website for information on programming.

Badlands National Park: The Ben Reifel and White River Visitor Centers will remain open as normal. Cedar Pass Lodge, operated by Forever Resorts, LCC, will open on April 12. Check their website for ranger program information.

Wind Cave National Park: Visitor center hours will be slightly reduced from June 9-August 10. Elk Mountain Campground will be closed for the summer. Visit their website for information on visitor hours, cave tours, etc.

Jewel Cave National Monument: Some minor changes to some visitor services, but otherwise operating normally. Additionally, the visitor center will be displaying new exhibits for the summer. Visit their website for information on visitor hours, cave tours, etc.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site: Some slightly reduced services, but barely noticeable. Visit their website for information.

Missouri National Recreational River: Slightly reduced hours at the visitor center. Check their website for information on visitor center hours.

South Dakota looks forward to making your family feel welcome in our great state filled with Great Faces and Great Places.

South Dakota residents and visitors alike are able to better acquaint themselves with Native American culture at the Buffalo Interpretive Center. The Center is operated by the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and is located seven miles southeast of Fort Pierre on S.D. Highway 1806 – which is also a part of the Native American Scenic Byway.

Visitors to the Buffalo Interpretive Center have the opportunity to learn about the importance of the bison to Native American culture from a variety of educational exhibits, and to view a herd of bison from the large windows of the Center.

The Center houses a great collection of educational programming, such as hands-on exhibits and interpretive videos, as well as a gift shop that offers products created by Native American artists. Occasionally, there are artists’ demonstrations of the techniques used to create their arts and crafts.

The herd of bison dwells on 6,200 acres of land owned by the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Occasionally visitors are able to see them from the windows inside the Center. Tours of the pasture are also offered by the facility.

Since opening in 2004, the Buffalo Interpretive Center strives to “further cross-cultural understanding by teaching the story of the buffalo, its importance and significance to Native American culture, and its relationship to the people of the Lower Brule Tribe.” For a small admission fee, visitors are welcome to take part in this educational and cultural opportunity.

The Center is open year-round on weekdays, weather permitting. Visitors are encouraged to call the Center at 605-223-2260 or 888-323-2260 for current hours of operations.

South Dakota’s Great Places weekly press release series is a project of the South Dakota Department of Tourism, designed to highlight places in South Dakota that are unique to travelers and residents alike. Click on the “South Dakota’s Great Places” link at www.MediaSD.com to access the complete list of articles.

By Rhea Landholm, office coordinator at Main Street Square and Destination Rapid City

The Main Street Square ice skating rink is one of the newest places to visit in Rapid City, and was even voted the best “first date” place in Rapid City.

Did you come see us last year? If you did, you would see that the rink is in an oval shape, and is bigger than New York City’s Rockefeller Center. There are plenty of places where people can sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season. There’s even a fire pit where you can warm up.

If you’ve only seen Main Street Square during the summer, you know that the distinct oval shape is there, circling a lawn and the interactive fountain area. Main Street Square staff has been working hard the past couple of weeks to erect dasher boards, and to lie down glycol matting in that oval (right over the green grass).

This week, staff has been spraying water on the mats with the hose, and the chiller, a large refrigeration system that is set up in the alley, is pumping glycol underground to those mats, to freeze the ice.

The ice should be ready and glistening by Saturday morning, when the rink will open at 10 a.m. When you arrive, be sure to visit the Skate Shack to pay for a wristband that allows you onto the ice (and sign a waiver, or have an adult sign for you). We also rent ice skates if you don’t have your own. Helmets are free!

Once you have a wristband, you may skate the entire day. So, skate for an hour, then visit local shops and restaurants, and return to the rink later for more skating.

I can’t wait to glide across the fresh ice, and watch the mini-Zamboni drive in circles cleaning the ice.

Join us at Main Street Square in Downtown Rapid City for [FUN]²!

Check out Main Street Square’s Facebook page too – just search for Main Street Square!

The Governor’s Mansion in Pierre South Dakota sitting near the Capitol and Capitol Lake were open for tours during the summer months. Now, First Lady Linda Daugaard has announced that mansion will also be open for Christmas Tours. While you’re in the area, don’t miss a tour of the the Christmas at the Capitol where dozens of trees are adnorned in sparkling lights.

First Lady Linda Daugaard announced that public tours to view Christmas finery at the Governor’s Mansion will be offered on two Mondays in December. 

“The Governor’s Mansion is beautiful during the holiday season, and Dennis and I would like to share that with all South Dakotans,” the First Lady said.  “We are so very fortunate to live in this home, but it really belongs to all of us.” 

The holiday tours are scheduled for Dec. 10 and Dec. 17.  Six tours will be conducted each day (9 a.m.; 10 a.m.; 11 a.m.; 1 p.m.; 2 p.m.; 3 p.m.). 

Those wishing to take the Governor’s Mansion tours must obtain tickets (free) in advance from the Pierre Chamber of Commerce.  There is a limit of 40 people per tour. 

The Chamber of Commerce can be reached at 605-224-7361.

“Our South Dakota: Big Land / Big Ideas / Big Heart” is on exhibit in the Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society located at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

It’s a great exhibit featuring the landscapes of South Dakota from past to present. You’re able to measure yourself up to a full-size replica of George Washington’s nose on Mount Rushmore – the nose is over 15-feet tall! Sit down, and gets hands on with an old-school typewriter and type out a memo to a friend, you could take it home and send it in the snail mail with a stamp!

You’ll also have the opportunity to get in touch with nature. There are fox skins, skunk skins all for you to touch, feel, explore and learn from inside this great exhibit. Oh, I can’t forget to mention the poop samplings that are lying around. Don’t be surprised if it looks like a previous visitor brought along a buffalo, coyote or prairie dog. Not to worry, the samplings are only rubber, but they sure look real!

Climb into a real combine cab and see what it is like to harvest a field. Or, see how South Dakota measures up in size to other states in our nation by grabbing a Velcro state of South Dakota and moving it along the country side to see how the size compares. We look tiny compared to Texas, but massive compared to many eastern states. It’s an interesting hands on exhibit that is great for adults and children of all ages. Get to know South Dakota a little bit better by visiting this exhibit at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

Plan your visit to see “Our South Dakota: Big Land / Big Ideas / Big Heart.”

The Trail of Governors is a non-profit group working to celebrate leaders who have shaped South Dakota into the state it is today.  The Trail of Governors will be creating and erecting life-sized statues of all past South Dakota governors and forming a “trail” of the statues from the State Capitol grounds to downtown Pierre near the Missouri River.

 Photo credit to Trail of Governor’s Foundation

The intention of the trail’s design is to allow people to walk along the trail and learn more about not only South Dakota’s former governors, but also to learn more about the state’s history.

Recently, the Trail of Governors Foundation placed the first two statues of the project in their permanent places.  Walter Dale Miller’s statue stands near Burke Real Estate and Harlan Bushfield’s statue is on Historic Pierre Street. Arthur Mellette will be placed at the Hughes County Courthouse in late July.

The next series of Governors have been announced for next year. They include Governor Frank Farrar, Harvey Wollman, and Bill Janklow. Both Farrar and Wollman are still living, which the Trail of Governors chairman notes, “makes the project even more special.”

Artists from across the state have been commissioned to create the life-sized statues. Artists include John Lopez, Lemmon; James Michael Maher, Belle Fourche; and Lee Leuing and Sherri Treeby, Aberdeen. Each statue costs around $68,000 and the money is raised through private sources – each statue is allowed to have four sponsors.