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Carrie Isaac

Free Admission to South Dakota State Parks on Mother’s Day 2022

May 5, 2022 by Carrie Isaac

Whether you want to treat Mom to a day out with the family or maybe even take the kids out to give Mom some quiet time at home, visiting a state park is a great option and here’s even better news: Admission to all South Dakota state parks is free for everyone on Mother’s Day 2022 (May 8th).

Fishing is also free at South Dakota’s state parks and recreation areas on Mother’s Day. On this day only, you can fish for free without a license (normal regulations/limits do apply).

Find all of the state parks in South Dakota here.

PS – Did you know that our guests at The Evanston Suites in Hot Springs have access to a free state parks pass? It’s available to our guests on a first-come, first-served basis!

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Filed Under: Special Events Tagged With: State Parks

The Mammoth Paleontological Site

May 3, 2022 by Carrie Isaac

In 1974, a new housing development was being excavated on the south side of Hot Springs, South Dakota when a bulldozer uncovered something unexpected: large bones and ivory! It was confirmed to be remains of mammoths, and soon a paleontological dig started.

Today, you can tour the Mammoth Site, which is still an active dig site, and see the bones and tusks of 61 mammoths. The museum has an app or a brochure that you can use for a detailed self-guided tour, but we found that there was ample signage in the museum to explain what we were looking at.

If you’re looking for a place to stay in the southern Black Hills, we’d love to host you at The Evanston Suites in downtown Hot Springs!

This site is great because it’s super easy to see what you’re looking for because the remains are so big!

You can pick up exact replicas of mammoth bones and teeth.

Compare yourself to various extinct mammoths and other mammals. (Mammoths aren’t the type of animal they’ve uncovered.)

Once you are done at the dig site, you can go into the exhibit hall to see other displays, and then head downstairs to see the laboratory (mostly just through windows). You may be able to see paleontologists at work in the lab, and you can watch a 3-D printer creating a very small replica of a fossil. (It takes seven hours to make something about the size of your hand, so it moves pretty slowly.)

At select times of the year, you may even be able to see paleontologists working in the dig site. During the summer, they also have a junior paleontologist program for kids and a family dig program for an additional fee, as well as other activities.

The entire museum is indoors, so it’s a great option in winter. If you are a homeschooling family, be sure to ask about a homeschool rate (may not be available in the summer).

If you’re interested in showing your kids a different perspective on the dates and evolutionary theories presented at the Mammoth Site, you may be interested in the Awesome Science video about The Mammoth Site. You can watch it here with a free trial of AwesomeSciTV streaming, or purchase a DVD or download from Answers in Genesis.

For more information about The Mammoth Site, visit their official website.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, we’d love to host you at The Evanston Suites in downtown Hot Springs! We offer furnished vacation rentals in a historic building right in the center of everything, and just a 10-minute drive to Wind Cave National Park and less than an hour to Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and more great Black Hills attractions.

Filed Under: Things to Do Tagged With: Educational Attractions, Indoor Activities, Mammoth Site, Winter Activities

Pop-Up Grocery Market on Select Saturdays

April 27, 2022 by Carrie Isaac

Black Hills Bulk Foods Warehouse will be open for several pop-up markets on select Saturdays: May 21st, June 11th, and July 2nd (2022). They’ll have fresh produce, meat, cheese, honey, coffee, bread, and more – many products that are sourced from South Dakota.

Their warehouse is located at 713 N. River Street, just a few steps north of The Evanston Suites.

Here’s a few photos from their last pop-up market (I stopped by and found some great deals, like packages of blueberries for $1!):

Thanks to the owners of Black Hills Bulk Foods, David and Merissa, for the photos. Be sure to check out their website for their bulk food ordering options.

Filed Under: Special Events Tagged With: Black Hills Bulk Foods Warehouse, Local Food

Stair Climbing Race on Memorial Day

April 23, 2022 by Carrie Isaac

Better start training: The Hot Springs annual stair climbing race, Stars, Strips, and Steps, will be held on Memorial Day 2022.

