Wall Drug (Wall, SD)

Last fall a friend and I took a road trip to Montana to visit some friends. We were heading west on I-90, making good time and great memories, when the signs started showing up…

“Free Ice Water!”
“5-Cent Coffee!”
“Wall Drug – ½ Block”

Although I grew up in the Midwest, I had never been to Wall Drug and was thrilled to start seeing the signs appear!

And, well…if you have a soft spot for small-town charm in the Midwest, you do not want to miss Wall Drug. So, we pulled off, stretched our legs, and dove right in. Come along as I share about my experience at Wall Drug…

Wall Drug is kind of like a Western-themed shopping mall meets an old pharmacy, fell in love with great food, and they all decided to live together in the middle of South Dakota. Ha! There’s even a backyard built for kids to splash around in the jumping jets, get a photo with a roaring T-Rex, or take a ride on the giant Jackalope.

History of Wall Drug

Back in the 1930s, a couple named Ted and Dorothy Hustead were trying to save their little drugstore in the tiny town of Wall, SD. Dorothy had the idea to offer free ice water to hot, dusty travelers heading to such places as Yellowstone Park or Mount Rushmore – to encourage them to stop by their drugstore. They put up some signs along the highway, and folks started showing up in droves. Well, when the travelers stopped for the free water, they would also grab an ice cream cone or some other treat to replenish them for their long car ride. Today Wall Drug attracts millions of visitors a year and…still gives out that free water! Not bad for a gamble on kindness and clever marketing.

Shopping and Food
Wall Drug has a wide variety of shops that sell souvenirs, art, clothing, and high-end, handcrafted regional specialty items – there is something for everyone in your family. Of course, I picked out a t-shirt as a souvenir to remember my visit to Wall Drug.

And don’t get me started on the delicious food at Wall Drug’s Western Art Gallery Restaurant! It is famous for its homemade donuts, rolls, pie and ice cream, legendary hot beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes and homemade gravy, buffalo burgers, and 5-cent coffee. My friend and I stopped in for a piece of apple pie and glass of milk (and a donut for the road) and it was all delicious. We could definitely tell it was homemade!

Is Wall Drug tourist-y you ask? Oh, you betcha! But you know what? Wall Drug is a rite of passage to the Midwest! It leans into the uniqueness with a big ol’ smile, but it’s also real in that way only the Midwest can be.

The next time you find yourself on I-90 in South Dakota, be sure to visit Wall Drug. You’ll have a fun time!