Hike Mount Rushmore (South Dakota)

Mount Rushmore is one of the nation’s most iconic attractions and a true symbol of America. It was designed by sculptor Gutzon Borglum. Borglum began sculpting Mount Rushmore in 1927 at 60 years old. He chose these presidents because he felt they represented the most important events in the history of America. Washington represented the founding of America, Jefferson represents the Louisiana Purchase, Lincoln represents the abolishment of slavery and the preserving of America. Roosevelt represents the development of America, as he’s credited for the creation of the Panama Canal. All of these faces combine represent the story of how America the foundations we are built on. When it was all said and done, 500,000 tons of rock was removed from the mountain, mostly by dynamite and jackhammers. 

The presidents are the main attraction at Mount Rushmore, but the park is suited for a pretty entertaining hike. The Presidential Trail is a half-mile loop that provides various views of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The path is clear with a combination of paved paths, a boardwalk and stairs. While on your hike, be on the lookout for deer, marmots, chipmunks and plenty of birds roaming about. It’s a great way to burn some extra calories while checking off one of America’s top bucket-list attractions. 

And last but not least … They have an ice cream shop … which means they sell ice cream. But not just any ice cream. It’s an historic ice cream shop called Memorial Team Ice Cream. Try TJ’s vanilla ice cream, as it’s based on Thomas Jefferson’s original recipe from 1780.