As you cruise the lonely stretch of Interstate 90 in South Dakota, you'll likely
notice a myriad of quirky billboards tempting you to visit one peculiar place -
Wall Drug. An institution in roadside Americana, Wall Drug Store has transformed
from a small-town pharmacy into a sprawling 76,000-square-foot wonderland of
shops, eateries, and attractions that welcome over two million visitors each
year.
Originally founded in 1931 in the tiny town of Wall, Wall Drug owes its fame to
a simple, yet brilliant idea. To drum up business during the tough economic
times of the Great Depression, the original owners offered free ice water to
thirsty travelers. Today, this tradition continues and the promise of free ice
water (and 5-cent coffee!) still lures in road-weary travelers.
However, it's not just the ice water that draws the crowds. Wall Drug is a
treasure trove of Western art, kitsch souvenirs, and frontier memorabilia. It
boasts a vast gift shop, where you can find everything from cowboy boots and
Native American jewelry to T-rex toys and iconic Wall Drug bumper stickers.
An entire day can be spent exploring the various attractions scattered
throughout Wall Drug. Pose with the giant jackalope, saddle up on the life-sized
cowboy animatronics, or take a photo being "attacked" by the roaring, 80-foot
dinosaur. The Western Art Gallery Restaurant, adorned with an impressive
collection of original Western artworks, offers a perfect place to enjoy a
hearty meal or famous homemade donut.
Outside, the Western-themed backyard features a playground for the kids and
photo ops aplenty, including a replica of Mount Rushmore and a chuckwagon. Plus,
every few minutes, a water show erupts from the storefront, spraying mist into
the air and delighting onlookers.
Wall Drug encapsulates a sense of nostalgia and playful eccentricity that has
captivated the hearts of travelers for decades. It's a piece of living history,
an homage to the Great American Road Trip, and an absolute must-see for anyone
traveling through South Dakota. No journey through the American West would be
complete without a stop at Wall Drug, where everyone, as the old saying goes,
gets their free ice water.
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