South Dakota has always made great agricultural contributions to the country – so much so that an entire palace was built to show our state pride. Take a look at the Mitchell Corn Palace in South Dakota. It’s one of those magnificent attractions that deserves a spot on your bucket list.

The Mitchell Corn Palace was built in 1892, when Mitchell had just 3,000 residents.
Mitchell Corn Palace
The palace was a hit from the beginning. Here's a photo of the crowd outside of the palace in 1915. Today, as many as 500,000 people visit the Corn Palace every year.
Every year in August, the exterior is stripped and redone with a new theme.
John C./TripAdvisor
The cost for this renovation is $130,000. The theme for 2020 was South Dakota Stay Here Play Here.
Thirteen different colors of corn are used to create the panels.
csarchibald/TripAdvisor
Each corn cob is cut in two length-wise then nailed in place.
The corn panels are changed each year when a new theme is unveiled. Past themes have included Remember When (2014) and Salute To Military (2018).
LasVagas62010/TripAdvisor
A tribute to Elvis is in the large panel on the corner of the building in this photo from the 2016 mural titled Rock of Ages. You can see the detail of the corn cobs here.
The interior of the Corn Palace has many murals, too.
Sarah F./TripAdvisor
The main area is used for high school basketball games during the school year.
csarchibald/TripAdvisor
For some of the year, the main floor is set up as a gift shop.
Cedric M./TripAdvisor
The shop includes locally-made crafts and commercial items.
You know you want a corny water bottle!
Mori M./TripAdvisor

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Concerts and community events are also held at the Corn Palace throughout the year.
75notherngirl/TripAdvisor
The Corn Palace is a vital part of the community, hosting events such as rodeos.
Corn Palace/Facebook
The space is also used for volunteer events.
Corn Palace/Facebook
In April 2015, 1,250 volunteers packed food for the The Impact Life Organization, which sent it to third world countries.
IreneM/TripAdvisor
You can play in the corn!
Katherine J/TripAdvisor
And you'll want to climb aboard the tractor, too.
Nick S/TripAdvisor
Outside, enjoy a picnic and wander through the local shops.
wingsovereurope/TripAdvisor
Admission to the Corn Palace is free!
csarchibald/TripAdvisor

Have you visited the Mitchell Corn Palace in South Dakota? Tell us about your experience in the comments. And for more information, check out the Corn Palace website.

If you’d like to check out some of South Dakota’s most beautiful outdoor spaces, visit these 9 South Dakota Historic Landmarks.

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mitchell corn palace in south dakota

Beth Price-Williams | January 08, 2021

Which hidden gems in South Dakota should I visit?

Whether you’re a lifelong resident of South Dakota or just visiting on vacation, you’ll find there are a ton of hidden gems dotting the state. One of the most magnificent South Dakota hidden gems, for example, is Bear Butte near Sturgis. At an elevation of more than 1,200 feet above the plains, the sacred area is perfect for a bit of quiet reflection. (Wait until you see the views). Big Sioux Recreation Area in Brandon is a picture-perfect destination all year around with plenty of activities – from hiking in the summer to snowmobiling in the winter. Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Brown County is another hidden gem that belongs on your must visit list.

What are the best road trips through South Dakota?

It just doesn’t get any better than road tripping through South Dakota. After all, there are so many gorgeous places to visit. If you love waterfalls, you’ll definitely love this South Dakota road trip that will take you to four gorgeous cascades. Your trip will begin at Bridal Veil Falls in Spearfish, a breathtaking 60-foot waterfall. You’ll also visit Roughlock Falls and Cascade Falls. You might also want to plan a trek from Sioux Falls to Spearfish, considered one of the best road trips in the United States, which features stops at such famous spots as Wall Drug.

What are the coolest roadside attractions in South Dakota?

Can you think of a better way to spend a few hours or even a few days than visiting some of the best roadside attractions in South Dakota? There are certainly plenty of them to check out. Bring your camera along to snap photos of the World’s Largest Pheasant in Huron. He’s 20 feet tall, so you might be able to sneak in a selfie with him. If you’ve never seen a skeleton man walking a dinosaur, you really need to make a beeline for Midland where you’ll find, well, a skeleton man walking a skeleton dinosaur. Don’t forget to stop by the Giant Prairie Dog in Philip along your journey.

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Featured Addresses
The World's Only Corn Palace, 604 N Main St, Mitchell, SD 57301, USA