Top Things to do in South Dakota
Top Hotels in South Dakota
- 1. Best Western Plus Rapid City Rushmore
- 2. Bavarian Inn, Black Hills
- 3. K Bar S Lodge
- 4. Hampton Inn & Suites Southwest/Sioux Falls
- 5. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Sioux Falls
- 6. Deadwood Gulch Resort, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
- 7. Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites
- 8. Comfort Suites Conference Center Rapid City
- 9. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Rapid City
- 10. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Rapid City, SD
Countries
The 10 Best Concerts & Shows in South Dakota, United States
South Dakota has good golf courses, skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, hiking, and biking among rolling prairies, pine forests, and granite mountain peaks like Mount Rushmore. Glacial lakes and Missouri River reservoir lakes provide great fishing, boating, canoeing, water skiing, and windsurfing. The whole family will enjoy this prairie land where grain growing begat roadside attractions like the Corn Palace in Mitchell. Everything made from corn, even the popcorn, tastes better here. Where buffalo roam, roadside diners serve up buffalo and luscious homemade fruit pies. Shop for good deals on cowboy boots on the same Black Hills and Badland Main Streets where cowboys and cowgirls outfit themselves. Be near the eroded buttes, spires, and prairie grasslands of Badlands National Park in Lead, Deadwood, Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis, Hill City, Custer, and other nearby towns. The whole family will enjoy watching for big game like bison, bighorn sheep, antelope, eagles, and hawks. Drive the one-hour Hwy 240 loop road, with a side-trip to Robert's Prairie Dog Town. Learn about the Oglala Sioux Tribe at the White River Visitor Center, which is near Wounded Knee. Tour the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site's Cold War nuclear silos, just outside the Park's boundaries. About 90 minutes west of Badlands National Park is Mount Rushmore. Lead, Deadwood, Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis, Hill City, Whitetail Springs, and Custer are also very near Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, and Jewel Cave National Monument. View Mount Rushmore from the aerial tramway in Keystone, which also houses the Borglum Historical Center celebrating the artist behind the sculpting of Rushmore. Take the kids to the Dinosaur Park in Rapid City. Attend Custer State Park’s Annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival. Bedazzle the whole family with sparkling calcite crystals in 151-mile long Jewel Cave. Bison, pronghorn, and elk graze the grasslands of Wind Cave National Park. Central South Dakota has the state capitol, Pierre, in addition to numerous lakes along the Missouri River. Go fishing and boating in the rivers and lakes. Take the kids to the South Dakota Discovery Center and Aquarium in Pierre to see the state’s native fish. Drop by the Dacotah Prairie Museum along the James River in Aberdeen in the northeast to learn prairie history and natural history. Swing by Sioux Falls to see the USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial and special exhibits at the Old Courthouse Museum. Choose from among 10 golf courses in Sioux Falls.
Restaurants in South Dakota
1. Matthews Opera House & Arts Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Built in 1906, The Matthews continues the cultural tradition of bringing performance arts and also a fine art gallery to both the Spearfish community and visitors to the Black Hills. Community theatre, both adult and children's, national acts -- from classical, pop, comedy, et al, fine art shows, receptions, and much more keep this historical property alive right in the middle of downtown Spearfish, SD.
2. Catfish Bay Water Ski Park - Greatest Show on H2O
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 366 reviews
The Greatest Show On H2O, Camp OnAqua & Ice Fish Fest are all at Catfish Bay. The show is a fun family event. It has comedy, acting and more all choreographed to amazing stunts on the water. It is an all ages show designed with the family in mind. Our world class water skiers perform dazzling human pyramids, jumps, water ballet, barefoot water skiing and much more. "The Greatest Show On H2O!" has something for everyone to enjoy this summer. Catfish Bay also home to Camp OnAqua, Ice Fish Fest, professional water ski training and more. Go to our website for more information
3. Levitt at the Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Levitt at the Falls is an outdoor music venue that is located in Falls Park West and features free professional concerts from artists of various genres each summer. The mission of the Levitt at the Falls is to build community through music.
