South Dakota Travel & Tourist Attractions
South Dakota is a perfect balance of scenic brilliance and a rich cultural heritage. The Black Hills, in the southwestern part of the state, is one of the treasures of the world. Its unique rock formations and mysterious caverns, demonstrated by such wonders as the wind caves and Crystal Cave Park are unprecedented. South Dakota's Custer State Park is filled with thousands of roaming bison and wild animals; the Badlands are another geological marvel, with ridges and cliffs covered in a blanket of white sediment. And don't forget Mount Rushmore in Keystone. The Southeast part of South Dakota is home to many lakes and three major rivers. It is a haven for fisherman, hunters, golfers and skiers alike.
1880 Train/Black Hills Central Railroad - (Hill City and Keystone, SD) Located near Mt. Rushmore National Monument and Crazy Horse Memorial, the locomotive offers a western experience like no other. Feel the power. Hear the bellow of the engine and the whine of the whistle as it winds it's way through the scenic hills between Hill City and Keystone... and back again.
Adams Museum & House - (Deadwood, SD) Deadwood’s Adams Museum is considered the Black Hills’ oldest history museum. Artifacts on display from Deadwood’s infamous past reflect the powerful legends of Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, and Deadwood Dick. From a one-of-a-kind plesiosaur, the Thoen Stone, and W.E. Adams’ love letters to a lively folk art collection, Lakota bead and quill work, and Potato Creek Johnny’s gold nugget; the Adams Museum exhibits capture the mysteries, the tragedies, the bawdiness, and the dreams found in the history, art, and natural history of the Black Hills.
Bear Country USA - Bear Country U.S.A. features the world's largest private collection of North American Black Bear. You will also encounter wolves, mountain lions, elk, buffalo, deer, bighorn and dall sheep, Rocky Mountain goats and much more… all roaming free in their natural habitat.
Beautiful Rushmore Cave - Beautiful Rushmore Cave is the area's largest stalactite cave and the closest cave to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. The one hour tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, the most stunning of which is the BIG ROOM. This legendary room contains thousands of salactites, stalagmites, ribbons, helectites, columns and other breathtaking cave formations.
Black Hills Caverns - Black Hills Caverns is a huge cave, with a fantastic variety of formations including Logomites, Stalagmites, Stalactites, Helictites, Rare Frost Crystal, Purple Amethyst, Flowstone, Dogtooth Spar Crystal, Boxwork, Cave Flower, Soda Straw Stalactites, Columns, Draperies, Popcorn Crystal, Nailhead Spar Crystal and many more!
Corn Palace - The World's Only Corn Palace is an outstanding structure which stands as a tribute to the agricultural heritage of South Dakota.
Crazy Horse Memorial - The Crazy Horse memorial features the Crazy Horse mountain carving now in progress which will be the world’s largest sculpture (563' high, 641' long, carved in the round). The huge visitor complex also includes the beautiful Indian Museum, Educational and Cultural Center, the sculptor’s studio-home and workshop, and much more.
Dacotah Prairie Museum - The Dacotah Prairie Museum of Aberdeen, South Dakota mounts both long and short-term exhibits concerning the prairie; early settlers, their lives and lifestyles; the railroad and its influence on settlement; and Native American life. Step back into the past with us today!
Flintstone's Bedrock City - Bedrock comes alive in this modern Stone-Age setting of fun-filled buildings and play areas. Tour Fred's Bedrock City. Ride the Flintmobile and Iron Horse Train. See Mt. Rockmore and enjoy the new Flintstone Trio Show. Then romp on the playground's Slideasaurus. A Gift Shop, Drive-in and Campground are also located within the facility.
Four Mile Old West Town - Four Mile Old West Town offers hayride tours which allow visitors to travel through the town site while the guide narrates the way of life your ancestors lived, from the mid 1800’s into the early 1900’s, during the time the when the Black Hills were settled. Walking self-guided tours are also available.
Grand River Museum - The Grand River Museum maintains collections devoted to paleontological and cultural aspects of the Grand River region of South Dakota and their goal is to become a regional center of paleontologic and ethnographic studies.
Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum - The Great Plains Zoo is home to over 400 animals that will entertain the whole family.
