Sturgis, South Dakota: Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame

Great, free under 17 with adult ticket, $10

Terrific and inexpensive museum in a nice little town.

Great little museum in a historic building located in the heart of downtown Sturgis. Admission is reasonable ($5) and there's a good gift shop with licensed Sturgis Rally gear. The display is on two floors and includes bikes from the early 1900s as well as more recent models from both US and foreign makers. There is also information about the beginning of the Sturgis Rally and a Rally Hall of Fame. Pictures are allowed; just don't touch the bikes. Great pit stop on the way to Mt Rushmore and the Black Hills.

On our loop off of I-90 about 30 miles northwest of Rapid City, we landed in Sturgis, SD, notable because it hosts the nation's largest annual Harley Davidson rally. We didn't find this out until later, so we were perplexed why this small town of 5000 should have such a huge Harley Davidson store. The town of Sturgis is damn proud of their rally and apparently spends the whole rest of the year waiting for the next one. Helene and I have found that real bikers are impressed if you tell them you've been to Sturgis, even if, like us, you've never ridden a motorcycle in your life.