One of the greatest highlights of the Midwest is Wall Drug Store found in Wall, South Dakota.  Depending on your direction of travel, it’s on the way to Mt Rushmore and the Badlands National Park and the Minuteman Missle National Park. It is a fun, kid-friendly one-stop shopping establishment that is the focal point of the town.  It’s a great place to take a break, let the kids run around, grab a bite to eat, and maybe do a little shopping.  Here are some aspects that we have found make Wall Drug exceptional!

 

Entertainment for Kids

 

Being in the car for a long time tends to make the kids a little wiggly and wanting for different entertainment.  One of the highlights of Wall Drug Store was a giant animatronic T-Rex that roars at the crowd about every 15 minutes.  It was thoroughly entertaining to watch the kids “interact” with the dinosaur and “scare” it away.  The dinosaur sits behind a large fence that resembles the one in Jurassic Park.  

Just outside, there’s a teepee that the kids can climb in and be an Indian.  (However, it was temporarily taken down.)    There’s also a massive jackalope- a jack rabbit with antelope horns- that the kids can climb on and take pictures.  In the courtyard, there’s a splashpad, stage coach for kids to “ride”, and photo backdrops.  Our kids thought it was awesome that they had a place to pan/mine for fossils and gemstones.  There are, of course, fees associated with that activity.  

 

Shopping

 

This 76,000 square foot drug store is nothing short of a mall.  Yes, there is a pharmacy.  There’re also stores for buying western wear, toys, souvenirs, handmade pastries, Native American artifacts, and so much more.  If you’re looking for souvenirs, you’ll find tons there!  The stores are all indoor or under an awning and easy access for wheelchairs and strollers. The mall shops are open from 7:30 a.m.- 7:30 p.m.  The main stores are open from 7:00 a.m.- 8 p.m.  The staff was friendly and extremely patient with our kiddos.  

Food

 

For miles in every direction, there are signs luring customers to Wall Drug- enticing them with doughnuts, ice cold water, homemade fudges and candies, and so much more.  If you’re interested in a sit-down restaurant, there’s the Western Art Gallery Restaurant featuring a vast collection of western art topped with homestyle cooking in a family-friendly environment.  We didn’t have the opportunity to eat at the restaurant, but my in-laws did a few weeks later and gave nothing but good reports about the food and service.  

 

There are restrooms located sporadically throughout the shopping complex.  There’s also a tourist information center inside the mall.  Parking should be pretty easy as there is a whole block for Wall Drug patrons.  Another perk about Wall Drug is that it’s minutes away from the Badlands National Park and the Minuteman Missile Silo.   

 

For more information about Wall Drug, or to find out the history of the mall, visit their website at www.walldrug.com.