South Dakota? Yes! 29 Things Not to Miss
South Dakota in all its beauty. (Photo: Laura Grier)
South Dakota may not be the first place that springs to mind when planning a vacation. But don’t count out this underrated destination. There’s tons to do, especially in the western half of the state, from parks with unrivaled natural beauty teeming with wildlife to museums to towns that bring to life the Wild West. It may be known as the Mount Rushmore State, but here are 29 things you shouldn’t miss in South Dakota.
1. The Journey Museum & Learning Center
This is a gem of a museum in Rapid City, for adults and kids alike. Learn the history of the state’s famous Black Hills, from its geology and paleontology to its Native American history and through to the pioneers and the present day. No boring displays here — instead there are movies, interactive exhibits (like digging for dinosaur bones or watching Native American create beautiful beaded jewelry), historic re-creations of homes from the 19th century, taxidermied wildlife, and more. It’s a great way to get an overview of everything else you’ll experience on your visit to the area.
Ever wonder how tall George Washington was? He was 6 foot 2, strangely statuesque for his day. See for yourself at City of Presidents in Rapid City. Life-size statues of the presidents line the streets of downtown Rapid City.
3. Art Alley
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em! People are encouraged to express themselves with graffiti on the walls in the alleyway between 6th and 7th Streets in downtown Rapid City in the name of art. The only rule is, if you’re going to cover someone else’s work in any way, it has to be because you believe it will add to or improve it.
This hotel, opened in 1928, is a part of South Dakota history and boasts having hosted five presidents. But the best part is it’s haunted! Stay if you dare…
The all-wood chapel. (Photo: Leah Ginsberg)
This may be the most random thing in South Dakota — it’s a replica of a 12th-century Norwegian stave church sitting in the middle of what seems to be a regular old residential neighborhood of Rapid City. It’s lovely, but one of the best parts is the gift shop: Where else can you buy books like Medieval-Inspired Knits and In Cod We Trust?
6. Downtown Deadwood and Main Street
Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane once walked the streets of this historic town situated in the Black Hills. Deadwood has been accurately restored to its 1800s glory, but these days the gold rush is all about gambling — there are more than 80 gaming halls to choose from.
As the folks at the saloon turned museum and bar in Deadwood like to say, “Wild Bill Hickok bit the dust here.” Indeed, the famous gunslinger was murdered while playing poker in 1876. (If you visit during summer, you can catch one of the reenactments of his murder, which take place several times a day.) Today you can gamble, check out Old West and mining camp artifacts, and have a sarsaparilla or something a little stiffer.
Photo: Laura Grier
Speaking of Wild Bill Hickok’s murder, this is where he’s buried. So is Calamity Jane. The historic cemetery in Deadwood is also the final resting place for a gaggle of murderers and madams (plus a few pillars of the old-time community).
The museum is an homage to the prospectors, miners, and madams who headed to Deadwood during the gold rush. The biggest draw is an impressive collection of horse-drawn vehicles, from post office carriages to hearses and more. You can also check out firearms, rodeo artifacts, and the story of smokin’, card-dealin’ Poker Alice. If you’re visiting in late July, try and catch the Days of ’76 Rodeo.
10. Tatanka: The Story of the Bison
Photo: Laura Grier
Kevin Costner is responsible for this memorial. (He filmed much of Dances With Wolves in South Dakota.) It honors the buffalo and the role they played in the history of the Native Americans and the frontiersmen. “Tatanka” is the Lakota word for “bull buffalo,” which were central and sacred to plains Native Americans. Though they hunted buffalo, they utilized every single part of the animals. You’ll see a larger-than-life bronze sculpture of 14 bison being pursued by three Native Americans on horseback, as well as tepees and an interpretive center.
The museum is great, but don’t miss the Adams House. Built in 1892, this Queen Anne-style mansion was home to W.E. Adams, founder of the Adams Museum and a pillar of the Deadwood community. (Amazingly, the house was originally built with plumbing, electricity, and telephone service.) After Adams died in 1934, his wife left the place just as it was (sheet music on the piano, medicines in the bathroom cabinet, and all), and it remained closed for nearly 60 years. In 1998, the house was restored as part of the museum.
Deadwood was originally an old mining town, so what could be cooler than an underground mine tour. Travel along the paths of old ore cars through century-old tunnels, learn old-time mining techniques, and pan for gold. You even get a share of stock in the mine!
