Make It a Presidential Fourth of July | Black Hills Travel Blog

Make It a Presidential Fourth of July

  • Make It a Presidential Fourth of July
    Make It a Presidential Fourth of July
Updated: 
Thursday, June 17, 2021
By : 
Anonymous

From BBQs and fireworks displays to running in 5Ks and listening to live music, there is plenty to see and do in the Black Hills during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Not only do all of the Black Hills and Badlands roll out the red carpet for their Fourth of July events but there are numerous attractions throughout the area of presidential status to help you celebrate our Founding Fathers and all of the presidents who have led this great nation.

Check out just a few of the great presidential attractions throughout the Hills.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

What could be a more presidential way to celebrate Independence Day than to visit America’s Shrine of Democracy, Mount Rushmore. Towering 5,725 feet above sea level, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Theodore Roosevelt stand as a memorial to 150 years of American history. If each president represented on the monument were to scale, they would each stand 465 feet tall.

Visit the Information Center and Museum on site, take a walk along the Presidential Trail, check out the Sculptor’s Studio, and even grab a bite to eat at Carver’s Café and Memorial Ice Cream Shop where you can taste Thomas Jefferson’s vanilla ice cream recipe.

Visiting Mount Rushmore is sure to be a monumental way to celebrate the holiday, the park is hosting events on July 3 and will be open to the public on July 4.

Presidential reenactors George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt will be roving the park throughout the day from 11:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Each president will present talks about their presidency, pose for photographs, and provide autographs. Presidential talks will be in the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center Theater B.

Sequoia Crosswhite, a musician, storyteller, historian, and member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe will provide music and stories at the Youth Exploration Area.

Please note there will not be a fireworks display held at Mount Rushmore National Memorial however, there will be multiple fireworks displays in the surrounding communities on July 4.

City of Presidents Sculptures

Get in a little exercise, explore downtown Rapid City and celebrate the leaders of our great nation by taking a stroll through the City of Presidents sculptures.

Situated on the street corners of downtown Rapid City are the 44 U.S. Presidents, each with an accompanying plaque with information on their and other points of interest Snap a photo with your favorite president to share on social media or as a great addition to the vacation scrapbook.

The project began in the year 2000 with the goal of honoring the American presidency while maintaining accuracy and remaining impartial. President Barack Obama was added in 2019. President Trump’s statue is currently under construction.

National Presidential Wax Museum

You’ve never seen our presidents like this before. Stop at the National Presidential Wax Museum to see all 45 U.S Presidents up close. The collection includes over 100 lifelike figurines depicted in iconic moments of U.S. history.

Kids can request to complete the scavenger hunt at the ticketing counter. Find all the clues and receive a free National Presidential Wax Museum button.

South Dakota Air & Space Museum

Photo Credit Michaela Mader

Celebrate America’s independence by checking out the South Dakota Air & Space Museum, which features historic bombers, fighter jets, utility aircraft, missiles, and many other indoor and outdoor exhibits of aviation memorabilia. Situated at the entrance to the Ellsworth Air Force Base, the SD Air & Space Museum honors the legendary airplanes and their crews that have defended our nation. Please note, the museum will be closed Sunday, July 4.

More Monumental Things To Do

There are endless activities and festivals taking place during the Fourth of July weekend. Take a look at our events calendar, which includes a list of fireworks displays. You can also print a copy off of our website for your convenience.

If you plan on celebrating Independence Day with fireworks, please be mindful of the city laws where you will be celebrating, and be aware of fire conditions. Just one sparkler can quickly spark a wildfire.

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