The Hits & The Duds

Final post of the adventures in the Black Hills with the G'Kids.

The four summers (1982-1984) we spent time in the Black Hills with our kids are fond memories for them. We, Hubby and I, remember it as a time when we would PAY for one tourist attraction each visit and all other times were spent at FREE attractions. Sometimes we were there for a long weekend and once for a week or more. Our son was quite young, age 2 on his first visit, so he saw many things from the seat of a stroller. One of the free places we visited often was Storybook Island. It was about a block from our campsite, so it was an easy walk.

Storybook Island was on our Must See list for the G'Kids. The park has probably grown in size since the '80s. It is a great place to run and play, safely.

We thought the G'Kids would really enjoy the Mother Goose themed stations. That was not the case. After being at Story Book Land in Aberdeen this themed park was an inferior attraction. Dud #1


Another freebie our kids enjoyed was Dinosaur Park, on the skyline of Rapid City. Dinosaurs. What kid doesn't like dinosaurs? Large creatures for climbing and crawling. It was also on the Must See list.

 "But Grandma, you said there were lots of dinosaurs!" I think there are 4. "M" was NOT impressed.

Dud #2

Now that I think about it, our kids would probably say they liked the gift shop at Dinosaur Park, not necessarily the dinosaurs. The Grands never got to the gift shop.

The freebies that were a Hit were the activities at Hart Ranch Camping Resort. They enjoyed the pool, miniature golf,

the various playgrounds

and the evening train ride followed by s'mores & ice cream.

I am sure there will be a next time for the Grands to visit the Black Hills. Hubby and I know what we will do differently, if there is; more time at the camping resort and less time at the "spendy" attractions. Lesson learned.