24 Hours at Wall Drug: 11 Weird Things to Do at the World’s Largest Drug Store

As soon as you enter South Dakota, you’ll start seeing hand-painted signs advertising everything from buffalo burgers and free ice water to homemade ice cream and western wear. Seriously, there are over 3,000 of these signs across the state, so you can’t miss them, and all of them are advertising for one store: Wall Drug.

What is Wall Drug? Well it’s a 50,000-square-foot (4,645-m) Western-themed drugstore that is South Dakota’s most famous roadside attraction, located in the tiny town of Wall (population 800).

A few years ago, we spent 24 hours at the world’s largest Buc-ee’s, and it was such an interesting experience that we couldn’t pass up the chance to do something similar at Wall Drug. So, we dedicated 24 hours to exploring Wall Drug and discovered the 11 most interesting things you can do there, from buying cowboy boots to riding giant jackalopes.

1. Drink a Cup of Free Ice Water

How did this drugstore go from a tiny family business (in an even tinier town) to a roadside attraction that brings in over 2 million visitors a year? Three words: free ice water.

After purchasing the business in 1931, the Hustead family struggled for several years to bring business to the store. That was until one scorching hot summer day when Dorthy Hustead had an idea to put signs advertising “free ice water” along the state’s main highways. This may not seem like a big selling point, but in the mid-1930s, ice was hard to get, and cars didn’t have air conditioning. Honestly, we think the Hustead family probably invented the idea of free ice water, which is so common in the US today.

Since that day, Wall Drug has never struggled to bring in customers again. Ice water is still free and a refreshing way to cool down on a hot South Dakota day.

2. Explore the Drugstore Museum

Before it was a massive roadside attraction, Wall Drug was just a humble drugstore. Today, you’ll find a replica of the original drugstore that you can enter, complete with old-timey drug bottles. It’s a cool way to see what drugstores looked like almost 100 years ago.

3. Play Games in the Arcade

Wall Drug is basically a Western-themed Disneyland but without the rides. Instead of rides, the drugstore features plenty of classic and modern arcade games that are fun for all ages—and somewhere inside the arcade is a life-sized T-rex that actually roars! We heard that during peak season, there are a lot of other cool family-friendly activities like water shows and panning for gold!

4. Admire the World’s Largest Privately-Owned Western Art Collection

Since the early days of Wall Drug, the Hustead family have been avid Western art collectors. Today, Wall Drug holds over 300 original illustrations and watercolors that will transport you straight back to the days of cowboys and mining gold in the Wild West.

5. Take Pictures with Dinosaurs and Jackalopes

Jackalopes which we discovered during this trip don’t actually exist) seem to be the mascot of Wall Drug. Outside the drugstore, you’ll find a giant jackalope and a giant dinosaur that you can climb on top of. Don’t forget to take some pictures before you leave to commemorate your Wall Drug experience!

6. Buy Some Cowboy Boots

Wall Drug basically has all the South Dakota-themed souvenirs that you could ever want. T-shirts, sweatshirts, magnets, and more – if you want it, they’ve probably got it. Beyond your typical souvenir fare, Wall Drug sells many souvenirs from local artisans that you can’t get anywhere else. You’ll find handcrafted cowboy boots, cowboy hats, and beautiful Native American jewelry.

7. Eat a Buffalo Burger

In addition to all the other crazy things Wall Drug has, it also has a sit-down restaurant that seats 530 people. The menu features their famous buffalo burger, hot beef sandwiches and rotating daily specials like chimichangas, chicken fried chicken, and stromboli.

8. Savor World-Famous Donuts (and 5-Cent Coffee)

In addition to savory foods, Wall Drug serves several different all-American desserts, like apple pie and homemade ice cream. Probably their most famous dessert is the donuts, which we can attest are some of the best we have ever had. These desserts pair great with a steaming cup of coffee, which costs 5 cents in the restaurant and 99 cents for a takeaway cup. It’s not the best coffee ever, but how can you turn down a deal like that?

9. Attend a Church Service

There are a lot of strange and unexpected things inside Wall Drug, but the most unexpected for us was the Traveller’s Chapel which actually holds a church service every Sunday.

10. Try ‘Better-than-Buc-ee’s-Fudge’

When we did our 24-hour challenge in the world’s largest Buc-ee’s, Kara tried their dark chocolate caramel fudge and declared it the best fudge she’s ever had… until now. Sorry Buc-ee’s superfans, but Wall Drug’s caramel fudge might have Buc-ee’s version beat.

11. Explore Badlands National Park

Wall, South Dakota, is often referred to as the gateway to Badlands National Park. Just 8 miles from the park’s Pinnacles entrance, Wall Drug is the perfect place to refuel before heading off on your national park adventure. Wall Drug is also only 76 miles from the iconic Mount Rushmore if that’s what brings you to South Dakota.

Is Wall Drug Worth the Visit?

After 24 hours at Wall Drug, it’s clear why this bizarre yet fascinating drugstore has become a living legend that brings in millions of visitors every year. Whether you’re looking to cool off with free ice water, snag a pair of cowboy boots, or indulge in world-famous donuts, Wall Drug offers a fun experience unlike any other.

Check out our video below to see our full experience at Wall Drug and if you enjoyed this article, be sure to read about our experience at the world’s largest Buc-ee’s!

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