Not only is South Dakota aesthetically pleasing and wonderful in every way, it’s also incredibly quirky. Of course, we wouldn’t have it any other way! From a huge dinosaur park to a gigantic auto show, there’s always an exciting attraction to experience. Listed below are 10 unique things to do in South Dakota that show just how special we truly are.

  1. Dinosaur Park - Rapid City

Courtney “Coco” Mault / Flickr Open to tourists since 1936, this quirky attraction features larger-than-life dinosaurs that you can actually climb onto and take pictures with. The area overlooks Rapid City and offers spectacular views of the Badlands. 940 Skyline Dr, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA

  1. The Mammoth Site - Hot Springs

Jody Halsted / Flickr This active paleontological dig site is home to the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world. Embark on a tour for an educational and intriguing experience the whole family will enjoy. The Mammoth Site, 1800 US-18 BYP, Hot Springs, SD 57747, USA

  1. The World’s Only Corn Palace - Mitchell

Dave Ginsberg / Flickr This ginormous corn-plastered building is redecorated annually to showcase a new exciting theme. You can take a free tour of this iconic South Dakota structure anytime between Memorial Day and August. The World’s Only Corn Palace, 604 N Main St, Mitchell, SD 57301, USA

  1. Pioneer Auto Show - Murdo

John Lloyd / Flickr As one of the largest auto shows around, featuring more than 300 vintage cars, motorcycles, and trucks, The Pioneer Auto Show is a must-experience for those who cherish classic collections and odd historical items. They even have Elvis Presley’s motorcycle and the General Lee from Dukes of Hazards on display. 503 5th St, Murdo, SD 57559, USA

  1. Sandford Lab Homestake Visitor Center - Lead

flickr/zealofzebra This impressive facility provides an overview of the history and future of gold mining. Here you’ll get to view historic photos, videos, an intriguing 3-D model of the underground, and plenty of mining artifacts. The deck offers a fantastic view of the 1,000-foot-deep Open Cut. Admission is free! Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, 160 W Main St, Lead, SD 57754, USA

  1. Geographic Center of the Nation Monument - Belle Fourche

J. Stephen Conn / Flickr This is a unique engraved patio. When you stand here, you stand at the center of it all, as this very spot is the geographical center of the entire United States. Geographic Center of the Nation Monument, 415 5th Ave, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, USA

  1. Mount Rushmore National Monument - Keystone

Matthew Paulson / Flickr This one is a no brainer. No other state is home to a massive sculpture featuring the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, 13000 SD-244, Keystone, SD 57751, USA

  1. Mount Moriah Cemetery - Deadwood

Marty Gabel / Flickr The final resting place of Western legends, murderers, and madams, this cemetery is unlike any other. Give yourself at least one hour to listen to an informative video and view the various celebrity graves and plaques that detail the area’s history. Mount Moriah Cemetery, 10 Mt Moriah Dr, Deadwood, SD 57732, USA

  1. World’s Largest Pheasant - Huron

J. Stephen Conn / Flickr Erected in 1959, this gigantic 28-foot, 22-ton fiberglass and steel pheasant is definitely a head turner, as well as a quirky celebration of our South Dakota culture. World’s Largest Pheasant, Huron, SD 57350, USA

  1. Custer State Park - Custer

South Dakota / Flickr A herd of bison and other various types of wildlife roam this unique state park. Loaded with granite peaks, waterfalls, streams, and lakes, there’s plenty of opportunity for unique adventure in this wildlife reserve. 13329 US-16A, Custer, SD 57730, USA

What’s your favorite attraction or place in our state? South Dakotans really are a unique and interesting bunch. Check out these 12 Things People From South Dakota Always Have To Explain To Out Of Towners.

Courtney “Coco” Mault / Flickr

Open to tourists since 1936, this quirky attraction features larger-than-life dinosaurs that you can actually climb onto and take pictures with. The area overlooks Rapid City and offers spectacular views of the Badlands.

940 Skyline Dr, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA

Jody Halsted / Flickr

This active paleontological dig site is home to the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world. Embark on a tour for an educational and intriguing experience the whole family will enjoy.

