When it comes to places to see, things to do, and delicious food to eat, there is no better place to be than the exciting Mount Rushmore State! While you can always visit the iconic Mount Rushmore or Crazy Horse, we recommend traveling off the beaten path and checking out something a bit more hidden yet exciting, like roadside attractions in South Dakota. And there’s no better place to view the state’s quirky roadside sites than the beautiful Interstate 90. There are actually quite a few roadside attractions along I-90. And though there are plenty of options when it comes to things to do along I-90 in South Dakota, we recommend the 6 unforgettable roadside attractions below.
- Wall Drug (Wall)
Wikimedia Commons Spanning a whopping 412.76 miles, there are plenty of things to do along I-90 in South Dakota, beginning with the one and only Wall Drug. Opened in 1931, Wall Drug is a gigantic 76,000-square-foot building that houses everything from restaurants and shops to life-size dinosaur replicas and a splash pad. Now that you know what Wall Drug entails, can you see why it’s one of the most popular roadside attractions in South Dakota, attracting more than two million people each year.
- Corn Palace (Mitchell)
Wikimedia Commons For a free attraction that is unlike anything you have ever seen, you won’t want to miss the world’s only corn palace. Built in 1892, the Mitchell Corn Palace is adorned with hundreds of thousands of ears of corn that are switched out every year for a new theme, making for one of the most unique things to see along I-90. 604 N Main St, Mitchell, SD 57301, USA
- Al’s Oasis (Oacoma)
Al’s Oasis Facebook Has anyone else noticed that South Dakota has some of the best rest stops in America? Case in point: Al’s Oasis in Oacoma. Whether you need to grocery shop, get a delicious home-cooked meal, or window shop with a cup of five-cent coffee in hand, you will find something to love at Al’s. Not only one of the most unique roadside attractions along I-90 in South Dakota, but Al’s Oasis is among the nation’s most unique sites. Al’s Oasis, 1000 E South Dakota, W Hwy 16, Oacoma, SD 57365, USA
- Dinosaur Park (Rapid City)
TripAdvisor/Gabe10101 Rapid City is known for its close proximity to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, but did you know that it is also home to actual dinosaurs? It’s true, and you can see them for yourself at Dinosaur Park, a fun family attraction that boasts life-size dino replicas, quirky photo ops, and incredible views as far as the eye can see. It’s truly one of the best roadside attractions in South Dakota. 940 Skyline Dr, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA
- Storybook Island (Rapid City)
Storybook Island Facebook No South Dakota childhood is complete without seeing all of your favorite storybook characters in person. The 8.5-acre Storybook Island is home to more than 100 unique storybook-themed displays, including your favorite characters. Admission to this magical land is always free, only adding to the reasons it’s one of the best roadside attractions in South Dakota. 1301 Sheridan Lake Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702, USA
- Porter Sculpture Park (Montrose)
Wikimedia Commons Do you notice something strange in the distance while driving down I-90? You are not hallucinating; that is indeed a 60-foot-tall sculpture of a bull’s head and other oddities, all of which are housed at the Porter Sculpture Park near Montrose. 25700 451st Ave, Montrose, SD 57048, USA
How many of these roadside attractions along I-90 have you visited? Know of any other things to do along I-90 in South Dakota? Let us know!
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning a whopping 412.76 miles, there are plenty of things to do along I-90 in South Dakota, beginning with the one and only Wall Drug. Opened in 1931, Wall Drug is a gigantic 76,000-square-foot building that houses everything from restaurants and shops to life-size dinosaur replicas and a splash pad. Now that you know what Wall Drug entails, can you see why it’s one of the most popular roadside attractions in South Dakota, attracting more than two million people each year.
For a free attraction that is unlike anything you have ever seen, you won’t want to miss the world’s only corn palace. Built in 1892, the Mitchell Corn Palace is adorned with hundreds of thousands of ears of corn that are switched out every year for a new theme, making for one of the most unique things to see along I-90.
604 N Main St, Mitchell, SD 57301, USA
Al’s Oasis Facebook
Has anyone else noticed that South Dakota has some of the best rest stops in America? Case in point: Al’s Oasis in Oacoma. Whether you need to grocery shop, get a delicious home-cooked meal, or window shop with a cup of five-cent coffee in hand, you will find something to love at Al’s. Not only one of the most unique roadside attractions along I-90 in South Dakota, but Al’s Oasis is among the nation’s most unique sites.
Al’s Oasis, 1000 E South Dakota, W Hwy 16, Oacoma, SD 57365, USA
TripAdvisor/Gabe10101
Rapid City is known for its close proximity to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, but did you know that it is also home to actual dinosaurs? It’s true, and you can see them for yourself at Dinosaur Park, a fun family attraction that boasts life-size dino replicas, quirky photo ops, and incredible views as far as the eye can see. It’s truly one of the best roadside attractions in South Dakota.
