Badlands National Park

Rapid City, the Black Hills and Badlands National Park make up the southwest corner of South Dakota, where Mount Rushmore draws throngs of visitors. Rich in history, the region also includes Wounded Knee, Custer State Park and Crazy Horse Memorial. Also famous for the town of Sturgis, which hosts the annual summer Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Deadwood, west of Sturgis, has a colorful past - Wild Bill Hickok was murdered, and is buried in town. He is buried in Deadwood's Mount Moriah Cemetery along with Calamity Jane, the famous frontierswoman and friend to Wild Bill.

While the Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Marathon are in limbo, the new Run Crazy Horse Marathon and Half Marathon will hold its inaugural race in 2010. The Marathon, which also includes a five person Marathon Relay, will be run October 3rd. The race starts at the Crazy Horse Visitor Center, and finishes in downtown Hill City. Come get some exercise and support the first Run Crazy Horse Marathon and Half Marathon.

Best Western Hotels of South Dakota offer lodging in both Custer and Hill City. The Best Western Golden Spike Inn and Suites in Hill City is ideal for marathon runners. Located in the heart of Hill City it is convenient to all the area's attractions. It is also pet friendly, so no need to leave the dog home. The Best Western Buffalo Ridge Inn in Custer is close to the start of the Run Crazy Horse Marathon. Bring the kids, they will love the put-put golf and Flintstone's Theme Park nearby.

The great South Dakota Buffalo Roundup is a fall tradition in Custer State Park. The end of September, bring family and friends to watch as the nearly 1,500 buffalo are rounded up for sorting, branding, vaccinations and culling for the fall sale. An amazing sight to see, as riders on horseback and crews in pickups maneuver the herds into corrals and complete the work. November 20, 2010 is the Fall Buffalo Auction at Custer State Park, which is held to limit the herd size and ensure adequate rangeland for the existing animals.

The Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center in Rapid City hosts the 2010 Lakota Dakota Nakota Lanuage Summit November 18th through the 20th, 2010. The summit is a gathering of educators from all Native American tribes in the region, with a goal of teaching or learning a Native language. The mission - “Uniting the Seven Council Fires to Save the Language” will be underscored in a variety of speakers, breakout sessions and entertainment.

Halloween fanatics don't miss Deadweird, the annual costume contest in Deadwood. Held October 30, 2010, get your best costume ready, there were $5,000 in prizes donated last year. Look for fun all over historic Deadwood, you will surely find a haunted house, kids activities and a lot to do. The Best Western Hickok House in Deadwood is ideal for accommodations. Although the city is the final resting place of the Hotel's namesake - Wild Bill Hickok, his ghost has not been seen on the property. Have a great night's sleep on Halloween!

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

South Dakota, the Mount Rushmore State, with wonderful summer weather visitors are on the go. With well known attractions like the namesake Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, the Black Hills and Badlands National Park, there is a lot to see and experience. August brings the 70th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, one South Dakota's largest events and one of biking's most famous. Pierre, the state capital, is in the center of the state overlooking the Missouri River and Lake Oahe which are drawing fishing enthusiasts for the season. I-90 to the south guides travelers from Sioux Falls, the largest city across the state to Rapid City on terrific summer adventures.

Music lovers mark July 15th through the 17th for Sioux Falls 2010 JazzFest. Now three days featuring two outdoor stages and it is free. With an outstanding lineup including the Yellowjackets, Los Lobos, Los Lonley Boys and Marcia Ball, it will be an event not to be missed. Held at Yankton Trail Park, the festival is sponsored by the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society. In conjunction with JazzFest, runners can participate in the JazzFest 5K on July 17th. You can choose the 5K run or a 1 mile fun walk, both events are at Yankton Trail Park in the morning.

Sioux Falls is home to two Best Western Hotels for visitors to the city and surrounding area. The Best Western Empire Towers and the Best Western Ramkota Hotel both offer convenient and affordable accommodations for visitors. The indoor water play land and heated outdoor pool at the Ramkota Hotel are a favorite for kids, especially in summer. For shoppers, the Empire Towers is located across the street from the Empire Mall in Sioux Falls.

Athletes book the calendar for August 7th for the Riverman/Riverwoman Sprint Triathlon in Pierre. The 2010 race will be held at the Farm Island Recreation Area. This is a great race for newcomers to triathlons because the distances are shorter than a full event. Set east of Pierre in the popular Farm Island Recreation Area, the course is scenic and relatively flat. The Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Pierre is ideal for a getaway in the area. You will enjoy the hot tub after race-day!

The South Dakota State Fair 2010 is September 2nd through the 6th in Huron. The Quasquicentennial (125th year Anniversary) fair will be better than ever. Beginning with a 5 day wagon train preceding the fair, the state fair parade and the Miss SD State Fair Pageant, this is a great way to spend the Labor Day weekend. Martin McBride, the Oak Ridge Boys and Bellamy Brothers are a few of the headliners performing. The excitement also includes two night of championship bull riding and stock car racing at the state fair speedway. See the best of South Dakota agriculture, livestock, and handicrafts exhibited and enjoy the midway and carnival. The Best Western of Huron is an ideal location for travelers to the state fair. Conveniently located in Huron and affordable, you can enjoy a long weekend getaway.