Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center — Attraction in South Dakota

Today is VETERANS Day! Nov 11, 2024. Beautiful infrastructure supporting the Mt. Rushmore monument. Went into gift shop to pay for my parking (which is good for an entire year with ticket) and purchase some memorabilia for the kids and my own father who is a Air Force vet, and overheard a retired vet ask for a discount in serving our country for parking. The gentleman responded that his employer "Xanterra Travel Collection 'a world of unforgettable experiences' ",DOESN'T give discounts unless your over 62! I was so discusted in hearing this, so went back to get clearity from clerk when he was complete with last exchange once I purchased and walked out the first time. He said its not his fault, it is their policy! Private contract with several national parks all over our country... I am Not proud to be an American knowing our national monument subcontracts with this robbery. Not At All. Shame on you xanterra.com. look at all of the locations they are in. Photos included Windstorm cruises, holiday vacations, country walkers, vitamins biciling and walking vacations, The Grand hotel, the oasis death Valley, cedar creek lodge, grand canyon railway and hotel, grand canyon National Park lodges, Glacier National Park lodges, Mount Rushmore national memorial, Rocky Mountain National Park, Yellowstone National Park lodges, Zion National Park lodge. Do better! Our country deserves MORE! NO FEES FOR VETERANS! When I see our countrymen who made this place what is it with their lives and sacrifices, it gets me a LOT concerned with this disrespect to our citizens. No way I will be supporting this company in any aspect. Give this opportunity to the veterans or our people. No need to profit over seeing our forefathers staple monuments disrespected in this way! That would be the best fit in my humble opinion. IT IS VETERANS DAY AND YOU MADE A VET PAY$10. FULL PRICE FOR...

This Visitor Center, in terms of the maintenance of a visitor center of this capacity in a National Monument area was impressive. There was a distinct museum that took a look at an impressive timeline of not only Mount Rushmore, but also, the backgrounds of each of the four presidents (Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt), in addition to Gustov Borglum and his son, Lincoln Borglum and their role in the construction of the Mount Rushmore historic monument and the benefactoral role of the name, as donated by Charles Rushmore.

Additionally, the museum sections brings upon a hidden history of the historic monument, with an amazing history on the Mount Rushmore Memorial Baseball Team and the presidential dedication by men such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Calvin Coolidge in the early days of the monument during construction.

Additionally, there was a great gift shop that was a smaller bookstore featuring historic texts themed to each of the represented presidents. The diversity of the books allowed for authors such as David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin to be fairly represented in the bookstore for all readers, both casual and interested in history and government to modestly read.

Overall, if you want to start your visit with a bang at Mount Rushmore, I'd highly recommend coming here to learn about Mount Rushmore's glorious history and the...

View from visitor center, as soon as you enter is the best! Still worth it to go walk the trail (0.6 miles) all the way around, see the sculptor's studio en route and get closer to the memorial.

The 20 min movie they run on rotation is interesting and informative as well.

Restrooms were spacious and clean. Water bottle filling station is to the side.

National park is free to visit. Parking is $10, usable for whole year (enter the paid for pass when leaving).

The lights and movie at 9 are preceded by a talk at the stage at the lower level, ending with flag lowering. Definitely worth coming to once, in late evening.

What a marvel... 60 ft bust of Washington in only 3 years (started 1927, unveiled 1930). Jefferson took 6 years (unveiled 1936) but they had to blast off an almost complete looking work (to me), because the stone underneath wasn't workable. And only one year after that the Lincoln head - with all its skin texture, was unveiled to public (1937). Two years to finish next head of Teddy Roosevelt, with the amazing detailed specs (1939). Two years to officially open beyond that. What a feat of artistry and...