Sitting in the upper Midwest plains is the beautiful state of South Dakota. Encompassing more than 77,000 square miles of land, South Dakota is the 16th largest in size of the 50 states. The 770,000 residents who call this state home come from various ethnic backgrounds, including the diverse Native American population that inhabits the area.

South Dakota’s geography is a mix of beautiful lakes, mountains, and plains as far as the eye can see. The lakes which dot the landscape of the state were carved out from glaciers that covered the area during the last ice age. The Black Hills of South Dakota on the extreme western part of the state is home to beautiful peaks and canyons, including Harney Peak at over 7,200 feet above sea level. And finally, the state is split in half by the Missouri River that runs north to south.

The climate of the state helps to add to its richness and variety. During the winter, the average temperatures can reach down to the teens. During the summer, the average temperatures are near the 80’s, but often reach higher into the 90’s. In addition, during the winter months, 24-30 inches of snow fall on average across the area. However, in the Black Hills, up to 100 inches of snow can fall during the winter season.

It is this mix of geography, population, and environment that makes South Dakota a great place to tour and vacation. The state is rich with eclectic sites, interesting people, and attractions that can only be found within its borders. Anyone who travels across the state will quickly realize that there are enough things to see and explore to make a complete vacation.

In fact, the best way to explore that state is by car. Traveling the 414 miles from east to west on I-90 across South Dakota from Sioux Falls to Rapid City and the Black Hills will allow you to truly see the beauty of this state. While the 414 miles might not seem like a long distance, the sights to see in that distance are more than enough to make South Dakota a Vacation by itself.

Sioux Falls

The trip across South Dakota starts in Sioux Falls. The city, with a population of over 136,000 is the largest in the state. Sioux Falls is an economic center for the state, with major banking operations, hospitals, and retail stores—including two large malls.

The city is also home to the Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum. The zoo features over 45 acres of exhibits, including an Asian Cat Habitat, Bear Canyon, and an African Savannah. In all, the Great Plains Zoo has over 500 animals in simulated versions of their natural habitats. In addition, the Delbridge Museum, on the same site, features various displays of stuff animals from five continents.

After exploring various animals from around the world, step over the Performance Car Museum in Sioux Fall to explore some of the fastest cars ever on the road. This museum features Shelby Cobra, Chevys, and even a Ferrari Testarossa. In addition, the museum has on display cars owned by the stars, including cars owned by Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds.

Mitchell

After a day of animals, museums, and cars, it is time to travel east on I-90 to Mitchell, South Dakota. The city is famous for its Corn Palace. Every year, the outside of the Corn Palace is decorated with thousands of bushels of corn, oats, grain, and wheat in the form of murals depicting various aspects of South Dakota life.

The Corn Palace was original created in 1892 as an exposition center for farmers to display their harvests. Today, the facility is used to host shows, expositions, and sporting events. It still remains the only Corn Palace in the world.

While in Mitchell, you can learn about the culture of the Native Americans of the region at the Dakota Discovery Museum. The facility displays Indian beadwork, clothing, bags, and dolls. In addition, the museum also features exhibits on the history of the settlement of North and South Dakota, as well as five galleries of artwork.

Wall

After touring Mitchell, you can travel east where you will see the beautiful plains of the state. In addition, you will also see the bluffs the lie along, and pass over the Missouri River.

The next stop on the tour should be Wall, South Dakota. The small town on the plains is home to probably the most famous drug store in the world, Wall Drug. This store originally opened in 1931 as a small drug store. It become famous for offering travelers across the plains free ice water.

Today, the store is more of a museum and amusement park than a drug store. The store, which covers several blocks in the town features, features a giant rabbit on wheels, a jackalope, and a replica of Mount Rushmore—and, of course, that free ice water.

Over 20,000 people pass through Wall Drug on a normal day during the summer months. In fact, one-third of the residents in Wall are employed by the drug store. It is truly a vital part of the small South Dakota town.

Near Wall is also the famous Badlands of South Dakota. The Badlands National Park consists of over 244,000 acres of eroded buttes, spires, and pinnacles carved out by glaciers from the last ice age. The park is also home to some of the richest fossil beds in the world.

Rapid City

Traveling past Wall on I-90 bring to you to the end of plains and the beginning of the Black Hills in Rapid City. This city is the second largest in the state, home to 61,000 people.

From Rapid City, you enter the Black Hills of South Dakota. The Black Hills is home to several major destinations, including Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and the infamous town of Deadwood.

Mount Rushmore is the famous mountain carving features 60 foot busts of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The sculpture was initiated by Gutzun Borglum, and was worked on by Borglum and over 400 others between 1927 and 1941.

In addition to viewing the giant mountain carving, visitors can also view other exhibits. One of these exhibits is a sculptor’s studio, which features plaster molds and tools used by Borglum. The exhibits also feature the history of the more than decade-long process of carving the mountain.

Another major mountain carving that is currently is progress is the Crazy Horse Memorial. The carving, when it is complete, will depict the famous Indian Chief in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

The carving was begun in 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski. Today, the progress continues on what will be one of the largest sculptures in the world. While visiting the site, you can view the history of the carving, exhibits on Native American history, and plans for the future of the mountain.

Finally, no visit to South Dakota is complete without a visit to Deadwood. This famous gold mining town was once home to such people as Wild Bill Hicock and Clamity Jane. Today, you can take a walk back in time and visit various museums displaying the history of the gold rush, and various people that made Deadwood famous for eternity.

In addition, the town is also home to legalized casino gambling. You can try your hand at Blackjack, or hope for luck with the slot machines. To top it off, the town features old-style hotels and motels that provide modern comforts with the style of the 1800’s.

South Dakota truly has more to offer than most people realize. By visiting the state and its many attractions, you will have a better understanding of the history and people that helped to settle and develop the Western United States.

External Links:

• Great Plains Zoo - Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls
• Corn Palace - Mitchell Corn Palace
• Badlands National Park -
• Mt. Rushmore National Monument -
• Crazy Horse Memorial -
• Deadwood, South Dakota -