Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore is truly a magnificent sight to see. Many visitors get their first glimpse of the monument as they drive through the Black Hills. At some points along the road, you can see the mountain framed in the tunnel ahead of you on the road. As you travle the road and make your way around the twists and turns, each sighting brings you closer to the monument.

In contrast to some of the other National Parks, Mount Rushmore doesn't provide a lot for visitors to do, but it is still a must-see if you are in the area. The large gift shop features windows that look out over the memorial. As you leave the gift shop, you walk down a wide pathway flanked by flags from all 50 states. Near the base of the memorial, an ampitheater provides a place for gatherings and speakers to discuss the monument and its presidents.

Nighttime at Mount Rushmore is a great experience. As the sun sets, the faces of the presidents go dark. However, the darkness doesn't last long. Little by little, the spotlights trained on the presidents' faces begin to lighten. When all is said and done, the faces of Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Theodore Roosevelt glow out from the surrounding darkness.