7 Ideal Destinations For A 3-Day Weekend In South Dakota
Nestled within North Central United States, South Dakota is a state filled with unforgettable destinations. Boasting a large area, South Dakota has endless natural sights, such as national parks, forests, and more. In addition, the state is one of the least populous in America, providing a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of urban life. So, from natural beauty to amazing outdoor activities, South Dakota has many destinations to fill up your weekend on your next trip to the state.
Badlands National Park
Covering an immense 242,000 acres of wilderness, Badlands National Park is an ideal destination for any outdoor enthusiast. This massive park boasts eroded butts, hills, and the largest undistributed mixed grass prairie in America. To this end, it provides a unique natural experience rarely found elsewhere. You can take in this beauty through one of the many driving trails here. Take a 2-hour drive along the Badlands Loop Road, which cuts through beautiful landscapes, hills, and more. Stop during sunset and enjoy the stunning rays cutting through the massive butts for a serene experience.
You can also adore the beautiful wildlife present throughout Badlands National Park. Home to various wilderness areas, this park boasts a rich ecological diversity. You can spot animals such as badgers, bison, mule deer, swift foxes, whooping cranes, and hundreds of other stunning creatures here. It is also an important habitat for many endangered species, making it the perfect place for any animal lover to spend their weekend!
Pierre
Known for its political significance and rich history, Pierre is a lovely place to visit. It is the capital city of South Dakota, but unlike many of its counterparts, this city houses a population of only around 14,000. To this end, you can enjoy the luxuries and vibe of a bustling city while still having some peace. When it comes to Pierre's history, there are a plethora of historical sites, such as the South Dakota State Capital, Old Fort Pierre School, and the Upper Pierre Street Commercial Historic District. Constructed in the 1900s, the South Dakota State Capital is a massive building with regal aesthetics such as Italian marble, terrazzo tiles, and more. Similarly, the Old Fort Pierre School is the city's first high school, having been constructed more than 130 years ago! If you're still looking for more after these sights, head to the historic district to see excellent establishments, stores, and more for a fun day out!
Returning to the present, Pierre is also home to many natural sights. Nestled along the Missouri River, you can enjoy scenic waterside sights within the state capital. Plan a day at La Framboise Island Nature Area, which is filled with lush greenery, riverside views, and more. It is the perfect place to escape stress and spend the day bird-watching, fishing, or just having a picnic. End your day with a drink at the famous Dakota Spirit Distillery and viola! You have the perfect 3-day itinerary in South Dakota.
Mitchell
Regarding unique attractions, Mitchell is a lovely city you should visit. Home to the famous Corn Palace, people from all over the country come here for everything corn. This fantastic establishment boasts everything corn with murals, art, and other items made from crops, grass, and corn. Moreover, it hosts regular events such as concerts, harvests, and more, so you can enjoy a whole day of corn and fun! Apart from the Corn Palace, the streets of Mitchell are flush with small stores, museums, eateries, and more. If you want to learn about the local history, visit the Dakota Discovery Museum. This museum showcases exhibits from South Dakota's past with unique artifacts, artwork, and more.
With a population of more than 15,000, Mitchell has many lively places to eat and mingle with the locals. If you're a golfer, the Wild Oak Golf Course & Country Club is the perfect place to enjoy teeing off with friends and family. Or, visit Hitchcock Park, which has basketball courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, and more for a fun time in the sun. End the day with a scrumptious meal at the Whiskey Creek Wood Fire Grill, which is known for its secret seasonings and tender meat! So, if you want to enjoy the famous Corn Palace with a side of history and fun, Mitchell is the place to be.
Wind Cave National Park
As the name suggests, Wind Cave National Park is a national park home to the famous wind cave. This natural cave boasts an immense 154.2 miles (248.16 km) of explored passageways making it the seventh largest in the world. Along with its length, the cave is known for its unique calcite formations, commonly known as box work. These formations create a resistant honeycomb design that is rarely found anywhere else. So, visitors from all over the country flock to Wind Cave to enjoy these stunning sights and eerie environment. Tourists can opt for one of the candlelight guided tours, which add an ominous vibe to the already spooky cave.
