Coming to FreedomFest is all about coming together. This year, FreedomFest will offer several optional official excursions for FreedomFest attendees to enjoy before and after the conference. This is a wonderful way to explore the amazing landmarks, monuments and historic sites in the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota with friends and fellow attendees from FreedomFest.
The Ultimate Deadwood Overnight Experience
Monday, July 19, 2021
6:00 pm Pickup guests in downtown Rapid City
Arrive in Deadwood for hotel check-in and private dinner at Deadwood Mountain Grand
Free time to explore downtown Deadwood saloons and hotspots
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
9:00 am Rotating Tours:
Adams House Tour
Days of 76 Museum Tour
Adams Museum Tour
Deadwood Brothel Tour
Catered Private Lunch
Sanford Lab Homestake Visitors Center Tour & Discussion with the Scientists
Drive thru Spearfish Canyon scenic byway
6:00 pm Arrive back to Rapid City
Pricing:
Transportation Only: $90/person (bus transportation with the group to Deadwood on July 19 and from Deadwood on July 20 – activities on your own)
Hotel: $154.28/room (includes up to two people)
Full Excursion Activities: $350/person (includes bus transportation with the group to Deadwood on July 19 and from Deadwood on July 20 plus all activities and meals as listed above)
NOTE: Either book the Hotel with the Full Excursion Activities for the complete Deadwood overnight excursion experience, or book the Hotel with the Transportation Only option if you only want to travel up to Deadwood and stay overnight, without the planned activities.
***EXTRA BUS JUST ADDED!***
ALL OTHER EXCURSION SIGN-UPS ARE CLOSED
Visit magnificent Mount Rushmore, a world-famous monument that symbolizes both national pride and an awesome feat of engineering. Carved from a mountain of granite and standing proud since 1941, Mount Rushmore, protrudes from the granite as a true “Shrine of Democracy” with the faces of George Washington, commander of the Revolutionary Army and first United States President; Thomas Jefferson, founder of the Declaration of Independence; Abraham Lincoln, abolisher of slavery; and Theodore Roosevelt, corruption reformer and wildlife conservationist.
The Monumental FreedomFest Excursion
Tour the inspiring Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest sculpture-in-progress, where frequent drilling and mountain blasts make each visit unique. The visitors’ complex surrounding the mountain carving includes the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Cultural Center, the Sculptor’s studio home and workshop, a 40,000 square foot Orientation Center and two theaters. Includes lunch featuring traditional South Dakota fare at the memorable Laughing Waters Restaurant.
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
9:00 am Pickup at Rapid City Hotels
Mount Rushmore Tour
Lunch at Crazy Horse Memorial – Laughing Waters Restaurant
Crazy Horse Memorial Tour
6:00 pm Arrive back to Rapid City Hotels
Pricing: $175 per person (includes transportation, tours at both landmarks, and lunch)
An Evening in Deadwood
Enjoy an evening in historic Deadwood with the chance to explore the various watering holes, saloons and entertaining re-enactments. If you love to gamble and game, this is the evening experience you are looking for.
Thursday, July 22, 2021
5:45 to 6:00 pm Pickup at Rapid City Hotels
Explore the town and dinner on your own
Capture of Jack McCall
Trial of Jack McCall
Free time in Deadwood
12:00 am Arrive back to Rapid City Hotels
Pricing: $95 per person (includes transportation, mock trial participation, free time in Deadwood downtown)
While Mount Rushmore is wonderful to see no matter the time of day, it is a very special experience to be there for the night ceremony when they light the mountain. The ceremony includes a film with the history of the presidents and other patriotic moments you won’t want to miss.
Thursday, July 22, 2021
6:45 to 7:00 pm Pickup at Rapid City Hotels
Mount Rushmore Tour
Mount Rushmore Lighting Ceremony
10:30 pm Arrive back to Rapid City Hotels
Pricing: $75 per person (includes transportation, Mount Rushmore tour, and patriotic lighting ceremony)
Mount Rushmore Lighting Ceremony
Crazy Horse Laser Light Show
Enjoy the nightly performance of a multimedia laser-light show spotlighting Native American culture using dramatic animations and a stirring musical score. Includes a Native American fried bread taco dinner at Laughing Waters Restaurant.
Friday, July 23, 2021
5:45 to 6:00 pm Pickup at Rapid City Hotels
Dinner at Laughing Waters Restaurant
Crazy Horse Memorial Visit and Legends in Light Laser Show
11:00 pm Arrive back to Rapid City
Pricing: $115 per person (includes transportation, dinner at Laughing Waters, Crazy Horse tour and inspiring light show on the mountain)
Enjoy an evening in historic Deadwood with the chance to explore the various watering holes, saloons and entertaining re-enactments. If you enjoy a night out on the town, this is the evening experience you are looking for.
Friday, July 23, 2021
5:45 to 6:00 pm Pickup at Rapid City Hotels
Explore the town and dinner on your own
Ghost Tour of the Adams House
Free time in Deadwood
12:00 am Arrive back to Rapid City Hotels
Pricing: $95 per person (includes transportation, ghost tour participation, free time in Deadwood downtown)
An Evening in Deadwood
The Monumental FreedomFest Excursion
A post-conference encore! Visit magnificent Mount Rushmore, a world-famous monument that symbolizes both national pride and an awesome feat of engineering. Carved from a mountain of granite and standing proud since 1941, Mount Rushmore, protrudes from the granite as a true “Shrine of Democracy” with the faces of George Washington, commander of the Revolutionary Army and first United States President; Thomas Jefferson, founder of the Declaration of Independence; Abraham Lincoln, abolisher of slavery; and Theodore Roosevelt, corruption reformer and wildlife conservationist.
Tour the inspiring Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest sculpture-in-progress, where frequent drilling and mountain blasts make each visit unique. The visitors’ complex surrounding the mountain carving includes the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Cultural Center, the Sculptor’s studio home and workshop, a 40,000 square foot Orientation Center and two theaters. Includes lunch featuring traditional South Dakota fare at the memorable Laughing Waters Restaurant.
Sunday, July 25, 2021
9:00 am Pickup at Rapid City Hotels
Mount Rushmore Tour
Lunch at Crazy Horse Memorial – Laughing Waters Restaurant
Crazy Horse Tour
6:00 pm Arrive back to Rapid City Hotels
Pricing: $175 per person (includes transportation, tours and tickets at both locations, and lunch)
Enjoy a beautiful day in the scenic landscape of the Black Hills of South Dakota and a ride through history on the famed 1880s train outside the city of Keystone. You’ll start your excursion climbing aboard this legacy steam engine for a ride through history. The railroad and its iron horses were arguably the most influential development for the exploration and settling of the United States. You’ll enjoy the full steam engine experience first hand.
The FreedomFest Ride through history Excursion
Then, you’ll move on to Custer State Park, which features some of the most inspiring land formations and natural beauty in the United States. You’ll explore the entire park with a convenient step-on-step-off guided tour. The granite peaks and rolling plains are calling. The clear mountain waters are inviting and the open ranges are waiting to be discovered. Join the adventure at Custer State Park and let yourself run wild. Includes a private group lunch at the State Game Lodge.
Sunday, July 25, 2021
9:00 am Pickup at Rapid City Hotels
1880s Train Experience
Lunch at Custer State Park – State Game Lodge
Custer State Park Scenic Tour
6:00 pm Arrive back to Rapid City Hotels
Pricing: $215 per person (includes transportation, tours and tickets at both locations, and lunch)