Have you heard of Corn Palace?
Well, it’s a palace covered with crop arts made from corn, and it’s found in the small town of Mitchell in South Dakota.
Corn Palace, the only one you can find globally, is a top-rated attraction in the town, which made Mitchell known throughout the United States.
However, many travel enthusiasts don’t realize is that Mitchell has a lot of great stuff and tourist spots to enjoy aside from the Corn Palace.
Mitchell, which is reached through the Interstate 90 highway, is a wonderful place to visit despite being surrounded by thousands of acres of cornfields.
This town is an hour’s drive west of South Dakota’s most populous city, Sioux Falls.
Home to more than 16,000 people, Mitchell is a town in which you can easily get along.
It’s one of those charming countryside towns that you’ll surely be very thankful for.
You can find a lot of history, parks, culture, shops, and food you can enjoy year-round.
Regardless of whether you’re seeking to eat delicious cuisine, travel back in time with its museums, or unwind and have fun, the choices are limitless.
Mitchell is a nice spot for a brief excursion while you’re traveling across South Dakota, but it is completely worth spending more time there either by yourself or with your family.
If you’re very interested in town in South Dakota, here are the 20 best things to do in Mitchell, SD:
J K Laws / Shutterstock.com
Corn Palace is a must-visit place if you want to look at a unique structure.
This beloved tourist spot in Mitchell is a testament to the people’s dedication to their crop-growing tradition.
The Corn Palace first opened its doors in 1921, wherein most of Mitchell’s locals and neighboring towns would celebrate their festivals, bountiful seasons, and harvest.
Nagel Photography / Shutterstock.com
Today, it’s the place where the festival and traditions continue with Mitchell’s yearly Corn Palace Festival every last week of August.
The Corn Palace is a wonderful spot to explore, as it teaches you how Mitchell thrives on crop-growing and its unique traditions that you won’t find anywhere else.
The Corn Palace is at 604 N Main St, Mitchell, SD.
This famous Mitchell attraction is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm.
Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock.com
If you want to learn about the story of the people of Mitchell, head to the Dakota Discovery Museum.
It’s where you’ll mostly learn who and what kind of people settled down first in this South Dakota town.
It has a vast collection of well-preserved artifacts, artworks, and other remnants of the past, which you can view at its exhibits.
Furthermore, the Dakota Discovery Museum is where you’ll witness the stuff and stories relevant to the fur trade, Plain Indians, ranching, farming, railroading, and the Great Depression.
To tour this interesting museum, it is at 1200 W University Ave, Mitchell, SD.
The museum is open every weekday from 9 am to 5 pm.
The George and Eleanor McGovern Library, also known as the Dakota Wesleyan University Library, provides you the chance to learn many things about American politics and history.
It displays many books containing the answers to your questions about Richard Nixon’s victory in 1972 over George McGovern.
Aside from that, it also offers you tons of information about McGovern and some historical books from South Dakota and Mitchell itself.
To visit the George and Eleanor McGovern Library, it is at 1200 W University Ave, Mitchell, SD, and they are open from 7:30 am to 11 pm daily.
John McLaird / Shutterstock.com
After touring through Mitchell’s museums and libraries, it would be proper to give yourself a bit of fresh air and sun.
So, head to Lake Mitchell for a whole day of outdoor activities.
Lake Mitchell is where you can see most out of the town’s picturesque natural beauty.
It offers more than 12 miles of trails for hiking, biking, off-road running, and a lot more.
John McLaird / Shutterstock.com
It has several forested areas on the side of the lake to give you enough shade under the sun and, of course, a perfect spot for a picnic.
Every fall, the park is filled with fall foliage which gives you a stunning and picturesque view of the place.
Furthermore, Lake Mitchell has campgrounds and fishing sites for added outdoor adventure.
Lake Mitchell is nestled on the northern tip of the town.
After a whole day’s exploration around Mitchell, you should treat yourself to a scrumptious dinner or perhaps lunch at the Lakehouse at 2700 N Main St.
The restaurant is a well-known spot for its cozy ambiance, good food, and casino.
They offer a wide array of delectable food on their menu, along with refreshing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Plus, it has a casino that features slot machines and table card games.
If you’re looking for relaxation and entertainment in Mitchell, visit the Lakehouse, which opens from 4 pm to 2 am, except on Mondays.
A very popular outdoor sport in South Dakota or perhaps the Midwest is pheasant hunting.
