South Dakota - Travel Lens

20 Best Things to Do in Sioux Falls, SD

Sioux Falls is the largest city in South Dakota. It offers visitors fun activities year-round, though the best time to explore it is in the summer. Visiting means exploring outdoor activities, tasting various dishes and craft beers, listening to live music, and adoring artworks. One of the city's major draws

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20 Best Things to Do in Badlands National Park, SD

Badlands National Park in Dakota’s southwest region features rugged beauty and an impressive expanse of more than 200,000 acres of prairie, buttes, and pinnacles. The area hosts prominent geologic deposits containing one of the world’s most abundant fossil beds and a vast area where wildlife like bison,

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20 Best Things to Do in Rapid City, SD

Founded in 1876, Rapid City, commonly known as the “City of Presidents,” is South Dakota’s second-largest city. It was home to almost 77,000 people, according to the United States Census Bureau in 2020. The city owes its name to the Rapid Creek, a limestone spring that passes through

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20 Best Things to Do in Brookings, SD

Expect no dull moment on a visit to Brookings, the fourth-largest city in South Dakota. Also the seat of its namesake county, Brookings has developed many points of interest since it was founded in 1879. This city was named after Judge Wilmot W. Brookings, an early pioneer and promoter of

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15 Free Things to Do in Sioux Falls, SD

Located on the confluence of the Big Sioux River, the city of Sioux Falls in South Dakota is the state's hub for entertainment, culture, and outdoor adventure. It's the county seat of Minnehaha County, whose history dates back around 14,000 years ago when the last Ice Age formed the

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15 Best Things to Do in Pierre, SD

Founded in 1880, Pierre is the capital city of South Dakota, and it is also the county seat of Hughes County. According to the 2020 census, Pierre has a population of 14,091. The United State Census Bureau reports that Pierre has 13.06 square miles of land and only

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22 Best Things to Do in Lead, SD

Nestled in a set of mountains and located to the west of South Dakota is a hidden gem known as Lead. When visiting Lead, you'll find a selection of attractions that feature history, nature, and activities you can enjoy. While Lead is not a large city brimming with tourist spots,

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20 Best Things to Do in Sturgis, SD

For good reasons, the prospect of an overdrive of the male XY chromosomes looms large on a trip to Sturgis. Firstly, Fort Meade, a historic US Army post active between 1878 and 1944, helped shape Sturgis in its early years. Scooptown was this city’s original name when it was

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15 Best Things to Do in Mount Rushmore, SD

Mount Rushmore, near Keystone, South Dakota, draws more than two million visitors yearly, ranks among the most popular U.S. tourist destinations. The 60-foot likenesses of four American presidents—Lincoln, Washington, Roosevelt, and Jefferson—carved on mountainsides have earned global attention. A spring visit to this U.S. national monument

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20 Best Things to Do in Watertown, SD

Watertown is a city offering an unforgettable experience for everyone who happens to be visiting, living in, or even working for the district. One way Watertown does this is by making sure that you'll feel at home. Being the county seat of Codington County, South Dakota, United States, Watertown has

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20 Best Things to Do in Hill City, SD

South Dakota’s Hill City may be small, but it is packed with virtually endless recreational possibilities. It is packed with many attractions, such as a well-preserved 1800s-era steam train, dinosaur fossils, parks, festivals, and railroad museums, among others. No wonder this small community is dubbed as the “Heart of

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20 Best Things to Do in Yankton, SD

Yankton, South Dakota, is a city of many names. People usually refer to it as the “River City” because it relied on the Missouri River for its early development. Meanwhile, others called it the “Mother City of the Dakotas” because of its historical significance. Likewise, people nicknamed Yankton the “Cement

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20 Best Things to Do in Mitchell, SD

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

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20 Best Things to Do in Spearfish, SD

One of the best travel adventures always involves the outdoors, culture, and nature. This is why it makes the city of Spearfish in South Dakota a perfect destination for the ultimate adventure. So, what are the best things to do in Spearfish SD? This small city in South Dakota's Lawrence

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15 Best Things to Do in De Smet, SD

The city of De Smet, South Dakota, also has the moniker “Little Town on the Prairie.” As the Little House novels by renowned author Laura Ingalls Wilder grew in popularity, the city has also followed suit. However, its roots go back to Pierre-Jean de Smet, a Belgian Jesuit missionary known

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20 Best Things to Do in Custer, SD

What does the oldest community in Black Hills, South Dakota, have to offer? The city of Custer in the state of South Dakota is the seat of the county with the same name. The city’s economy relies mainly on tourism. It’s no wonder because Custer is home to

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20 Best Things to Do in Keystone, SD

Keystone is a small town in South Dakota that is famous for its richly forested area. Located near the famous Mount Rushmore, it is the perfect place for enjoying activities like hiking, biking, and snow activities. This tiny town has its own fancy image around the world, which attracts a

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20 Best Things to Do in Deadwood, SD

The home of the 1876 Gold Rush, Deadwood is a charming place that brims with old heritage and history. Set against the backdrop of the gorgeous Black Hills National Forest, the city in South Dakota attracts history buffs and nature lovers alike. It's an excellent place that'll make you feel