Related: Striking Gold Along Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway
13. Wall Drug
Photo: Laura Grier
There may not be a more touristy attraction in the world. Today Wall Drug is literally a kitschy mall (though it does have the largest collection of privately owned western art in the U.S.). But what’s interesting about it is the story of how it came to be: In the 1930s, to drum up business for their struggling drugstore in Wall, S.D. (on the edge of the Badlands), Ted and Dorothy Hustead had the brilliant idea to offer free ice water to passersby driving the barren and dusty roads of South Dakota. It worked, and the rest is history. (Yes, they still provide free ice water.)
14. Spearfish Canyon and National Forest Scenic Byway
Drive along Highway 14A as it winds through a 19-mile gorge in the Black Hills with towering limestone walls, lush forest, and picturesque waterfalls.
15. Roughlock Falls Nature Area
Stop off here in Spearfish Canyon (which is featured in several scenes from Dances With Wolves) for some of the best views around. There are also hiking trails and tons of wildlife.
16. Community Caves
In the warmer months at this location in Spearfish Canyon, there’s a sweet little waterfall you can stand underneath and take in the views. Or take a short but pretty steep hike up the falls to a natural cave known mostly to locals. In the winter, the waterfall freezes — also a cool sight.
Related: Wild West Smackdown: Montana vs. Wyoming
17. Downtown Sturgis
Photo: haley7/Flickr
In 2015, the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally celebrated its 75th anniversary with a whopping 739,000 attendees. If you want to brave the massive event, the 2016 rally is scheduled for Aug. 8-14. The rest of the year, the quaint town is home to about 5,000 residents. Take in Sturgis’s rich history or have fun with outdoor adventure activities.
The Sturgis winery utilizes traditional champagne techniques in making its sparkling wines. Sit back with a glass and take in the amazing views of the 5-acre vineyard and the ponderosa pines of the Black Hills.
19. Needles Highway
Photo: Amy Meredith/Flickr
This scenic byway has 14 miles of sharp turns through Custer State Park. Expect to see pine and spruce forests, S.D.’s signature “needle” granite formations, meadows, wildlife, and even tunnels cut into rocks.
This is another Custer State Park must-drive if you’re into animal spotting. Here you’ll most likely spy buffalo, white-tailed and mule deer, possibly some elk and bighorn sheep, and maybe a mountain lion.
21. Harney Peak
Made from granite, this is highest point in South Dakota’s Black Hills and is considered sacred ground to Native Americans. In the Black Elk Wilderness Area, it is accessible by hiking a 3.5-mile trail starting from Custer State Park. Explore the old, abandoned fire lookout tower built in the ’30s.
Related: 10 Things You Should Never Do on a Road Trip
Badlands at sunset. (Photo: Laura Grier)
Drive the Highway 240 Loop or hike through the ruggedly beautiful landscape. Millions of years of erosion have created a breathtaking maze of buttes, canyons, and gullies that also contain some of the world’s riches fossil beds. Keep your eyes peeled for coyotes, vultures, snakes, mule deer, bighorn sheep, antelope, buffalo, prairie dogs, and birds. If you can catch the sunset or sunrise here, you may never see a more awe-inspiring sight.
23. Mount Rushmore
Because it doesn’t get more iconic that. Go early for sunrise to make it extra special.
24. Buffalo Roundup
Watch the highlights of the 2015 Buffalo Roundup. (Video: South Dakota Department of Tourism)
Every September, South Dakota holds its Buffalo Roundup, during which cowboys corral the publicly owned herd of about 1,300 bison that roam Custer State Park. The buffalo are then counted, vaccinated, and checked for pregnancy among other things. Go watch the roundup (Sept. 30, 2016) and then have a chuck wagon lunch with thousands of others.
The view from Crazy Horse’s arm. (Photo: Laura Grier)
It’s been almost 70 years since artist Korczak Ziolkowski started sculpting the likeness of Crazy Horse on his steed into the side of this granite mountain. After Ziolkowski’s death, his wife and children carried on, finishing Crazy Horse’s (87-foot) head in 1998. They’re currently working on the outstretched arm, which visitors can stand on to take in the amazing views for $125 per person. Viewing from the ground and the visitor’s center are free.
26. Hobbit Treehouse
Rent this swanky property in the Black Hills and with it comes the hobbit-inspired treehouse, which has a fireplace, a flat-screen TV, two full beds, and seasonal running water. All this for $675 a night.
27. Laura Ingalls Wilder Homestead
Head to De Smet to see the school Wilder attended and check out the house “Pa” built.
This outdoor downtown art exhibit in South Dakota’s biggest city showcases pieces up for sale.
29. Falls Park
Photo: Brian Jeffery Beggerly/Flickr
Western South Dakota doesn’t have a total monopoly on gorgeous scenery. The star here is the Falls of the Big Sioux River, but there are also several historic buildings worth checking out, from the Queen Bee Mill to the Light and Power Company.
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