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 Things to do 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. Custer State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,886 reviews
A 73,000-acre wilderness that draws comparisons to Yellowstone National Park when it comes to spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife.
Reviewed By sharonn874 - Saint Paul, United States
We spent a wonderful day here - hiking - walking around the lakes - driving the wildlife loop - having a picnic - we were here years ago and it made us remember how much we loved it back then!! Make sure to visit this park !!
2. Needles Highway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 883 reviews
This scenic drive passes by tall rock formations and through tunnels.
Reviewed By kdlew - Smyrna, United States
The needles Highway was a beautiful drive, and a great way to see the Black Hills of South Dakota. Winding road with narrow tunnels and spires all around. Give yourself about an hour and a half and have your camera ready! There a plenty of places to get out and explore, so you may want more time.
3. Black Elk Peak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 282 reviews
At over 7,200 feet, this is the Black Hills tallest mountain.
Reviewed By arichard1129 - Cleveland, United States
Now known as Black Elk Peak, This was a great hike that offers amazing views of the Black Hills. This is the highest point in the USA east of the Rockies. The hike itself is pretty moderate, a steady incline up to the top which is 7,200 and there is a fire tower at the top which has some awesome views! Great moderate hike to do!
4. Wildlife Loop Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,652 reviews
An 18-mile scenic drive in Custer State Park.
Reviewed By Celticladdie - Bellingham, United States
Soaring across prairie . gulch and rolling peaks is the wildlife loop in the Custer State Park- at late afternoon or even early morning you will see deer grazing thoughtfully by the side of the road and if you are lucky you ,might see pronghorns , big horned sheep donkeys and of course bison - it was a lengthy journey but we did it twice and were rewarded with great piles of buffalo some in the road and one mama was nursing her little yearling in the center of the bi way - needless to say we all stayed in our cars - well worth the $20 for the weeks access - we used it three times in a week- well worth the driving !!Do it !!
5. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,337 reviews
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created this famous mountainside carving of the visages of four great American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.
Reviewed By tirana2015 - Miami, United States
Always near the top of my bucket list, it was truly an awe inspiring experience walking down the avenue of flags of the states and getting to view Mount Rushmore. A must see for any American or even any fan of history and art. The carved out heads are larger than life and truly spectacular. I highly recommend hiking the half mile presidential trail loop as it offers glimpses of the presidents from different angles and provides some information about the presidents as well.
6. Falls Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,265 reviews
Park with waterfalls where the river flows over many tiers of Sioux quartzite.
Reviewed By 935kristieg - Saint Peter, United States
This is the second time I’ve been there but I didn’t realize you must walk to the right to see the amazing falls. Last time we went, we had fun climbing on the rocks and didn’t realize the amazing falls and paths and cool historical artifacts. We always park in the first lot so I guess this is how we missed it the first time. My pics probably don’t do it justice, but it was a beautiful winter day and it was cool to even get to walk across the frozen Sioux River to get from one side to the other.
7. Mount Moriah Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,776 reviews
Small cemetery dating back to the time of cowboys, deputies and the old West.
Reviewed By tawnyasojourn - Sedalia, United States
This is a most lovely cemetery built into the hills of Deadwood and you could easily spend a day here looking at stones and spending time with the fabulous views. There is a steep road leading up it that can be walked or you can drive. It is steep though so wear good shoes or drive and park. The cemetery is on the outskirts of Deadwood, off of the strip but proximal to it, and easy to find. You will find famous personalities headstones here including Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, Potato Creek Johnny, Seth Bullock, Preacher Smith, Madam Dora and others. The "not famous" tombstones are interesting as well. There is a Chinese section and a potter's field. Many of the stones have detailed Victorian carvings and symbolism. The cemetery is incredibly steep and NOT wheelchair accessible. I got to a few gravesites because my husband is strong and could push/pull me to those closest to the ticket booth. Bystanders helped too (thanks!!!). Tickets are $2 and there is a small gift shop with art and books. This graveyard is beautiful due to the stones and the trees and the wonderful views. It's a nice place to sit and think. I loved it. Some of the tour buses run here too but you still need to be able to walk to see the stones. Thank you Deadwood for maintaining and caring for this cemetery!
8. Bear Country USA
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,013 reviews
Enjoy a leisurely 2-mile drive through this unique North American Wildlife park in the the Black Hills of South Dakota. From the comfort of your vehicle view black bears, wolves, elk, buffalo and other wildlife! After your drive-through tour, walk around wildlife loop where young and smaller animals frolic in the outdoors. Don't miss the Baby Bears! Dine at the Cub Grub Snack Shack or shop in the Bear's Den Gift Shop. Open May through November, weather permitting
Reviewed By Mutiny - Sydney, Australia
For a family with young children or Tweenies, the highlight of this place is the bear cub enclosure they are just so cute and adorable. They play and rumble with each other and delight everyone with their antics. You can pay an extra $5 to feed them fruit and vegetables and it is hilarious to watch them feeding (as if they have never been fed before when you know that they are extremely well cared for). The drive through enclosure are also great with gorgeous Arctic Wolves, Mountain Lions and Black bears (of all colours) just to name a few. This was a great family excursion for the morning.
9. Reptile Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,204 reviews
World-renowned adventure park, Reptile Gardens is a must-see family attraction no matter what your age. We maintain the finest collection of tropical plants, colorful flowers, and exotic reptiles anywhere - we have more species and subspecies of venomous reptiles than any other zoo or park in the world!
Reviewed By shayleev - Grimes, United States
The Reptile Gardens was enjoyed by our entire family (kids age 11 & 8)! We did the gator & snake show and loved both. Matt has a great sense of humor while also giving tons of info. We loved all the different types of venomous snakes, Maniac the GIANT crocodile, prairie dog town and petting the Tank the tortoise was my favorite! While it did seem a little overpriced we definitely enjoyed our time there.
10. Adams House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 479 reviews
The Historic Adams House was built in 1892 by Deadwood pioneers Harris and Anna Franklin. Local contemporary press described the home as "the grandest house west of the Mississippi." The elegant Queen Anne-style house heralded a wealthy and socially prominent new age for Deadwood, a former rough and tumble gold mining town. Harris and Anna Franklin’s son Nathan bought the house for $1 in 1905. In 1920, Nathan Franklin sold the house to W.E. and Alice Adams for $8,500. Adams' second wife Mary closed up the house in 1936, two years after W.E.'s death, leaving the contents and furnishings intact.
Reviewed By Rockabird - Beach Park, United States
This tour was low key but very informative about not only the house but the history of the original and subsequent owners of the house. It is a house that was owned by a very wealthy couple and it displayed the most modern and expensive accoutrements of the era. Rather fascinating.
