This is a very nice air and space museum, convenient to the interstate, just east of Rapid City. Free admission which includes a good indoor museum that explains extensive local aviation history and explains the Minuteman missile system (I recommend combining this visit with Minuteman National Historic Site near Wall, SD). Excellent static aircraft display outside, so best to visit the museum during good weather. Bottom line: one of many great attractions in the Black Hills area.

Though not as large as other mueums I've visited, the South Dakota Air & Space Museum has a nice selection of historical aircraft including the B-25J used by General Dwight Eisenhower as a personal transport during WWII. Located at the entrance to Ellsworth Air Force Base, the museum offers a tour of Ellsworth and its sole remaining missile silo. Ellsworth is the home of the B-1 and the 28th Bomber Wing. I had the pleasure of witnessing the take-off of a B-1, a sleek, variable-sweep wing, supersonic bomber, during my tour of the base in September, 2012. It was an impressive sight. Our tour guide, a retired airman, was very knowledgeable and offered a detailed account of the capabilities of the Minuteman missile when we were inside the silo, now used for training only.

We have visited this museum almost every other times to the Rapid City area, and it is always a treat. The museum is free (while some tours require payment), and there is enough to keep little ones, teens, and adults entertained for several hours. It is a good place to go any time of the year, and has interesting history for all to enjoy. Allow at least an hour for inside and outside exhibits.

Check out all the military planes on display, then head into the small museum and look at the displays. During the summer, you can take a bus tour of the base for a small fee.