940 Skyline Dr, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA
Storybook Island Facebook
No South Dakota childhood is complete without seeing all of your favorite storybook characters in person. The 8.5-acre Storybook Island is home to more than 100 unique storybook-themed displays, including your favorite characters. Admission to this magical land is always free, only adding to the reasons it’s one of the best roadside attractions in South Dakota.
1301 Sheridan Lake Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702, USA
Do you notice something strange in the distance while driving down I-90? You are not hallucinating; that is indeed a 60-foot-tall sculpture of a bull’s head and other oddities, all of which are housed at the Porter Sculpture Park near Montrose.
25700 451st Ave, Montrose, SD 57048, USA
There more to see than roadside attractions in South Dakota. For instance, did you know about these hidden gems in South Dakota?
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Things To Do Along I-90 In South Dakota June 02, 2022 Daniella DiRienzo What are the best little known attractions in South Dakota? The roadside attractions along I-90 aren’t the only hidden gems in South Dakota. The state is brimming with little known sites and attractions, including McCrory Gardens. Nestled on the campus of South Dakota State University, the grounds feature a 25-acre garden and 45-acre arboretum – both of which are brimming with beautiful blooms and gorgeous greenery. In addition to the garden and arboretum, there’s a 9,350-square-foot Visitor Center. Built in 2012, it houses a historical background on the garden and arboretum as well as a coffee shop and gift shop. What are the most well known parks in South Dakota? There’s no shortage of amazing parks in South Dakota. One of the most popular parks, though, is without a doubt Badlands National Park. Equal parts expansive and stunning, the park spans 244,000 acres and boasts striking geologic deposits, an expanse of mixed-grass prairie, and lots of other unique natural features, including the Fossil Exhibit Trail, which is a boardwalk trail lined with displays on fossils discovered in the park. Wildlife is another park perk. The grounds are home to a menagerie of animals, including bison, pronghorn, mule, whitetail deer, prairie dogs, coyotes, butterflies, turtles, snakes, bluebirds, vultures, eagles, and hawks are just a few of the animals often seen by park visitors.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Things To Do Along I-90 In South Dakota
June 02, 2022
Daniella DiRienzo
What are the best little known attractions in South Dakota? The roadside attractions along I-90 aren’t the only hidden gems in South Dakota. The state is brimming with little known sites and attractions, including McCrory Gardens. Nestled on the campus of South Dakota State University, the grounds feature a 25-acre garden and 45-acre arboretum – both of which are brimming with beautiful blooms and gorgeous greenery. In addition to the garden and arboretum, there’s a 9,350-square-foot Visitor Center. Built in 2012, it houses a historical background on the garden and arboretum as well as a coffee shop and gift shop. What are the most well known parks in South Dakota? There’s no shortage of amazing parks in South Dakota. One of the most popular parks, though, is without a doubt Badlands National Park. Equal parts expansive and stunning, the park spans 244,000 acres and boasts striking geologic deposits, an expanse of mixed-grass prairie, and lots of other unique natural features, including the Fossil Exhibit Trail, which is a boardwalk trail lined with displays on fossils discovered in the park. Wildlife is another park perk. The grounds are home to a menagerie of animals, including bison, pronghorn, mule, whitetail deer, prairie dogs, coyotes, butterflies, turtles, snakes, bluebirds, vultures, eagles, and hawks are just a few of the animals often seen by park visitors.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The roadside attractions along I-90 aren’t the only hidden gems in South Dakota. The state is brimming with little known sites and attractions, including McCrory Gardens. Nestled on the campus of South Dakota State University, the grounds feature a 25-acre garden and 45-acre arboretum – both of which are brimming with beautiful blooms and gorgeous greenery. In addition to the garden and arboretum, there’s a 9,350-square-foot Visitor Center. Built in 2012, it houses a historical background on the garden and arboretum as well as a coffee shop and gift shop.
What are the most well known parks in South Dakota?
There’s no shortage of amazing parks in South Dakota. One of the most popular parks, though, is without a doubt Badlands National Park. Equal parts expansive and stunning, the park spans 244,000 acres and boasts striking geologic deposits, an expanse of mixed-grass prairie, and lots of other unique natural features, including the Fossil Exhibit Trail, which is a boardwalk trail lined with displays on fossils discovered in the park. Wildlife is another park perk. The grounds are home to a menagerie of animals, including bison, pronghorn, mule, whitetail deer, prairie dogs, coyotes, butterflies, turtles, snakes, bluebirds, vultures, eagles, and hawks are just a few of the animals often seen by park visitors.
