Best Places to Visit in South Dakota
I spent another week exploring South Dakota as part of a longer road trip through the Midwest and Great Plains. South Dakota is effortlessly beautiful with wide open landscapes, unique towns, and a surprising mix of history, culture, and outdoor adventure.
If you are up for a few hours of driving, you can take in the dramatic formations of Badlands National Park, the iconic granite faces of Mount Rushmore, and the charming town of Deadwood, steeped in Wild West history. Add in the scenic drives through the Black Hills and a stop at Custer State Park to see the roaming bison, and you realize how much this state packs into a relatively small area.
As for timing, South Dakota shines in late spring through early fall. Summer brings warm days and long evenings perfect for drives, though it can get busy around peak tourist spots. Fall offers crisp air, fewer crowds, and golden-hued landscapes that make the Black Hills especially stunning. Winter, on the other hand, can be quite harsh with snow and icy roads, beautiful, but best suited for those comfortable with cold-weather travel.
So if you’re looking for a destination that blends natural wonder with Americana charm, South Dakota is well worth your time. Whether it’s the surreal beauty of the Badlands or the history carved into the hills, this state delivers more than you might expect in just a couple of days.
1. Sioux Falls
Our flight landed in the afternoon so we took a cab to our vacation rental ($145/night). After dropping off the bags, we headed to the Falls Overlook Cafe.
I wanted to see the famous falls right away but we were hungry. I ordered a tasty grilled cheese sandwich followed by farm-fresh ice cream.
There was something deeply grounding about Sioux Falls. The sound of rushing water from the falls, echoing through the park had a way of quieting everything else inside me.
We strolled along the river, letting time stretch and slow.
Next day, I admired the sculptures downtown followed by a brunch at Josiah’s. I had their house-made quiche with sharp cheddar and bacon, plus a buttery croissant and strong coffee.
2. Badlands National Park
We took Interstate 90 west from Sioux Falls towards the Northeast Entrance of Badlands National Park. It took us 4 hours to reach the park. I showed my Annual Pass at the gate. The cost is $30 for 7 days.
The Badlands didn’t just look ancient, they actually felt ancient. Standing among the jagged spires and layered buttes, I felt small in the most humbling way.
The silence out there was vast, stretching between wind gusts and the cry of a hawk overhead.
Sunset cast everything in rose gold. I stood still not to break the spell.
Dinner at Cedar Pass Lodge Restaurant just before park exit was a highlight. I had local buffalo stew with cornbread and prairie berry jam. It was hearty and comforting.
3. Mount Rushmore
After spending the night at Cedar Pass Lodge in Badlands National Park, we drove about an hour and a half to Mount Rushmore.
I expected the monument to be impressive. And it was! Although there were many visitors, there’s a stillness that hangs over Mount Rushmore.
I enjoyed my walk along the Presidential Trail. I kept catching glimpses of the mountain from different angles.
If you are traveling with kids, head for ice cream at the Memorial Team Ice Cream Shop. Apparently it's made with Thomas Jefferson’s original recipe. Vanilla, rich and custardy, eaten slowly while staring up at history...it made the whole experience sweeter.
4. Rapid City
After Mount Rushmore, we stopped in Rapid City for the night. I booked a room at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Rapid City North.
Founded in 1876 during the Black Hills Gold Rush, the town had a restless energy, part mining camp, part trading hub, and part dream of something bigger.
Nestled against the eastern slope of the Black Hills, the backdrop of pine-covered hills and open prairie made it feel both wild and breathtakingly beautiful.
5. Aberdeen
This small prairie city was great! It had wide-open skies, golden wheat fields that seem to stretch forever, and shimmering lakes tucked between rolling plains.
Aberdeen has a quiet beauty that sneaks up on you, especially at sunrise when the whole horizon glows pink and gold.
The shift from rugged granite peaks to prairie flatlands was dramatic, but Aberdeen’s charm lies in its simplicity and warmth.
During my two-day stay at The Alonzo Ward Hotel & Plaza, I crammed in as much as possible, including strolling through the storybook-like Storybook Land in Wylie Park, birdwatching at Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge (one of the top migratory bird stopovers in the country), and enjoying the laid-back pace of Main Street with its cafes, murals, and small-town friendliness.
6. Pierre
Tucked along the Missouri River, South Dakota’s capital has a mix of rugged bluffs, wide-open prairies, and shimmering waters that makes it feel both wild and welcoming.
Standing on the riverbank at dusk, watching the sun dip behind the hills and light up the water in fiery oranges, I couldn’t believe how underrated this city is.
Pierre was my final stop on a central South Dakota loop. After driving in from Badlands National Park, the landscape softened into rolling fields and the broad sweep of the Missouri — a striking contrast that made me appreciate the change of pace.
I based myself at AmericInn by Wyndham Fort Pierre for two nights, and my days were packed: touring the South Dakota State Capitol with its marble halls and murals, fishing along the Missouri River, hiking trails at LaFramboise Island Nature Area, and spending a slow morning at the Cultural Heritage Center, which gave me a whole new perspective on the region’s Native history and pioneer stories.
Conclusion
I loved how each town, trail, and café had its own rhythm, waiting for you to step into it.
Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a full road trip, let these reflections guide you, but leave room for your own moments of discovery.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