Numerous companies offer guided tours and pheasant hunting in Mitchell.
You can easily hook up with them if you want to test your marksmanship against these birds.
More than 4,000 acres of land for hunting are found in Mitchell and its neighboring towns, so you’ll surely get your hands full with lots of shooting.
Plus, these companies have field champion Labrador retrievers who can fetch your targets.
Also, they have the equipment, such as hunting rifles, camouflage apparel, etc., to complete your hunting outfit.
For recommendations on which company can provide you with the best pheasant hunting experience, head to the Mitchell Convention & Visitors Bureau at 601 N Main St.
This tourist spot in Mitchell offers you a one-of-a-kind experience through its castle-like structure.
The shop is mainly designed to cater to its patrons who seek mind, body, and soul revitalization through their religious merchandise.
You can visit the Castle Bible Land Museum, the Castle Gift Shop, the Castle Memorial of Love, and the Castle Play Gardens when you get there.
This place in Mitchell also houses a collection of religious artifacts that dates back 3,500 years old.
For a bit of detour to your Mitchell travel adventure, you should head to this place even if you’re not that religious.
The place is simply attractive and holds a lot of interesting stuff worthy of discovering.
To visit the Valtiroty Shiloh’s Tabernacle, it is at 650 N Main St, Mitchell.
Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com
After exploring the Corn Palace, and if you want to learn more about Mitchell’s history, head to the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village.
It’s an archaeological site in the town that is accessible to the public.
Touring this unique and historic place is an awesome experience.
You’ll see prehistoric artifacts and remnants of the old Indian civilization that lived in South Dakota more than a thousand years ago.
You’ll be amazed at the facility itself because of its ability to walk you through numerous dig sites, where dozens of artifacts were unearthed and are now kept safe in the museum.
Plus, you’ll be having a fair amount of hiking through the entire archaeological site, while it has a minimal entrance fee for its maintenance.
To visit the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village, it is at 3200 Indian Village Rd, Mitchell, SD, and it’s open every Monday to Wednesday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Mitchell’s historic main street is where you’ll also find the famous Corn Palace.
It’s billed as historic because of the century-old yet well-maintained buildings, such as shops, eateries, and cafes that kept Mitchell a vibrant small town.
Walking through the main street will not just provide you with a lot of shopping, dining, and leisure choices, but it will also virtually take you to the past.
It’s one of the highly recommended places you shouldn’t forget to visit when you’re in Mitchell.
If you’re an avid fan of classic American muscle cars, head to the Telstar Mustang-Shelby-Cobra Restorations & Museum, get a closer look, and even take pictures with them.
This museum opened in 1990.
It is a very popular tourist spot in Mitchell, SD, for having a wide collection of muscle cars like Ford Mustang, Shelby GT, Thunderbird, and Shelby Cobra.
The museum offers you fun-filled guided tours so you can learn how these American muscle cars have been made and other fascinating information.
It’s a must-visit place if you’re a car lover who has a special place for muscle cars in your heart.
The lovely owners are great collectors of these muscle cars, and they always make sure to include several of these muscle cars from each year and model production to their collection.
To visit this car museum, it is at 1330 S Kimball St, Mitchell, SD.
The Back 40 Taphouse Grill is a local restaurant and pub in Mitchell, which offers a wide array of delicious food, booze, and a family-friendly ambiance.
They are well-known in Mitchell for their delicious “40 Burgers” and take pride in their locally-sourced beef patties from farm-raised cows.
Aside from burgers, they offer delicious seafood, sandwiches, and other comfort food you can typically find in restaurants.
Plus, they have more than a dozen taps of craft beer you can choose from and regular musical performances for entertainment.
The Back 40 Taphouse Grill is one of the most popular restaurants in Mitchell’s Historic Main Street.
Its full address is at 511 N Main St, Mitchell, SD, and they are open from 11 am to 2 am.
Hitchcock Park is very similar to what you see in your recreational park.
It has baseball diamonds, basketball courts, playgrounds, picnic shelters, benches, tennis courts, and a lot more.
This park in Mitchell, which covers around 33-acres, is where most locals spend their morning or afternoon strolling or walking their pets on leash.
Plus, it has an aquatic center equipped with an extensive pool and other features.
To visit Hitchcock Park, it is at 1201 E. Hanson, Mitchell, SD.
Another popular restaurant you should visit in Mitchell is the Whiskey Creek Wood Fire Grill, known for its unique and innovative way of cooking delicious menu items.
