Last summer, my friend and I took a road trip across the country from the East Coast to the West. We discovered a few places that I never expected to find in the Northern part of the County. I never expected to find anything interesting in both of these states. To my surprise, I discovered some beautiful places.These are noteworthy places to visit and I highly recommend that you do some exploring and go find some of you own.
1. Bad Lands: South Dakota
Who knew that South Dakota hadden a hidden gem? This strikingly beautiful park offers a unique assortment of canyons and prairies. After driving straight through the deserted southern end of South Dakota, The Bad Lands offer fresh new scenery that is beautiful and uniquely placed. This unique park came out of nowhere, after miles of green farm land and tiny towns.
2. Red Lodge: Montana
Red Lodge Montana is like walking into an old photo of the old school, perfect American town- but modernized. Unique shops with an antiquated Western feel to them, fill up the sides of Main Street. The shops are locally owned and operated and you feel the difference as you walk in. People are friendly, and greet you with a rare kindness that you often forget that exists.
Red Lodge has the iconic Montana backdrop - Big sky, big mountain. The big mountain in the background leads you to a scenic drive called "Bear Tooth's Path" through winding Mountains. Be sure to check the forecast before you go, we ended up in a hail storm in June.
3. Rapid City: South Dakota
Home to Mt. Rushmore, Rapid City offers travelers a unique experience. More than just a Mountain with historic carvings, this section of South Dakota marches to its own beat. A tourist attraction at one end, and a cute simple city at the other end. The combination of this quiet city and large tourist scene is an interesting combination. Travelers from all over the World come with their selfie-sticks in hand, and ready to grab a photo with the large, infamous rock.
The town is lined with "Old Western" shops and restaurants. Actors dressed up like cowboys walk down the streets and talk to you like you're a local back in the 1800s.
