South Dakota is an absolutely gorgeous state. And, while there are many major cities in South Dakota that you can visit, there are also some lesser-known places that you won’t want to miss out on.
To help make sure you don’t just hit up the largest city in South Dakota but get to experience all the unique spots in the state, we’ve put together this guide. Let’s check out the best cities in South Dakota for you to visit!
Mitchell
Mitchell is a small town that’s located in the southeast part of the state. The area is a great place to visit if you enjoy checking out museums as it has multiple amazing museums in the area.
What Mitchell is famous for, however, is its corn palace. The corn palace is a unique building covered from head to toe in images of oats, corn, grains, and other grasses.
Apart from the corn palace, you can check out the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village. This unique location takes you back in time and shows you what life was like for Native Americans living in the area in years gone by.
Deadwood
If Western movies are your thing, you’ll want to head out to Deadwood for a visit. This unique town is a National Historic Landmark that first appeared on the map back in 1876 during the gold rush.
The town is surrounded by mountains that still have gold rush-era buildings standing proudly on their slopes. You can visit the historic homes or check out the Broken Boot Gold Mine, where you can try your hand at finding some gold of your own.
Interestingly enough, this town hasn’t changed a whole lot over the years. You’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time as you stroll down the streets of Deadwood and listen to locals tell stories about how Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok used to roam the streets.
Sioux Falls
One of the best cities to live in South Dakota, Sioux Falls is a must on most people’s travel bucket list. Or, if you want to move to the area yourself.
The city surrounds the beautiful Sioux Falls, which you can visit at the Falls Park in the middle of the area. While there, be sure to check out the parks and trails in the area and enjoy a day out in the sun.
Rapid City
Rapid City is a great place to visit because it’s located close to several of the main tourist attractions in South Dakota. From here, you can visit Mount Rushmore, The Badlands, or the Crazy Horse Memorial with no problem.
Since this is the second biggest city in South Dakota, there’s plenty to do in Rapid City, too. You can enjoy one of the many tasty restaurants in the area, check out the life-sized presidential sculptures, and enjoy the exhibits at the Journey Museum.
Plan a Visit to These Cities in South Dakota
Now that you know all about some of the best cities in South Dakota to check out, it’s time to bust out the map and start planning your adventure. Pick your favorite from the list or take a longer trip and aim to see them all.
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