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Step 1
Visit the Welcome Center. Dedicated in 1998, the new Welcome Center at Crazy Horse Memorial is the main entrance to the Visitor Complex. "The Promise" painting above the information desk shows Korczak Ziolkowski and Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear at the 1948 dedication of Crazy Horse Memorial. Various other photographers throughout show howthe center represents a major expansion of the exhibit space adjoining the Indian Museum of North America. The theater in the Welcome Center showcases a presentation that tells a brief history of Crazy Horse's beginnings and current developments.
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Step 2
Visit the Indian Museum of North America. Korczak developed Crazy Horse to tell present and future generations the story of Native Americans by displaying examples of Indian culture and heritage of both yesterday and today. The museum has grown with his vision--each year, Native American art and artifacts are contributed from tribal members to enhance the collection and make it more comprehensive and representative of all North American tribes.
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Step 3
Visit the Native American Educational and Cultural Center, which is part of the Indian Museum of North America. The distinctive stone building was completed in 1996 from rock blasted from the Crazy Horse mountain carving. Many Native American artists and crafts people create their artwork and visit with guests in the Cultural Center building during the summer months. As many as three dozen artists work and exhibit during any given season. The Native American Cultural Center is also the home of a “hands-on” exhibit created especially for children, which provides the opportunity to stone-grind corn and handle replicas of artifacts.
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Step 4
Be sure to check out various vantage points around the grounds that allow a multitude of views of the sculpture. This will allow for some great pictures!
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Step 5
Inquire about taking a bus down to the base of the sculpture. While visitors are not allowed to walk down themselves, guided bus tours often run down to the base. Drivers give visitors facts about the history and progress of the memorial.
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Step 6
If visiting in the summer, check out the "Legends in Light" multimedia presentation. From the Memorial Day weekend through Native American Day in mid-October, the mountain lights up nightly with this multimedia laser-light show.
