Interstate 29: South Dakota’s Cultural Corridor

Constructed in 1916, this historic home was built by Scandinavian craftsmen who combined elements of Victorian and Arts & Crafts styles. Stavig House is open as a museum and listed on the National Historic Register.

A short drive west of Sisseton, explore a scenic ravine steeped in Dakota legend at Sica (pronounced she-cha) Hollow State Park. Stretch out on the Trail of the Spirits, a designated National Recreation Trail.

Thirty-two miles west of Sisseton, this Civil War-era fort tells of the area’s frontier past. Walk the grounds of Fort Sisseton Historic State Park to see barracks and other buildings once used by U.S. Army officers and guards.

Terry Redlin captured on canvas images of nature and small-town America. Enjoy more than 160 original oil paintings, shop exclusive gift shops or stroll the 30-acre Conservation Park.

The Mellette House was once the home of South Dakota’s first governor, Arthur Calvin Mellette. Today visitors can tour the home to view the spectacular Italianate architecture and see what life was like in the late 1800s.

More than 800 animals and 130 species call the Bramble Park Zoo home. Highlights of the zoo include the Bear Crossing, Australian Adventure and interactive KidZoo.

With more than 7,000 objects in its collection, the South Dakota Art Museum features rotating exhibits of Harvey Dunn paintings, Indigenous art, Marghab Linens and work by author/illustrator Paul Goble, as well as art from other regional, national and international artists.

McCrory Gardens features more than 25 acres of flowers, trees, shrubs and grasses, plus a 40-acre arboretum that provides a place for both scientific study and public exhibition. Pet-friendly and open daily from sunrise to sunset, the gardens are a great place to stop and smell the flowers!

Located on the SDSU campus, the Agricultural Heritage Museum is dedicated to preserving South Dakota’s rural traditions and way of life. Exhibits feature farming technology, crops and livestock.

Visitors to the Ingalls Homestead can step into South Dakota’s pioneer past on the very land where Laura Ingalls Wilder’s family homesteaded, experiencing history through hands-on activities.

Tour original homes from the books and a school attended by the Ingalls children at these downtown De Smet buildings operated by the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society.

One of De Smet's first businesses, Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about the Loftus Store in several of her stories. Visitors can still stop in the original store for “Little House on the Prairie” books, souvenirs and nostalgic treats.

Be sure to visit the city’s namesake, the Falls of the Big Sioux River. The river streams over glittering pink quartzite at scenic Falls Park, a popular destination for visitors and locals alike.

With dozens of new sculptures installed every year, this massive public art installation turns downtown Sioux Falls into an open-air gallery. Stroll along Phillips Avenue to find your favorites.

More than a beautiful slice of nature, Good Earth State Park at Blood Run is rich in Indigenous heritage. View exhibits at the visitor center before wandering the trails.

Music lovers should plan a visit to the National Music Museum, which is home to a world-renowned collection of more than 15,000 musical instruments. A recent renovation and expansion has made it even more of a must-visit.

Devoted to the collection, preservation, exhibition and interpretation of South Dakota’s history, the W.H. Over Museum features items representing natural history, inhabitants and the various cultural groups that have called South Dakota home.

Meridian Bridge spans the Missouri National Recreational River, part of the National Park system. Visitors can walk, run or ride bikes on both levels of the bridge while enjoying a wonderful vantage point to look upon the river's wild and scenic waters.

This hatchery has produced more than 5 billion fish for release in Midwestern waters. In the cool, softly lit surroundings of the aquarium, visitors become part of the aquatic environment while fish and turtles swim in 13 tanks.

This popular park is located around Lewis and Clark Lake, one of four Missouri River reservoirs in South Dakota. Camp, hike, hit the water or just soak up the beauty and history of an area once explored by Lewis and Clark.