1.) Mount Rushmore National Memorial<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Perched within the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore is probably one of South Dakota\u2019s most iconic places to visit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In fact, Mount Rushmore is one of the most visited memorials in South Dakota. Around a 30-minute drive from Rapid City, it\u2019s really easy to visit Mount Rushmore as part of a day trip in South Dakota, or a wider trip across the state.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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After arriving at the huge presidential heads, make sure to follow the trails and paths that lead to one of the best viewpoints (right next to the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From this point, you\u2019ll be able to see the colossal mountain-carved sculptures of four former American heads of state. From Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Theodore Roosevelt, to Abraham Lincoln. Over painstaking years, their heads were carved into granite on one side of Mount Rushmore which is said will last weathering for many thousands of years to come.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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If you don\u2019t drive or want a qualified guide, book this guided full-day tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills (direct from Rapid City).<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s a great way to explore the area, without any of the stress of navigating. Just be sure to book in advance, this tour fills up fast at peak times.<\/p>\n
Book: Epic Mount Rushmore guided tour<\/strong><\/p>\n2.) Sioux Falls<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Visiting Sioux Falls is one of the best things to do in South Dakota if you fancy a few days\u2019 in a smaller US city. It\u2019s got a little bit of everything but nothing too overwhelming. This all means it can be a totally relaxing trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, make sure to explore Falls Park and follow the trails which are stunning on a sunny day. Oh, and don\u2019t forget to visit the Old Courthouse Museum and the historic house of Pettigrew Home and Museum.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If they\u2019re not your vibe, check out Benson\u2019s Flea Market which sells anything and everything you can ever imagine.<\/p>\n
The atmosphere is perfect for the whole family and great to explore for some souvenirs to go home with. With over 80 stalls and vendors, you will find antiques and collectables, antiques, bric-a-brac, local crafts, artwork, and more. It is situated on the Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls. Be sure to carry enough cash on you, not all vendors take cards.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Afterwards, head over to Phillips Avenue Diner which is a totally kitsch and informal spot for lunch or brunch. Their Elvis waffle is so tasty.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fancy a drive and love music? Then head over to the National Music Museum in Vermillion. It\u2019s around a 55-minute drive (south of Sioux Falls) and a perfect spot to stretch your legs.<\/p>\n
Inside, the National Music Museum houses thousands of musical instruments and artefacts from the greats of the world. The instruments include American, European, and other continents\u2019 musical instruments.<\/p>\n
Plus, you might even spot instruments like Elvis Presley\u2019s Guitar, didgeridoos, Italian violins, and many others. It is a must-see for any music lover and one of the best things to do in South Dakota if you\u2019re heading south to Nebraska.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Badlands National Park<\/strong><\/p>\n3.) Mammoth Site<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Just on the very fringes of the Black Hills, visiting Mammoth Site is one of the best things to do in South Dakota if you want to explore the state\u2019s natural history.<\/p>\n
You see, Mammoth Site was established to serve as a museum as well as the paleontological site for research where some pretty epic remains are viewable. Over the years, some remains have been uncovered on the site, including 61 mammoth bones, oxen, llamas, camels, wolves, and other animals. It\u2019s literally a timestamp of what lived in this region thousands of years ago.<\/p>\n
The site attracts scientists worldwide but also many other visitors, too. To this day, it remains the world\u2019s largest site for mammoth remains and is well worth visiting in Hot Springs.<\/p>\n
Best of all, the museum is open to the public as it showcases many discoveries around the site.<\/p>\n
4.) Badlands National Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
One of my favourite places in all of South Dakota, Badlands National Park is a perfect spot to explore on foot. With well over 200 000 acres to explore, it\u2019s one of the best things to do in South Dakota if you love the great outdoors.<\/p>\n
Though, don\u2019t think that Badlands is just a place for geologists \u2013 the landscape is stunning and well worth visiting as you drive across South Dakota.<\/p>\n
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The enigmatic landscape includes vast hills and iconic pinnacles formed by eroded clay and sand over tens of thousands of years. Not only that, wildlife roams the Park, too. Just always be cautious of snakes in this region \u2013 they can be plentiful and love to sunbathe on rocks at dusk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Pop by the visitor centre, drive the Badlands National Park Loop Road and ramble the Notch Trail. We love this area. To make things easier, book this Badlands National Park private tour \u2013 this way, you can get the lowdown on all the natural sites, without any of the stress of finding them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Badlands National Park<\/strong><\/p>\n5.) Custer State Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
It might not be as well-known as some other state parks in the US, but Custer State Park happens to be one of the biggest parks in all of South Dakota.<\/p>\n
The Park features a peaceful and unique landscape with different terrains that make it a totally gorgeous place to explore.<\/p>\n
Without sounding totally cheesy, the deep forest, gorgeous lakes, and waterways make this is a totally serene landscape to see.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trust me, visiting is one of the best things to do in South Dakota if you have an interest in hiking (or biking for that matter).<\/p>\n
\u00a0If you like a challenge, try hiking the trail leading to Black Elk Peak, the state\u2019s highest peak. Alternatively, follow the Little Devil\u2019s Tower Trail which is so gorgeous with the orange hues of the sunset.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Oh, and don\u2019t forget to head up to and through Needles Eye Tunnel in summer. It\u2019s totally unique.\u00a0<\/p>\n
6.) Black Hills National Forest<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Now, the Black Hills National Forest is almost guaranteed to be at your stopping points in South Dakota. It\u2019s colossal and stretches across over 1 million acres.<\/p>\n
Not only that, the Black Hills National Forest covers a wide range of different terrains that make it the perfect stomping ground for any nature lover.<\/p>\n
Trust me, the forest is filled with amazing wonders with scenic nature displays and great viewpoints such as Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore (which I mentioned above).<\/p>\n
Best of all, the Black Hills is famous for providing outdoor recreation activities for all the family. You can head on a day trip to include hiking, fishing, horseback riding, etc.\u00a0 Plus, with around 30 designated campsites, It\u2019s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Afterwards, don\u2019t forget to visit the ongoing construction of the Crazy Horse Memorial. It\u2019s the world\u2019s largest mountain carving and a spot that is incredible to learn about.<\/p>\n
Commissioned by Henry Standing Bear of the Native American Lakota people, it\u2019s a site that is continually being built, relying solely on donations. I loved visiting.\u00a0<\/p>\n