We are driving from WA to KS this summer with our 2 year old. We are stopping to stretch our legs for an extra day in Bozeman and Rapid City (well really we want to see Mount Rushmore).
Is there a good place to stay in Bozeman that won't require driving much to get to things to do? We will be spending enough time in the car I'd love to be able to walk to a restaurant or park for DS to run around.
For Mount Rushmore and/or the Black Hills, is Rapid City the best place to stay? Again, I'd love to limit our time in the car, but I suppose there isn't a Hampton Inn adjacent to Mount Rushmore We are pretty early on in our planning so any tips would be great!
Post by 2boys2danes on Mar 31, 2015 17:14:18 GMT -5
WHen are you going? The giant Sturgis motorcycle rally 75th anniversary is the first week of August so if its then hotel rates anywhere near will be crazy high… you might check out Deadwood SD as a nice place to stay…i went with H to Sturgis a few years ago (totally not my thing but totally his!) and we stayed at a pretty nice hotel there in downtown. It was charming in an "old west" kind of way
and Mt Rushmore was super cool… they light it at night too and that is something to see as well
Post by Wanderista on Mar 31, 2015 17:27:08 GMT -5
I was also going to say that Deadwood is cool and worth visiting. I've been to Bozeman though it has been a long time since I was there and I was at a conference so I did not choose the hotel. I really enjoyed the visit though and I remember that they have a cute downtown that seemed pretty walkable. Also, I had a really bad experience at a Taco Bell in Sheridan, Wyoming. It was years ago but I got terrible food poisoning there, so err, I recommend avoiding that place.
I live near Bozeman- most of the hotels are by the interstate, so not really what you're looking for. The Hilton Garden Inn is near Old Chicago, the Olive Garden, IHOP & a Japanese steak house. You'll have to drive around town to see much (from a hotel). Downtown is cool. The Museum of the Rockies would be good if your kid likes dinosaurs. There are lots of parks too.
WHen are you going? The giant Sturgis motorcycle rally 75th anniversary is the first week of August so if its then hotel rates anywhere near will be crazy high… you might check out Deadwood SD as a nice place to stay…i went with H to Sturgis a few years ago (totally not my thing but totally his!) and we stayed at a pretty nice hotel there in downtown. It was charming in an "old west" kind of way
and Mt Rushmore was super cool… they light it at night too and that is something to see as well
Thought I'd update in case someone searches down the road. I found a new hotel that just opened downtown Bozeman and booked a room there for two nights, called The Lark. Looks pretty cool, and the location seems good. Hopefully we dont regret it!
We live in KS and drove to Bozeman for a wedding last summer. We rented a cabin, so no help there, but we had kids with us and thought downtown was fun. We ate on the patio of a brewery one day for lunch, which was really nice. We drove home through sd and wished we would have stayed in rapid city and said we would if/when we go back. Tons of family friendly things to do there in the strip outside of mount Rushmore. Western Nebraska feels like it goes on forever and ever on the way to ks.
Post by FrozenSunshine on Apr 6, 2015 0:59:50 GMT -5
My IL's live in Rapid City so we hit Mt. Rushmore about once a year. I'd stay in Keystone if you want small town family friendly things to do. If you are in to wine Prairie Berry winery is good (and kid/family) friendly. Rapid City is just small town USA.
@dcn I can't remember of I responded to you in another thread...
I live in Bozeman. I would recommend staying that The Lark, which just opened in downtown Bozeman. It's on Makn Street and near a bunch of restaurants, shops, etc. The Gallatin History Museum, Myseum of the Rockies and Children's Museum are great.
@dcn I can't remember of I responded to you in another thread...
I live in Bozeman. I would recommend staying that The Lark, which just opened in downtown Bozeman. It's on Makn Street and near a bunch of restaurants, shops, etc. The Gallatin History Museum, Myseum of the Rockies and Children's Museum are great.
@dcn I can't remember of I responded to you in another thread...
I live in Bozeman. I would recommend staying that The Lark, which just opened in downtown Bozeman. It's on Makn Street and near a bunch of restaurants, shops, etc. The Gallatin History Museum, Myseum of the Rockies and Children's Museum are great.
We have a room booked at the Lark! Thanks!
Omg, I must have been drunk when I responded to your message! Please don't judge my atrocious spelling!
So walkable parks would be Cooper Park, through the neighborhoods to the south and west. Also, Peetes Hill/ Lindley Park, near the library at the east end of town. Peete's Hill has a great view of the whole town.
I also really like the walking tours at http://www.bozemantours.com; digital, Google-map tours of historic places in town. Kind of a fun way to get to know the area.
Where in WA are you driving from? We make the Spokane/ Coeur d'Alene trip 5-8 times/ year, so I know lots of tips and tricks...
So walkable parks would be Cooper Park, through the neighborhoods to the south and west. Also, Peetes Hill/ Lindley Park, near the library at the east end of town. Peete's Hill has a great view of the whole town.
I also really like the walking tours at http://www.bozemantours.com; digital, Google-map tours of historic places in town. Kind of a fun way to get to know the area.
Where in WA are you driving from? We make the Spokane/ Coeur d'Alene trip 5-8 times/ year, so I know lots of tips and tricks...
We are coming from Alaska....taking the ferry to Bellingham and stopping in Coeur d'Alene for a night before hitting Bozeman for 2 nights. After Bozeman we are going to Yellowstone!