2017-01-14 05:10:14
YOUR REAL SOUTH DAKOTA ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE Falls Park, Sioux Falls Far from the tourist traps, the Southeast region welcomes you with natural beauty, homespun charm, rural and Native American heritage. It is scenic, serene, Simply South Dakota! OUTDOOR PLEASURES With more than 175 natural and man-made lakes and three major rivers gracing Southeast South Dakota, every day can be a new adventure. You’ll find public and private recreational facilities that range from fully outfitted, up-scale recreational complexes to the rustic charm of a primitive hideaway. South Dakota State Parks also offer organized kids activities as well as guided hikes for all ages. The Missouri River and surrounding area serves not only as a historical and cultural centerpiece of the region, but also as an outdoor recreation mecca. Part of the “Wild and Scenic River” system, 98 miles of the Missouri is designated as The Missouri National Recreational River and offers canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing, hunting, camping and much more. Surrounded by picturesque bluffs, rolling hills and wooded wildlife areas, the ‘Mighty Mo’ is the major North American migratory waterfowl flyway, making it a favorite destination for bird lovers. The Southeast South Dakota Birding Trail map provides information about what birds to look for and the best spots to find them. It is available on the Birdwatching page at www.southeastsouthdakota.com or by calling 1-888-353-7382. Lewis & Clark Recreation Area, west of Yankton, is one of South Dakota’s top attractions. It is a full service facility complete with campgrounds, hiking, biking and horse trails, swimming beaches, disc golf, archery range, marina, resort, restaurant and much more. You’ll find many excellent private, state and federal areas along the scenic bluffs and among the wildlife-rich woodlands of the Missouri River. City and county parks also offer additional treasures. Each has its own special features. Falls Park, in Sioux Falls, has a 5-story observation tower from which you can observe the majestic falls of the Big Sioux River as well as the city skyline. Six viewing areas, walkways and picnic areas, a restaurant, as well as the historical Horse Barn and Queen Bee Mill ruins, make Falls Park a must see. Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, Yankton Palisades State Park, located nearby at Garretson, offers several trails that twist and turn through Sioux quartzite formations along scenic Split Rock Creek. The more adventurous outdoorsman can make the climb to the top of towering quartzite spires. Follow the Sioux Quartzite Outcrop Trail to scenic and historical destinations at Palisades State Park and Devil’s Gulch at Garretson, the Dells at Dell Rapids, Falls Park and other locations throughout the Sioux Falls area. The avid golfer will find top rated courses in Sioux Falls and other communities. High atop a bluff overlooking the Missouri River or on the peaceful rolling prairie, these courses will challenge your skill and refresh your spirit. For winter fun, Great Bear Recreation Area at Sioux Falls offers downhill skiing and tubing. You’ll also find trails for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling throughout the region. Or try your hand at ice fishing. There may be ice on the lakes, but the fish are still biting. Mitchell Corn Palace ATTRACTIONS, FESTIVALS AND EVENTS Nearly every town in Southeast South Dakota offers a museum or collection of interest. The Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls and Heartland Country Corn Maze in Harrisburg promise fun for all ages. Children can make music, build, climb, dance and discover their inner artist at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota in Brookings. Explore 40 antique-filled buildings and relive the days of an active turn of the century main street at Prairie Village in Madison. Visit DeSmet and tour two original homes and the homestead that Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about in her book The Long Winter. The Dakota Territorial Museum and Cramer-Kenyon Heritage Home both offer a glimpse into the historic past of Yankton. See endangered fish species being hatched and raised at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, also in Yankton. Observe a live archeological dig in progress at Mitchell's Prehistoric Indian Village. Find butterflies flying freely year round at the Sioux Falls Sertoma Butterfly House. Then go next door to The Outdoor Campus for free outdoor adventure. You’ll find waterparks, watershows, family fun parks and much more. Pioneer Power Show, Menno Don’t miss the world’s only Corn Palace in Mitchell, decorated yearly with new murals made from thousands of bushels of corn, grains and native grasses. It has been newly renovated with color changing light up domes, an observation deck and fun activities for kids. Communities invite you to celebrate and experience the rich heritage of the area at unique events and ethnic festivals. Enjoy an authentic German meal and a community theatrical production at Freeman’s Schmeckfest, sample a homemade kolache (pronounced 'koe-lauchee') and enter a polka dance-off at Tabor’s Czech Days, or be a “Dane for a Day” and enjoy aebleskiver for breakfast at Viborg’s Danish Days. Get your fill of kuchen (pronounced 'koo-ken'), “South Dakota’s state dessert”, at the Kuchen Festival in Delmont. