5 Great Staycations: Old bones, exotic music and a Legendary ride
You don’t have to buy a ticket to the latest “Jurassic Park” flick in order to discover ancient fossil beds, nor do you have to travel to a foreign country to see a castle.
In fact, there are plenty of exciting places to visit and quirky sites to see from the front seat of your vehicle, all summer long.
Short road trips are an economical and fun way to spend time with your family. It’s a good way to support local communities while saving you the headaches of hotel reservations, long lines of tourists and airline food.
Here are five Siouxland staycations worth the tank of gas this summer:
GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR INNER CAVEMAN
1. ASHFALL FOSSIL BEDS STATE HISTORICAL PARK, Royal, Neb.
WHERE IS IT: Two miles west and six miles north of Royal
HOW FAR IS IT: Estimated round trip from Sioux City and back is 192 miles
More than 12 million years ago, rhinos ruled the savannah-like grasslands of Northeastern Nebraska while the saber-toothed deer chomped his way through the Cornhusker state.
Don’t believe us? The skeletal remains of such animals have been discovered at the Ashfall Fossil Beds around Royal, Neb.
A volcano in southwest Idaho blanketed ash over a wide swath of land, killing off several species of prehistoric beasts across the Midwest.
Fossil evidence revealed complete, articulated skeletons of large mammals, birds and turtles in the volcanic ash that make up the Ashfall Fossil Beds.
Grab a page out of Fred Flintstone’s playbook and visit this (pre)historic destination.
ON TOP OF THE ROCK IN THE RUSHMORE STATE
2. PALISADES STATE PARK, Garretson, South Dakota
WHERE IS IT: 25495 485th Avenue, Garretson, S.D.
HOW FAR IS IT: Estimated round trip from Sioux City and back is 218 miles.
Located north of Sioux Falls, Palisades State Park is one of the most unique attractions in the Rushmore State.
What makes it special? The sheer quantity of quartz that’s been around for approximately 1.2 billions years.
That’s billion, with a “b.”
The park’s Split Rock Creek is lined with Sioux quartzite formations varying from shelves several feet above the water to 50-foot vertical cliffs.
That makes it a particular favorite among campers, photographers, sightseers, hikers and those who love to climb massive rocks.
For those of us who don’t enjoyed real-life cliffhangers, Palisades Park is ideal for picnicking, too.
Ready to rock (and, hopefully, not roll), try out this picturesque spot.
GETTING HIGH IN THE HAWKEYE STATE
3. HIGHEST POINT IN IOWA, 5467 130th St. Sibley, Iowa
WHERE IS IT: A little south of the border with Minnesota. Southeast side of Highway 60 and 130th Street.
HOW FAR IS IT: Estimated round trip from Sioux City and back is 144 miles.
Talk about being in “the nosebleed section,” Sibley, Iowa’s Hawkeye Point is, indeed, the highest natural land elevation in the state.
At 1,670 feet, that’s as lofty a perch as one can get in a relatively flat state like Iowa.
Formerly located on an old farm property, Hawkeye Point is now owned by Osceola County. The spot is well marked with a flagpole as well as a mosaic tile marker.
Feeling high and mighty? Prove it at Hawkeye Point!
THE UPS (AND DOWNS) OF WOODEN ROLLERCOASTERS
4. THE LEGEND AT ARNOLDS PARK, Arnolds Park, Iowa
WHERE IS IT: 37 Lake St., Arnolds Park, Iowa
HOW FAR IS IT: Estimated round trip from Sioux City is 216 miles
Arnolds Park’s wooden rollercoaster is legend … wait for it … ary!
After all, “The Legend” happens to be the 13th oldest roller coaster in the entire world. From the time it made its debut in 1930 to today, this topsy-turvy ride has been dizzying several generations of park-goers.
While other parks may have sleeker, smoother rides, The Legend is proud to be “old school.” With each click on its track to the tippy-tippy-top and all along the classic-eight descent, this is a rollercoaster that’ll make you scream for more!
MUSIC OF THE SEASON
5. NATIONAL MUSIC MUSEUM, Vermillion, S,D.
WHERE IS IT: 414 East Clark Street, Vermillion, S.D.
HOW FAR IS IT: Estimated round trip from Sioux City is 78 miles
Is that a cannon you see when entering Vermillion, S.D.’s National Music Museum? Nope, it’s actually a jaw-dropping, 10-foot-long, 1,000-pound drum that dates back to 19th century Siam.
Founded in 1973, the National Music Museum is home to more than 15,000 American, European and non-Western instruments from virtually all cultures.
Ever wanted to see a grand piano as conceived by its inventor? The NMM is the only place in the world where you can see two 18th century grand pianos from Bartolomeo Cristofori.
You may never learn how to play a real-life Stradavari violin, but you’ll have the opportunity to see early Italian stringed instruments crafted by Antonio Stradavari himself.
Exotic instruments, historic rides and one-of-a-kind sights are just a short drive away from you, this summer.
So there you have it – five great places that are perfect getaways for the family. What is your favorite staycation?
About the Author
Thomas Ritchie I love food, cycling, family, music, social media and especially Sioux City. Got an idea for a story - shoot me a note at siouxcitynow1@gmail.com.
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