While attempting to escape the heat of an uncharacteristically warm day in Rapid City, we decided to visit the Journey museum. I wasn't expecting much, but I was extremely impressed. The museum is very well laid-out, spacious, and modern in its design. Exhibits are spaced nicely, so you aren't standing shoulder to shoulder with other visitors. You can spend as much or as little time at each exhibit as you like. The museum really is a 'journey' through the history of the Black Hills area, from its geological formation and fossils through its rich western and Native American history to the present day.

You begin with a short film that does a very nice job of highlighting the Black Hills area, then proceed to the exhibits. I found myself eagerly looking forward to each new exhibit as we moved through. Displays are well-lighted, and many have interactive components. Children and adults alike will enjoy watching paleontologists work on assembling a dinosaur, touch fossils, and see and listen to a holographic Native American storyteller inside a tepee. One thing I found interesting was the 'tour' wand. You carry it with you, and as you approach each exhibit, the wand narrates the tour. This way, you can move at your own pace and still get the information that would normally be presented by a tour guide, or skip around and still get the information you want, or turn it off and enjoy the museum in silence. A very novel idea that works well with this museum. I do think its possible to schedule a private tour if you have a group that will be visiting together.

There are 5 basic 'collections' within the Journey Museum: The Museum of Geology; the Archaelogical Research Center; the Sioux Indian Museum; The Pioneer Museum; and the Duhamel Collection of Native American artifacts. Each is interesting by itself or combined. The lobby and restrooms are clean and spacious, and the giftshop is very nice as well. Admission fees are reasonable, and well worth the price. There is nothing 'touristy' or 'cheesy' about this museum. It is a truthful, fascinating look at the history and cultures of western america as it actually existed.

I would recommend the Journey Museum to anyone looking for an enjoyable way to spend a few hours learning about the culture of the Rapid City area and its rich history. Children and adults alike will find it very enjoyable. We will return each time we visit the Black Hills.