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant in DeSmet brings Laura’s world-famous books to life before your eyes. Rodeos at Scotland, Mitchell, Yankton and Wessington Springs offer authentic western entertainment. Old-time threshing festivals at Madison, Menno, Delmont and Brandon show you how it was done in the ‘good ol’ days’. Immerse yourself in Native American culture at powwows throughout the region. Thrill to the spectacle of armored jousting, fire-breathers, jesters, plus Scottish Highland Games at the Siouxland Renaissance Festival in Sioux Falls. County fairs are a fun family outing with carnival rides, animal exhibits and entertainment, plus the favorite fair food - funnel cakes. If you’re a birdwatcher, you’re sure to enjoy the South Dakota Birding Festival, held near Wagner in May. Find more events on page 218. For even more event information visit www.southeastsouthdakota.com. Siouxland Renaissance Festival, Sioux Falls CULTURAL HERITAGE AND THE ARTS In addition to its wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities, Southeast South Dakota provides a wide array of cultural and entertainment facilities. As the region’s largest city, Sioux Falls offers a wide variety of historical museums, art galleries and theaters. Take in world-class entertainment including music, dance, opera and Broadway hits. Sioux Falls Jazz Fest Ride the free trolley system, designed after streetcars operating in Sioux Falls in the early 1900s, from Falls Park to the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science which houses a visual arts center, a hands-on science center, a performing arts center and the Wells Fargo CineDome with a 60-foot domed screen. Stop along the way at the Old Courthouse Museum, a grand 1800s quartzite courthouse with three floors of exhibits. Look for Trolley Stop banners throughout downtown Sioux Falls as well as at Falls Park. Tour the Pettigrew Home and Museum, the beautifully restored 1889 home of South Dakota’s first senator, R.F. Pettigrew. The Center for Western Studies also offers a variety of history and art exhibits. National Music Museum Vermillion Discover outstanding works of art by Native American and other regional artists at the Dakota Discovery Museum and Carnegie Resource Center in Mitchell, Center for Western Studies and Washington Pavilion’s Visual Arts Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings and museums/galleries throughout the area. Explore natural and cultural history at museums in Freeman, Madison, Mitchell, Sioux Falls, Vermillion and Yankton. These museums have preserved artifacts that showcase the rich Native American and pioneering history of this region. If you love jazz music, don’t miss Sioux Falls’ JazzFest in July. It’s the largest free outdoor jazz and blues festival in the Midwest! A highlight for all music lovers is the National Music Museum in Vermillion, featuring musical instruments spanning five centuries from around the globe plus free lunch-time programs and evening concerts showcasing a variety of musical entertainment. Mark your calendars for these area arts events: Wessington Springs Prairie Hills Art Show in June; Madison’s Mart in the Park in July; Yankton Riverboat Days & Summer Arts Festival and the Sioux River Folk Festival at Newton Hills State Park in August; Art & Wine Walk in Downtown Sioux Falls in May and the Sidewalk Arts Festival in Sioux Falls each September. Downtown Sioux Falls has a year-round SculptureWalk, with original works of art on public display to enjoy throughout the year. Yankton and Vermillion also have sculptures throughout the downtown area. Call the local visitors bureau for the most up to date info as you plan your trip. SHOPPING, DINING AND LODGING Many stores and specialty shops throughout the region carry quality items that are made right here in South Dakota. These products range from homemade jams to beautifully handcrafted quilts and works of art. Sioux Falls offers an exceptional shopping and dining experience. Discover treasures at unique specialty shops in the historic downtown or peruse over 180 of the finest stores at the Empire Mall, the largest shopping complex between Minneapolis and Denver. Downtown Sioux Falls dining options include everything from international flavors to home cooking to fine dining. Sidewalk cafés offer a fresh air dining experience. Small town eating establishments can offer some of the best home cooking around so be sure to ask a local where their favorite place to eat is. They always know the best spots. Festivals also provide some great food options, especially if they have some kind of cook-off. There’s hardly a better treasure hunt than you’ll find at antique stores and malls throughout the region. Communities that offer first-rate antique shopping include Mitchell, Sioux Falls and Yankton. You'll be impressed by the diversity of restaurants, coffee shops and wineries in Southeast South Dakota. While some establishments feature South Dakota's finest cuts of locally grown beef and buffalo, you will also find a variety of authentic ethnic and international cuisine. Enjoy the nostalgia of Edgar’s Ol’ Fashioned Soda Fountain in Elk Point or choose from over 20 flavors of fresh churned ice cream and sorbet at Stensland Family Farms Store in Sioux Falls. Local wineries which grow their own grapes and make their wine on the premises offer tours, wine tasting and special events throughout the year. Find a list of wineries on page 237. Southeast South Dakota's lodging choices include everything from a bed & breakfast overlooking the Missouri River to a charming rural retreat or cozy rustic lodge, as well as upscale business lodging with all the amenities. No matter what the season, Southeast South Dakota will provide you with a simply wonderful and memorable experience. Welcome to Scenic - Serene - Simply South Dakota.
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