What is there to do in South Dakota this weekend? It might be time to hop in the car and go off exploring for the day. Here are five great getaway ideas in and around South Dakota that are perfect for the warm weather we’re experiencing.
- Head to Sioux Falls for parks, art and nature.
Ollie O./Tripadvisor South Dakota’s largest city has plenty to see and do. Start with Falls Park, where you can go for a stroll, enjoy the falls and grab a snack at Falls Overlook Cafe.
Andrew D./Tripadvisor Head for the downtown area and take the SculptureWalk Tour. Peruse the shops, grab a meal and enjoy all the art!
HealthyButTasty/Tripadvisor Spend some time at the Butterfly House & Aquarium.
Address: 4320 South Oxbow Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, 57106
- Visit Pierre for government, culture and science.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr Pierre is a pretty city with plenty to offer. Start with the State Capitol, a beautiful, historic building that you can tour every day of the week.
Address: 500 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD, 57501
management/Tripadvisor The Cultural Heritage Center is chock full of artifacts and interactive exhibits that teach you about South Dakota’s history and the cultures who have lived here throughout the ages.
Address: 900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD, 57501
management/Tripadvisor Kids of all ages will love the South Dakota Discovery Center. Enjoy tons of hands-on activities that teach you about physics, architecture, natural science and more. Address: 805 West Sioux Avenue, Pierre, SD, 57501
- Check out Hill City for history, art and wine.
management/Tripadvisor Take a ride on the 1880 Train, which travels back and forth from Hill City to Keystone, offering some amazing views of the Black Hills National Forest along the way.
Address: 222 Railroad Avenue, Hill City, SD, 57745
management/Tripadvisor Hill City has several wonderful wineries. Visit Prairie Berry Winery, Naked Winery, Twisted Pine Winery and Stone Faces Winery.
- Spend the day in Keystone for Presidents, nature and adventure.
Vickilynn111/Tripadvisor Every South Dakotan should visit Mount Rushmore. Start your day off there, and take plenty of photos.
Address: 13000 SD-244, Keystone, SD, 57751
Dustin C./Tripadvisor Horsethief Lake is just two miles from Mount Rushmore, and a nice place to visit to bask in the natural beauty of the Black Hills. Stroll around the lake, or take a longer hike.
management/Tripadvisor If you’re up for some real adventure, stop by Rushmore Tramway Adventures and cruise over the trees on a zipline and fly down the alpine slide.
Address: 203 Cemetery Road, Keystone, SD, 57751
- Explore Badlands National Park for prairie dogs, bison, and cool hiking.
Randallboy/Tripadvisor Start with a drive on the Badlands Loop Road, which takes you through the park for 40 miles of stunning views.
Address: 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD, 57750
MMOHZ/Tripadvisor See the prairie dogs at Roberts Prairie Dog Town. You’ll also likely see bison and maybe even coyote. Find it along Sage Creek Rim Road.
Address: Rim Road, Wall, SD, 57790
Blaire P./Tripadvisor Hike the Notch Trail - a 1.5 mile hike that takes you through a canyon and up a fun ladder for some amazing views. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: SD-240, Interior, SD, 57750
Quick Hits: What is there to do in South Dakota? By Annie Sandmeier
Ollie O./Tripadvisor
South Dakota’s largest city has plenty to see and do. Start with Falls Park, where you can go for a stroll, enjoy the falls and grab a snack at Falls Overlook Cafe.
Andrew D./Tripadvisor
Head for the downtown area and take the SculptureWalk Tour. Peruse the shops, grab a meal and enjoy all the art!
HealthyButTasty/Tripadvisor
Spend some time at the Butterfly House & Aquarium.
Address: 4320 South Oxbow Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, 57106
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
Pierre is a pretty city with plenty to offer. Start with the State Capitol, a beautiful, historic building that you can tour every day of the week.
Address: 500 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD, 57501
management/Tripadvisor
The Cultural Heritage Center is chock full of artifacts and interactive exhibits that teach you about South Dakota’s history and the cultures who have lived here throughout the ages.
Address: 900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD, 57501
Kids of all ages will love the South Dakota Discovery Center. Enjoy tons of hands-on activities that teach you about physics, architecture, natural science and more. Address: 805 West Sioux Avenue, Pierre, SD, 57501
Take a ride on the 1880 Train, which travels back and forth from Hill City to Keystone, offering some amazing views of the Black Hills National Forest along the way.
Address: 222 Railroad Avenue, Hill City, SD, 57745
Hill City has several wonderful wineries. Visit Prairie Berry Winery, Naked Winery, Twisted Pine Winery and Stone Faces Winery.
Vickilynn111/Tripadvisor
Every South Dakotan should visit Mount Rushmore. Start your day off there, and take plenty of photos.
Address: 13000 SD-244, Keystone, SD, 57751
Dustin C./Tripadvisor
Horsethief Lake is just two miles from Mount Rushmore, and a nice place to visit to bask in the natural beauty of the Black Hills. Stroll around the lake, or take a longer hike.
If you’re up for some real adventure, stop by Rushmore Tramway Adventures and cruise over the trees on a zipline and fly down the alpine slide.
Address: 203 Cemetery Road, Keystone, SD, 57751
Randallboy/Tripadvisor
Start with a drive on the Badlands Loop Road, which takes you through the park for 40 miles of stunning views.
Address: 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD, 57750
MMOHZ/Tripadvisor
See the prairie dogs at Roberts Prairie Dog Town. You’ll also likely see bison and maybe even coyote. Find it along Sage Creek Rim Road.
Address: Rim Road, Wall, SD, 57790
Blaire P./Tripadvisor
Hike the Notch Trail - a 1.5 mile hike that takes you through a canyon and up a fun ladder for some amazing views. For more information, read our full article here.
Address: SD-240, Interior, SD, 57750
What is there to do on a rainy day in South Dakota? South Dakota is famous for its outdoor landmarks and monuments, but the Mount Rushmore State is home to a number of indoor attractions, too. If you have an interest in history or science, why not check out one of the many museums, including the National Music Museum, Children’s Museum of South Dakota, or South Dakota Air and Space Museum? Do you enjoy the arts? Then take in a show at the Orpheum or Lewis & Clark Theater. Did we mention that SoDak is home to a bunch of must-visit shops and restaurants as well?
What do you do with kids In South Dakota? If there is one thing that South Dakota is (aside from friendly, gorgeous, and fascinating, of course), it is child friendly! While we could talk all day about things to do with kids in South Dakota, we will only mention a few, like the hands-on Reptile Gardens (AKA the world’s largest reptile), enchanting Storybook Land and Storybook Island, legendary Ingalls Homestead, and the unforgettable 1880 Train.
What do you do with kids in South Dakota without spending money? When it comes to an affordable place to live or vacation, South Dakota is the best place to be. If you want to do some outdoor sightseeing, there is Falls Park, Sioux Falls SculptureWalk, and Outdoor Campus in Rapid City. Do you want to check out some of the most iconic spots in SoDak? Visit the Mitchell Corn Palace, Chapel in the Hills, or Jewel Cave. Are you looking for something just for the kids? We again mention Storybook Land and Island, plus Dinosaur Park and must-see Wall Drug.
What are your favorite day trips in South Dakota? There can never be enough great getaway ideas in and around South Dakota. Tell us in the comments!
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