High Plains Heritage Center Museum - The center is a five state regional museum founded to honor the old west pioneers and the Native Americans of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Nebraska. View fantastic exhibits of Western art, artifacts and memorabilia including the original Spearfish to Deadwood stagecoach, outdoor log cabin, school house, sod house, blacksmith shop and more.
The Journey Museum - The Journey Museum brings together four major prehistoric and historic collections to tell the complete story of the Western Great Plains - from the perspective of the Lakota people and the pioneers who shaped its past, to the scientists who now study it.
Mammoth Site Museum - Travel back to the time when Ice Age mammoth, camel, and giant short-faced bear roamed the Great Plains of South Dakota.
National Museum of Woodcarving - Visit One of the Most Unique Museums in America! Educational, Entertaining and Unique Works for Everyone. Visitors can enjoy The Wooden Nickel Theater, Over 30 scenes created by an original animator of Disneyland, a Carving Studio, display of many nationally recognized woodcarvers National Museum Gallery, gift shop, snack bar and lots more.
Parade of Presidents Historical Wax Museum - Located in the shadow of Mount Rushmore in the historic town of Keystone, the Parade of Presidents is an impressive highlight on any traveler's itinerary. Witness the history of American Democracy from its inception. The entire family will enjoy America's heritage in wax! This unique museum features incredibly realistic, life-sized wax figures of every President of the U.S.
Redlin Art Center - This remarkable building and the paintings within were donated to the city of Watertown as a gift from world famous artist, Terry Redlin.
Reptile Gardens - Exhibiting the World's Largest Reptile Collection living among rare and beautiful minerals, fossils, and sculptures. The Sky Dome features the nation's first walk-through jungle filled with lizards, crocodiles, harmless snakes, parrots, and hundreds of stunning orchids and tropical plants.
Rushmore Tramway - Ride up to a beautiful alpine landscape: get off on top to see impressive rock formations, waterfalls, flowers, and panoramic views. Have a cold drink or a bite to eat as you take in the unique view of Mt. Rushmore from this scenic mountain top setting. Breathe in the fragrance of the pines as you take a relaxing stroll through this beautiful Black Hills mountain-garden setting.
Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns - Experience a world unlike any other. Knowledgeable and friendly guides lead you through subterranean, crystalline passages in the Paha Sapa limestone. Marvel at the world's most extensive display of dog-tooth spar crystal. Peer into the still, clear water of Diamond Lake. Visit the famous French Chandelier room, Crystal Palace, and Rainbow Arch.
Smith-Zimmermann Heritage Museum - The museum's collections and exhibits focus on the ethnic history of the early settlements in Lake County and surrounding regions in eastern South Dakota from 1860 to the present.
South Dakota Discovery Center & Aquarium - The South Dakota Discovery Center provides interactive exhibits and hands-on science activities that are fun and educational.
State Agricultural Heritage Museum - The South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum is a great place to visit and enjoy the history of the Dakota prairie. The museum is a powerful resource for all aspects of the rich history that South Dakota has proudly carried for many generations.
Thunder Road Family Fun Park - If speed is your ticket, race right over to the most dynamic go-kart tracks in the Dakotas. The tracks feature banked corners, hairpin turns, and endless racing fun for all members of your family. Adventure golf and bumper boats are also available.
W. H. Over State Museum - Preserving and interpreting the heritage of South Dakota and its people is the Museum's mission. Founded in 1883, the Museum began as a study collection in the natural sciences at what is now the University of South Dakota . This is the state's largest collection of natural and cultural history.
Wall Drug - Wall Drug is one stop you won't want to miss when traveling in South Dakota. Stop and see us! Have a bite to eat . . . look at all the memorabilia . . . enjoy the art gallery . . . there's shopping galore . . . have fun with the kids in the big Back Yard.
Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science - The Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science is the region’s newest and largest cultural and entertainment center. The Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science includes the Husby Performing Arts Center, the Kirby Science Discovery Center and its Wells Fargo CineDome Theater, the Visual Arts Center, the Discovery Store and Leonardo’s Café.
Wild Water West - South Dakota's largest waterpark and family amusement park. Over 50 acres of non-stop fun!
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