Meals Included: None 

Today is a travel day as we pick up passengers at their scheduled pick-up locations. You will learn about the areas we travel through and there may be a game or two played as we journey from Alberta to Saskatchewan. After coffee in Lloydminster and lunch in Saskatoon, we will head south and arrive in Moose Jaw, SK our destination for today.  You will have a free evening to enjoy the included mineral pools at your hotel the Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa. You may also choose to do some gambling at Casino Moose Jaw conveniently connected to the hotel.

Meals Included: $25 Meal Card

This morning you will board the coach as you travel south through Weyburn (coffee), then continue south to the U.S.A. where you cross into the state of South Dakota at the Port of Fortuna (unfortunately, no Duty-Free). Lunch and coffee stops will take place along the way as you continue your travels south to Historic Deadwood, where The Mineral Palace Hotel will be your home for the next 2 nights. Located in the midst of historic downtown, you are steps from where it all happened. 

HISTORY OF THE MINERAL PALACE

The beginnings of the present-day Mineral Palace extend to Deadwood’s early days. In 1876 a shrewd and cunning entrepreneur named Al Swearengen arrived in rowdy Deadwood and the following year he established The Gem Theatre on the site now occupied by the Mineral Palace. It seems that the term “theatre” was loosely used because the Gem was actually a house of prostitution. Always packed with fortune-hunters, the Gem survived fires, floods, and wild patrons to become one of Deadwood’s most venerable and longest-operating entertainment establishments. Legend has it that in its prime the Gem was an immensely profitable venture, taking in at least $5,000 on most nights, and $10,000 on some. Unfortunately, Al Swearengen died penniless. He departed Deadwood soon after an 1899 fire and was killed not long after that while trying to hop a train in Denver’s rail yard.

In 1990, not long after gambling was legalized in Deadwood, the community’s Ford dealership was transformed into a complex of three casinos named Cousin Jacks, The Livery and Carrie Nation’s. Together, the three were collectively known as “Three Of A Kind.”

Construction on the grand and gracious Mineral Palace began in 1992, and a formal opening was held in March 1993. The 75-unit hotel combined with the Gem Steakhouse and Saloon and the three casinos was called Mineral Palace Hotel and Gaming. The facility also offers a liquor store, gift shop and free on-site parking.

Meals Included: Breakfast

After 2 days of travel, enjoy a free day to explore Historic Downtown Deadwood on your own.

Do some shopping at the many stores like DEADWOOD’S WILD BILLS TRADING POST where you will find a “Wild Bill exhibit, antique guns, antique gambling items, souvenirs, gifts, general antiques, items of historic interest”, or stop in at Mustang Sally’s which is “a sports bar and grill, with the best burgers in town”

Take in the live entertainment at Mainstreet Shows & Shoot Outs starts a 1:45 pm and continues every half hour till 7:45 pm. This then moves to the Trial of Jack McCall which is at 8 pm at the Masonic Building Mainstreet.

Or take the Original Deadwood Tour, which is a narrated tour of Deadwood, Tatanka and Mt. Moriah Cemetery. The most informative, entertaining, hour-long tour of Deadwood and Mt. Moriah Cemetery you’ll find! Departing from Midnight Star daily 10:20 a.m., 11:30 a.m, 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (times may vary). ($)

Meals Included: Breakfast 

Pack your belongings and maybe some winnings as we head south today, starting with a docent led tour of the Sanford Lab Homestake visitor center. Here, you’ll discover the story of this region — from the creation of the deepest gold mine in the Northern Hemisphere. We then head South with our first stop Mount Rushmore National Memorial which is a massive sculpture carved into Mount Rushmore. Roughly 60-ft.-high granite faces depict U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Our day visiting massive mountain carvings is not over yet as our next stop is The Crazy Horse Memorial which is the world’s largest mountain carving still under construction on privately held land in the Black Hills, in Custer County, South Dakota, United States. Started in 1942 the unfinished monument will depict the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse, riding a horse and pointing to his tribal land. Our day will end in Rapid City for the next 2 evenings at the Ramkota Hotel in Rapid City.

Mount Rushmoor National Memorial

The story of Mount Rushmore National Memorial begins in 1923 when South Dakota historian Doane Robinson envisioned creating an attraction so big it would bring people from all over the world to the Black Hills. He dreamed of sculptures of Wild West heroes carved into the granite needles of the Black Hills.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we will take a short drive and visit Badlands National Park. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires. Bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs inhabit its sprawling grasslands. The Badlands Loop Road winds past scenic lookouts. Several trails begin near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center where we will stop for a visit. Then we will take a short drive to one of the world’s most well-known tourist attractions, Wall Drug Store. It’s hard to believe Wall Drug Store got its start with something many wouldn’t even turn their heads at today … the promise of free ice water. But in fact, the Husteads turned free ice water into a million-dollar idea with a little determination, quick thinking and a lot of signs. We will enjoy an included lunch and then have plenty of free time to shop and browse all the shops and stores. If you like mosey across the street and have a sip in one of the Saloons.  

Upon reentering Rapid City we will take some time downtown where you can discover some of the US presidential statues located on every corner of this quaint downtown.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we will make our way north to Medora which is the gateway to the south unit of Theodore Rosevelt National Park.  Located in the Badlands of North Dakota, you will step back in time when cattle was king and Old West towns like Medora were gathering places for the people brave enough to settle in the rugged Badlands. You will witness cowboy chefs expertly load steaks on a pitchfork while enjoying a badlands barbeque at the Pitchfork Fondue. Then it is off to the greatest show in the West, the Medora Musical.  A little history. A little humor. A whole lot of Western spirit. This live outdoor spectacle showcases a variety of music favorites – from Dolly to disco.

It’s good old-fashioned family fun with thrilling variety acts, live horses on stage, a firework finale and new twists each summer. All while celebrating the history of Medora, Teddy Roosevelt, and the historic American West.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Time to head north back across the border into Saskatchewan leaving the Dakotas behind and make our way to Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa. Often compared to the Dead Sea of Israel, the mysterious waters of Manitou are legendary for their natural buoyancy, mineral-rich properties, and curative powers.  We will gather for a farewell dinner for our final night together. With an included pass to the mineral pool, you may end your day with a soak in the soothing waters. 

Meals Included: $25 Meal Card

Time to head home, after a wonderful summer trip to the Dakotas and a soak in two of Sakatchewan’s finest mineral pools we make our way back to Alberta with fond memories of Majestic Mountain carvings, stunning landscapes, Wild West towns, and Historic towns.