The Mammoth Site, 1800 US-18 BYP, Hot Springs, SD 57747, USA

Dave Ginsberg / Flickr

This ginormous corn-plastered building is redecorated annually to showcase a new exciting theme. You can take a free tour of this iconic South Dakota structure anytime between Memorial Day and August.

The World’s Only Corn Palace, 604 N Main St, Mitchell, SD 57301, USA

John Lloyd / Flickr

As one of the largest auto shows around, featuring more than 300 vintage cars, motorcycles, and trucks, The Pioneer Auto Show is a must-experience for those who cherish classic collections and odd historical items. They even have Elvis Presley’s motorcycle and the General Lee from Dukes of Hazards on display.

503 5th St, Murdo, SD 57559, USA

flickr/zealofzebra

This impressive facility provides an overview of the history and future of gold mining. Here you’ll get to view historic photos, videos, an intriguing 3-D model of the underground, and plenty of mining artifacts. The deck offers a fantastic view of the 1,000-foot-deep Open Cut. Admission is free!

Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, 160 W Main St, Lead, SD 57754, USA

J. Stephen Conn / Flickr

This is a unique engraved patio. When you stand here, you stand at the center of it all, as this very spot is the geographical center of the entire United States.

Geographic Center of the Nation Monument, 415 5th Ave, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, USA

Matthew Paulson / Flickr

This one is a no brainer. No other state is home to a massive sculpture featuring the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, 13000 SD-244, Keystone, SD 57751, USA

Marty Gabel / Flickr

The final resting place of Western legends, murderers, and madams, this cemetery is unlike any other. Give yourself at least one hour to listen to an informative video and view the various celebrity graves and plaques that detail the area’s history.

Mount Moriah Cemetery, 10 Mt Moriah Dr, Deadwood, SD 57732, USA

J. Stephen Conn / Flickr

Erected in 1959, this gigantic 28-foot, 22-ton fiberglass and steel pheasant is definitely a head turner, as well as a quirky celebration of our South Dakota culture.

World’s Largest Pheasant, Huron, SD 57350, USA

South Dakota / Flickr

A herd of bison and other various types of wildlife roam this unique state park. Loaded with granite peaks, waterfalls, streams, and lakes, there’s plenty of opportunity for unique adventure in this wildlife reserve.

13329 US-16A, Custer, SD 57730, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

unique things to do in south dakota June 01, 2022 Jennifer Young What are three weird things to see in South Dakota? There’s no denying that South Dakota has its fair share of unique, yet weird, things. Listed below are three weird things to see in South Dakota during your next visit. You won’t find anything else quite like them. In fact, you might even catch yourself doing a double take.

  1. World’s Largest Pheasant Located in Huron, South Dakota, on Highway 14, is the “World’s Largest Pheasant.” Measuring 28 feet tall and weighing 22 tons, it’s hard to miss this fiberglass and steel bird.
  2. Porter Sculpture Park Porter Sculpture Park is located off of I-90 in Montrose, South Dakota. It features a collection of 50 metal sculptures that have been made from old scraped metal and re-purposed equipment. You’ll see everything from dragons to stick figures at Porter Sculpture Park. Note: There’s a small fee to visit, so be sure to keep that in mind.
  3. World’s Only Corn Palace Located in Mitchell, South Dakota is the “World’s Only Corn Palace.” This unique attraction, which welcomes approximately 500,000 visitors each year, was built in 1892 and includes wall panels made from 13 colors of corn. One of the most interesting things about the Corn Palace is that the exterior is transformed into a different theme each year. Admission to the “World’s Only Corn Palace” is free, so be sure to check it out the next time you’re in the area. What’s one of the top tourist attractions in South Dakota that everyone should see at least once? There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in South Dakota. After all, the state has a variety of tourist attractions suitable for everyone. One of the top tourist attractions in South Dakota is Mount Rushmore National Monument. Mount Rushmore National Monument, which was built between the years 1927 and 1941, is one of the most spectacular monuments in America. Located in Keystone, South Dakota, this monument honors the following four presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Admission to see the Mount Rushmore National Monument is free. However, you can expect to pay a small parking fee. If you ever get a chance to see the Mount Rushmore National Monument, consider doing it. There’s no other monument like it.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

