Top Things to do in South Dakota
Top Hotels in South Dakota
- 1. Best Western Plus Rapid City Rushmore
- 2. Bavarian Inn, Black Hills
- 3. K Bar S Lodge
- 4. Hampton Inn & Suites Southwest/Sioux Falls
- 5. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Sioux Falls
- 6. Deadwood Gulch Resort, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
- 7. Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites
- 8. Comfort Suites Conference Center Rapid City
- 9. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Rapid City
- 10. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Rapid City, SD
10 Points of Interest & Landmarks in South Dakota That You Shouldn't Miss
South Dakota has good golf courses, skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, hiking, and biking among rolling prairies, pine forests, and granite mountain peaks like Mount Rushmore. Glacial lakes and Missouri River reservoir lakes provide great fishing, boating, canoeing, water skiing, and windsurfing. The whole family will enjoy this prairie land where grain growing begat roadside attractions like the Corn Palace in Mitchell. Everything made from corn, even the popcorn, tastes better here. Where buffalo roam, roadside diners serve up buffalo and luscious homemade fruit pies. Shop for good deals on cowboy boots on the same Black Hills and Badland Main Streets where cowboys and cowgirls outfit themselves. Be near the eroded buttes, spires, and prairie grasslands of Badlands National Park in Lead, Deadwood, Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis, Hill City, Custer, and other nearby towns. The whole family will enjoy watching for big game like bison, bighorn sheep, antelope, eagles, and hawks. Drive the one-hour Hwy 240 loop road, with a side-trip to Robert's Prairie Dog Town. Learn about the Oglala Sioux Tribe at the White River Visitor Center, which is near Wounded Knee. Tour the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site's Cold War nuclear silos, just outside the Park's boundaries. About 90 minutes west of Badlands National Park is Mount Rushmore. Lead, Deadwood, Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis, Hill City, Whitetail Springs, and Custer are also very near Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, and Jewel Cave National Monument. View Mount Rushmore from the aerial tramway in Keystone, which also houses the Borglum Historical Center celebrating the artist behind the sculpting of Rushmore. Take the kids to the Dinosaur Park in Rapid City. Attend Custer State Park’s Annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival. Bedazzle the whole family with sparkling calcite crystals in 151-mile long Jewel Cave. Bison, pronghorn, and elk graze the grasslands of Wind Cave National Park. Central South Dakota has the state capitol, Pierre, in addition to numerous lakes along the Missouri River. Go fishing and boating in the rivers and lakes. Take the kids to the South Dakota Discovery Center and Aquarium in Pierre to see the state’s native fish. Drop by the Dacotah Prairie Museum along the James River in Aberdeen in the northeast to learn prairie history and natural history. Swing by Sioux Falls to see the USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial and special exhibits at the Old Courthouse Museum. Choose from among 10 golf courses in Sioux Falls.
Restaurants in South Dakota
1. Brule
2. Lead Deadwood Arts Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By G331POjanb
The Arts Center offers beautiful items for sale by area artists and the center also offers classes and special events periodically, such as the Lego competition for kids. I recently had a piece of glass replaced for a print that my husband loves. He was thrilled with the results. The quality of work is superb. I will be taking more pictures to the Arts Center for framing.
3. Pinnacles Overlook
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By adrikitty22 - Pembroke Pines, United States
This was our first stop during our drive through the Badlands. It was a great first impression of such a vast park and incredible place. Everyone should stop here and take some photos.
4. Dignity
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 286 reviews
Reviewed By annettesN9225UP - Milwaukee, United States
Beautiful statue, info on Lewis and Clark, and hiking trail with amazing views.Just the break we needed.
5. Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
6. Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By DillonM1905 - Eldersburg, United States
The byway is an excellent way to see the sights of the Black Hills near Rushmore. Hairpin turns, multiple tunnels, views of the Presidents - this was a great drive.
7. Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
The Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village is the only archaeological site in South Dakota open to the public. It is a 1,000 year-old village located on the shores of lovely Lake Mitchell. Each summer students from the University of Exeter, England and Augustana University, Sioux Falls continue the excavation of the site. Tours are given every day during the summer months by knowledgeable guides. Plenty of activities for all ages. Visit the museum, the dig site (located in the Archeodome) and Shoppe Antiquary (a gift shop featuring Native American jewelry, pottery, art and more). Our biggest event of the year is Archeology Awareness Days, held on July 2nd and 3rd, 2016. Open Monday thru Saturday 8:00am - 7:00 pm beginning Memorial Day weekend; open Sundays 10:00am to 6:00pm. Open the rest of the year 9:00am - 6:00pm.
Reviewed By 462pamelak - Elk Grove, United States
We stumbled on this attraction purely by accident while visiting the corn palace. It’s so interesting to be able to see a real archeological dig and view exhibits that have been excavated from the site. It was far more interesting than the corn palace, lol. Definitely recommend if you’re in the area.
8. Laura Ingles Wilder Historic Homes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 211 reviews
We invite you to visit the historic homes of famous author, Laura Ingalls Wilder. Have a fun filled day visiting the Surveyors’ House from By the Shores of Silver Lake. Attend class in the First School of De Smet, the original school that Laura and Carrie attended and visit the home that “Pa” built in 1887. Visit the Discovery Center for Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes pioneer activities! Try to sew on a treadle sewing machine, dress like a pioneer, and learn to read Braille. Each summer a new exhibit is on display of original belongings of Laura and her family. A must for all Laura fans.
Reviewed By Asorg515 - New Haven, United States
Great tour for everyone, young and old. My daughter loved it as did my husband who has never read the books or watched the shows. With COVID masks are required on the tour. The gift shop had some great items including my favorite shirt "In a world full of Nellie's, be a Laura". Each bag with a purchase has a twig from Pa's cottonwood trees as an extra little gift.
9. Tatanka: Story of the Bison
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 419 reviews
Reviewed By 741PamelaD
We visited on August 23rd. The cultural interpreter was a Lakota gentleman who spoke for an hour and we could have listened another hour! He was extremely informative and personable. Then we walked the grounds and viewed the extraordinary life-size bronze sculptures depicting a "buffalo drop". They alone are worth the visit.
10. Mt Roosevelt Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 185 reviews
Reviewed By BthEln1964 - Eldorado, United States
Do yourself a favor and go see this hidden gem in the Black Hills! Seth Bullock had this tower built in honor of his best friend, President Roosevelt! When Seth died, he was buried facing it .... Clear across the town .....it's an easy hike to get to and you can climb to the top for a breathtaking view! Don't miss it
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