Top Things to do in Morton
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Top 5 Things to do in Morton, Morton
Discover the best top things to do in Morton, United States including Dacotah Ridge Golf Club, Lower Sioux Agency, Birch Coulee Battlefield, Jackpot Junction Casino, Renville County Historical Society.
1. Dacotah Ridge Golf Club
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
This 7,000-yard Rees Jones course provides a full array of water and wood holes.
Reviewed By midway42 - Minnesota, United States
I visited this golf club somewhat on a whim as I had already planned a weekend to visit the surrounding historical sites. Designed by Rees Jones, the course is nestled just south of Morton and down the road from Jackpot Junction Casino. A somewhat intimidating entry gate allows access to the complex, and there is a well-stocked driving range next to the 10th-hole tee boxes. The 18-holes stretch out over 6,217 yards from the regular tees and 7,109 (!) from the tournament ones. There are plenty of water hazards, elevation changes, and sand traps to challenge all ability types including beginner golfers such as this writer. I played five early morning rounds here over three visits, walking every time. The clubhouse overlooks the ninth and tenth holes and provides the usual fare with excellent service. As someone who almost exclusively plays the same two or three public courses, I was a bit blown away by my first visit here. The remote location actually works in a customer’s favor if you don’t want to be struggling to find a tee-time. The fairways and greens were very well kept and the fellow golfers universally respectful and professional. Customer service in the clubhouse and restaurant (thanks Bert!) were excellent. As any true golfer knows, one of the benefits of the game is getting outdoors and this experience did not disappoint. The fall colors were spectacular and I can still hear the cows mooing in the distance as I try to clear the artificial lake on the 11th hole. I will be making (at least) annual visits here indefinitely. Superb.
2. Lower Sioux Agency
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By midway42 - Minnesota, United States
One of the 26 Minnesota Historical Society’s locations, the Lower Sioux Agency is found just southeast of the small town of Morton. It is one of a handful of local attractions that are linked to the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. Established by the US government in 1853, the Agency was the site of the outbreak of the conflict when Little Crow attacked the complex on August 18, 1862. Preceded by Andrew Myrick’s infamous comment of “let them eat grass” when the Indians requested food on credit, the Dakota warriors burned the surrounding buildings before routing Minnesota militia forces at the Battle of Redwood Ferry. The conflict quickly spread through most of south and west rural Minnesota, lasting over a month and culminating in the Battle of Wood Lake. I visited this attraction over two days on a holiday weekend, splicing my time with that at the Dacotah Ridge golf course (see separate review). The Lower Sioux Agency is essentially divided into an indoor museum and a number of outdoor sites. The museum starts with a 30-minute introductory video covering a history of the Dakota Indians from the 1862 conflict to the present day. The rest of the museum is small but packed with information. An historical diorama of the Agency buildings as they stood in 1982 starts in the foyer, and the experience continues in a roughly chronological fashion including descriptions of the pre-contact era, fur-trading, treaty era, and of course the 1862 War, ending with a section on 20th Century history of the tribe. Sprinkled along the way are various furs, a “buffalo learning trunk” consisting of handmade items from the animal, and various electronic displays incorporating the aforementioned subjects. The outdoor experience is showcased by the 1861 stone warehouse, the only original building that still stands. To the west of the museum is the Trader’s Path, detailing the location of period buildings that no longer exist. while to the east is a fairly intimidating mile-long River Path that leads down to the Minnesota River (go figure). As above, I stretched out my visit here over two days with the first spent at the museum and the second on the trails. A small bookstore completes the experience. In summary, this was a fantastic overall experience. The museum and outdoor paths complement each other nicely, with the former covering a wide variety of subjects in a small area with a perfect combination of written and electronic experiences. Additionally, the docent on staff at the time (Dane Nelson, the great-great-grandson of Chief Wabasha) provided detailed commentary on any issue I asked questions about in addition to encouraging me to walk the outdoor paths. The open-air experience as a whole requires a little imagination but is worth the time and effort, especially the River Path for those who want a little workout in addition to their didactics. I would highly recommend a visit here. People with even a passing interest could easily spend a day on site, while others who are history buffs might want to make it a weekend. Thumbs up.
3. Birch Coulee Battlefield
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 11 reviews
Site of the Battle of Birch Coulee, one of the hardest fought battles of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. Visitors can tour the self-guided trails where markers explain the battle from Dakota and U.S. soldiers' perspectives. Birch Coulee Battlefield is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic site is open daily dawn to dusk year round. Trails are not maintained in the winter.
4. Jackpot Junction Casino
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 87 reviews
Vegas-style gaming complex features 36 blackjack tables, 1,650 slot machines, progressive jackpots and a 375-seat Bingo Hall.
5. Renville County Historical Society
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