Reviewed By M3201ELandreab - Sioux Falls, United States
Last summer we went to the High Kings at the Levitt, amazing concert. Its great to sit outside on a summer day and enjoy a concert that would normally cost $50 a person, for essentially free, they just ask for donation of any amount. The only downfall is there are very few food vendors so be prepared to stand in line if you want to eat. I believe this coming summer it will improve as the have a better idea of what to expect for the size of the crowds.
4. Washington Pavilion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 185 reviews
The mission of the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science is to educate, entertain, inspire, and enrich the community by making arts and science part of our lives. Our vision is to be the region’s premier arts and cultural institution and a national model for multifaceted, community-based institutions.The Washington Pavilion is the region’s home for the arts, entertainment and science. Located in a beautifully renovated historic building in downtown Sioux Falls, it is one of only a few facilities in the world to bring together under one roof the performing arts, visual arts, interactive science and educational opportunities.
Reviewed By jarjen27 - Sioux Center, United States
We enjoyed a show here so much it prompted us to purchase tickets for the upcoming Performance Series. It’s a great venue. Also - want to put in a plug for the Science Museum. Our kids really enjoy the various attractions!!
5. Fort Hays Old West Town and Dinner Show
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 896 reviews
**Closed for winter months. Our doors will re-open on Mothers Day 2019. See you then!** Start your day at Fort Hays Old West Town, site of the Oscar award winning movie set, Dances with Wolves. Walk along our boardwalk and make your own brick, tin plate, gem pan or make a twine lasso rope. There is no admission fee to browse the film set & South Dakota Film Museum. See the original buildings used in this popular Wild West movie. Enjoy All-You-Can-Eat Cowboy Pancakes for 99 cents! Find the perfect souvenior at one of our three unique Gift Shops. Dinner shows are held at Fort Hays mid May through mid October.
Reviewed By ju65dy - Redding, United States
Highly recommend this all day tour—what a bargain!! Fun & educational Fun chuckwagon dinner & music to finish off the day!
6. Red Garter Saloon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Red Garter Saloon was established over 50 years ago and is under the same family ownership today. Red Garter is open seasonally from April to Mid-October. Our Bar features live music, comedy western shows from Memorial Day through September.(Admission fee applies to the 3x daily comedy western show only), great décor and atmosphere, along with a large selection of craft beer, wine, and cocktails. Red Garter Saloon is family friendly, and is a separate business connected with The Ruby House Restaurant for all food service.
Reviewed By mn_princess73 - Red Wing, United States
Nice place to relax and kick back... have a few beverages and stay for the live music, especially Jerry Allen. They also have a comedy show with Big Dave and Jerry Allen! Freaking hysterical.
7. Deadwood Tobacco Co
8. Black Hills Playhouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Generations of playgoers have been delighted by this gem of a seasonal summer stock theater located near Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse in Custer State Park. This professional theatre has played since 1946 from June through mid August, and is one of the oldest, continuously running summer stock programs in the country. Four to five incredible productions play throughout the summer Tuesday through Sunday. Descriptions and ratings of shows available at website. Beautiful picnic grounds, pre-order picnics, and concessions available. Park pass required on car for entry.
9. Historic Homestake Opera House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Built in 1914 by the Homestake Gold Mine the building boasted a billiards hall, bowling alley, library, 1,000-seat theater, and a 25-yd. heated indoor swimming pool. The elaborately designed building survived a theater fire in 1984 and sat empty for nearly a dozen years; but now is a nonprofit performing arts venue hosting 50+ events per year in theatre, dance, and concerts, and educational presentations while the first-ever plasterwork within the interior theater begins restoration progress in 2017.
10. Deadwood Alive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 272 reviews
Witness the infamous trial of the man who killed Wild Bill Hickok. Six nights a week (no shows on Sundays). The capture of Jack McCall takes place in front of the Old Style Saloon No. 10 At 7:35 PM. The Trial of Jack McCall takes place at the historic Masonic Lodge next to the Silverado at 8:00 PM. Shootouts and entertaining shows with the Deadwood Alive troupe throughout the day, starting at 1:45 on Deadwood's Main Street, Memorial Day weekend - September 26, 2020.
Reviewed By Tragnar - Woodbury, United States
This is the second time we have watched the street plays. Educational and entertaining. The shoot out at the Number 10 saloon is great and audience participation is fun. See them all or at least see the saloon shootout, the arrest and trail of Jack McCall.
