South Dakota has quite possibly the most historic landmarks of any state, which can make it both fascinating and overwhelming to visit. Just where does one go to see and learn the most in the least amount of time? While it obviously (and unfortunately) doesn’t cover everything, we recommend beginning with this South Dakota museum trail that will wow any history buff (link to the interactive map can be found here):
Google Maps
- Museum of Geology (Rapid City)
Museum of Geology, SDSM&T Facebook
TripAdvisor/william s Housed at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, the Museum of Geology ROCKS, thanks to a series of exhibits ranging from paleontology to mineralogy to – of course – geology.
- Adams Museum (Deadwood)
TripAdvisor/management
TripAdvisor/brixton456 For a historic museum in one of SoDak’s most historic towns, look no further than the Adams Museum! Founded in 1930, the Adams Museum is housed in an original 1892 home, and features such treasures as a 7.346 troy ounce gold nugget, rare pencil sketch drawing of Wild Bill Hickok by N.C. Wyeth, and more. (Even better? Admission to the museum is free, but donations are greatly appreciated!)
- Timber Lake & Area Museum (Timber Lake)
Google Maps
Google Maps Quite possibly the best hidden-gem-of-a museum is Timber Lake, which is chock full of “thousands of locally discovered anomites, fossils, and artifacts on display for visitors.” Like Adams and the Museum of Geology, admission to Timber Lake is free, but please consider making a donation to help them maintain and grow this historic treasure.
- Children’s Museum of South Dakota (Brookings)
Children’s Museum of South Dakota Facebook
Children’s Museum of South Dakota Facebook Do you have a little in tow? Then the Children’s Museum of South Dakota is a MUST! Opened in 2010, the Children’s Museum has no shortage of hands-on fun, which includes everything from feeding the animals in the prairie barn to a Creativity Lab, play market, water area, and more.
- National Music Museum (Vermillion)
TripAdvisor/management
TripAdvisor/John C How wonderful is it that South Dakota is home to a National Music Museum?! Housed on the University of South Dakota campus, the National Music Museum is not only a music lover’s dream come true, but one of the best music museums in the WORLD!
- National Presidential Wax Museum (Keystone)
The National Presidential Wax Museum Facebook
The National Presidential Wax Museum Facebook Last but certainly not least on our South Dakota museum trail is quite possibly the best place in the state for selfies: the National Presidential Wax Museum. Featuring 100 life-like wax figures, you can take a picture with Bush Sr. and Jr., FDR, AND Kennedy all in one place.
Want to take another road trip? Then you will love The Sweetest Road Trip in South Dakota Takes You To 5 Old School Chocolate Shops.
Google Maps
Museum of Geology, SDSM&T Facebook
TripAdvisor/william s
Housed at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, the Museum of Geology ROCKS, thanks to a series of exhibits ranging from paleontology to mineralogy to – of course – geology.
TripAdvisor/management
TripAdvisor/brixton456
For a historic museum in one of SoDak’s most historic towns, look no further than the Adams Museum! Founded in 1930, the Adams Museum is housed in an original 1892 home, and features such treasures as a 7.346 troy ounce gold nugget, rare pencil sketch drawing of Wild Bill Hickok by N.C. Wyeth, and more. (Even better? Admission to the museum is free, but donations are greatly appreciated!)
Quite possibly the best hidden-gem-of-a museum is Timber Lake, which is chock full of “thousands of locally discovered anomites, fossils, and artifacts on display for visitors.” Like Adams and the Museum of Geology, admission to Timber Lake is free, but please consider making a donation to help them maintain and grow this historic treasure.
Children’s Museum of South Dakota Facebook
Do you have a little in tow? Then the Children’s Museum of South Dakota is a MUST! Opened in 2010, the Children’s Museum has no shortage of hands-on fun, which includes everything from feeding the animals in the prairie barn to a Creativity Lab, play market, water area, and more.
TripAdvisor/John C
How wonderful is it that South Dakota is home to a National Music Museum?! Housed on the University of South Dakota campus, the National Music Museum is not only a music lover’s dream come true, but one of the best music museums in the WORLD!
The National Presidential Wax Museum Facebook
Last but certainly not least on our South Dakota museum trail is quite possibly the best place in the state for selfies: the National Presidential Wax Museum. Featuring 100 life-like wax figures, you can take a picture with Bush Sr. and Jr., FDR, AND Kennedy all in one place.
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