Sturgis & Belle Fourche
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame
I stopped in Sturgis for the Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, a landmark right in the middle of town that captures the spirit of the rally year-round. From the outside, it doesn’t look huge, but once inside, the space is packed with bikes, memorabilia, and the stories that shaped motorcycling culture. The museum itself got its start back in 2001 with a small collection, and it has grown steadily since. The guy at the front desk explained that a board of 17 people helps guide the museum, many of them deeply connected to the motorcycling world, and that most of the bikes on display are actually on loan—rotating in and out so there’s always something new to see. It’s one of those places where you immediately feel the weight of history—machines that once roared down highways now sitting quietly, each one with a story to tell.
I guess my favorite section of the museum was the high-end custom bikes near the entrance. I was struck by one bike in particular, a low-riding machine that looked more like rolling art than transportation. It was covered in heavy chrome, with wild metal designs and a front wheel unlike anything I’d seen before. I learned that the builder had used high-end bulletproof plexiglass to support the wheel—just that wheel alone cost $5,000. It was a reminder that motorcycles aren’t only about speed or utility; sometimes they’re about pushing the limits of imagination and design.
Beyond the custom bikes and Hall of Fame, the museum has plenty of variety that kept me exploring. There’s a section with early motorcycles from different manufacturers, showing how design and engineering evolved through the decades. One display highlights the USS South Dakota, both the battleship and submarine, with memorabilia that ties motorcycling to military history. I came across a world speed record motorcycle that looked like it belonged on the Bonneville Salt Flats, and even a full-size cardboard motorcycle that was more art piece than machine. A memory wall filled with photographs of riders and their bikes added a personal touch, reminding me that the museum isn’t only about famous names—it’s about everyday people whose lives were shaped by two wheels.
As I wandered through the exhibits, a video playing on one of the screens caught my attention. I asked the guy at the front desk who the woman was, and he said, “That’s Motorcycle Mary, or Mary McGee. You can search YouTube for the video.” I did later, and I’m glad I did. Mary McGee was the first woman to race motorcycles professionally in the U.S., starting in the early 1960s at a time when women simply weren’t part of the scene. She went on to compete in desert races, motocross, and even the grueling Baja 1000, earning respect in a world dominated by men. She passed away in 2024, but her message still rings out in that video—boldly encouraging others to chase their passions, no matter the barriers. Her story gave the museum a heartbeat beyond the rows of steel and chrome.
That’s what stood out most about the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum: it’s not just about machines, it’s about people like Mary who lived with passion and left behind inspiration. You don’t have to ride to appreciate it; you just need an interest in American history, design, or culture. The Hall of Fame captures the freedom, rebellion, and creativity that motorcycles represent, while voices like Mary McGee’s remind us what it means to keep pushing forward. Sturgis is famous for its rally, but the museum makes sure the spirit of motorcycling lives on every day of the year.
Geographic Center of United States
About 30 minutes north of Sturgis, is the Geographic Center of the United States in Belle Fourche. It’s a simple but striking site, with a large compass rose set in stone and flags waving overhead, reminding visitors of the vastness of the country and how all of it balances around this one point. While the true center lies on private land about 20 miles away, Belle Fourche became the official marker site in 1959, and it’s turned into a nice stop for travelers heading through western South Dakota. I’ve read that the actual center is on private land, so close enough.
Next to the monument is the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center of local history, which gave the visit more depth than just a quick photo at the marker. Inside, there were exhibits on the ranching and railroad roots of Belle Fourche, displays about frontier life, and stories of the town’s role in the region’s cattle trade. There was a display about Bentonite and another about converting sugar beets into sugar. Both provided a lot depth and information that made them fascinating.
It tied together the rugged landscapes I’d been driving through with the people who built their lives here. Between the monument and the museum, the stop felt like a mix of geography lesson and history book, right in the heart of the country. The museum was an unexpected little treat.