Chicago to Mount Rushmore Help

Hi

Following 6 days of ballgames from Minnisota to Milwaukee and Milwaukee to Chicago, the hubby and I have 8 free days and want to get to Mount Rushmore. Looking for thoughts on routes to take, towns to visit, restaurants that are a must, town fairs, cookoffs or any other hightlights you may have. Our trip is during the 2nd and 3rd week of May. Many thanks

Chicago to Mount Rushmore Help

If you%26#39;re willing to take the scenic route vs. the interstate, you could make your way west from Chicago to the Field of Dreams near Dyersville, IA. Dyersville is just off Highway 20. That seems like a ';must see'; for baseball fans or film buffs.

Options along I 80 in Iowa include the Herbert Hoover presidential library and museum in West Branch, IA (about 10 miles east of Iowa City, IA) and Living History Farms just west of Des Moines. IA.

Further north: I haven%26#39;t been there myself, but if you like quirky places there%26#39;s a Spam Museum (yes, celebrating the canned meat product) in Austin, MN that is close to I 90 and about 1 1/2 hrs. south of Minneapolis.

In South Dakota, the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD and Badlands National Park are along the interstate as you drive toward Rapid City/Mt. Rushmore.

Have a great trip!

Chicago to Mount Rushmore Help

Prariedog,

Your post was exactly the stuff I was looking for. A;readu surprising my hubby with Dyersville but did not know about Austin. Can%26#39;t wait to check out the Spam museum. Any restaurants you want to recommend?

If you were already planning a stop in Dyersville, you may be interested in stopping In Dubuque first. They have ther Mississippi River Museum, Gambling boats , a cable car ride, and a great shopping area on Bluff Street.

I%26#39;m glad that the suggestions hit the spot, globaluyandgirl!

I%26#39;m afraid that the extent of my knowledge of the restaurant scene in Austin is that there is a Culver%26#39;s (a pretty good Midwestern fast food chain) there. I%26#39;m told by a friend at work who is from Dyersville that the Country Junction restaurant has good pies. Perhaps someone else who reads this board will be able to provide more help.

Take care!

Girl, Here in IOWA the best place to eat is a ';little hole in the wall diner'; off some highway that you don%26#39;t even know if you%26#39;re suppose to be on! We have every fast food place there is, but for a real good home cooked meal you need to drive through town and look for a diner or a small place that isn%26#39;t known from t.v. Good luck

Yes! country Junction! I live in Madison, WI, and my dad makes a stop at this restaurant EVERY time he comes to visit. He always brings me a slice of pie, and it is wonderful. I would also suggest, as I have before, taking a quick trip off hwy 20 to hwy 17, toward Boone. I grew up near this area, and it is beautiful. The Boone Railroad goes through here, and a passenger train (scenic only) still runs here. http://www.scenic-valleyrr.com/

You can take a quick train ride, or the dinner train, and see the river valley from the freakishly high (for Iowa) bridge. It really is beautiful. If you camp or hike, Brushy Creek and The Ledges are in the area as well. Brushy Creek is a campsite with horse trails however, so be prepared for dirty cowboys (very nice folks) everywhere. Good luck!