unique things to do in south dakota

June 01, 2022

Jennifer Young

What are three weird things to see in South Dakota? There’s no denying that South Dakota has its fair share of unique, yet weird, things. Listed below are three weird things to see in South Dakota during your next visit. You won’t find anything else quite like them. In fact, you might even catch yourself doing a double take.

  1. World’s Largest Pheasant Located in Huron, South Dakota, on Highway 14, is the “World’s Largest Pheasant.” Measuring 28 feet tall and weighing 22 tons, it’s hard to miss this fiberglass and steel bird.
  2. Porter Sculpture Park Porter Sculpture Park is located off of I-90 in Montrose, South Dakota. It features a collection of 50 metal sculptures that have been made from old scraped metal and re-purposed equipment. You’ll see everything from dragons to stick figures at Porter Sculpture Park. Note: There’s a small fee to visit, so be sure to keep that in mind.
  3. World’s Only Corn Palace Located in Mitchell, South Dakota is the “World’s Only Corn Palace.” This unique attraction, which welcomes approximately 500,000 visitors each year, was built in 1892 and includes wall panels made from 13 colors of corn. One of the most interesting things about the Corn Palace is that the exterior is transformed into a different theme each year. Admission to the “World’s Only Corn Palace” is free, so be sure to check it out the next time you’re in the area. What’s one of the top tourist attractions in South Dakota that everyone should see at least once? There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in South Dakota. After all, the state has a variety of tourist attractions suitable for everyone. One of the top tourist attractions in South Dakota is Mount Rushmore National Monument. Mount Rushmore National Monument, which was built between the years 1927 and 1941, is one of the most spectacular monuments in America. Located in Keystone, South Dakota, this monument honors the following four presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Admission to see the Mount Rushmore National Monument is free. However, you can expect to pay a small parking fee. If you ever get a chance to see the Mount Rushmore National Monument, consider doing it. There’s no other monument like it.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

There’s no denying that South Dakota has its fair share of unique, yet weird, things. Listed below are three weird things to see in South Dakota during your next visit. You won’t find anything else quite like them. In fact, you might even catch yourself doing a double take.

  1. World’s Largest Pheasant

Located in Huron, South Dakota, on Highway 14, is the “World’s Largest Pheasant.” Measuring 28 feet tall and weighing 22 tons, it’s hard to miss this fiberglass and steel bird.

  1. Porter Sculpture Park

Porter Sculpture Park is located off of I-90 in Montrose, South Dakota. It features a collection of 50 metal sculptures that have been made from old scraped metal and re-purposed equipment. You’ll see everything from dragons to stick figures at Porter Sculpture Park. Note: There’s a small fee to visit, so be sure to keep that in mind.

  1. World’s Only Corn Palace

Located in Mitchell, South Dakota is the “World’s Only Corn Palace.” This unique attraction, which welcomes approximately 500,000 visitors each year, was built in 1892 and includes wall panels made from 13 colors of corn. One of the most interesting things about the Corn Palace is that the exterior is transformed into a different theme each year. Admission to the “World’s Only Corn Palace” is free, so be sure to check it out the next time you’re in the area.

What’s one of the top tourist attractions in South Dakota that everyone should see at least once?

There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in South Dakota. After all, the state has a variety of tourist attractions suitable for everyone. One of the top tourist attractions in South Dakota is Mount Rushmore National Monument. Mount Rushmore National Monument, which was built between the years 1927 and 1941, is one of the most spectacular monuments in America. Located in Keystone, South Dakota, this monument honors the following four presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Admission to see the Mount Rushmore National Monument is free. However, you can expect to pay a small parking fee. If you ever get a chance to see the Mount Rushmore National Monument, consider doing it. There’s no other monument like it.