Wall Drug
Trip Ideas
Wall Drug (510 Main St., 605/279-2175, www.walldrug.com, June–Aug. daily 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Sept.–May daily 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m.) is the ultimate roadside attraction. Occupying over 76,000 square feet, Wall Drug sells all the tacky tourist paraphernalia your heart could desire, and the backyard is home to unlimited photo opportunities—including a giant jackalope saddled up and ready to ride; a roaring, smoke-spewing T. rex; and piano-playing, cymbal-clanking stuffed animals galore.
But all is not plastic and tack at Wall Drug. The complex is divided into several small shops. A fine art gallery sells paintings, art prints, pottery, and bronze sculptures, and there is a great little bookstore with a fine collection of regional books. Look for Western clothing, leather goods, a rock shop, camping supplies, a jewelry store, donut shop, espresso bar, and a restaurant. And, there is a drug store. Coffee is still 5 cents and ice water is still free.
Wall Drug still uses highway signs to advertise their offerings. The scope of their placement has expanded along with the store’s success. Today you can find signs advertising free ice water at Wall Drug along the highways in many outlying states, including Colorado and Wyoming. Ever visionary, there is even a Wall Drug sign in a London Underground station. And yes, even there the advertising was successful. Curious Londoners have called the store asking about the signs, and some have come to visit!
© Laural A. Bidwell from Moon Mount Rushmore & the Black Hills, 1st Edition
Buy Moon Travel Guides
Search
Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.