Interstate 90 (AKA I-90), is a coast-to-coast, transcontinental freeway, and it just so happens to be America's longest Interstate Highway. Unless you've only traveled around the southern portion of America, you've probably hopped on and off I-90 at some point, whether you boarded around Boston, Chicago or Seattle. I-90 is a whopping 3,020 miles long, after all! In the east, I-90 begins right by Boston's Logan Airport, passes through the Continental Divide by Butte, Montana and ends in Seattle, near Safeco and CenturyLink Field. Whether you're taking it all the way or just for a few miles, these are a few of the best I-90 road trip stops.
Then, head down County Highway Q, just off I-90 to visit the FAST Fiberglass Mold Graveyard. This is a super quirky stop and a totally fun place to wander around and snap pictures. The grounds are full of molds that were used for all those iconic fiberglass roadside giants that dot the country (especially on iconic, classic routes like Route 66). It's free to walk around, just pull into the visitors area, and be courteous, respectful and don't climb on anything, because they're still a working Fiberglass shop. This is a great place to check out, and it's totally off-the-beaten path.
If you've got a sweet tooth, then do yourself a favor and visit The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor and Confectionary in La Crosse. Here you can sit back and imagine you're in the early 1900s, just enjoying a fountain soda, made from scratch in an old-fashioned soda shop. They also have handmade chocolates, and a candy selection that's to-die-for.
Once you hop the border to Minnesota, pull into the SPAM Museum in Austin. Even if you're not a fan of SPAM, this is a pretty cool museum that covers the history of this processed meat. Also, there's loads of SPAM merchandise in the gift shop (hello Christmas presents!) If you do enjoy SPAM, there's often a vendor out front selling SPAM burgers.
Once you get to Blue Earth, Minnesota, worship at the feet of the massive Jolly Green Statue! Towering at over 55 feet tall, the giant is a cultural icon and it makes for an awesome photo op. There's a small gift shop on site; it's not open all the time, but there's plenty of parking and you can get your picture at any time of day with the giant. It's very close to I-90, and it's very easy to hop on and off for the photo op.
Over in Garretson, South Dakota, you'll come to your second gulch! This one is Devil's Gulch Park. This natural chasm has secured its place in history as the spot where Jesse James jumped (with horse!) while escaping from authorities after he had robbed a bank. The whole area is quite beautiful and there's even a waterfall. There's a visitor center at the gulch, and you can learn about the science and history of the area here. There's also a walking tour that will take you about an hour, but it's totally worth it if you're taking your time here.
Next up, is 1880 Cowboy Town in Sioux Falls! Again, I-90 can get pretty monotonous, so take advantage of these offbeat attractions. Sadly, 1880 Cowboy Town has seen better days (okay, fine, a lot of the mannequins and exhibits are pretty dated) but to be honest, the rundown nature of the place actually adds to its appeal. Plus there are some nice exhibits on the history of Sioux Falls here.
Next is America's "corniest" attraction. It all started back in 1892 when the town of Mitchell, South Dakota was home to just 3,000 residents. Folks wanted a place to gather and celebrate their bountiful South Dakota corn harvests, and thus the Corn Palace and Corn Palace Festival were born.
The Corn Palace grew so quickly that in 1905, a new Corn Palace had to be built, and then another newer and even bigger palace was unveiled in 1921. This is the Corn Palace we all know and love today. If you’re headed through South Dakota, the Corn Palace is a must-see, and if you’re going through South Dakota in late August, you’ll be in for a real treat: the Corn Palace Festival…a giant 5-day party to celebrate all things corn.
At the State Historical Society in Pierre you can get a great sense for the culture of South Dakota by immersing yourself in the state's history. From Native Americans to the early European settlers, there's plenty to explore, and the museum's gorgeous displays do an excellent job of uncovering the history of South Dakota. Plus the building itself is gorgeous!
I-90 passes through a ton of American history as well. The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29, 1890, near Wounded Knee Creek, when the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment engaged in battle with the Lakota tribe in an effort to disarm them. 50 U.S. soldiers were killed, and at least 150 men, women, and children of the Lakota tribe were killed during the battle. Today you can pay your respects at the Wounded Knee Massacre Monument.