You might be wondering what to do after checking out Wind Cave. Well, there's no need to worry, as Wind Cave National Park provides 34,000 acres of natural land to enjoy and explore. Nestled above the cave system, this national park is filled with mixed-grass prairie and offers many recreational activities. For example, you can enjoy hiking among the 30+ miles of trails spread throughout the park or observe the local wildlife, which consists of dozens of animals such as coyotes, skunks, bison, and more. With 75 campsites in the park, you'll have loads of time to decide how to spend your weekend in this serene location!
Sioux Falls
With a bustling population of 192,000 people, Sioux Falls is the most populous city in South Dakota. Testament to this, it has a vibrant culture and a plethora of attractions for everyone to enjoy. However, you must visit Falls Park before you can get to that. This fantastic park is home to the Big Sioux River, which boasts a stunning triple waterfall. You can spend an entire day admiring the large waterfall from the nearby observation tower or Falls Overlook Cafe and still not get enough of it. Besides the waterfall, Falls Park also boasts amazing historical sites such as Queen Bee Mill and Stockyards Ag Experience Barn. So, if you're looking for something unique in South Dakota, Falls Park has to be on your itinerary.
Getting back to the town itself, Sioux Falls is flush with an endless array of excellent activities and establishments. Take a short walk over to downtown Sioux, and you can spend the day enjoying the Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk. This area boasts dozens of unique sculptures depicting everything from people to animals and more. Along with the sculptures, you'll find stores, restaurants, cafes, and more for a fun time shopping in the lively city. Visit the local zoo and aquarium on your last day, and you'll have a blast in Sioux Falls.
Rapid City
Another bustling city in South Dakota, Rapid City is a lovely place filled with vibrance. The city houses 75,000 residents, and you'll always find someone willing to strike up a conversation. It is also filled with some of the most popular tourist destinations in South Dakota, such as Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Jewel Cave National Monument. Mount Rushmore is an iconic location showcasing the carved faces of previous American presidents along a cliff face. It gets more than two million visitors each year and is an ideal family destination. The Crazy Horse Memorial is another mountain monument under construction that will depict a warrior horse carved into a monument.
While these attractions are stunning, Rapid City also has many amazing cultures and sights to offer. For example, downtown Rapid City boasts some amazing areas, such as Art Alley. Walk down the alley, which is encompassed with amazing murals, graffiti, and art for a stunning environment. Whether it is mythical beings, political figures, or just a quirky design, you'll find all sorts of beautiful; art here. If you're more into music than art, visit the nearby Black Hills Symphony Orchestra. This establishment houses some of the city's finest musicals which are perfect for a cultural evening in Rapid City.
Deadwood
Named after the dead trees once found in the city's gulch, Deadwood was once a famous mining city in South Dakota. With large gold deposits found during the 1870s, people from all over came to the city for the Black Hills Gold Rush. As of today, while the gold rush is long gone, Deadwood still boasts the Borken Boot Gold Mine from the 1800s. This gold mine has become a tourist destination providing guided tours of the mines and shafts for a unique experience of the past. Moreover, you can also pan for your own gold, and if you're lucky, you might find a valuable souvenir.
Apart from the mine, you can indulge in the Old West vibes by roaming through Deadwood's historic main street. Here, you'll find historic landmarks, plaques, and other unique items showcasing major events in the city. For example, a signpost in Deadwood indicates the spot where the famous figure Jack "Crooked Nose" McCall was shot. To learn more about these events, head on over to Adams Museum and Historic Adams House. This museum boasts artifacts and exhibits from influential Old West figures as well as memorabilia from the famous gold rush. So, for a fun take into South Dakota's past and a weekend filled with fun, visit Deadwood!
All in all, there is no end to the great weekend destinations you can find in South Dakota. From the rugged hills of Badlands National Park to the beautiful waterfalls at Sioux Falls, there is something for everyone. So, reserve your 3-day weekend to South Dakota now!
