What Do You Think of South Dakota’s New Tourism Slogan?

Over the years, South Dakota has experienced a few missteps when it comes to marketing the state to the rest of the county.

It all started 10 years ago with the ill-fated 'Don't Jerk and Drive' public service campaign to reduce winter driving mishaps.

That pitch was later pulled after a less than enthusiastic response.

Not to be outdone, the state was back with the infamous 'Meth. We're On It' anti-drug campaign in 2019.

It was mocked from coast to coast.

Fast forward to earlier this year and the state got mixed reviews on its first-ever Super Bowl TV commercial, featuring the one-hit wonder band Nine Days reworking their song 'Absolutely) Story of A Girl' to 'Absolutely) Story of A State' to help promote tourism in the Mount Rushmore State.

Well, a new season brings new hope that the state has learned its lesson.

With the summer travel push on the horizon, the Department of Tourism has rolled out the 2024 slogan:

So Much South Dakota, So Little Time.

According to the state, the goal of the campaign is to '...remind prospective travelers of the joys that arise from letting go, following intuitions, and being spontaneous.'

So far it seems to be working.

The campaign, through Travel South Dakota, has already generated 82 million impressions, reaching more than 9.7 million individuals. Officials say web traffic to the site is up 53% since the launch having already generated an estimated $21.4 million in revenue through more than 97,200 hotel and flight bookings.

So what do you think?

What Was It like to Vacation in South Dakota’s Black Hills 60 Years Ago?

This time of year our thoughts often turn to planning that perfect getaway to enjoy the warmer weather and extended daylight.

For a lot of us in South Dakota, that means a trek to the Black Hills and all of the things they have to offer.

But vacationing in western South Dakota is hardly a new concept. People from all over the globe have been coming to the area for decades.

Gallery Credit: Jeff Harkness/B1027.com

Mount Rushmore's Secret Chamber

Many of us have had the pleasure of visiting South Dakota's most famous monument, Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills.

But, did you know there's a secret chamber in Mount Rushmore?

Gallery Credit: Andy Gott

Haunted Locations and Scary Legends Around Sioux Falls

Halloween is steeped in scary traditions. Trick-or-Treating, frightening costumes, local actors in "haunted" houses, and the pitch-black darkness of area corn mazes.

However, if we set out to find the real haunted areas what would we find? Over the last 30 years that I have lived in Sioux Falls, a few locations still gain attention as being haunted.

And yes, a handful of thrill-seeking people will show up on our favorite eerie night for what could be a viral video moment or experience a misty phantom first-hand.

Let's take a little tour of the more famous hauntings around Sioux Falls. Turn on the lights and cue the Cowardly Lion: "I do believe in spooks, I do believe in spooks..."