The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site offers a great tour and there's a very informative visitor center onsite. If you have time, take the guided tour through the control center. The tours are by appointment, so prepare to allow a bit of extra time... but it's worth it for this rare bit of Cold War history!
The Buffalo Gap National Grassland is a great place to either take a scenic cruise past one of America's "most extensive, productive ecosystems", or get out and take a quick stroll. The prairie seems to stretch on forever!
Your next stop is Wall Drug Store. Yes, it's a "tourist trap" but it's become something of an icon in this part of the country. The coffee is only 5 cents, and it's pretty good! There's also loads of kitschy gift shop stuff to buy, too.
As you drive along I-90 through Rapid City, hit up Art Alley and learn a bit about the history of city and surrounding area. The art is tasteful and pretty informative. You can also sometimes see artists creating new pieces!
There are tons of awesome hotels in Rapid City, South Dakota, so consider staying the night here! Cambria Suites, the Hotel Alex Johnson and Big Sky Lodge are all great spots to catch some Z's.
And now for something completely different! The Chapel in the Hills is an amazing architectural gem just outside Rapid City. It's also surrounded by beautiful scenery and has lots of wildlife roaming around. If you're in the mood to get out of the car for a stroll around the serene, storybook setting.
Mount Rushmore National Monument is a road trip ESSENTIAL! Once you get here, it's just $11 to park, and you'll find a great place to get a picture of yourself in front of the massive monument at Grand View Terrace. It's important to note that peak tourist season for Rushmore is June through August, and during this time traffic can get a bit backed up. If you're traveling during summer, plan to get their early in the morning or late in the afternoon. There's a great little walking path at the base of the monument as well.
Next stop: Deadwood. The entire town of Deadwood is amazing, especially Mount Moriah Cemetery, where you can see the graves of Wild West greats like Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane. The downtown historic district is basically a time warp back to the 19th century! Notable hotels in Deadwood include 1889 Inn, Iron Horse Inn, and Hickok's Hotel & Gaming.
Another great roadside stop in Deadwood is Tatanka: Story of the Bison. Here you can learn that there's more to Deadwood than just cowboys and outlaws-- Native Americans were just as crucial to the history here. You can even have a guide take you on a tour!
Your next stop is Custer's Last Stand: Little Big Horn. Here you should visit the Indian Memorial, the theme of which is "Peace Through Unity." It's a circular structure that's just a few dozen yards from the 7th Cavalry obelisk, commemorating the fallen soldiers. The walls of the Indian Memorial contain the names of the Native Americans who died during the battle. The most moving part of the memorial is the "spirit gate", which is a window in the circular memorial that opens onto the Cavalry monument as a symbolic way to welcome the cavalrymen into the Native American memorial.
If you keep going along I-90, you'll reach Timber, MT. Visit the Crazy Mountain Museum, run by the Sweet Grass Museum Society. This museum is an adorable small-town museum that features a collection of artifacts that make the history of Sweet Grass County come alive.
Our Lady of the Rockies is America's third largest statue, and it's quite the sight to see. You can even go inside the statue-- but be prepared to be moved: the walls are covered in letters and mementos left there by visitors in memory of their loved ones. If you have a special intention in mind, you can bring along a little something to leave with Our Lady of the Rockies and you can rest assured that she will take good care of it. Otherwise, you can view it from just about anywhere in the town of Butte.
Depending on the time of year you decide to drive I-90, it's important to note that weather can affect your journey. Snow and high winds will plague you from Minnesota to Montana, especially in the winter. Snow plows do a pretty good job, but if there's a storm, you could get stuck, so be prepared before setting out for this trip. Also, keep in mind that between Rapid City and the Black Hills, you'll be at an exceptionally high elevation, which means it's a bit more colder in this area. Pack accordingly, depending on the time of year. In fact, during deep winter, you can expect sub-zero temperatures across South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. Remember your anti-freeze, snow tires, and don't let yourself run low on gas.