This race takes participants through the town of Hot Springs up and down our historic staircases. You can choose from the 2-mile (about 269 steps), 5k (about 657 steps), or half marathon race (744 steps).

At the finish line of Centennial Park, there will be live music, free kids activities, food, and more from 12-3.

You can find out more and register for the 2022 event here.

Can’t get enough of the stairs? There’s also the Climb Hot Springs race in the fall.

Filed Under: Special Events Tagged With: historic staircases, Memorial Day Weekend, Sports Events

Jr. Ranger Day at Jewel Cave National Monument

April 22, 2022 by Carrie Isaac

Jewel Cave National Monument in Custer is hosting a Jr. Ranger Day on Saturday, May 14th. Families can learn about bats and build a bat house at the visitor center from 11 AM-noon (must pre-register here), in addition to the normal cave tours and other activities.

Families may also want to check out the National Park Service’s Junior Ranger Progam and Junior Cave Scientist Program.

Staying with us at The Evanston Suites in Hot Springs? Jewel Cave National Monument is less than an hour’s drive away!

Families, have you printed your free national parks pass yet?

If you have a child who’s in 4th grade, be sure to get your family’s free annual pass to our national parks. You must print off the voucher at home in order to receive the pass at a national park, so don’t forget to do that before you leave on your trip to the Black Hills.

Photo by Murray Foubister, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Special Events Tagged With: Custer, Day Trips, Free Events, Jewel Cave National Monument, National Parks and Monuments

The Missing Mammoth: Interactive Mystery Event at Mammoth Site

April 22, 2022 by Carrie Isaac

The Mammoth Site will host interactive mystery events on Friday and Saturday, April 29th and 30th: You and your team will enjoy dinner as you solve the “mystery” of the missing mammoth skeleton. This the Mammoth’s Site annual fundraiser event. You can find out more information here.

Filed Under: Special Events Tagged With: Mammoth Site

Spring Fling Home & Garden Show on April 30th

April 22, 2022 by Carrie Isaac

Spring is in the air – at least off and on! – and the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Spring Fling Home and Garden Show at Mueller Civic Center on Saturday, April 30th.

They’ll have vendors, food booths, and demonstrations on topics such as picking the best trees, growing microgreens, and more.

Admission is $1. You can find out more information here.

This really is the weekend to get started in the yard and garden: River Run Greenhouse opens for the season on April 30th!

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Filed Under: Special Events Tagged With: Local Food, Mueller Civic Center

The Silk Road Experience (Pakistani Food) in Hot Springs, SD

April 21, 2022 by Carrie Isaac

One of my personal favorite restaurants in Hot Springs is The Silk Road Experience, which serves Pakistani-style food for weekday lunch and Friday/Saturday supper.

Everything we’ve tried has been delicious, from the tandoori chicken to paratha rolls to garlic naan: it’s all fresh and filled with wonderful spices and flavors.

You should definitely order the extra naan, and thank me later. (Try dipping it in their yogurt and cilantro chutney – “Pakistani-style ranch dressing”!)

Their menu is small – one to three entrees – but it changes frequently and I love discovering new items.

Outdoor seating is available, or you can take it back to your suite at The Evanston to enjoy. (We’re just a six-minute walk away!)

I appreciate that they have a very consistent schedule: always open Tuesday-Friday from 11-2 and then for dinner from 5-8 on Friday and Saturday. They told me that they’ll be there as scheduled no matter how cold or snowy it gets! (Indeed, if it’s cold outside, order some hot chai to drink while you wait: it is delicious and full of fresh spices.)

A few things to note:

  • They only accept cash or check.
  • You can call to order ahead: 541-666-0131
  • They update their Facebook page with menus

The Silk Road Experience is located at 239 N. River Street, between the theater and ice cream shop.

Filed Under: Places to Eat

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