Minnesota and South Dakota

In my continued planning for an RV vacation through the upper midwest, I also ordered the state tourism books from Minnesota and South Dakota.

Minnesota's was not at all what I was expecting...it was a narrative, not like a guide book. Since there were very few bold headings about towns or attractions, it didn't really catch my interest enough to read every word. Thus my impression is that there isn't much to see in Minnesota. They have a huge concern about the environment. They make cheese. Lots of pictures. That's all I remember. Won't be spending more time tracking down things to do there.

Now, South Dakota has a very well done tourism guide book. Minnesota should order one and follow their lead. Granted South Dakota a rural state, but they have quite a handful of things that interest me.

• Kirby Science Discovery Center
• Explore red quartzite pinnacles and chasms along Split Rock River in three Garretson parks. Back road scenery, geology, history of prairie pioneers and legendary bandits Jesse and Frank James are waiting for you to discover in Garretson.
• Walk among 1000 free-flying butterflies from all over the world at Sertoma Butterfly House.
• Visit Triple U Buffalo Ranch, where "Dances With Wolves" was filmed.
• Badlands National Park scenery
• Devils Tower National Monument
• Jewel Cave National Monument. At 142 miles, Jewel Cave is the second longest cave in the world. It is filled with calcite crystals and other wonders.
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. Get a first-hand look at a once-classified launch control facility. Tour the underground control room & topside support structures for this Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile facility, Delta-01.
• Wind Cave National Park. "One of the world's longest and most complex caves and 28,295 acres of mixed-grass prairie, ponderosa pine forest, and associated wildlife are the main features of the park. The cave is well known for its outstanding display of boxwork, an unusual cave formation composed of thin calcite fins resembling honeycombs. The park's mixed-grass prairie is one of the few remaining and is home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs. "
• Black Hills Maze and Family Adventure. 37,000 square foot, two-level Maze.
• Wall Drug Store with frontier town, shopping and food that looks very fun.
• Rushmore Tramway Chairlift & Alpine Slide - alpine slides are a BLAST.
• The Roo Ranch - home to mroe than 50 kangaroos, wallaroos, and wallabies. Can get your picture taken with them.
• Wounded Knee Memorial Museum - partly cuz we like the movie Thunderheart.
• South Dakota Air & Space Museum
• The Corn Palace

So, yeah, I'm a lot more impressed with South Dakota right now than I am with Minnesota. Anyone been to South Dakota? Is there something special there you've like that isn't on my list above? Or been to anything on my list that is a stinker in reality?