vacation trip......suggestions please

by bmize, Wednesday, August 31, 2016, 16:43 (3012 days ago)

Late on Oct 2 I plan to arrive in Badlands SD
My plan is to start the next morning and drive through the badlands and during the day make my way over to Mt Rushmore, down through Custer SP and by that evening end up in a room in Custer or somewhere just over the line in WY.

Next day I plan to drive up to Buffalo and then through the Bighorn Mtns then turn south toward the hot springs and just see where I end up, maybe make it back to Casper.

The next day continue east and hit whatever catches my eye tll I end up back in the south.

So.......what is a must see/ dont miss in the Blackhills to central WY area?....
I plan to skip the Jewel Cave and Wind Cave, I'd rather stay above ground.
Is Cody worth the drive if I am not going on up to yellowstone?
Is it worth spending time in the thermopolis/hot springs area?
Any must see things around Casper down to Cheyenne?

Thanks for any suggestions