They have secret seasonings, sauces, and rubs to flavor their smoked meats and other delicious food.
The restaurant mainly uses wood fire style of cooking for their food.
They serve beef, fish, chicken, and pork on their menu, while you can pair it with their refreshing cocktails, spirits, wines, and beer.
To dine at this famous Mitchell restaurant, it is at 905 E Spruce St #1, Mitchell, SD.
They start serving their guests from 11 am to 10 pm daily.
The 18-hole 72-par golf course in Wild Oak is one of the best you can find in South Dakota.
Its countryside setting makes the entire course tranquil and perfect for a whole day of golfing in its well-manicured rolling hills.
If you have spare time to tee off for gold in Mitchell, this is the place you should go.
Aside from its breathtaking golf course, it has a swimming pool and other sports facilities and regular events such as the $5000 Scramble tournament.
Don’t worry if you leave your golf gear at home because they have a shop for apparel and equipment to suit you up.
To visit this golf course, it is at 2500 E 1st Ave, Mitchell, SD.
Lastly, to complete your Mitchell travel experience, you should witness the annual Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo’s sporting spectacle every second week of July.
This major rodeo event happening since 1971 and serves more than a traditional rodeo competition but a cultural icon in South Dakota.
This rodeo competition is sanctioned and organized by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
It gathers more than 10,000 die-hard rodeo fans across the country every year, while its competitors are both from the United States and Canada.
So, when you’re planning to visit Mitchell, it would be suitable to have it scheduled in July so you can witness this awesome event.
When inquiring about what tourists and visitors may expect to find to do in Mitchell, the best place to start is with the Mitchell Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The helpful information center personnel can answer your questions about the area.
The friendly service and wide selection of brochures make this an ideal place to learn about all there is to do in Mitchell.
Their commitment to providing a positive experience for catalog browsers is soothing.
Get details about booking visits to attractions like the Corn Palace, Indian Village, and Discovery Museum, among many more.
The Mitchell SD Visitor Center is a model of a destination that draws in large numbers of people seeking advice on where to go and what to see in the area.
The Mitchell City Resource Center houses a catalog of Mitchell-related materials, including written histories, photographic documentation, and support services for locating specific items.
You’ll appreciate the work of the resource center’s staff if you strongly appreciate organization and order.
The resource center offers a wealth of knowledge about Mitchell and South Dakota’s past.
See stunning paintings by guys like Oskar Howe.
The resource center also houses some unique photographs of the corn palace.
Check out the pictures of VIPs who visited Corn Palace.
Bring your significant other to Starlite Drive-In Theatre if you find yourself at Mitchell in the evening with nothing to do.
This drive-in theater opened in 1949.
It’s perfect for modern families and moviegoers because it combines the finest of classic drive-in entertainment with state-of-the-art amenities and affordable costs.
FM radio transmits the audio, so listeners in cars or anywhere may tune in using a portable radio.
Pizza, mini-donuts, hotdogs, pretzels, nachos, fresh popcorn, sweets, and Pepsi products round out its entire concession menu.
Additionally, there is a mini golf course and a playground.
Located on a hillside above Lake Mitchell, the Lake Mitchell Campground has plenty of room for tents.
This campsite is excellent for fishing, paddle boarding, hiking, swimming, and canoeing.
Birdwatching is also highly popular, so ensure you bring a good set of binoculars on your camping excursion.
The campground is open to RVs and tent campers of all lengths.
Suppose you’re looking for a place to stay while you enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
In that case, this campsite is an excellent option.
It also boasts camp showers and clean lavatory facilities.
Do you like mind-boggling puzzles and see how well you can reason?
Head to Mitchell’s Escape Rooms.
Since 2016, players have had a fantastic time solving the room’s challenging and entertaining puzzles.
On Fridays, “That place for teens” opens its doors to teenagers, providing them with a space to practice their problem-solving skills.
The fascinating machinery and gadgets surrounding the room’s challenges offer a layer of realism and excitement to the escape room experience.
All that matters are the mysteries it conceals and the trials it forces upon its guests.
As a social gathering spot, it’s hard to beat!
Mitchell is the perfect example of a beautiful countryside town worthy of your exploration.
This town offers more than its rich and colorful history.
Its midwestern culture, traditions, and natural beauty speak for themselves.
So, whenever you’re in South Dakota, make sure to drop by Mitchell and visit any of the 15 places listed above.
Discover the world.
© All rights reserved.
