Staying In Sturgis: Much More Than the Rally

06-11-2013

When to Visit

While winters in South Dakota can be pretty harsh, the majority of the summer provides warm days hovering between 70 and 85 degrees from April to September, according to Weather.com. It's no wonder the 73rd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally claims Aug. 5-11, when the weather is prime. If the culture and gathering excites you, don't miss these dates! If you're more interested in a quaint stay, take advantage of the summer months.

Where to Stay

Sturgis is large enough that it houses most of the well- known hotel chains like Holiday Inn, Super 8, Days Inn, and Best Western but if you desire a more authentic experience check out one of the many friendly B&Bs like the Poker Alice House.

The Coyote Blues Village B&B in Rapid City is worth the half-hour drive south and boasts an elegant experience perfect for romantics, but it's also perfect for families.

What to Do

The best part of visiting Sturgis has to be the array of attractions. From museums and National Memorials, wildlife and history, the region is full of colorful experience.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame tells a compelling piece of the Sturgis story. Full of history, exhibits and all sorts of vintage technology including old Honda, Triumph and Yamaha parts, the subjects capture a brilliant era of automotive enterprise and ingenuity. The craftsmanship and evolution of motorcycle creation is a true testament to industrialization and innovation that all walks of life can appreciate. The Fort Meade Museum is another wonderful opportunity right in the heart of town.

Jewel Cave National Monument, comparable to Carlsbad Caverns, in New Mexico, is also in the region and arguably more visually spectacular. The monument features 166 miles of winding routes making it the third longest cave in the world.

Finally, what's a trip to South Dakota without a stop at Mount Rushmore? The National Memorial is only about an hour-drive south and worth the time considering the magnificent view at the end of the trail. Sure, you could easily spend the entire trip at any of the get ups along Lazelle St. in the center of town, but a little exploration brings the Sturgis experience to a whole.

Whether you're hitting the road on your trusty bike or parking the family van somewhere along Ft. Meade Recreational Park, Sturgis is truly an American staple and a beautiful reminder that there are countless gems across the nation.

Stephanie is a journalist originally from Nebraska and now lives in Phoenix.

Photo by Flickr user Rebecca Partington

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